Philadelphia Eagles: 3 DT's Not Named Fletcher Cox That Eagles Could Select

Many mock drafts, including the latest from Sports Illustrated, have the Philadelphia Eagles taking Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox with the 15th overall pick this April.

Cox would be an excellent fit for Philadelphia's scheme, but the Eagles could face competition for him.

Earlier in the week, ESPN.com reported that the Dallas Cowboys scheduled a visit with Cox. The Cowboys are picking one space ahead of the Eagles in this year's draft. Meanwhile, other teams hungry for a defensive tackle, such as the St. Louis Rams, could also use a player like Cox.

Therefore, the Eagles may need to consider some alternatives.

Here are the best three defensive tackles—other than Cox—who would fit the Eagles' scheme: 

Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

It's quite remarkable that Worthy is not commonly regarded as an automatic first-round talent. The Spartans linchpin has all the attributes to justify going at 15.

Worthy possesses exceptional first-step quickness and excels at attacking the gaps. The 6'3", 310-pounder has ideal size for the position.

Worthy's takeoff and ability to quickly penetrate the line of scrimmage and disrupt plays at their source makes him the kind of interior playmaker Juan Castillo and Jim Washburn covet.

A perceived lack of consistent effort is the one major question mark surrounding Worthy, but make no mistake, the talent is there. Andy Reid has taken plenty of risks on players with questionable temperament in the past and could easily justify doing the same for Worthy.

Devon Still, Penn State

Arguably the most technically refined interior lineman in this draft class, Still would give the Eagles a powerful presence at the heart of their front four.

He plays with good footwork and uses his hands very well, which enables him to defeat and evade blockers with rip and swim techniques.

Still's stout frame would also provide Philadelphia's line with a focal point for the run defense it is currently lacking. Once considered the head of this year's class of tackles, Still has seen his draft stock drop slightly thanks to late risers like Cox and LSU's Michael Brockers.

Nevertheless, the Penn State stalwart has the physical attributes and natural ability to justify being taken in the middle of the first round. 

Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

A later round prospect worth considering is Cincinnati's Derek Wolfe. He had a huge year in 2011, posting 70 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Wolfe has struggled for consistency at the collegiate level, but has the raw ability to appeal to Eagles line guru Washburn. In particular, Wolfe's 21.5 tackles for loss as a senior shows he has the potential to be a dangerous weapon in Philadelphia's system.

Wolfe needs to be coached to work on his timing and refine his overall technique. As an interior rusher in rotation with incumbents Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon, Wolfe would represent excellent value in the later rounds. 

Conclusion

The Eagles' defensive line schemes came in for unfair criticism and more than a little mockery at times last season. However, as the campaign progressed, the wide alignments began to pay dividends.

Adding another active and explosive tackle to the mix would make the core trio of Jenkins and ends Trent Cole and Jason Babin even more dangerous this season.

Cox may be the first choice of most, but if he is gone by the 15th pick, these three players represent useful alternatives.