Danny Shelton Remains Draft's Top Nose Tackle Despite Marginal Combine Results

Once the medical evaluations and team interviews were over, Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton should have left the NFL combine in Indianapolis. He didn't have anything to prove. 

Teams are more interested in Shelton's ability to not be moved off the spot than his actual movement skills. 

However, there was still an opportunity for Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips to surpass the former Washington Husky as the top nose tackle prospect in this year's draft class. 

Phillips fell short of expectations at the combine, though, while Shelton looked like the player everyone expected. 

The Oklahoma product was fighting an uphill battle from the onset.

Shelton was viewed as a potential top 15 pick throughout the season. His production as a senior—93 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks—was off the charts for a nose tackle prospect. He was also named to the Walter Camp All-American Team and an Academic All-American. 

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Phillips, meanwhile, required a tremendous workout to open eyes. 

The Dallas Morning News' Bob Sturm described the former Sooner as a "legendary athlete" in Norman, Oklahoma, and the nose tackle was viewed as "freakish." Comparisons to the Kansas City Chiefs' Dontari Poe were made along the way.

Yet Phillips didn't perform quite as well as expected. His workout was solid overall for a 329-pound nose tackle, but it wasn't the type of performance that truly elevated him to an elite level. 

As touted as he was entering this weekend's event, Phillips didn't blow Shelton away from an athletic perspective. 

Player	Height	Weight	40-yard dash	10-yard split	Bench	Vertical	Broad
Shelton	6'2"	339	5.64	1.88	34	30.5"	7'11"
Phillips	6'5"	329	5.17	1.84	28	30"	8'9"

In fact, the two can be considered comparable athletes. 

Yes, Shelton ran a poor 40-yard dash overall. 

So what? 

Rotoworld's Josh Norris pointed out that Shelton's workout was similar to that of the best young nose tackle in the NFL: 

Plus, his motor never stopped when he was on the field. Phillips' overall effort, though, has been in question. 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn discussed numerous prospects with multiple scouts. Here is what one had to say about Phillips: 

"

He has quickness and he can run, but he plays so damn high and he cannot get off a block. It could be back-related. If that's not an issue, he has something that you can't coach, and that's physical talent. I think he's tough enough. He's just not a good player. He does not dominate. He's not effective. That bothers me. Character-wise, everything's positive about him.

"

The nose tackle duo also faced questions about their physical makeup. 

Shelton's weight fluctuated over his career. He may have played this season closer to 360 pounds than his listed weight of 339 pounds. However, he showed up in better shape during each step of the draft process. At the Senior Bowl, the nose tackle weighed 342 pounds. He matched his listed weight as a senior at the combine. 

While Shelton continues to answer the bell in regards to his weight, the major concern regarding Phillips will continue to linger. 

Only NFL teams are privy to the medical exams that are conducted in Indianapolis, but Phillips experienced back issues during his time in Oklahoma. It even required surgery after four games into the 2013 campaign. 

Due to Phillips' size and the position he plays, it becomes more difficult to take a chance on him if his overall athleticism doesn't completely overwhelm teams. 

In this case, prudence will trump overall upside. 

Shelton didn't need to make the case he was the best nose tackle in the class with a top workout at the combine. Phillips did, but he didn't live up to expectations. 

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL draft for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.