Defensive Tackle Rankings 2010 NFL Draft

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The NFL draft moves to primetime for the first time in 2010. The first round will be in PRIMETIME, and takes place on Thursday April 22nd at 7:30 p.m. ET. The NFL Draft second and third rounds are on Friday April 23 at 6 p.m. ET. Rounds Four thru Seven will be held on Saturday April 24th at 10 a.m. ET. 

2010 Defensive Tackle Rankings

NDAMUKONG SUH, Nebraska

A lot of scouts and draftniks are high on Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy as the best in a 2010 NFL Draft loaded at defensive tackle. He is the premier pass-rushing DT and the NFL is a passing league, they say. However, Suh is the stronger, more complete player (he put up 32 reps on the bench as opposed to McCoy’s 23) – and he can get to the quarterback himself. Four sacks versus Texas in the Big 12 title game is nothing to sneeze at. Suh alone took the Huskers’ defense to a new level, and most people will see he’ll do the same thing in the big leagues. Suh will be one of the top picks.

GERALD McCOY, Oklahoma

McCoy is a pure athletic specimen, given his size at 6”4 and just shy of 300 lbs. He has very good quickness and admirable speed at the position; he just edged Suh in the 40-yard dash (4.96 seconds to Suh’s 4.98). Scouts knew McCoy was good from day one; he was the top-rated DT coming out of high school. There’s no doubt he can be a difference maker on an NFL squad, but he should fall just behind Suh in the overall position rankings, no matter what Mike Mayock says.

DAN WILLIAMS, Tennessee

The first person people look to on the Volunteers’ defense is stud defensive back Eric Berry, but Williams is a guy that can make his presence felt in the NFL. Going at an impressive 6”3, 327 lbs, Williams has been terrorizing people in the middle of UT’s defense for several seasons now. His stats won’t jump off the page, but Williams consistently took on one or two blocks in the SEC. The veteran from Rocky Top looks like he would be a good fit for Miami or the home state Titans in the first round.

TERRENCE CODY, Alabama

The Tide’s mountain of a man projects as an elite run-stuffer at the next level if he can keep his weight under control. Many envision Cody going to the Minnesota Vikings as a replacement for the aging Pat Williams. For a man as heavy as Cody is, he’s quite nimble and has good lateral movement. Cody’s stock was slipping earlier (he showed up to the Senior Bowl weighing 370 lbs; that’s just too heavy) he has lost weight since and is near his target of 350. Cody should be a first-round pick.

GENO ATKINS, Georgia

Atkins boosted his stock considerably by having an excellent combine. He was known as a pass-rush specialist that received a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines in college. He then wowed onlookers with a 4.75 forty and a remarkable 34 reps on the bench-press – more than Suh despite surrendering about 15 lbs (Atkins goes at 6”1, 290). His speed and quickness are first-rate for the position. While Atkins is a little short for a guy who isn’t in the pure nose guard mold, he definitely asserted himself in order to possibly be snapped up in the first round, despite being a junior.

Honorable Mention: BRIAN PRICE, UCLA

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