2017 NFL DT Evaluation
#4 Chris Wormley
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
School: Michigan
Year: Senior
Height: 6’5
Weight: 298 lbs.
Chris Wormley is a dependable prospect who has demonstrated great leadership qualities. The last thing he will be is a distraction within the locker room of whatever team he ends up joining. Wormley is impressively strong but lacks explosion coming out of both a 3 or 4 point stance, his hand speed is also mediocre, which limits the amount of moves he can use to get past blockers. That being said, Wormley has superb balance which allows him to clog up the middle and slow down opposing interior running games. If Wormley improves his stamina, he could end up being a solid addition to a NFL defensive unit.
#3 Caleb Brantley
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
School: Florida
Year: Junior
Height: 6’3
Weight: 307 lbs.
Caleb Brantley moves as if he were shot out of a cannon and is viciously physical when he gets his hands on a ball carrier. Unfortunately, Brantley’s opportunities to display his talents are diminished by his poor balance and non existent lateral quickness. This deficiency leads Brantly to make contact lower than he should, which is also why some consider him to be an inconsistent tackler. However, Brantley is an elite run stopper, who eats up double teams like Joey Chestnut at a hotdog eating contest. Brantley is the definition of a specialist who could really cause damage if used as a 1st and 2nd down defensive tackle.
#2 Malik McDowell
(AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
School: Michigan State
Year: Junior
Height: 6’6
Weight: 295
If NFL prospects were steaks, Malik McDowell would be so “raw” that he’d still be frozen and hidden in the freezer. Yet, the reason I have him as the second best DT in this year’s Draft is because I believe both his potential and athletic abilities to be astronomically high. Mcdowell is a physically intimidating athlete whose long arms and explosion from the line of scrimmage allowed him to be a dominant collegiate defensive lineman, despite possessing zero technique. If McDowell can find an NFL coaching staff that will teach him to consistently stay low in his stance as well as introduce him to quick hand techniques, then he could end up being an elite defensive lineman for years to come.
#1 Jonathan Allen
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
School: Alabama
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3
Weight: 286
Jonathan Allen is a born leader who possesses a masterful level of upper and lower body technique. Almost every single tackle I’ve seen him make has been both aggressive and fundamentally sound. I think Allen would actually make a great Defensive End if he had better lateral quickness and were about 3 inches taller. That being said, Allen is ready to step in and immediately become a starting NFL defensive tackle. His explosion and brute strength allows Allen to disrupt even the sturdiest of offensive linemen. Because of Allen’s talent, Defenses are forced to consistently double team him, which will allow his fellow defenders significantly more play-making opportunities.
