NFL Draft 2013: DT Rankings

Nov 17, 2012; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (2) tries to avoid a tackle by Purdue Boilermakers defensive tackle Kawann Short (93)quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

This is a very good year to need a DT. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The talent is there from the top of the draft to the bottom. Star Lotulelei is the best of the class, but his recent heart problems are a scary. He’s either going to go in the top 3, or he’s likely to fall a long ways depending on how his test results come back.

Sharrif Floyd is the player getting all the press these days. He was someone who I saw as being a top 10 pick back in October, but everyone else had him in the late 1st to early 2nd round at the time. Because of that, I’d latched on to him as a potential Seahawk selection, but that look unlikely now. Everyone has taken notice of his skills now, and he looks to go in the top 10.

Kawann Short is a definite consideration for the Seahawks at #25. He’d be an instant upgrade over Alan Branch at the 3-tech spot on the line. He’s a stout space occupying DT vs the run, and has enough quicks and strength to collapse the pocket from the inside. He’s not an elite pass rusher, and thus would likely come out on third downs like Branch did, but he’s a definite improvement in that area when teams pass on first and 2nd downs.

Another DT to keep an eye on is Sly Williams out of North Carolina. He’s got a great first step and initial power. He should be a solid inside pass rusher, and should also be there when Seattle picks at the end of the 2nd round.

RankPlayerPosP RankSchoolHeightWeightStar LotuleleiDT1Utah3-Jun311*Sharrif FloydDT2Florida3-Jun297*Sheldon RichardsonDT3Missouri3-Jun294Kawann ShortDT4Purdue3-Jun299*Johnathan HankinsDT5Ohio State3-Jun320John JenkinsDT6Georgia4-Jun346Jesse WilliamsDT7Alabama3-Jun323Sylvester WilliamsDT8North Carolina3-Jun313Brandon WilliamsDT9Missouri Southern State1-Jun335*Akeem SpenceDT10Illinois1-Jun307Everett DawkinsDT11Florida State2-Jun292Jordan HillDT12Penn State1-Jun303*Bennie LoganDT13LSU2-Jun309Montori HughesDT14Tennessee-Martin4-Jun329Josh BoydDT15Mississippi St.3-Jun310*Kwame GeathersDT16Georgia5-Jun342T.J. BarnesDT17Georgia Tech6-Jun369Cory GrissomDT18South Florida1-Jun306Anthony McCloudDT19Florida State2-Jun309Nicholas WilliamsDT20Samford5-Jun309Mike PurcellDT21Wyoming3-Jun303Stacy McGeeDT22Oklahoma3-Jun308Jared SmithDT23New Hampshire3-Jun302Gilbert PenaDT24Ole Miss2-Jun334Abry JonesDT25Georgia3-Jun313Chris JonesDT26Bowling Green2-Jun302