NFL Draft: DTs Jordan Davis, DeMarvin Leal, Devonte Wyatt and others

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Most of the attention is still on the receivers but the 2022 NFL draft has no shortage of elite defensive players. There are a lot of outstanding defensive linemen although the class took a hit with the devastating injury to defensive end David Ojabo. However, the defensive tackles show a lot of promise. Here are some of the top defensive tackles and what they bring to the table in their quest to make it to the NFL.

Jordan Davis-Defensive Tackle-Georgia-

Davis is a massive man at 6′ 6″ tall, approximately 340 pounds. Getting around him will be next to impossible. For someone of his size, he can really move. He’s not just a run-stopper. He will plow through offensive linemen with his rip move and then it’s an easy path to the quarterback. It’ll be interesting to see if he can move quickly from side to side by stopping inside runs and getting multiple sacks will be another day at the office for Davis.

Devonte Wyatt-Defensive Tackle-Georgia-

Defensive tackles with high motors are the ones you want anchoring your defense. Wyatt is an exciting playmaker who is one of the most consistent tacklers on the board. There’s a reason the Georgia Bulldogs won the NCAA Championship over SEC conference rival Alabama. The team that takes Wyatt in the first round will have a significant boon to their defense. Wyatt is disruptive against the run and pass. He’s also good at knocking the football out and making sure there’s a fumble recovery. His high motor is similar to what Fletcher Cox brings to the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Does that sound like high praise, perhaps too high for an incoming rookie? The game film proves it.

DeMarvin Leal- Defensive Tackle-Texas A/M

The best thing Leal brings is versatility. Line him at defensive tackle or edge rusher, it doesn’t matter. He will pressure the quarterback regardless of where you like him up on the defensive line. He has a muscular and more athletic frame. Typically defensive tackles are massive players but Leal looks more like a defensive end in terms of how he looks on the field. He has quick-twitch movement and he brings a lot of hit power to the table. His pursuit skills are out of this world. He will make a lot of quarterbacks cry on Sundays.

Logan Hall-Defensive Tackle-Houston- Hall was part of a defense that didn’t call a lot of blitz plays. He’s strong, fast, and very aggressive when pass rushing. He’s easily pushes his way past offensive line and quarterbacks tend not to have much time to escape from this behemoth. It’s unlikely Hall played up to his full potential though because of Houston’s lack of blitz play calls. He’d likely excel in a more aggressive, 4-3 defense. He is another defensive tackle with a very high motor.

Travis Jones- Defensive Tackle-Connecticut- Jones looks like an athletically superb defensive tackle. When a huge defensive tackle shows a lot of agility for someone his size, scouts’ eyes surely light up. During the senior bowl, Jones gave everyone a glimpse of just how light on his feet he was. If he keeps proving that to the scouts, general managers, and coaches he’ll be at least a mid to high second-round pick at worst. A defensive tackle who’s known for multiple ways to get offensive lineman and get to the quarterback has a lot of draft value. Jones can hurt an offensive with more variety of tools. He needs to improve his pursuit skills a bit as he’s capable of more than the 4.5 sacks in 2021.

Stay tuned for more from Matthew Wilder on the 2022 NFL Draft.