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2011 NFL Draft Predictions – Defensive Tackle Rankings

The 2011 NFL Draft is rapidly coming up on us, and James Hayes brings you his projections. Read on for the top Defensive Tackles in the 2011 NFL Draft….

2011 NFL Draft Coverage – Defensive Tackle Preview

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The NFL draft moves to primetime for the second time in 2011. The first round will be in PRIMETIME, and is scheduled to take place Thursday, April 28, 2011; the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29; and the final four rounds on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

The Panthers with the worst record for 2010 have the right to the 1st pick in 2011.

Note: A provision in the current NFLPA-CBA ensures that this draft will still take place even with the current labor dispute.

DT Rankings

MARCELL DAREUS, Alabama
6”3, 319 lbs

Dareus is a pure freak of nature – the only evidence you need being that going at nearly 320 lbs, he had a faster 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash than 290-lb Nick Fairley from Auburn, who is a known explosive commodity. Many would have said Fairley was the best DT prospect a couple weeks ago, but he didn’t knock people’s socks off at the Combine, while Dareus did. He will collapse a pocket, he reads and reacts well and ultimately, he has the Holy Trinity of strength, size and speed that teams covet. Dareus might go No. 2 overall to the Denver Broncos.

May remind you of: Antonio Garay, Chargers

NICK FAIRLEY, Auburn
6”4, 291 lbs

Fairley may have come off a bit sub-standard at the Combine, but anyone who watched SEC games this season saw Fairley constantly dominating the competition. He made SEC offensive lines look useless all season, which has to translate to NFL potential. While Fairley goes at under 300 lbs, he has the frame to get there without compromising his trademark explosiveness. He is a nasty player that borders on dirty, but it’s that attitude that gives Fairley his insatiable appetite for pivots. He should continue to improve at getting off blocks, but if Fairley is on the board near the tenth pick of Round 1, he has too much value to pass up.

May remind you of: Richard Seymour, Raiders

PHIL TAYLOR, Baylor
6”4, 335 lbs

Following his strong Senior Bowl and Combine showings, Taylor is looking more and more like a legitimate NFL nose tackle. The former Penn State signee took a long time to come into his own, but he had a strong senior season for the Baylor Bears and cracked a 5.2 second forty, impressive considering he played over 340 lbs this season. He’s got the strength you’d expect for a man his size and Taylor could be snapped up by a team that struggles against the run, like perhaps the KC Chiefs. Months ago this guy was a mid-round project, now he looks like a first round pick.

May remind you of: Casey Hampton, Steelers

COREY LIUGET, Illinois
6”3, 300 lbs

After Dareus and Fairley, Liuget is the next best pass-rushing DT option in this year’s crop. He’s quick off the snap, he’s a great bull-rusher but he’s also mobile and can move laterally. He’s not a one-trick pony, either, Liuget can also be counted on to plug the run. Liuget was highly-touted coming out of high school and he was one of the Illini’s prize-winning signees; he’s lived up to the billing from the get-go. Liuget could quite possibly be a late first-rounder.

May remind you of: Sedrick Ellis, Saints

Honorable Mention: MUHAMMAD WILKERSON, Temple Playing for the Owls, Wilkerson didn’t often suit up against the best of the best, but he will grade high for his exceptional versatility.

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!