2024 NFL Prospect Rankings: Defensive Tackles

High motor player who has lined up all along the Illini defensive front including zero, one, three and five techniques. At his best as a three technique where double teams aren’t as much of a factor. Quick at the snap he plays with leverage and power showing a variety of moves to escape blocks. In one-on-one situations he can stun and separate from blocks along with locating the ball. Shows solid lateral movement in pursuit chasing plays to the perimeter. Excellent one gap defender he can penetrate and disrupt blocking schemes. Relentless pass rusher he shows a bull rush, push pull, and arm under as part of a his pass rush repertoire. Second effort gets him to a lot of plays.

Explosive interior defender who plays with a hot motor. Plays with leverage and quickness to beat blocks at the snap. Excellent lateral agility he can attack a gap and react to a jump cut in the backfield. Even though he lacks ideal mass and length he can hold the point and leverage to the ball side gap. Recovers well off blocks and can turn quickness into power. Has pass rush skill coming off the quick first step with a variety of power moves. Lack of ideal size shows up at times on down blocks that knock him off balance. At times gets upright and stalemated vs double teams. Athletic ability and high motor make him a desirable prospect.

Massive tackle prospect who has played nose tackle but more recently has seen action as a five and three technique. Dropped a few pounds going into this season and has had a tremendous year. He not only stuffs the run but has also shown athleticism to play down the line and create some pressure on the quarterback. He’s been a solid two gap defender that can clog running lanes and create opportunities for linebackers to make plays. He plays with strong hands and is extremely stout at the point of attack. He can stack and shed to make plays inline using decent short space change of direction coming off blocks working to the ball. As a pass rusher he’s more of a bull rush collapse the pocket player, but has flashed ability to escape and chase the quarterback. His ability to push the pocket can make him more than a two down run stuffer.

Powerful athletic tackle who lined up primarily as a three technique but would slide out to a five on occasions. Excellent run defender he’s solid at the point of attack and consistent with pad level. Often draws double teams and can control the line of scrimmage. Block protection is a major strength as he plays with strong hands creating separation on initial strike. Solid lateral quickness allows him to shed on the move and pursue to the ball. Has range to chase to the perimeter. As a pass rusher he flashes ability to bull rush into an arm under move to pressure the quarterback. Effective getting up field against single blocks. Overall as a pass rusher he lacks technique but is consistent in effort.

Big and athletic, Taylor is an imposing figure on the Hurricanes' defensive front. He has a good mix of power and athleticism and lined up at multiple spots on the Canes' defense. With extreme first step quickness he can get into a gap and penetrate the backfield disrupting blocking schemes along the way. As a five technique he shows solid bend and squeeze to get around a tackle to the quarterback. As an interior pass rusher he shows strong hands and lower body strength to push the pocket with a bull rush. He flashes ability to disengage and chase the quarterback. Excellent lateral movement he can flatten down the line and make plays along the line of scrimmage. Shows a high motor penetrating and pursuing. Could use more pass rush technique to develop consistency escaping blocks. He has a tendency to get upright and lose leverage against a powerful blocker. Had an uneven season but flashed tremendous upside.