2025 Draft: Defensive Tackles

[manxman2601]

More Alexander

 

[bakes781]

He's going to slip into the 1st at this rate lol

 

[bakes781]

I'm curious as to why Kenneth Grant of Michigan only got an East-West game invite rather than senior bowl one. You don't often see first round projected prospects going to the East-West game.

Here's some KG love for ya!

 

[PatsFan2]

My guy in this draft class is Alfred Collins from Texas. 6’5” 320lbs and he plays everywhere from the 0-5 tech. If this were 2006 Bill Belichick would take him #1 overall as a two-gap 3-4 DE. Right now he is projected as a mid-late 2nd round pick and maybe has the highest floor of any IDL prospect in this draft.

The thing that immediately stands about about Collins is his run defense. He is strong at the point of attack, he is stout and he plays with excellent gap integrity. He holds up extremely well against double teams and uses his long arms to disengage, shed blocks and make tackles. With his length and his anchor, good luck moving him off his spot in the run game.

The next thing that stood out to me was his instincts, intelligence and effort. He is so quick to diagnose screen plays and short passes. There are so many examples of him turning to chase in a flash and making plays down the field. He is the sort of player teammates will rally around with his efforts and big plays (just look at his game sealing forced fumble against Arkansas).

The other area in which Collins is elite is batted passes and disrupting passing lanes. He is so long and quick to react that he is constantly getting his hands up and affecting passes. He reminds me a bit of a young JJ Watt in that regard, where even though it won’t show up in the stat sheet, his ability to disrupt QB passing angles makes a huge impact.

As a pass rusher, Collins output hasn’t matched his physical traits yet. He has all the tools to be disruptive, it just hasn’t translated to numbers yet. With proper coaching I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up being the best IDL player in this draft. He reminds me a lot of Derrick Brown from the Panthers.

 

[PatsFan2]

Here's some KG love for ya!

Hope that RB he caught is off our Draft Board.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Derrick Harmon will be a first rounder. If he somehow makes it to 38, I'd run the draft card up to the commissioner myself. Impressive athlete!

 

[manxman2601]

Derrick Harmon will be a first rounder. If he somehow makes it to 38, I'd run the draft card up to the commissioner myself. Impressive athlete!

The DT position is looking like a good spot for DT. Harmon, TJ Sanders, Tyleik Williams and now maybe Darius Alexander all potentially could be there.

I prefer Harmon to the other freak athlete DTs in Alfred Collins and Deone Walker.

PS. I see PFF have bumped Darius Alexander up to 63 on their big board now.

 

[Water Boy]

Barth and Lazar are saying that the DT class is 7 rounds deep.

 

[manxman2601]

Barth and Lazar are saying that the DT class is 7 rounds deep.

Pretty much. You can find good depth guys well into day 3 and may still find a potential starter into round 3 and maybe even round 4.

 

[DaBruinz]

Phillips sounds like a guy the Pats should target in the 2nd round for the IDL. Especially with Barmore's status up in the air.

 

[DaBruinz]

If the Pats can add 2 D-Line guys to go along with Barmore and White while addressing the OT position in the draft, this team will have an amazing foundation going forward.

 

[manxman2601]

Phillips sounds like a guy the Pats should target in the 2nd round for the IDL. Especially with Barmore's status up in the air.

Phillips and Darius Alexander would be great adds. Phillips will battle Godchaux and Alexander can play any position on the D-line except 1-tech.

 

[Water Boy]

He's got that impish Artie Donovan look. Makes me want him more.

I remember seeing an NFL Films interview with AD where he said they were playing on a field that had just hosted a circus or something and he and his D lineman were throwing animal poop left behind at the offensive line men when they were in their stance.

 

[p8ryts]

I remember seeing an NFL Films interview with AD where he said they were playing on a field that had just hosted a circus or something and he and his D lineman were throwing animal poop left behind at the offensive line men when they were in their stance.

If you get the chance to watch any videos of Artie Donovan, watch them. A real football player.

 

[manxman2601]

Vernon Broughton DT, Texas, 6-4, 305

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Explosive first step off the snap allows him to penetrate gaps before offensive linemen can properly set, particularly devastating when shooting B-gaps in passing situations
• Powerful hands pack a nasty punch in close quarters, consistently jolting blockers backward and creating immediate leverage advantages in one-on-one situations
• Shows rare closing speed for a 305-pounder, routinely chasing down plays from the backside and bringing serious juice as a pursuit defender
• Advanced pass rush repertoire featuring a devastating club-swim move that consistently creates separation, complemented by effective two-hand swipes
• Outstanding leverage player who consistently plays with proper pad level, allowing him to anchor against double teams despite a somewhat lean frame
• Displays exceptional lateral agility when working down the line, showing the ability to mirror and match zone blocking schemes without losing ground
• High motor rusher who brings relentless energy on every snap, wearing down opponents and creating late-game impact plays through pure persistence
• Scheme versatile frame with length to play as a 3-4 end or penetrating 3-tech, giving defensive coordinators multiple options for deployment

SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES​

• Still developing consistency in run defense, occasionally gets washed out of his gap when facing committed double teams at the point of attack
• Raw power moves need refinement, tends to rely too heavily on athleticism rather than technique when converting speed to power
• Despite good hand usage, needs to improve arm extension to better control blockers before disengaging, particularly against longer offensive tackles
• Tackling technique shows concerning inconsistency, leading to some missed opportunities in the backfield when he's in position to make plays
• Production doesn't match his athletic traits, suggesting he's still developing the instincts to consistently impact games at the point of attack

"Look for Broughton to make an immediate impact as a rotational defender while developing into a potential starter by year two. His athletic profile and constant motor will earn him early playing time, while technical refinement could unlock possible high level potential down the line."

Sadly the highlight tape isn't good quality

 

[bakes781]

here's some better clips

 

[manxman2601]

This is a really good scouting breakdown of Darius Alexander. Me want.

 

[bakes781]

This is a really good scouting breakdown of Darius Alexander. Me want.

let's face it he's going to be overdrafted at this rate lol

 

[manxman2601]

let's face it he's going to be overdrafted at this rate lol

I'd take him with a trade down from 38. Alexander, Jordan Phillips and Barmore is a dream DL rotation for me.

 

[bakes781]

I'd take him with a trade down from 38. Alexander, Jordan Phillips and Barmore is a dream DL rotation for me.

My only small concern would be his age which I can't seem to nail down lol but he's likely 23 already.