The 2023 NFL Draft is now just two weeks away, and one need the Cleveland Browns will continue to look to upgrade is the defensive tackle position. They made massive strides in free agency, adding Dalvin Tomlinson to be an immediate upgrade, while also adding Maurice Hurst and Trysten Hill to compete for depth spots on the roster.
However, with Perrion Winfrey back in hot water, Tommy Togiai on the outside looking in, and with the pressure on Jordan Elliott, the Browns could look for another young player to add to their roster in one day two of the draft at the end of the month.
Who are the best defensive tackles in the draft? Here are the top 15 at the position.
15
Karl Brooks, Bowling Green
A bit of a tweener at Bowling Green, Karl Brooks dominated MAC competition this season for the Falcons. However, he played Power Five competition twice this year and did not make a peep in either game. He is not athletic to consistently win on the edge, and not big or strong enough to hold his own along the interior. Brooks will struggle for a spot on a 53-man roster.
14
Cameron Young, Mississippi State
Mississippi State’s Cameron Young can do some nice things as a run defender but offers next to nothing as a pass rusher. He can win some rotational snaps on a two-down basis, but there is not a single trait that stands out from the game of Young.
13
Jaquelin Roy, LSU
Posting up at LSU, Jaquelin Roy plays with a sturdy anchor along the interior. However, he is a subpar athlete with no pass rush moves to get after the quarterback in obvious passing situations. He is a day-three player as the draft approaches.
12
Keondre Coburn, Texas
There is not a better pure run-stuffer in this year’s class. Keondre Coburn can eat up space and anchor in double teams at a high level, and can even occasionally win as a pass rusher. He does not have much juice in his lower half, however, and looks to find the field predominantly as a shade and rotational two-down player early on.
11
Colby Wooden, Auburn
While Auburn’s Colby Wooden tested as a plus athlete, he is a tweener as he heads to the NFL. His size is suboptimal along the interior, and his play strength inside follows suit. However, he is not twitchy or powerful enough to consistently push pockets from the outside as well. Wooden makes for a weird fit at the next level.
10
Siaki Ika, Baylor
While Siaki Ika, who the Browns have met with, came into the season with first round potential, his 2022 tape just does not inspire. He was talked about as a dynamic pass rusher for his size, and a good athlete who can play three downs. However, Baylor took him off the field a ton, especially against teams that ran predominantly 11 personnel. Ika has to prove he can be more than just a plug as his 2022 tape did not do much convincing.
9
Moro Ojomo, Texas
If the Browns are looking for a player who can splash as a situational pass rusher, Texas’ Moro Ojomo may just be their guy. He is athletic, slippery, and dynamic when he is asked to pin his ears back. Holding his own against the run, however, is a bit of a different story for Ojomo.
8
Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
One of the more pleasant surprises on tape this year was South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens. He can win as both a run defender and as a pass rusher, and he proved to be a plus athlete at the NFL Scouting Combine as well. Over the age guardrail, however, Pickens could still be on the Browns’ board if he finds his way into the early rounds of day three.
7
Gervon Dexter, Florida
The ceiling of Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is extraordinary. He is explosive, physical, and possesses heavy hands. His floor, however, is also quite low as his motor tends to run hot and cold, and the pad level of Dexter needs more discipline. Dexter is a massive gamble, but the tools are so obviously present in his game when he is engaged.
6
Byron Young, Alabama
While the athletic ceiling of Byron Young may not be as high as Dexter’s, his floor is incredibly high. Playing with refined hands, consistent pad level, heavy hands, and discipline against the run as a strong two-gapper, Young even brings a bit of inside/out versatility. He’s not flashy, but rock solid.
5
Calijah Kancey, Pitt
There are reasons to wonder whether or not the play style of Calijah Kancey can translate to the next level as he is an extreme outlier in size and arm length. He gets blown off the ball as a run defender as well, lacking the ability to anchor in double teams along the interior. However, he is unbelievably slippery, explosive, and dialed in as a pass rusher. His productive profile as a pass rusher is hard to ignore, but his deficiencies are a massive gamble as well.
4
Mazi Smith, Michigan
While the production does not stand out for Mazi Smith, his traits are off the charts. He was the top-ranked player on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, possesses a dynamic first step, heavy hands, and a ton of explosiveness as he gets into the chest of the man across from him. Smith is sturdy as a run defender and as a pass rusher.
3
Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Keeanu Benton tends to slip down boards as he was predominantly asked to play nose tackle for the Badgers throughout his career. However, with great length and explosiveness, Benton’s game translates best as a three-technique who also can kick insider to shade when needed. Light-footed, powerful, and long, Benton is going to be a solid pro.
2
Bryan Bresee, Clemson
No player faced more adversity than Bresee in 2022, and that has to be taken into account. While his tape may have dropped off a bit, and his medicals still need to check out, Bresee is a freak athlete with a big-time ceiling. He shows prowess with his hands and explosiveness in his lower half. But Bresee has to show more consistency at the next level.
1
Jalen Carter, Georgia
Despite a rocky pre-draft process, there is not a better player in the entire 2023 NFL Draft than Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Even with all of the headlines of his offseason, it would be stunning if Carter was not the first defensive tackle to come off the board in two weeks. He is a pure blue chip prospect.
