BU54

March 23, 2007


Branch ranked as top defensive tackle in draft
By Vic Carucci/NFL.com


One man's ranking of the top five defensive tackles in the NFL draft:

1. Alan Branch, Michigan

Positives: Size (6-foot-5-plus, 324 pounds), strength, and athleticism. ... Effectively plugs the middle against the run. ... Aggressive bull rusher. ... Does a good job of diagnosing plays and reacting to them. ... Exceptionally long arms. ... Competitiveness.

Negatives: Isn't particularly explosive off the snap. ... Needs to develop some additional pass-rush moves.

2. Amobi Okoye, Louisville

Positives: Decent size (6-2, 302 pounds), great strength, and athleticism. ... Exceptional quickness. ... Shows good anticipation of the snap. ... Considering he is only 19 years old, his ability to diagnose plays as accurately as he does is remarkable. ... Clogs the middle well. ... Competitiveness.

Negatives: Overall skills need development, but that's to be expected from such a young player.

3. DeMarcus 'Tank' Tyler, N.C. State

Positives: Outstanding quickness and athleticism. ... Gets a good jump off the snap. ... Excellent at diagnosing plays and reacting to them. ... Doesn't bite on many play fakes or misdirection runs. ... Shows a nice variety of pass-rush moves.

Negatives: Sometimes plays too upright. ... Occasionally over-pursues the ballcarrier.

4. Justin Harrell, Tennessee

Positives: Size (6-4-plus, 300 pounds), strength, and athleticism. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Shows consistently strong effort. ... Toughness.

Negatives: Lacks explosiveness off the snap. ... Needs to improve his tackling skills. ... Durability; missed most of his senior year after undergoing surgery on a ruptured biceps tendon.

5. Brandon Mebane, California

Positives: Athleticism and exceptional speed. ... Plays with good leverage. ... Does a solid job of clogging the middle. ... Shows good pursuit.

Negatives: Must play with greater concentration. ... Needs overall improvement in his techniques.

LINK
Branch ranked as top defensive tackle in draft - Chicago Bears

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Professor

I still think Amobi is better overall than Branch, but barely have mebane in my top 10, I 'd rather have marcus thomas, quinn pitcock.

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gruntbygod

Branch is falling rapidly, and I think Okoye has passed him already as the top Tackle in the draft. What Branch has in his corner tho is that he can be a one gap or 2 gap tackle, where as Okoye would be an end in a 3-4. Most 3-4 teams probobly have Branch near the top of their board, while Okoye might not even be on it.

Marcus Thomas is an interisting player. He is a first round talent who can play one gap or two gap too, but character problems are probobly going to drop him out of the first day. He will either be a HUGE steal for someone, or a completely wasted pick.

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Professor

good point about thomas, grunt, can anyone say Bengals.

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gruntbygod

I would love to see Dallas take him if he falls into the 5th. My ultimate draft wet dream is Branch, and it seems like its becomeing more possible. Kiper dropped him off his big board, and he is ranked 28th on scout. If he gets within striking distance (around 15 or so) I would love to see a trade up

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