2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 10 Defensive Tackles

The Bengals could add a defensive lineman early in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Which guys crack the top 10 of our rankings?

Check out the complete list below. For more of our pre-draft position rankings, go here.

1 - Jalen Carter, Georgia

Carter is an explosive defensive tackle whose play strength is instantly noticeable on film. He has impressive vision as a prospect and is able to shed blocks with ease in order to make plays at the line. I question his motor when he's forced to counter or work through a successful block. Carter also isn't immune to getting driven off the ball as he can play a bit high at times. He's clearly the best defensive tackle in the class and it isn't particularly close.

2. Mazi Smith, Michigan

Smith is an incredibly strong defender and showcases his power against the run. He is able to stay balanced through double teams and is able to anchor well in order to hold his gap. While Smith is a dominant run defender, he lacks an impressive pass rush.

Even when he gets to the quarterback, he often fails to finish the play. He is the best nose tackle in the class and I have no doubt that he will live up to the hype.

3. Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Kancey is an interesting prospect. He showcased his incredible athleticism at the combine with a 1.58 10 yard split (4.67 40 yard dash) and put up impressive numbers in the more technical drills at his pro day.

The trade off for his athleticism comes with his size. Kancey misses the tradition NFL marks in every category (height, weight, arm length, etc.), though he's drawn many comparisons to Aaron Donald. His impressive athleticism should compliment his leverage advantage well in the NFL and teams should be willing to take the risk.

4. Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Bresee has impressive size and strength for a 3-tech. He is explosive and pairs that well with highly developed body control. Bresee uses his length well and has a solid anchor in the run game. He slides down my board a bit due to injury concerns and what appears to be a lack of flexibility, but I can see him being an early contributor in the NFL.

5. Gervon Dexter, Florida

Dexter is a massive interior defender and could handle putting on some more weight at the next level. Though he's a large body, he flashes elite athleticism and body control on film. My biggest concern with Dexter is his get off. He seems to rarely (if ever) be one of the first defenders off the ball which allows blockers to get into his chest early.

Dexter isn't a big pocket pusher and can seem content holding his gaps against the pass opposed to providing a rush. If he is able to find a way to be more consistent, he could maximize his high ceiling and be a dominant force.

6. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Benton has one of the higher floors in this group and is able to move around to multiple positions on the line. He first caught my eye at the Senior Bowl and his film didn't disappoint. Though he isn't the biggest defensive tackle, he plays extremely strong and has an impressive anchor.

While I'd say he's primarily a run defender, Benton is able to generate a nice rush in longer down situations. He needs to work on his pad level and backfield vision, but should be an easy pick early in the second round.

7. Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

Adebawore earned a lot of money at the combine when he became the only 280+ pound player to run sub 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He's shorter, which allows him to easily gain leverage with his explosive get off. While he can appear stiff from time to time and needs to work on improving his initial strike, his unique blend of athleticism and play strength should make him desirable for a number of teams in a league that values high level athletes in the defensive trenches more and more every year.

8. Siaki Ika, Baylor

Ika is a stout run defender that has a naturally low center of gravity. He uses his hands well and has impressive power when he's able to extend on blockers. I would like to see him get off the ball quicker and improve his anchor to showcase the tools that he should be able to tap into due to his build. However, a high character defensive lineman that has impressive backfield vision will make most teams very happy on day two of the draft.

9. Kobie Turner, Wake Forest

Turner is a versatile player when it comes to his build, though that might be one of his biggest cons. He has inconsistent hand placement on his initial punch, but is able to work off of blocks at a high rate and has an expansive bag of tricks that he maximizes very well. Though he's a bit lean, he has impressive play strength and should be an impact performer on all three downs.

10. Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

Pickens is an older player and lacks an expansive toolbox when it comes to his pass rush. However, his 34.5-inch arms allow him to dictate the line of scrimmage and shift the point of attack in the run game. Pickens' ability to shoot gaps allows him to disrupt plays in the backfield regularly and earned him team MVP honors.

If he's able to develop beyond being a majority power based defender, his ceiling makes him a steal in the third round.

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