Seahawks Draft: 5 DT Prospects Who Could Replace Al Woods
Continuing to revamp their defensive line, the Seattle Seahawks made a somewhat surprising move on Monday night by releasing popular veteran defensive tackle Al Woods, who teammates voted as a team captain in 2022.
Financially, parting ways with the soon-to-be 36-year old Woods makes sense, as the decision creates more than $3.5 million of instant salary cap relief. However, cutting him also creates a massive hole in the middle of Seattle's defensive line, especially considering Bryan Mone may not be ready for the start of next season after tearing his ACL and undergoing reconstructive knee surgery.
With Woods out of the mix and Mone's status uncertain, nose tackle suddenly stands out like a sore thumb amongst the Seahawks biggest roster needs. Looking towards the 2023 NFL Draft, these five prospects could be targeted as replacements.
Mazi Smith, Michigan
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A massive plug in the teeth of the Wolverines stingy defense, the 337-pound Smith has his own orbit and helped anchor a stout defensive line that helped lead the team to a playoff berth in 2022. Though he didn't have much pass rushing production with only a half sack in three collegiate seasons, he did contribute 88 tackles and three pass deflections while earning First-Team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022.
There's nothing sexy about Smith's game, as he didn't make the splash plays expected of an all-conference performer at Michigan, finishing with fewer than five tackles for loss and few impact plays in the backfield. But when he plays with proper leverage, he can set a firm anchor in cement against double teams and present a brick wall to stifle opposing run games. He also had 20 quarterback pressures as a junior and flashed elite athleticism for his size. He's built to anchor the middle on early downs and could be an instant starter at nose tackle in the league.
Siaki Ika, Baylor
After contributing for a national champion at LSU as a freshman, Ika transferred to Baylor a year later to reunite with former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and found immediate success in the wide open Big 12. Despite his massive 6-4, 350-pound frame, the Salt Lake City native produced 23 quarterback pressures and four sacks in his first season with the Bears, proving himself to be an adept pass-rusher with incredible power and underrated quickness to penetrate gaps.
Ika wasn't near as effective rushing the passer in 2022 and struggled with missed tackles at times, showing signs of regressing fundamentals. But he remained an immovable force in the run game and earned First-Team All-Big 12 recognition for a second straight season. He will need to find better consistency at the next level, but he's a plug-and-play nose tackle with rare upside as an interior pass rusher for a player of his stature.
Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina
Before committing to the Chanticleers as a tight end, Clark cut his teeth as a multi-sport star in high school, excelling in basketball and football. Injuries set him back early in his college career and led to a position change to defensive line. Gaining nearly 90 pounds to hold up at defensive tackle, he emerged as an anchor up front in his final two collegiate seasons, racking up 74 tackles, five sacks, and 13.5 tackles for loss while earning All-Sun Belt honors.
Now weighing 345 pounds, Clark's athletic background still shows up with a quick initial step to slant through gaps and beat reach blocks to disrupt the backfield. He's developed into an effective two-gapper as he gained experience, but his hand usage off the snap and lack of counters remain significant flaws that will need to be coached up, particularly as an interior rusher. Still, few players of his size offer the movement skills he possesses and he stands out as a day three prospect who could start at nose tackle earlier than expected.
P.J. Mustipher, Penn State
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Once a highly touted four-star recruit, Mustipher evolved from a quicker 3-tech defensive tackle into a stout 330-pound nose tackle over five seasons in Happy Valley. Named a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by conference coaches in each of his final two seasons, he wrapped up his college career with 144 tackles, three sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss, providing steady production.
Gaining significant weight to better equip himself physically for nose tackle, Mustipher sacrificed some of his quickness and agility. But he plays faster than he tested at the NFL combine and exhibits consistent hustle tracking the football, allowing him to make plays most nose tackles can't. He won't offer much as an interior pass rusher, at least initially, but his ability to stack blocks and control gaps gives him instant value as a rotational early down run defender.
Keondre Coburn, Texas
Looking the part of a prototypical space eating nose tackle at 6-foot-4, 332 pounds, Coburn spent most of his five seasons in Austin as a situational early down run stuffer. But with an expanded role up front, he broke out in his senior season, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition after setting personal bests with 29 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Far quicker than he looks, Coburn shoots out of his stance and consistently wins the leverage battle by playing with a low center of gravity and delivering punishing blows to the blocker's frame. His stubby 31 1/2-inch arms create built-in issues for him, specifically limiting him in pass rushing situations when longer opponents get hands on him first. Some teams will be scared off by the lack of length, but his overlooked athleticism and motor give him a chance to be a successful pro nose tackle.
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