The best defensive tackle in the 2015 NFL Draft isn’t even listed at the position by his school. That may be commonplace for outside linebacker prospects, but abnormal for an interior player.
2015 NFL Draft defensive tackle rankings: The draft’s top prospect at No. 1
Leonard Williams may play end for Southern California, but he projects as a tackle in the NFL and is the top player in next year’s draft.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Calling anything about him "normal" would be an insult to Leonard Williams of Southern California. Normal isn’t as relentless as Williams. It’s not as powerful, quick or packed with potential. Williams is the top prospect for next year’s draft, with a playing style that’s a combination of Haloti Ngata and Richard Seymour.
As a whole, the defensive tackle class is shaping up to be a good one. The next two players after Williams – Eddie Goldman of Florida State and Danny Shelton of Washington – should both grade out as top-20 picks. The wild card in the group is Jordan Phillips of Oklahoma. Just a redshirt sophomore, Phillips may consider entering the draft because he’s already in his fourth year of college after suffering a back injury in 2013.
| 1. Leonard Williams | 6'5, 300 pounds | DT/DE | Southern California |
| 2. Eddie Goldman | 6'4, 320 pounds | DT | Florida State * |
| 3. Danny Shelton | 6'2, 339 pounds | DT | Washington |
| 4. Jordan Phillips | 6'6, 334 pounds | DT | Oklahoma ** |
| 5. Michael Bennett | 6'2, 288 pounds | DT | Ohio State |
| 6. Malcom Brown | 6'2, 320 pounds | DT | Texas |
| 7. Grady Jarrett | 6'0, 290 pounds | DT | Clemson |
| 8. Ellis McCarthy | 6’5, 325 pounds | DT | UCLA * |
| 9. Carl Davis | 6'5, 315 pounds | DT | Iowa |
| 10. Christian Covington | 6'3, 300 pounds | DT | Rice |
| 11. Louis Trinca-Pasat | 6'3, 290 pounds | DT | Iowa |
| 12. Gabe Wright | 6'3, 284 pounds | DT | Auburn |
| 13. Jarran Reed | 6'4, 315 pounds | DT | Alabama * |
| 14. Terry Williams | 6’1, 353 pounds | DT | East Carolina |
| 15. Leon Orr | 6'5, 305 pounds | DT | Florida |
| 16. Adolphus Washington | 6’4, 295 pounds | DT | Ohio State * |
| 17. Kaleb Eulls | 6'4, 295 pounds | DT | Mississippi State |
| 18. Tyeler Davison | 6'2, 309 pounds | DT | Fresno State |
| 19. Chucky Hunter | 6'1, 305 pounds | DT | TCU |
| 20. Brandon Ivory | 6'4, 308 pounds | DT | Alabama |
| 21. Joey Mbu | 6'3, 310 pounds | DT | Houston |
| 22. Warren Herring | 6'3, 294 pounds | DT | Wisconsin |
| 23. James Castleman | 6'2, 300 pounds | DT | Oklahoma State |
| 24. Darius Kilgo | 6'3, 319 pounds | DT | Maryland |
| 25. Marcus Hardison | 6'4, 300 pounds | DT | Arizona State |
*indicates player in an underclassman
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