FRISCO, Texas – They don't get as much love, but they sure are fun to watch.
Defensive tackles don't tend to tally stats as much as their counterparts on the edge, but more and more we're seeing the impact they can make on a game. It's got to feel like a win for big guys everywhere that a defensive tackle, Aaron Donald, has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year two times running.
In fact, if you want to see the importance of interior line play, look no further than the Cowboys' playoff loss to the L.A. Rams. All the hype in that matchup was focused on Donald, but his line mate Ndamukong Suh made quite an impact in his own right.
So that's our focus this week, defensive tackle – and the Cowboys play quite a few good ones in 2019, with Donald taking the top billing. Here's a look at the full list.
Defensive tackles don't tend to tally stats as much as their counterparts on the edge, but more and more we're seeing the impact they can make on a game.
10. Christian Wilkins: This kid didn't get enough credit for how well he played while at Clemson. Their defensive line was so good, I felt like fans forgot about him. Big athlete. Can redirect when chasing the ball. Works down the line well. Can disengage from blockers quickly. Can get some push in the middle of the pocket or anchor down if he needs to. Gets up the field well. Has the power to hold the gap. Plays square along the line. Uses his hands well to handle the low block. Can close things down in the hole. Pass rush moves with power. Active to use on the twist. Can get around the corner when on the move. This guy has some disruptive skill to his game
9. Ed Oliver: Was a favorite of the Cowboys coaching staff/scouting department. Impressive lower body power. Can really get some push when he comes off the ball. Can defeat blockers right off the snap. Tough to block on the move. Is on the blocker in a hurry. Disruptive. Sees his share of double and triple team blocks. Hard man to single block. He's just so violent in the way he plays. Can change direction in a hurry. Will make plays outside the tackle box. Will be compared to Aaron Donald and La'Roi Glover in the way he is built and ability. Is the one guy that can get away with his lack of size and make it work at this level.
8. Quinnen Williams: One of my favorite players from the 2019 NFL Draft. Outstanding size and quickness off the ball. Disruptive. Will retrace his steps back to get into the play. Really good with his hands. Can get rid of the blocker in a hurry. Will sniff out screens. Chases the ball well. Plays outside the tackle box. Square. Doesn't get moved off his spot. Gets through double teams. Can win on the edge. Turns the corner quickly. Can extend on the blocker to control him. Arm over move to attack the pocket. Plays with lower body power. Is always going forward. Lateral agility. Plays down the line well. Closes down well. Finds the ball well.
7. Damon Harrison: Will generally find him playing that heavy inside technique. Is so hard to move. Is always square to the line of scrimmage. Its rare that he gets turned or moved out of position. Takes on blocks with the best of them. Violent hands. Plays with tremendous upper power/strength. Has excellent speed/quickness despite his massive size. Is not going to stay in one spot too long. Will see the ball and chase it. Outstanding at stretching a play down the line then falling back inside to make the tackle. Disruptive force. Blockers bounce off him. Have to account for him especially if you're trying to run the ball inside.
6. Da'Ron Payne: Physical strong. Powerful man. When he wants to push the pocket he can. Creates opportunities for his teammates by the way he occupies blockers. Is a bully as a pass rusher. All power/strength. Not many pass rush moves. Despite his lack of moves they still use him on nickel and end of game situations. Can be a hard guy to block one-on-one due to his power. Will comes off blocks to chase the ball. Effort is good. Finds the ball well. Has a feel for how to get his hands up in the throwing lane to bat down passes.
5. Malik Jackson: Gets up the field quickly. Slippery player. Attacks the gap well. Will get small to avoid the blocker. Hard guy to slow down on the move. When he gets to the shoulder of the blocker has a chance to really turn the corner. Chases the ball well. Not as powerful as he is quick. Outstanding redirection skills. Can put his foot in the ground and change directions quickly. Knows how to retrace his steps to get back to the ball. Plays hard every snap. Feel like he's a much better pass rusher than he is a run defender. Will fit nicely in the Eagles scheme due to his ability to quickly get off the snap and up the field.
4. Kenny Clark: Powerful player when he puts his head down and charges straight ahead. Have seen him get a sack by using just one arm. Does a nice job of controlling the front of the pocket. Good with his hands. Can knock blockers aside with a simple shot to the shoulder. Makes it hard for quarterbacks to step up to deliver the ball. Disruptive. Works well down the line of scrimmage when playing blocks. Has no problem handling two blockers. Makes others around him better by the way he fights blockers. Can use him on line games. Good athlete for a large man. Moves well. Does not just stay in one spot - is active.
3. Sheldon Rankins: Plays as that all important under tackle for the Saints. Shows some serious power in his upper body. Can easily walk a blocker back. Is a force pushing the pocket. Puts the blocker on the edge with this power. Quick to grab the shoulder and get up the field. Violent with his hands. Stays square along the line of scrimmage to play the run. Can be a hard man to move off his spot. Just doesn't give up ground. Will chase the ball to the outside. Active to work down the line. Can finish. Physical in the way he plays. Gave Zack Martin all he could handle in a matchup last season.
2. Fletcher Cox: Has been a force along the Eagles for a while now. Is one of those players that's actually has improved with age. Has played in a couple of different schemes during his career and has had no issues. Outstanding player with his hands. Can control the line of scrimmage just by extended on the blocker. Smart player. High football intelligence and awareness. Not going to fool him often. Have to account for him every play. Is not going to allow you to block him with just one blocker. When he attacks the pocket has the ability to create turnovers. Is always trying to knock the ball out of the quarterback's hand. Difference maker.
1. Aaron Donald: One of the best players in the league regardless of his position. Can dominate a game with his play. Is disruptive in every sense of the word. Ability to live in the opponent's backfield. Excellent speed/quickness. Attacks at the snap. Sees the ball out of the corner of his eye and is off on first movement. Is almost impossible to block when he's on the move. Body position and balance makes him rare. Don't see him often on the ground. Slippery and elusive. Hard to get a good shot on him.
