NFL draft position preview: DT

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For the purposes of my defensive draft previews, I am assuming new defensive coordinator Billy Davis is going to run a system similar to the one he ran in Arizona -- the 4-3 "Under."

We've already discussed the Eagles' needs at defensive end in this scheme, and now we will take a look at the roles of the defensive tackles.

In this defense there's a nose tackle and a 3-technique DT. The NT lines up in the A gap (between the center and guard) on the strong side, while the 3-technique lines up in the B gap (between the guard and tackle) on the weak side. The NT is the primary interior run stuffer and must be stout enough to take on double teams. The 3-technique DT is the team's best interior pass rusher.

The Eagles seem to have the perfect player in Fletcher Cox to man the 3-technique DT position. His specialty is rushing the passer, but he showed in his rookie season he can be counted on to help stop the run as well. Cedric Thornton could be a valuable backup at this position too. He flashed some ability last season to get pressure.

At NT, the Eagles signed Isaac Sopoaga in the offseason to possibly play this role, but he really didn't have a great season in 2012, and it's a stretch to think he'll drastically improve a year later. And with little depth behind him -- maybe Antonio Dixon -- this should be a priority for the Eagles in the draft.

Top 10 3-Technique defensive tackles

1. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
The quickest DT I've seen in this class, Richardson explodes off the snap and into the backfield better than anyone else. At 6-foot-2, 294 pounds, he is the ideal size for the position. He could also be used as the 5-technique DE. He would be a surprise pick at No. 4 but has the talent to back it up.

2. Sharrif Floyd, Florida
I still maintain Floyd is the best overall DT in the draft, but for this role he's a shade behind Richardson. Floyd is a better run stopper but a step slower than Richardson in terms of getting up field. Would be a solid pick at No. 4.

3. Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
I discussed Williams in my DE preview as a good fit as a 5-technique, but he offers enough size (6-3/313), pass rush and strength against the run to move inside as a 3-technique DT. The guy could also easily make the top five in the NT list too. One of the most versatile talents in the draft.

4. Kawann Short, Purdue
Short (6-3/299) was named first-team All-Big Ten as a senior and played up and down Purdue's defensive line. He had six sacks in 2012 but needs to refine his technique to succeed in the NFL. A versatile player who could also play outside at DE, he would be a nice pick up in the second round.

5. Everett Dawkins, Florida State
Dawkins is a quick DT who might not be good enough against the run to be an every-down player. His size is good (6-2/294) and would probably provide the Eagles with valuable depth in the third round.

6. Josh Boyd, Mississippi State
Boyd (6-3/310) played NT alongside Cox with the Bulldogs, and he put up good career numbers (9.5 career sacks and 18 tackles for loss). He's probably not stout enough to play the nose in the NFL, but Boyd has the motor and quickness to shift to the 3-technique. Boyd can probably be had somewhere in the fourth round.

7. Bennie Logan, LSU
8. Jordan Hill, Penn State
9. Akeem Spence, Illinois
10. Chris Jones, Bowling Green

Top 10 nose tackles

1. Star Lotulelei, Utah
Lotulelei is big (6-2/311), thick and strong, and he had two-gap responsibilities with the Utes. With his quick feet, Lotulelei could probably play the 3- or 5-techniques as well. He's married and has two children already. He was diagnosed with an abnormal heart condition at the NFL Combine, but doctors in Utah have chalked it up to a viral infection, and Lotulelei has since been given a clean bill of health. He's a top five talent who could slip because of the abundance of D-line talent available.

2. Jesse Williams, Alabama
The large (6-3/323) Australia native is strong and athletic. He played two seasons at the junior college level before getting to Alabama in January 2011. As a junior, Williams played the 5-technique DE before moving to NT as a senior after Josh Chapman graduated. Williams also played fullback in short-yardage situations. An early second-round pick.

3. John Jenkins, Georgia
An absolutely huge space-eater, Jenkins has actually "slimmed down" to 6-foot-4 and 343 pounds since the end of the 2012 season, when he played at times as heavy as 370 pounds. Jenkins played his first two seasons of college ball at Gulf Coast Community College before arriving in Athens in 2011. He often was hard to move, using good leverage and strength to clog things up. However, sometimes he just appeared gassed. Could be the answer to their NT problems at the top of the second round.

4. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State
Hankins isn't much of a pass rusher, but his huge frame (6-3/320) causes a lot of trouble in the interior. A strong base and long arms help Hankins keep blockers occupied. Hankins will need to improve his conditioning, as he tends to wear down in the second half of games.

5. Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern
A small-school guy, Williams looked like he belonged with the big boys at the Senior Bowl. Short and wide (6-1/335), he looked surprisingly athletic and light on his feet. The NFL is a big leap from Division II, but Williams' athleticism and size will get him drafted somewhere in the second round.

6. Kwame Geathers, Georgia
7. Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin
8. Cory Grissom, South Florida
9. Darius Smith, Miami (Fla.)
10. T.J. Barne, Georgia Tech

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