Creating the perfect SEC defensive tackle for 2019
The SEC lost some big defensive tackles to the NFL Draft, led by No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams. Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons, Mizzou’s Terry Beckner Jr., Texas A&M’s Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack, Arkansas’ Armon Watts, Alabama’s Isaiah Buggs and Auburn’s Dontavius Russell also heard their names called.
However, many talented players remain along the interiors of defensive lines across the SEC. With constant turnover, these new guys might not have familiar names, but they’re ready for the spotlight.
But which players have the elite skills necessary to make up our perfect SEC defensive tackle for the 2019 season?
Here’s who we’d pick:
Size: Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Standing at 6-6 and checking in at over 300 pounds, Kinlaw is an absolute beast. He’s one of the tallest linemen in the SEC, and he uses that size to his advantage.
In only 10 games in 2018, he recorded 30 tackles (9 for a loss) and 3 sacks. If he and DJ Wonnum can stay healthy and get on the field for every game this fall, the South Carolina defensive line will be fierce.
Speed: Jordan Elliott, Mizzou
Elliott, a former Texas Longhorn, enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 even as he served as Terry Beckner Jr.’s backup. This fall, though, it’ll be his time to shine.
Elliott is unique in that he’s quick off the line and works really well in tight spaces against the run or pass. Below, you can see him split Alabama’s star-studded offensive line to tackle RB Najee Harris for a loss:
Jordan Elliott gets into the backfield for a TFL. #MizzouVines pic.twitter.com/PMUy8LuUGk
— Joe (@JDec89) December 11, 2018
Then there was the Arkansas game, which earned him SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. He had 3 sacks in that game:
FEATURE: Jordan Elliott rocked Arkansas for 3 sacks as #DLineZou helped set the tone defensively in @MizzouFootball's win over Arkansas. pic.twitter.com/VjsNk7vbB1
— Mizzou Network (@MizzouNetwork) November 26, 2018
Elliott is tough to block, and could end up having a fantastic season in 2019.
Run-stuffing: Derrick Brown, Auburn
Overall, Brown is the best defensive tackle in the SEC and it isn’t particularly close right now. He could have been a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but chose to return to school instead.
Coming off a year in which he had 48 total tackles (10.5 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks, he can do whatever is asked of him in Kevin Steele’s defense. However, with guys like Nick Coe and Marlon Davidson there to pile up sacks, Brown’s biggest role will be to prevent teams from running up the middle.
Getting past his man, breaking down and making a tackle is what Brown does best, as shown here:
"With his return, Brown leads the way as the top defensive line prospect in the SEC entering the college football season."
More on Derrick Brown from our National Scout @_ChristianPage
Link: https://t.co/GGqOSUPBxV pic.twitter.com/3K2AlQZJxd
— Cover 1 (@Cover_1_) June 1, 2019
If he has another big year in 2019, he could be a top 10 overall pick in the next NFL Draft.
Pass-rushing: Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
Madubuike led all returning SEC defensive tackles with 5.5 sacks in 2018, and he also led in overall quarterback pressures among interior linemen, beating out everyone else on this list by a sizeable margin:
Justin Madubuike totaled 44 quarterback pressures a season ago, an impressive feat in the SEC that he will look to do again this year. pic.twitter.com/KxMhLTWnT7
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 31, 2019
He won’t have Kingsley Keke, Daylon Mack or Landis Durham lining up with him this fall, so that might make it more difficult for him to consistently generate pressure. However, if he improves, he could become a star.
When you can generate that much pressure from the defensive tackle position, it makes things really difficult for opposing offenses. Quarterbacks prefer pressure to come off the edges so they can step up in the pocket, but they can’t step up if Madubuike is there waiting for them.
Versatility: McTelvin Agim, Arkansas
Agim has played defensive end and defensive tackle at Arkansas. Now, in Chad Morris’ second year as head coach, he’ll primarily play along the interior of the defensive line.
Still, after recording 45 tackles (10.5 for a loss) and 4.5 sacks in 2018, that sort of versatility will be great for the Razorbacks to have. Who knows what will happen on the injury front, so having Agim able to play multiple spots is huge.
He’s lighter than some of the others on this list, checking in at under 300 pounds, but he has the speed and strength to do whatever is asked of him this fall.