With The First Pick
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Marvin Wilson: Top defensive player in the 2021 NFL Draft class

By Brandon Coyle

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Head Coach Willie Taggart talks with Defensive Tackle Marvin Wilson #21 of the Florida State Seminoles after the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 22, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Huskies 37 to 19. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Head Coach Willie Taggart talks with Defensive Tackle Marvin Wilson #21 of the Florida State Seminoles after the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 22, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Huskies 37 to 19. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Marvin Wilson looks like a top defender in the 2021 NFL Draft

Football has shown to be polarizing with all the new offenses and flashy playcalling. All the high-flying offenses are fun, but games are still won in the trenches and getting difference-makers across the offensive/defensive lines is critical. One of the most significant difference-makers of this 2021 NFL Draft in the trenches is Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.

Interior defensive linemen may not be as valuable as edge rushers or cornerbacks, but if they can be a three-down player on the interior, they can move the needle just as much. Marvin Wilson can be that special talent on the interior and can be the top defensive player in the class.

Wilson is a force in the middle of the Florida State defense. He’s got great size for an NFL defensive tackle at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds. He’s been a starter in Tallahassee, Florida since 2018 and in 21 games has recorded eight and a half sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 85 tackles. In 2019, Wilson wasn’t able to finish the season after nine games with a hand injury. Marvin is poised for a huge senior year.

In fact, Matt Valdovinos of Pro Football Network agrees he is the top defensive tackle in the class:

"“He dominated college football and is all but a lock to go top-10 in the coming NFL Draft. In a similar situation, Marvin Wilson of FSU chose to return to school his senior year and should be considered the early favorite to claim the IDL1 crown in the 2021 NFL Draft” (Valdovinos via PFN)."

What makes him special?

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This clip only gives you a glimpse of Wilson’s game and how he creates havoc on the interior. He showcases his extraordinary ability to rush the passer better than anyone else in his class. He is explosive off the snap; I love his get off. Wilson possesses great play strength and can shed blocks at will to plug up the middle in the run game.

He’s got active hands and has good technique. He uses a strong pull-club move and swim move while having the ability to push the pocket off the snap. I like his two-gap ability and think he’s versatile enough to line up at nose tackle, three-technique, and five-technique. Wilson is everything you want in a defensive tackle and instantly upgrades any team’s trenches.

So far, the top of the draft seems to be filled with offensive studs. Between the top quarterbacks, Penei Sewell, and some dynamic pass catchers, defensive players could be at the back burner in the first round of 2021 NFL Draft. Not only that, but he is proving to be a top leader in the class.

Speed kills and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is proof. dark. Next

Marvin Wilson will quickly put himself in the conversation of the first defensive player drafted. He shows a lot of similarities to Panthers Derrick Brown, who went 7th this past April. Wilson could go even higher than Brown and finish above him in terms of prospect grades.

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