2021 NFL Draft IDL rankings: Christian Barmore and the boys

The offense is finished and now the defensive player rankings are underway for the 2021 NFL Draft. Last week, I explored the big boys on the offensive interior and offensive tackle positions, and this week I turn to the defensive interior. While this group may not be star-studded, there are some very talented players who start right away.

Alabama and USC head the list of talented defensive line groups for the 2021 NFL Draft, with multiple potential first and second-round selections available. Championships are built in the trenches and it continues here with some very strong and active defensive tackle prospects. Take a look below at my top-10 for the interior defensive linemen for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Christian Barmore leads the way for IDL in 2021 NFL Draft

Another set of rankings and another Alabama player tops the list. Christian Barmore is an underclassman who left early after a productive regular season and excellent postseason for the Crimson Tide. Barmore was one of the best players overall in the College Football Playoffs and will ride that wave into a potential first-round selection.

The ultra-talented redshirt-sophomore is the next great Alabama defensive lineman in a long line of great NFL prospects. He has prototypical size and strength for the position, combined with great quickness and reaction time. Barmore is a tad raw and will need to clean up on the missed tackles and the guesswork at the line of scrimmage. Either way, he should be a top-25 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

2. Jay Tufele – USC

There are some great talents on the interior of the defensive line in 2021, and Tufele is another standout. Like Barmore, Tufele’s quickness is his calling card and he is one of the top defensive linemen available. USC also has a penchant for producing some talented DL in recent years, such as Rasheem Green, Leonard Williams, Nick Perry, and Jurrell Casey.

Tufele has a chance to be the best of the bunch, as he has defensive end-like quickness combined with the strength to make a big impact inside. His best fit at the next level is inside a four-man front, and he should be an instant starter in the right scheme. Despite opting out of the 2020 season, Tufele remains in the mix as a probable second-round pick.

3. Levi Onwuzurike – Washington

Another player that opted out early in 2020 was Washington defensive tackle prospect Levi Onwuzurike. The former Husky is undersized for an inside player but makes up for it with tremendous strength and balance. He is not easily manipulated by double teams, and even stands a chance to play the nose in the right NFL defense.

His lack of consistency on a play-to-play will keep Onwuzurike out of the first round, but he can make big plays when he is locked in. Like the players before him, Onwuzurike also has good quickness and an even better first step. With the right coaching, Onwuzurike could be a Pro Bowler as a potential second-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

4. Alim McNeil – North Carolina State

One of the better nose tackle prospects available, Alim McNeil exploded onto the scene for North Carolina State the past couple of seasons. As a leader for the Wolfpack, McNeil was a consistent force in the middle of the defensive line in 2020. When it comes to his build, McNeil is reminiscent of former Wolfpack defensive stalwart DeMarcus “Tank” Tyler.

While McNeil may lack any impact pass-rushing ability, he can anchor down and provide a stable presence as a one-gap player at the next level. He is an extremely smart player that recognizes how to use pad level to his advantage and consistently beat offensive guards and centers inside. McNeil looks ticketed for the third round in the 2021 NFL Draft.

5. Tyler Shelvin – LSU

Another nose tackle prospect with solid next-level potential is LSU’s Tyler Shelvin. Like Tufele and Onwuzurike, Shelvin was another player that decided to opt-out of the 2020 college season. There may not have been a player more affected by this decision than Shelvin. Heading into the year, Shelvin had a chance to catapult himself into the second or even first-day discussion.

However, we are lead with more questions than answers with the former LSU defensive lineman. Shelvin is a former five-star prep recruit that only played started one full collegiate season for the Tigers after being suspended in 2018 and opting out in 2020. He has struggled with weight and inconsistency during his time in college but is a massive human being with the potential for a big impact in the NFL. He should settle in as a late third to early fourth-round selection this month.

6. Jalen Twyman – Pittsburgh

Jalen Twyman is another player that entered 2020 on the cusp of a potential early-round selection after collecting 10.5 sacks in 2019. However, Twyman opted out in 2020 and faces questions about his potential NFL future. He lacks the ideal length for an elite prospect and needs to get stronger to hold up for a full 17-game schedule.

His development will be key for Twyman’s success in the NFL, as he will need to build on what he started in 2019 at Pittsburgh. His lack of length and bulk will make life challenging as both a run defender and pass rusher. However, if he can add functional strength and continue using his quick feet to his advantage, Twyman could make some noise as a fourth or fifth-round pick.

7. Marvin Wilson – FSU

Marvin Wilson is one of the bigger cautionary tales of the 2020 college season and the 2021 NFL Draft. Once thought of as a legitimate top-10 pick, Wilson faces the possibility of tumbling out of the event altogether. An elite prospect on a struggling Seminoles’ team in 2020, Wilson failed to raise his game and struggled tremendously for the defense.

Wilson is a massive player inside with good quickness, size, and burst. However, he lacks any real pass-rushing ability and gets washed out of players by smaller players too often. He will need to show more patience and improve his technique to be successful. Based on tape alone, Wilson may go undrafted but his talent will probably help in finding him a spot around the fifth round.

8. Daviyon Nixon – Iowa

Another school with a solid recent track record for top defensive line prospects is the Iowa Hawkeyes. The latest in that group is former JUCO transfer, Daviyon Nixon. The breakout 2020 performer racked up 45 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception for the Hawkeyes. He is a relatively unproven, high-upside type of player whose best football is ahead of him.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder uses his hands well and is a load inside for a player of his size. He’s a perfect fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 and could challenge to start right away. If he can continue his upward trajectory, Nixon will be an impact player and should hear his name called before the end of Round 5.

9. Tommy Togiai – Ohio State

Tommy Togiai was an impact player for a loaded Buckeyes’ defensive line in 2020 after being a key reserve in 2018 and 2019. He was forced to miss the National Championship against Alabama due to COVID-19 protocols, and his presence was sorely missed.

As an NFL hopeful, Togiai is a tad undersized with short arms, but he makes up for his with great strength and non-stop motor. He has a chance to go in the 6th round and become a key rotational piece for an NFL defensive line in 2021.

10. Marlon Tuipulotu – USC

The USC Trojans were loaded with NFL talent in 2020, and Tuipolotu combined with Tufele to form one of the best interior units in all of the Pac-12. Tuipolotu has tons of college experience as a three-year starter for the Trojans and appeared to get more comfortable each year on the defensive line.

He won’t dominant with pass-rushing ability, but he is quick off the line and a dependable tackler near the line of scrimmage. He has the potential to start but may be ticketed for backup duties and a seventh-round selection later this month.