Defensive Tackle - My Take

After the big trade down last year, and subsequent trade back up, the Browns took big Phil Taylor, defensive tackle and awesome traveler. However even with he and big Ahtyba Rubin, the Browns run defense was horrible.  That should improve with the addition of Frostee Rucker and growth of Taylor and Jabaal Sheard, but it wouldn't surprise me if the Browns picked a defensive tackle in the mid-late rounds of the draft.  Let's look at what the Browns have now

Starters:

Ahtyba Rubin - should have received Pro-Bowl consideration last season but the Browns were so awful he didn't.  An absolute stud.

Phil Taylor - Struggled at times during his rookie season, but flashed enough potential to give fans hope for the future.  Should continue to develop and will hopefully team with Rubin as dominant inside forces for the foreseeable future.

Backups:

Brian Schaefering - serviceable backup and one of the nicest guys on the team.  My dude.
Scott Paxson - tried to be my hero and wreck Roethlisberger's leg but it just wasn't meant to be.
Brian Sanford - ??


I don't see the Browns taking a defensive tackle before the 4th round, but here are a few guys who may fit what they're looking for late.




Loni Fangupo, BYU - 4th rounder - USC transfer, big guy (6'1 320) who can play over the center in the 4-3.  He's an older prospect (27) who is basically a 2 down player as he doesn't offer much as a pass rusher.  May be overdrafted because he can play in a 3-4 or 4-3 and is the space eater many teams covet nowadays.







Mike Daniels, Iowa - 4th rounder - Not huge, (6'0 290) penetrating d-tackle who is better at getting after the passer than playing the run.  Not built to be a starter but could provide excellent value as a rotational guy.  No one will out work him and teams will know what they're going to get.

Trevor Guyton, Cal - 4th rounder - good sized (6'2 285) high motor guy who will give his all.  Like Daniels probably not meant to be a starter but can contribute in a rotation and teams will be comfortable that they're getting a lunch pail type guy, aggressive and competitive player.

Jaye Howard, Florida - 4th-5th rounder - big (6'3 300) and fast (4.78 forty at the combine) but doesn't always play to that ability.  Extremely inconsistent effort and can be invisible for stretches.  More of a boom or bust type but could provide great value if he slips into the 5th round.

Marcus Forston, Miami - 5th-6th rounder - once one of the top recruits in the country.  Strong upper body but seems like he'll always tease with his talent.  Suspended for beginning of his junior year, hurt his knee in practice and only played 3 games before declaring.  Should have gone back to school, but could make a team and contribute.

Christian Tupou, USC - 6th-7th rounder - played nose at USC.  High character guy who worked back from a torn ACL in 2010.  Not a great athlete and will always be limited in that regard.  Could make a roster and stick.













Tydreke Powell, North Carolina - 6th-7th rounder - another athletically limited big man who will likely only be a rotational guy, but has size (6'2 311) and gives effort, and that's what you want as a backup d-tackle.









Wild-Card:


Armond Armstead, USC - (6'4 295) - Experienced chest pains while at USC and spent 5 days in the hospital.  Was cleared medically but USC would not allow him to return to football, so he declared for the draft.  Has visited with the Browns and could be in their sights.  Has experience playing end and tackle.  Interesting prospect, was a big-time recruit out of high-school.





Depending on what the Browns do with their picks, we could see a defensive tackle in this draft class.  They have 2 surefire starters in Rubin and Taylor but could use depth.  It wouldn't surprise me to see one of the guys listed above in brown and orange as the brass tries to shore up the run defense.