Alyssa Barbieri
April 18, 2024 10:02 am CT
The 2024 NFL draft is almost here, and the Chicago Bears have several of needs to address. General manager Ryan Poles has just four draft picks to work with, including two in the top 10 and all four are within the first four rounds.
The Bears don’t have many needs on defense — and it’s all on the defensive line, including the interior. While edge rusher is a bigger concern than defensive tackle right now, there could be an opportunity for Chicago to land a top-two prospect to plug in at three-technique in Matt Eberflus’ defense.
Here’s a look at the top defensive tackle prospects in the NFL draft:
1
Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton, Illinois
Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton (94) reacts to a missed stop in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
2
Byron Murphy II, Texas
Nov 18, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates sacking the Iowa State Cyclones quarterback during the game at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY Sports
3
Braden Fiske, Florida State
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) gestures to his ring finger after sacking Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
4
Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) celebrates a recovered fumble Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
5
Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) celebrates after defeating the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
6
Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Nov 4, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) celebrates after a tackle against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
7
Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
8
T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat (93) celebrates a defensive stop during the Big 12 Championship game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Arlington.
9
Mekhi Wingo, LSU
Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (18) reacts after tackling Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
10
DeWayne Carter, Duke
Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) looks on during the first half of the game against Pittsburgh Panthers at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
11
Maason Smith, LSU
Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) celebrates a play during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
12
Leonard Taylor III, Miami
Sep 10, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Leonard Taylor (56) celebrates after sacking Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Zach Wilcke (not pictured) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
13
Tyler Davis, Clemson
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 22: Tyler Davis #13 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates against the Syracuse Orange in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
14
Logan Lee, Iowa
Iowa right tackle Logan Lee waits for the snap in the third quarter against Nevada during a non-conference NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
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15
McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
Oct 23, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (35) and South Carolina Gameco*cks defensive lineman M.J. Webb (94) during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
16
Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) reacts after Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
17
Gabe Hall, Baylor
Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears defensive lineman Gabe Hall (95) in action during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Albany Great Danes at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
18
Myles Murphy, North Carolina
Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Myles Murphy (8) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
19
Jordan Jefferson, LSU
Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nathaniel Peat (8) runs the ball and is tackled by LSU Tigers defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (99) and LSU Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks (40) during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
20
Jowon Briggs, Cincinnati
Oct 14, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats defensive end Jowon Briggs (middle) rushes from the line of scrimmage against Iowa State Cyclones defensive end David Caulker (left) and offensive lineman Jim Bonifas (right) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
