The 2024 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away, and with the marquee weekend of the offseason nearly here, the hype and excitement surrounding this year's event is already heating up.
Over the next several weeks, we're going to take a look at some position groups in this year's class while examining a handful of names to know. We began with the wide receivers, and we'll continue with defensive tackle.
Chiefs Defensive Tackles Under Contract for the 2024 Season: Isaiah Buggs, Neil Farrell Jr., Matt Dickerson, Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel.
Seven Names to Know
Depending on where you look, the various experts from around the web have identified a handful of defensive tackles who could potentially go during the first two days of the draft.
Here's a look at seven players to know who could potentially be available to the Chiefs within the top 150 picks or so, including where they currently rank among their peers according to the pundits.
Additionally, some players feature analysis from the folks at Pro Football Focus and NFL.com.
Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton - Illinois
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 304 pounds
Snapshot: One of the top defensive tackles in the nation last year, Newton was an Associated Press First-Team All-America selection after racking up seven sacks and an FBS-most four blocked kicks.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 8 overall (No. 1 DT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 32 overall (No. 2 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Newton has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment as a three-to-five-technique player."
NFL.com: "Overall, Newton lacks ideal lower-body flexibility, but he's a very skilled rusher and holds up versus the run."
For more on Newton, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Byron Murphy II – Texas
Measurables: 6-foot-0, 297 pounds
Snapshot: Murphy started 14 games for the Longhorns last season, recording 8.5 tackles-for-loss and five sacks.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 13 overall (No. 2 DT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 19 overall (No. 1 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Murphy is a gifted defensive lineman in both the strength and speed categories. He is a versatile three-down player who brings plus abilities as a run defender and a pass rusher, projecting as a first-round impact starter for any front."
NFL.com: "Overall, Murphy might lack ideal size, but he's a leverage machine who makes an impact on all three downs."
For more on Murphy, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Braden Fiske – Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 292 pounds
Snapshot: A standout at Western Michigan who transferred to Florida State in 2023, Fiske earned Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors last season after recording nine tackles-for-loss and six sacks in 13 starts.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 38 overall (No. 3 DT)
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com) Top 50 (April 3): No. 38 overall (No. 3 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Fiske's measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle, even with some run-defense deficiencies."
NFL.com: "Overall, Fiske is a competitive, athletic and impactful defensive lineman capable of starting right away."
For more on Fiske, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 294 pounds
Snapshot: Orhorhoro tallied eight tackles-for-loss and five sacks in 12 starts for the Tigers last season. Lance Zierlein from NFL.com compared his skillset to that of Baltimore Ravens' defensive tackle Justin Madubuike.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 54 overall (No. 4 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Orhorhoro is a versatile defensive lineman who can be a high-floor player at defensive end or defensive tackle. However, he needs to develop technical pass-rush moves to be more than a rotational player at the next level."
For more on Orhorhoro, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Kris Jenkins – Michigan
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 299 pounds
Snapshot: A team captain for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines in 2023, Jenkins recorded 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks in 15 games.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 60 overall (No. 5 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Jenkins is one of the strongest players in the entire draft class, but his arm-length limitations and lack of pass-rush profile will likely limit his draft stock to a mid-to-late Day 2 selection. However, his high floor presents starting potential in a 4-3 scheme."
For more on Jenkins, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
T'Vondre Sweat – Texas
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 366 pounds
Snapshot: A mountain of a human being, Sweat won the Outland Trophy – which recognizes the top interior lineman in the nation – and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. He tallied eight tackles-for-loss, four pass-breakups and two sacks on the season.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 74 overall (No. 6 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: "Sweat has the size that you can't teach. At his best, he's an impact, versatile interior defensive player, but weight and conditioning will determine how often that can be in the NFL."
For more on Sweat, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
Michael Hall Jr. – Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 290 pounds
Snapshot: Hall appeared in 12 games (7 starts) for Ohio State last year, recording two tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks.
Big Board Rankings:
Pro Football Focus (Post-Combine): No. 104 overall (No. 7 DT)
Expert Analysis:
Pro Football Focus: " Hall's measurements make him a tough player to slot into a specific scheme, but due to how quickly he can win with finesse on the interior, his best spot in the league is likely as a DT/DE in a versatile 4-3 front. His pass-rush abilities give him the chance to be a productive pass-rush specialist."
For more on Hall, check out his draft profile at NFL.com.
