Between now and the scheduled April 23rd opening of the 2020 NFL Draft, WEEI.com will take a position-by-position look at the prospects in this year's class, both in terms of a general overview as well as from a Patriots perspective.
Defensive tackle
Supply-and-Demand Overview: The Patriots have kind of gotten by with underrated veteran Lawrence Guy leading the interior defensive line in recent years, so there is little doubt the position could use an injection of youthful potential. The front lost Danny Shelton to free agency, but added veteran Beau Allen from the Bucs. Adam Butler remains a versatile option in passing situations, while Byron Cowart is a candidate for an increased role in his second season and Deatrich Wise sees some snaps on the inside as well. A year removed from the mediocre career of former first-round pick Malcom Brown, New England doesn't have a guy other than Guy to count on in the middle of the front. This year's class of prospects has one truly elite talent in Auburn's Derrick Brown and then a lot of guys with upside, varied skills and likely varied fits in differing pro defenses. Certainly the Patriots aren't in position for Brown's elite talent, but they could have the chance to tap into the second- and third-tier options come Draft weekend.
Top Prospect: Derrick Brown, Auburn. Brown has all the physical tools and intangible characteristics you look for in a blue-chip prospect. He has the power to take on blocks and the athleticism to shoot gaps. He's a playmaker who can close on the ball and finish plays. Whichever team takes Brown should expect to get a Pro Bowl talent and potential locker room leader.
Overrated Prospect: Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina. Kinlaw is a massive, athletic man capable of incredible things. But he also has to answer questions about his motivations and his inconsistencies. He was a JUCO transfer who let his weight balloon up to 350 pounds. When he's motivated, Kinlaw can be a big, beastly playmaker from the inside. But in the top half of the first round there has to be some doubts about his overall makeup. Pass on him and you may regret it. Take him too early and you make regret it. Damn inexact science!
Underrated Prospect: DaVon Hamilton, Ohio State. Hamilton is a far-from-flashy prospect with good hands and feet for the interior. He's a solid all-around athlete with power who can move well enough to be more than just a fire hydrant. His experience with Greg Schiano can't hurt. As a mid-round option, Hamilton has the potential to be a regular starter in the NFL.
Wild Card: Marlon Davidson, Auburn. Sure, he's a very good football player. But what position does he play at the next level? For Auburn he lined up at end and many times up on two feet, that at 6-3, 303. He'll likely be asked to play a bit more traditionally on the inside in the NFL. He could be a unique athletic piece for the right defense, but as a possible pick late in the first round Davidson brings as fit many questions as he does talents.
Possible Patriots: Raekwon Davis, Alabama; Rashard Lawrence, LSU; Leki Fotu, Utah; Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma.
New England has a handful of picks in or after the third round – four selections from 87 to 125 – that might be a sweet spot to add a defensive tackle with immediate rotational potential and starting upside. Davis is intriguing in that he was an All-SEC playmaker in 2017 but saw his production drop off over the last two years. He's built like Richard Seymour and has the skills coming from Nick Saban's defense to fit in right away for the Patriots. Lawrence is another guy who played more of an end role in college who'll see more time inside. As a captain and effort guy with stout ability, he looks the Patriots' part. Fotu played some 1-gap schemes in college but at 330 is built to be more of a run-stuffing nose tackle for a Patriots defense that showed last year it could use help in that area. Gallimore is a Canadian-born athlete who brings a great motor and athleticism to more of a 1-gap style of play, including a very impressive 4.79 40 for a man of his size. He definitely has upside if he can refine some of his techniques, including playing lower. In a solid overall defensive tackle class definitely don't be surprised to see the Patriots add some bulk to the middle of their defense at some point on Draft weekend.
Estimated chances the Patriots take a DT at No. 23: 16
Estimated chances the Patriots take a DT at some point in the 2020 NFL Draft: 79
