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Ranking the DI prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft
By Michael Renner • Feb 28, 2018
USATSI_10385245-copy.jpg?w=916&h=720Oct 21, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive linesmen Maurice Hurst (73) pressures Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The 2018 defensive interior class is decidedly top-heavy. Maurice Hurst and Vita Vea have separated themselves in a big way grade-wise from the rest of the defensive tackles in this draft, but that’s not to say there’s no talent to be had in the rest of the class.

Rather, Hurst and Vea are just that good.

The 2018 NFL Draft Guide is here! For PFF Edge & Elite subscribers, a comprehensive guide featuring player profiles of signature stats, grades and exclusive PFF content including position by position rankings. Find out more information here and join PFF now!

[Editor’s note: These rankings are ever-evolving as we head toward the draft.]

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1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan

The prototypical 3-technique defensive tackle, Hurst offers a pass-rushing toolbox that no other interior player in this class can come close to matching. His four-year career of grades is unlike anything we’ve ever seen at the defensive tackle position, proving his durability and sustainability at the position.

2. Vita Vea, Washington

Vea is the definition of a disrupter, he moves the line of scrimmage and not the other way around. Only playing 62.2 percent of Washington’s snaps this past season is a little concerning, but there are few concerns about his on-field performance.

3. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama

Payne showed a complete different gear against Georgia in the National Championship game where he set career highs for pressures (seven) and run stops (six). That high-end is encouraging, but it was shown too infrequently to be on the level of Hurst and Vea.

4. Taven Bryan, Florida

Bryan is a freak of nature athletically who is only starting to put it all together. There’s no telling if he’ll ever do just that and put it all together, but he’s improved greatly in every season of his college career.

5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford

Phillips is as NFL-ready to play the run as anyone in this class. His 48 run stops led all interior defenders in the country a season ago but he only notched 33 total QB pressures this past season, and still has a ways to go in that regard.

6. RJ McIntosh, Miami (Fla.)

McIntosh created havoc on one of the most consistent bases of anyone in this class. His tape against the Wisconsin offensive line in Miami’s bowl game though is concerning as was the lowest-graded game of his career, against top caliber offensive linemen.

7. Tim Settle, Virginia Tech

Settle is a ball of power at this point, he’s unrefined and out of control at times, but you can’t teach 330-plus pound men to move the way that he does. As a redshirt sophomore, Settle has two years of solid grades under his belt.

8. Derrick Nnadi, Florida State

Nnadi is a nose tackle in a 3-techniques body. With a little more beef, he could easily hold up at the nose full-time. He’s a difficult man to out-leverage and has a history of being stout in run defense.

9. B.J. Hill, NC State

Hill dominated the Senior Bowl 1-on-1 unlike any other defensive tackle in Mobile. He won 73 percent of his reps that week, but unfortunately, that same dominance was rare in NC State’s actual games.

10. Trenton Thompson, Georgia

Thompson never could quite stay healthy at Georgia, but when he was, he flashed more than his fair share of ‘wow’ reps. Thompson can make plays on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage that few in this class are capable of.

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