There are some blue-chip prospects along the defensive interior at the top of this draft, led by Georgia's Jalen Carter, who just might be the best overall prospect in the entire NFL Draft.
Overall it's a pretty diverse group of interior defenders with every body type and skillset teams might be looking to add this spring. Teams looking for a disruptive three-tech, versatile chess piece or stout nose tackle will be in business come April with this class.
Top 5 defensive tackles to watch at the Combine:
1. Jalen Carter, Georgia, 6-3, 310
Carter just might be the No. 1 overall prospect in this draft with his rare blend of size, explosiveness and production from the interior. He's athletic enough to line up all across the defensive front. He's got quick feet and terrific hands to be an especially disruptive force in the middle at the next level. Carter put up a 90.0 pass-rush grade last season by Pro Football Focus, second among all Power Five interior defenders.
View photos of the defensive line prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore (99) tackles Southern Illinois running back Romeir Elliott (1), during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton
Iowa State defensive lineman MJ Anderson (3) celebrates after sacking Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma won 27-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
FILE - Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah gets into position during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Manhattan, Kan. Anudike-Uzomah was selected top defensive player in the Associated Press Big 12 Midseason Awards, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (87) gets signals from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Georgia linebacker Robert Beal Jr. plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Clemson's Bryan Bresee (11) rushes during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia Tech on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter warms up before an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Coastal Carolina nose tackle Jerrod Clark (15) runs during the first half of an NCAA football game against Georgia State on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Texas defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (99) rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Monroe, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Florida linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (1) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale (94) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. (9) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Washington, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Cincinnati quarterback Evan Prater is sacked by Louisville's YaYa Diaby during the fourth quarter of Louisville's 24-7 win in the Fenway Bowl NCAA college football game at Fenway Park Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Boston. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Rice defensive end Ikenna Enechukwu (91) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
San Jose State defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko (42) sacks Colorado State quarterback Clay Millen (11) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey (7) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
LSU defensive end Ali Gaye (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Appalachian State linebacker Nick Hampton during an NCAA football game against Georgia State on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Ohio State defensive lineman Zach Harrison plays against Iowa during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry (5) plays against North Carolina State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
TCU defensive lineman Dylan Horton (98) is seen during an NCAA football game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 55-24. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika (62) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
National defensive lineman Thomas Incoom of Central Michigan (8) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE - Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) plays against Miami during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Kancey was named the AP All-ACC defensive player of the year, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy (89) is seen during an NCAA football game against TCU on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 43-40 in double overtime. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
American linebacker Isaiah Land of Florida A&M (51) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald IV gets set for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Baylor won 31-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Missouri defensive lineman Isaiah McGuire during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Michigan linebacker Mike Morris plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Ferris State defensive end Caleb Murphy (12) holds the NCAA Division II college football championship trophy on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 in McKinney, Texas. (AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe)
Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy (98) plays against Syracuse during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Maryland offensive lineman Jaelyn Duncan (71) looks to block Penn State defensive tackle PJ Mustipher (97) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) scrambles past Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo (98) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (6) gestures after a stop against South Carolina State on third down during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Eastern Michigan's Jose Ramirez plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Ypsilanti, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Oklahoma's Jalen Redmond (31) sacks Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Mississippi defensive end Tavius Robinson (95) is shown during an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Mississippi won 52-28. (AP Photo/John Amis)
LSU defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (99) in action during an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Arizona State defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera (4) stands on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Michigan defensive lineman Mazi Smith (58) plays against Connecticut in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith (4) rushes the passer in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
West Virginia defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) plays against Pittsburgh during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
FILE - Southern California defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu celebrates a stop of California on fourth down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Los Angeles. USC has created more turnovers and had more sacks in its first season with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Iowa's Lukas Van Ness (91) tackles Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) in the end zone for a touch back during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Iowa defeated Nebraska 28-21. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White (6) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Texas Tech linebacker Tyree Wilson (19) on the field against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden (25) reacts during an NCAA football game against LSU on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Alabama defensive lineman Byron Young (47) cheers the crowd during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee defensive lineman Byron Young (6) chases after Tennessee Martin quarterback Dresser Winn (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Mississippi State defensive tackle Cameron Young (93) pursues Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Mississippi State won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
2. Bryan Bresee, Clemson, 6-5, 316
The medical exams at the Combine will be just as important for Bresee as his on-field work after he battled knee and shoulder injuries and a kidney infection in college. He was the No. 1 college prospect three years ago and is a versatile player who can fit a 3-4 or 4-3 front equally. He's broad, athletic and instinctive.
3. Mazi Smith, Michigan, 6-3, 335
Smith is a terrific athlete who was the No. 1 player on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List. He's got an impressive blend of power and agility. If he takes part in the bench press at the Combine it will be must-watch TV. He's going to crush all the Combine testing, actually. Once he refines some of his technique and pad level issues when he gets into an NFL system, he's got all the intangibles to be an immediate impact player.
4. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin, 6-4, 312
He was one of the more consistent playmakers from the interior day in and day out at Senior Bowl practices. His game is more power than anything else and he racked up 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for the Badgers this past season.
5. Siaki Ika, Baylor, 6-4, 354
Ika is a powerful interior defender with strong hands and a good anchor. He's hard to move around and eats up blocks. He didn't have a ton of sack production at Baylor but was credited with 51 pressures the last two seasons by PFF, so that's part of his game that could be unlocked more at the NFL level with technique work.
Combine sleeper to watch: Colby Wooden, Auburn, 6-5, 285
Wooden produced 20.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons for the Tigers. He lined up everywhere across Auburn's defensive front. He's kind of a tweener with his frame, but if he adds some muscle and weight, he could really give a team some interior pass rush.
View photos of the linebacker prospects who were invited to the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Louisville linebacker Yasir Abdullah (22) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) lines up against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) pursues Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 52-49. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville (23) plays during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La,. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
FILE - Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (31) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska on Nov. 25, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa (7-5) and Kentucky (7-5) will face off on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in the Music City Bowl. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
FILE - Army linebacker Andre Carter II (34) celebrates after sacking Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown IV (4) during the first quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Army features a roster that returns standout linebacker Andre Carter, who posted 15.5 sacks, second nationally. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
Pittsburgh linebacker SirVocea Dennis (7) plays against West Virginia during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham sets up on defense during an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall reacts after a stop against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley (1) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig runs up field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 24-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Duke linebacker Shaka Heyward (42) defends Northwestern running back Cam Porter during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.10, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Oregon linebacker DJ Johnson (2) gets around California tight end Jermaine Terry II (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Louisiana Lafayette linebacker Andre Jones (10) reacts after a tackle for a loss during an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Lafayette, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Indiana linebacker Cam Jones (4) reacts after sacking the Illinois quarterback during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
American linebacker Eku Leota of Auburn (55) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Nebraska edge rusher Ochaun Mathis (32) reaches for Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska defeated Indiana 35-21. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) walks back after a play against LSU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
North Carolina State's Isaiah Moore (1) celebrates a sack of Texas Tech's Donovan Smith during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) reacts to a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. LSU won 31-16. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orji celebrates a sack of the Missouri quarterback during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) gets ready for the play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Dallas. Texas won 49-0. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Cincinnati linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) pressures Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Cincinnati. Tulane won 27-24. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Auburn's Owen Pappoe (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Tech quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall (4) passes the ball as he is tackled by Kansas defensive end Lonnie Phelps (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 56-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
FILE - Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders (42) celebrates after making a big play against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. Sanders was selected to The Associated Press All-America team released Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.(AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell (1) signals a fourth down against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson (22) plays against North Carolina during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
North Carolina linebacker Noah Taylor (7) directs the team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Georgia Tech's Charlie Thomas (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Clemson on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Alabama linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat (2) pressures Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Tulane linebacker Dorian Williams (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Tulane won 38-28. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
TCU linebacker Dee Winters (13) gestures during the first overtime period of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)
Lions' need at the position: High
Detroit likes what they have in the middle with Alim McNeill entering his third season in 2023, but veteran Isaiah Buggs, who started 13 games alongside McNeill this past season, is an unrestricted free agent. Buggs said after the season he'd like to return to Detroit, but even if he does, the Lions are pretty thin along the interior of their defensive front. Benito Jones, who was a key reserve, is an exclusive rights free agent, so he's expected to be back too.
The Lions could really use an impact difference maker along the interior of their front - A player who can not only hold up against the run (the Lions ranked 29th in rushing defense last season) but provide some push and pass-rush prowess to go along with the team's young, talented edge rushers. Any quarterback will tell you the worst pressure they face is the kind that comes right up the middle in their face. The Lions didn't have enough of that in 2022.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes could be on the lookout for a versatile interior defender who can be impactful both against the run and the pass. Carter isn't likely to make it all the way to No. 6 where the Lions have their first selection, but he might be an impactful enough player to see what it might take to potentially move up to get him on draft night.
Key stat: The Lions recorded just 3.5 sacks in 17 games from the traditional defensive tackle position this past season.
