JETS COUNTRY DRAFT SERIES: Good Reason to Include Defensive Tackle in 2023 NFL Draft Plans

With the Draft approaching, Gang Green needs to secure defensive line help for the present and future

None of the New York Jets’ defensive tackles are signed for the long term.

Nathan Shepherd and Sheldon Rankings both left the team through free agency. 

Solomon Thomas re-signed for a one-year commitment while Gang Green added veteran Quinton Jefferson on a one-year deal, too.

Then, there’s All-Pro Quinnen Williams, the centerpiece of the defense who heads into the option year on his rookie contract.

Therefore, general manager Joe Douglas and Co. would be prudent to target multiple interior defensive line prospects in the 2023 National Football League Draft.

Although somewhat thin at defensive tackle from top to bottom, this year’s Draft class features a handful of intriguing early-round options led by Georgia’s Jalen Carter. Thought to be the No. 1 overall player in the Draft by some, the potential NFL star has been sliding due to accusations stemming from a serious off-the-field incident.

Former Atlantic Coast Conference studs Bryan Bresee (Clemson) and Calijah Kancey (Pitt) offer great value as potential late first-round or early second-round selections.

Including the three aforementioned prospects, here are five interior linemen who have likely caught Douglas’ eye at some point during the pre-draft process.

Pitt DT Calijah Kancey / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia DT Jalen Carter :: Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY Network

Georgia DT Jalen Carter / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson DT Bryan Bresee / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Boise State DT Scott Matlock / Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State DT PJ Mustipher / Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Carter, Georgia

Ht: 6030 | Wt: 314 | Hand: 1028 | Arm: 3348 | 40: 4.80e 

Projected as a potential No. 1 overall pick heading into the 2023 calendar year, Carter’s draft stock has dropped due to off-the-field legal issue that has raised questions about his maturity level. He also performed poorly at his Pro Day. 

Carter, a 2022 All-Southeastern Conference First Team honoree, logged 31 quarterback hurries in 13 games for the national champion Bulldogs. 

NFL DB Excerpt: “Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, Carter makes a living in the opponents' backfield. His combination of size, agility, explosiveness, tremendous strength and versatility makes him the best pure talent in the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Ht: 6010 | Wt: 281 | Hand: 0928 | Arm: 3058 | Wing: 7300 | 40: 4.67 

Although considered undersized at his position, Kancey built a massive resume while starring at Pitt. The consensus All-America First Team selection made 14.5 tackles-for-loss in 11 games last fall. 

Kancey, the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, made 36 appearances over the past three seasons for Aaron Donald’s alma mater. He smoked the field in the 40-yard dash (4.67) at the NFL Combine, posting the fastest time of all defensive tackle prospects. His 1.64 10-yard split was also tops. 

NFL DB Excerpt: “Prospects who combine unteachable traits and technical refinement early in their college career are somewhat rare. Kancey fits that description; the explosive and fluid athlete complements his excellent movement skills with a wide range of hand moves.”

The official results for the 2023 defensive tackle combine class are in.@Pitt_FB's Calijah Kancey earned the top NGS athleticism score (94) among his position group after running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.67) of any DT since at least 2003.#NFLCombine | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/VP9odFfOGS

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 3, 2023

Bryan Bresee, Clemson 

Ht: 6054 | Wt: 298 | Hand: 1028 | Arm: 3248 | 40: 4.86 
The former Rivals.com No. 1 recruit in America immediately lived up to the hype at Clemson, winning the 2020 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award. The 6-foot-5 Bresee was thought to be an early first-round selection at one point, but almost definitely won’t last past Pick 50. 

The three-time All-ACC honoree saw his 2021 campaign cut short by an ACL injury, but he battled back to log 329 snaps over 10 games in 2022. 

NFL DB Excerpt: “A defensive lineman who boasts experience on the biggest stages and exhibits impressive unidirectional movement skills, power and length. While raw, Bresee is a rare athlete with dominant flashes and elite potential; he currently profiles as an early-career impact backup.” 

Scott Matlock, Boise State

Ht: 6041 | Wt: 296 | Hand: 0900 | Arm: 3268 Wing: 7838 | 40: 4.98

The reliable Matlock did not miss a single start for Boise State over the past three seasons. The two-time All-Mountain West Second Teamer recorded 49 tackles and seven QB hurries over a 13-game sample in 2022.

NFL Draft Bible founder Ric Serritella considers Matlock to be the most-offensive NFL Combine snub of the season. His 29.5-inch vertical jump is one half-inch better than what Bresee recorded at the Combine while his 29 bench press reps would’ve ranked third overall amongst defensive tackle prospects.

NFL DB Excerpt: “Matlock possesses impressive hand combat in the trenches, does a nice job shedding blocks/disengaging and has drawn high praise from scouts during team interviews. There might not be another player who improved his draft stock early in the year than Matlock.”

BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN.

6'4", 300 pound DT Scott Matlock brings in the score for Boise State. pic.twitter.com/o21F3EHMPU

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 25, 2022

PJ Mustipher, Penn State

Ht: 6037 | Wt: 320 | Hand: 0900 | Arm: 3268 | Wing: 8018 | 40: 5.41 

Mustipher started 12 games at defensive tackle as a graduate student in 2022. Notching back-to-back All-Big Ten Conference Second Team selections, the East West Shrine Bowl participant is at his best defending the run.

The 320-pound Mustipher tested poorly at the NFL Combine, finishing near the bottom of the defensive tackles list in multiple categories.

NFL DB Excerpt: “An interior defensive lineman who can provide suffocating run support from various alignments, the tenacious Mustipher didn’t always show up on the stat sheet. The two-time team captain has been praised for his football intelligence and he can be an immediate impact player.”

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