Defensive Tackle Weight

[Hstokes1447]

This idea that you ‘MUST” have a 320 pounder starting on the defensive line is simply not true. Yes I would love to have another 320+ DT outside of Ahmad Moten, who is listed at 6-3 325, but the NFL shows that it’s simply not necessary.

Of the 32 NFL teams 16 run a 4-3 Base and the other 16 run a 3-4 Base.

There are 48 starting Defensive Tackles in the NFL, with only 15 of them weighing 320 pounds or more. Of those 15, 8 of them play in a 3-4 defense where only 1 defensive tackle is on the field.

Now of the teams that runs 4-3, like UM, there are only 7 starting DT’s that weigh 320 or more. So of the 32 starting DT’s in the NFL, playing in 4-3 base defenses, only 7 of them weigh 320 or more while the other 25 are less than 320. The average weight for a NFL 4-3 Base DT is 308 pounds.

Starting NFL Defensive Tackles

4-3 Base Teams

Arizona Cardinals
DT Bilal Nichols 6-4 313
DT Justin Jones 6-3 309

Buffalo Bills
DaQuan Jones 6-4 320
Ed Oliver 6-1 287

Chicago Bears
Andrew Billings 6-1 311
Gervon Dexter 6-6 312

Cincinnati Bengals
Sheldon Rankins 6-2 305
B.J. Hill 6-3 311

Cleveland Browns
Dalvin Tomlinson 6-3 325
Shelby Harris 6-2 288

Dallas Cowboys
Chauncey Golston 6-5 268
Osa Odighizuwa 6-2 280

Detroit Lions
Alim McNeill 6-2 315
DJ Reader 6-3 335

Green Bay Packers
Devonte Wyatt 6-3 304
Kenny Clark 6-3 314

Houston Texans
Denico Autry 6-5 273
Foley Fatukasi 6-4 318

Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner 6-7 295
Raekwon Davis 6-7 325

Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi 6-1 317
Chris Jones 6-6 310

Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Wilkins 6-4 310
John Jenkins 6-3 327

New Orleans Saints
Nathan Shepherd 6-4 315
Khalen Saunders 6-0 324

New York Jets
Javon Kinlaw 6-5 319
Quinnen Williams 6-3 303

San Francisco 49ers
Maliek Collins 6-2 310
Javon Hargrave 6-2 305

Washington Commanders
Daron Payne 6-3 320
Jonathan Allen 6-3 300

AVERAGE WEIGHT 308


3-4 Base Teams

Atlanta Falcons
David Onyemata 6-3 300

Baltimore Ravens
Michael Pierce 6-0 355

Carolina Panthers
Shy Tuttle 6-3 300

Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones 6-0 305

Jacksonville Jaguars
DaVon Hamilton 6-4 335

Los Angeles Chargers
Poona Ford 5-11 310

Los Angeles Rames
Bobby Brown III 6-4 324

Miami Dolphins
Benito Jones 6-1 335

Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Phillips 6-3 307

New England Patriots
Davon Godchaux 6-3 330

New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence II 6-4 340

Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis 6-6 336

Pittsburgh Steelers
Keeanu Benton 6-4 309

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed 6-3 306

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea 6-4 347

Tennessee Titans
Sebastian Joseph-Day 6-4 310


AVERAGE WEIGHT 320


Miami 2024 Defensive Tackles as of today (05/07/2024)

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Anthony Campbell RSR 6-7 300
Ahmad Moten RSO 6-3 325
Josh Horton RFR 6-4 295
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

AVERAGE WEIGHT 305

 

[Bender]

Recruit D-Linemen with fat asses (major pause).

 

[hassan]

This idea that you ‘MUST” have a 320 pounder starting on the defensive line is simply not true. Yes I would love to have another 320+ DT outside of Ahmad Moten, who is listed at 6-3 325, but the NFL shows that it’s simply not necessary.

Of the 32 NFL teams 16 run a 4-3 Base and the other 16 run a 3-4 Base.

There are 48 starting Defensive Tackles in the NFL, with only 15 of them weighing 320 pounds or more. Of those 15, 8 of them play in a 3-4 defense where only 1 defensive tackle is on the field.

Now of the teams that runs 4-3, like UM, there are only 7 starting DT’s that weigh 320 or more. So of the 32 starting DT’s in the NFL, playing in 4-3 base defenses, only 7 of them weigh 320 or more while the other 25 are less than 320. The average weight for a NFL 4-3 Base DT is 308 pounds.

Starting NFL Defensive Tackles

4-3 Base Teams

Arizona Cardinals
DT Bilal Nichols 6-4 313
DT Justin Jones 6-3 309

Buffalo Bills
DaQuan Jones 6-4 320
Ed Oliver 6-1 287

Chicago Bears
Andrew Billings 6-1 311
Gervon Dexter 6-6 312

Cincinnati Bengals
Sheldon Rankins 6-2 305
B.J. Hill 6-3 311

Cleveland Browns
Dalvin Tomlinson 6-3 325
Shelby Harris 6-2 288

Dallas Cowboys
Chauncey Golston 6-5 268
Osa Odighizuwa 6-2 280

Detroit Lions
Alim McNeill 6-2 315
DJ Reader 6-3 335

Green Bay Packers
Devonte Wyatt 6-3 304
Kenny Clark 6-3 314

Houston Texans
Denico Autry 6-5 273
Foley Fatukasi 6-4 318

Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner 6-7 295
Raekwon Davis 6-7 325

Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi 6-1 317
Chris Jones 6-6 310

Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Wilkins 6-4 310
John Jenkins 6-3 327

New Orleans Saints
Nathan Shepherd 6-4 315
Khalen Saunders 6-0 324

New York Jets
Javon Kinlaw 6-5 319
Quinnen Williams 6-3 303

San Francisco 49ers
Maliek Collins 6-2 310
Javon Hargrave 6-2 305

Washington Commanders
Daron Payne 6-3 320
Jonathan Allen 6-3 300

AVERAGE WEIGHT 308


3-4 Base Teams

Atlanta Falcons
David Onyemata 6-3 300

Baltimore Ravens
Michael Pierce 6-0 355

Carolina Panthers
Shy Tuttle 6-3 300

Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones 6-0 305

Jacksonville Jaguars
DaVon Hamilton 6-4 335

Los Angeles Chargers
Poona Ford 5-11 310

Los Angeles Rames
Bobby Brown III 6-4 324

Miami Dolphins
Benito Jones 6-1 335

Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Phillips 6-3 307

New England Patriots
Davon Godchaux 6-3 330

New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence II 6-4 340

Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis 6-6 336

Pittsburgh Steelers
Keeanu Benton 6-4 309

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed 6-3 306

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea 6-4 347

Tennessee Titans
Sebastian Joseph-Day 6-4 310


AVERAGE WEIGHT 320


Miami 2024 Defensive Tackles as of today (05/07/2024)

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Anthony Campbell RSR 6-7 300
Ahmad Moten RSO 6-3 325
Josh Horton RFR 6-4 295
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

AVERAGE WEIGHT 305

Great research, the Colts have the tallest DT lineup I have ever seen. I suspect guys like Horton and even Scott will get bigger. A lot of our guys really have good get off, we have a variety of guys but a lot of DT's would score high on the https://ras.football/ scale

 

[Hurricajun]

Are our posted weights actually accurate? Bc Campbell, barrow, and the 2 freshman haven’t been reported that heavy anywhere else I’ve seen.

 

[Astcloud11]

Should be comparing ourselves to the top 15-25 defenses in College.

 

[Novacane32000]

Excellent observation and proves the point we are big enough.

Strength, quickness, motor and football savvy are then the attributes that make for a great DL but are not as easily measured.

 

[twes.305]

This idea that you ‘MUST” have a 320 pounder starting on the defensive line is simply not true. Yes I would love to have another 320+ DT outside of Ahmad Moten, who is listed at 6-3 325, but the NFL shows that it’s simply not necessary.

Of the 32 NFL teams 16 run a 4-3 Base and the other 16 run a 3-4 Base.

There are 48 starting Defensive Tackles in the NFL, with only 15 of them weighing 320 pounds or more. Of those 15, 8 of them play in a 3-4 defense where only 1 defensive tackle is on the field.

Now of the teams that runs 4-3, like UM, there are only 7 starting DT’s that weigh 320 or more. So of the 32 starting DT’s in the NFL, playing in 4-3 base defenses, only 7 of them weigh 320 or more while the other 25 are less than 320. The average weight for a NFL 4-3 Base DT is 308 pounds.

Starting NFL Defensive Tackles

4-3 Base Teams

Arizona Cardinals
DT Bilal Nichols 6-4 313
DT Justin Jones 6-3 309

Buffalo Bills
DaQuan Jones 6-4 320
Ed Oliver 6-1 287

Chicago Bears
Andrew Billings 6-1 311
Gervon Dexter 6-6 312

Cincinnati Bengals
Sheldon Rankins 6-2 305
B.J. Hill 6-3 311

Cleveland Browns
Dalvin Tomlinson 6-3 325
Shelby Harris 6-2 288

Dallas Cowboys
Chauncey Golston 6-5 268
Osa Odighizuwa 6-2 280

Detroit Lions
Alim McNeill 6-2 315
DJ Reader 6-3 335

Green Bay Packers
Devonte Wyatt 6-3 304
Kenny Clark 6-3 314

Houston Texans
Denico Autry 6-5 273
Foley Fatukasi 6-4 318

Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner 6-7 295
Raekwon Davis 6-7 325

Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi 6-1 317
Chris Jones 6-6 310

Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Wilkins 6-4 310
John Jenkins 6-3 327

New Orleans Saints
Nathan Shepherd 6-4 315
Khalen Saunders 6-0 324

New York Jets
Javon Kinlaw 6-5 319
Quinnen Williams 6-3 303

San Francisco 49ers
Maliek Collins 6-2 310
Javon Hargrave 6-2 305

Washington Commanders
Daron Payne 6-3 320
Jonathan Allen 6-3 300

AVERAGE WEIGHT 308


3-4 Base Teams

Atlanta Falcons
David Onyemata 6-3 300

Baltimore Ravens
Michael Pierce 6-0 355

Carolina Panthers
Shy Tuttle 6-3 300

Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones 6-0 305

Jacksonville Jaguars
DaVon Hamilton 6-4 335

Los Angeles Chargers
Poona Ford 5-11 310

Los Angeles Rames
Bobby Brown III 6-4 324

Miami Dolphins
Benito Jones 6-1 335

Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Phillips 6-3 307

New England Patriots
Davon Godchaux 6-3 330

New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence II 6-4 340

Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis 6-6 336

Pittsburgh Steelers
Keeanu Benton 6-4 309

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed 6-3 306

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea 6-4 347

Tennessee Titans
Sebastian Joseph-Day 6-4 310


AVERAGE WEIGHT 320


Miami 2024 Defensive Tackles as of today (05/07/2024)

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Anthony Campbell RSR 6-7 300
Ahmad Moten RSO 6-3 325
Josh Horton RFR 6-4 295
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

AVERAGE WEIGHT 305

The problem is we dont know how much of an impact 5 of those guys are gonna make, if any.

 

[immars]

Ty for that info.
1) I agree the other comparison should be to top 15-20 defenses.
2) to me it is a combination of weight AND height. Of the 4-3 defenses you displayed, only a third of the total DTs listed are 6’2 or under. In college you can get away with smaller DTs but the more of the 6’3+ 290-300s in the roster, it accentuates an advantage/edge considering not all Olines are huge, not all QBs are tall. Perhaps that is where the discussion lends itself to: hence a comparison to top 15-20 defenses may show a trend of height and weight over say the last 3 years. Just a thought.

 

[Negro-Wan Kanobi]

This idea that you ‘MUST” have a 320 pounder starting on the defensive line is simply not true. Yes I would love to have another 320+ DT outside of Ahmad Moten, who is listed at 6-3 325, but the NFL shows that it’s simply not necessary.

Of the 32 NFL teams 16 run a 4-3 Base and the other 16 run a 3-4 Base.

There are 48 starting Defensive Tackles in the NFL, with only 15 of them weighing 320 pounds or more. Of those 15, 8 of them play in a 3-4 defense where only 1 defensive tackle is on the field.

Now of the teams that runs 4-3, like UM, there are only 7 starting DT’s that weigh 320 or more. So of the 32 starting DT’s in the NFL, playing in 4-3 base defenses, only 7 of them weigh 320 or more while the other 25 are less than 320. The average weight for a NFL 4-3 Base DT is 308 pounds.

Starting NFL Defensive Tackles

4-3 Base Teams

Arizona Cardinals
DT Bilal Nichols 6-4 313
DT Justin Jones 6-3 309

Buffalo Bills
DaQuan Jones 6-4 320
Ed Oliver 6-1 287

Chicago Bears
Andrew Billings 6-1 311
Gervon Dexter 6-6 312

Cincinnati Bengals
Sheldon Rankins 6-2 305
B.J. Hill 6-3 311

Cleveland Browns
Dalvin Tomlinson 6-3 325
Shelby Harris 6-2 288

Dallas Cowboys
Chauncey Golston 6-5 268
Osa Odighizuwa 6-2 280

Detroit Lions
Alim McNeill 6-2 315
DJ Reader 6-3 335

Green Bay Packers
Devonte Wyatt 6-3 304
Kenny Clark 6-3 314

Houston Texans
Denico Autry 6-5 273
Foley Fatukasi 6-4 318

Indianapolis Colts
DeForest Buckner 6-7 295
Raekwon Davis 6-7 325

Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Nnadi 6-1 317
Chris Jones 6-6 310

Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Wilkins 6-4 310
John Jenkins 6-3 327

New Orleans Saints
Nathan Shepherd 6-4 315
Khalen Saunders 6-0 324

New York Jets
Javon Kinlaw 6-5 319
Quinnen Williams 6-3 303

San Francisco 49ers
Maliek Collins 6-2 310
Javon Hargrave 6-2 305

Washington Commanders
Daron Payne 6-3 320
Jonathan Allen 6-3 300

AVERAGE WEIGHT 308


3-4 Base Teams

Atlanta Falcons
David Onyemata 6-3 300

Baltimore Ravens
Michael Pierce 6-0 355

Carolina Panthers
Shy Tuttle 6-3 300

Denver Broncos
D.J. Jones 6-0 305

Jacksonville Jaguars
DaVon Hamilton 6-4 335

Los Angeles Chargers
Poona Ford 5-11 310

Los Angeles Rames
Bobby Brown III 6-4 324

Miami Dolphins
Benito Jones 6-1 335

Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Phillips 6-3 307

New England Patriots
Davon Godchaux 6-3 330

New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence II 6-4 340

Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis 6-6 336

Pittsburgh Steelers
Keeanu Benton 6-4 309

Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed 6-3 306

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea 6-4 347

Tennessee Titans
Sebastian Joseph-Day 6-4 310


AVERAGE WEIGHT 320


Miami 2024 Defensive Tackles as of today (05/07/2024)

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Anthony Campbell RSR 6-7 300
Ahmad Moten RSO 6-3 325
Josh Horton RFR 6-4 295
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

AVERAGE WEIGHT 305

Philly runs a multiple. A 3-4/4-3 over hybrid.

So, the DT numbers vary.

 

[mirvin88]

Philly runs a multiple. A 3-4/4-3 over hybrid.

So, the DT numbers vary.

Are you multiple in the front AND back end?

 

[JD08]

 

[FuriousStyles]

But if they can’t shed, don’t have violent hands and don’t have quick feet then everything else is fool’s gold.

Of course I’m oversimplifying but…

 

[3FW]

Horton, Moten and Scott are all a little bigger. They will have every opportunity to earn PT.

 

[Hstokes1447]

Here are the top 25, 2023 Rushing Defense leaders, excluding Miami who ranked at #11 and South Alabama. Of the 33 starting DT’s on these rosters only 7 weighed 320 or more and the average weight was 305. Again the notion that any team “needs” a starting DT to be 320+ is just not true in todays football.

Interesting to see CJ Clark listed as the NT of the #25 Rushing Defense North Carolina State. The same CJ Clark that some posters here want replaced by a bigger DT. Although he is only 305 Clark’s strength is playing the Nose and that is exactly what he will do here. After looking deeper into this I am even more excited about the DT rotation that Miami can roll out this season.

2023 Top Rushing Defense Leaders

Penn State
Hakeem Beamon, R-Sr, 6’3″, 284

UCLA
Jay Toia, Jr, 6’3″, 325

Texas
Byron Murphy, Jr, 6’1″, 308
T’Vondre Sweat, Sr, 6’4″, 362

Utah
Simote Pepa RJr, 6’3”, 320
Junior Tafuna Jr, 6’3”, 308

James Madison
James Carpenter, R-Jr, 6’2″, 282

Michigan
Mason Graham, Jr., 6’3″, 318
Rayshaun Benny, Sr., 6’4″, 296

Air Force
Payton Zdroik Jr, 6’0”, 275

Ohio
Rodney Matthews, RSr, 6’2″, 310

Nebraska
Nash Hutmacher, Jr, 6’4″, 330

Louisville
Ramon Puryear Jr, 6’3”, 270
Dezmond Tell Jr, 6’1”, 290

Oregon
Popo Aumavae, Sr, 6’3″, 315
Casey Rogers, Sr, 6’5″, 305

Troy
Buddha Jones, Sr, 6’3″, 317

Texas A&M
McKinnley Jackson, Sr, 6’2″, 325
Walter Nolen, So, 6’4″, 290

Jacksonville State
Jeff Marks, R-Sr, 6’3″, 280

Ball State
John Harris, R-Jr, 6’2″, 264

Iowa
Yahya Black, Jr, 6’5″, 315

Tulane
Eric Hicks, Jr., R-Jr, 6’3″, 285
Patrick Jenkins, Jr, 6’2″, 305

Kentucky
Josaih Hayes, Sr, 6’3″, 317
Deone Walker, So, 6’6″, 348

Georgia
Zion Logue, Sr, 6’5″, 310

Tennessee
Omari Thomas, Sr, 6’4″, 320
Omarr Norman-Lott, Jr, 6’3″, 310

Oregon State
Joe Golden, R-Sr, 6’5″, 290

Clemson
Tyler Davis, R-Sr, 6’2″, 300
Ruke Orhorhoro, R-Sr, 6’4″, 295

North Carolina State
CJ Clark, R-Jr, 6’3″, 305

AVERAGE WEIGHT 305
Same exact Average weight as Miami's 2024 DT room.

Miami 2024 Defensive Tackles as of today (05/07/2024)

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Anthony Campbell RSR 6-7 300
Ahmad Moten RSO 6-3 325
Josh Horton RFR 6-4 295
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

 

[Dwinstitles]

They have to actually play well too

 

[twes.305]

They have to actually play well too

Facts, like 5 of those guys we know nothing about.

 

[Memnon]

If we were running a 3-4, then yeah we would need a giant Bowling ball 320+ at NT.

But in this scheme, it's not really necessary. You'd rather have 4 guys who can move & pass rush, than just have 1 or 2 Wolly Mammoths for the run game.

Size/weight isn't really the issue IMO, it's more about skill, effort & technique. I think we have a solid group & they receive good coaching, so we'll be alright in the Front 7. If injuries should pile up then we're screwed, but you could say that for any position group across CFB.

But overall, I think our DLine & Front 7 in general is good enough to not get trampled over every week lol.

 

[Hstokes1447]

They have to actually play well too

Of the 5 DT's this staff has signed this offseason, (3 Portal and 2 High School) who do you believe won't play well?

Simeon Barrow RSR 6-3 300
C.J. Clark RSR 6-3 305
Marley Cook RSR 6-2 298
Justin Scott FR 6-4 310
Artavius Jones FR 6-4 305

 

[mirvin88]

If we were running a 3-4, then yeah we would need a giant Bowling ball 320+ at NT.

But in this scheme, it's not really necessary. You'd rather have 4 guys who can move & pass rush, than just have 1 or 2 Wolly Mammoths for the run game.

Size/weight isn't really the issue IMO, it's more about skill, effort & technique. I think we have a solid group & they receive good coaching, so we'll be alright in the Front 7. If injuries should pile up then we're screwed, but you could say that for any position group across CFB.

But overall, I think our DLine & Front 7 in general is good enough to not get trampled over every week lol.

 

[Rellyrell]

Deja Vu

Weight of top NFL D Tackles

I was listening to an interview with Chris Jones yesterday and he said he weighed 295 lbs. I started wondering why we think we need these massive 300 lb+ defensive tackles when so many of the top NFL tackles are in the 280-300 lbs range- Aaron Donald, DeForest Buckner, Eric Armstead, Cam...

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