Last year's defensive tackle class was one of the strongest in recent memory. It's a tough act for the 2002 class to follow but this class has the talent to do it. 
     Tennessee's John Henderson is considered by many to be the top overall player. While that is open for debate, it's clear that Henderson is a top three player. Henderson is a monster who looks like a future Pro Bowler. 
      Henderson will be joined in the first round by several DTs. Wisconsin's Wendell Bryant and Washington 's Larry Triplett are neck and neck 
for the #2 spot. Both are expected to be gone
within the top 10 to 12 picks. Miami's William Joseph has the talent to join them but needs to show some consistency this year. Also figuring as an late 1st Round-early 2nd Round pick is Dorsett Davis. The massive Davis can play end or tackle but his size is best suited for plugging up the middle. One name to keep an eye on is Florida State 3yr soph. Darnell Dockett. Dockett is as  
talented as the guys at the top but needs more experience and weight. Oregon State isn't known for putting out interior Linemen but Eric Manning (right) is a good one. He is a little undersized but is very quick. Also figuring in that 2nd-4th round area are Eddie Freeman and Cedric Harden, two great players who don't get the attention they deserve and Penn State's Jimmy Kennedy
Kennedy is a 6'5, 330lb monster who could be a top 15 pick if he plays 100% and stays in shape. A few guys who figure later in the draft, Idaho's Will Beck
and Nate Dwyer of Kansas (left) have shorter squatty builds which make them good nose tackle candidates. The stout Dwyer is a very underrated run stuffer.
   Some other underclassmen besides Joseph and Dockett could make some noise. Many consider Albert Haynesworth to be as good a natural athlete as his linemate Henderson but without Big John's work ethic. USC's Bernard Riley hopes to change the USC defensive tackle syndrome of talented but lazy (Ennis Davis and Darrell Russell) and Cal's Daniel Nwangwu is also one to watch.
 
1.JOHN HENDERSON 
Tennessee            6'7, 300 - Sr
2.WENDELL BRYANT 
Wisconsin            6'4, 300 - Sr
3.LARRY TRIPLETT 
Washington         6'2, 295 - Sr
4.WILLIAM JOSEPH 
Miami                   6'5, 290 - Jr
5.DORSETT DAVIS 
Mississippi State     6'6, 290 - Sr
6.DARNELL DOCKETT 
Florida State        6'5, 260 - 3So
7.EDDIE FREEMAN 
Ala-Birmingham    6'5, 285 - Sr
8.CEDRIC HARDEN 
Missouri               6'4, 295 - Jr
9.JIMMY KENNEDY 
Penn State           6'5, 330 - Jr
10.ERIC MANNING 
Oregon State       6'1, 295 - Sr
11.MIKE COLLINS 
Ohio State           6'3, 290 - Sr
12.BERNARD RILEY 
Southern Cal       6'3, 310 - Jr
13.ALBERT HAYNESWORTH 
Tennessee           6'6, 310 - Jr
14.MATT MITTRIONE 
Purdue                6'3, 285 - Sr
15.NATE DWYER 
Kansas                 6'2, 300 - Sr
16.ANTHONY WEAVER 
Notre Dame         6'3, 285 - Sr
17.WILL BECK 
Idaho                  6'2, 305 - Sr
18.DANIEL NWANGWU 
California             6'4, 300 - Jr
19.JERRY MONTGOMERY 
Iowa                   6'3, 300 - Sr
20.TONGA MOUNGA 
Southern Utah     6'4, 315 - Sr