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We have covered the offense now in our SB Nation New York position-by-position 2012 NFL Draft preview series. So, let's move to the defense. We will start with the defensive tackle position, which holds varying degrees of interest for the New York Giants and New York Jets.
There are eight to 10 defensive tackles who could be selected in the first two rounds, five or six of those possibly being chosen in the first round on Thursday when the draft kicks off at Radio City Music Hall.
Let's take a closer look.
Top 5 Defensive Tackles [Rated by SI.com]
1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com profile
NOTES: Should be one of the top 10 selections Thursday night.
2. Dontari Poe, Memphis
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com profile
NOTES: Whoever takes him will be rolling the dice on athleticism and potential, not production, with the 346-pounder. A real first-round wild-card.
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com profile
4. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com profile
5. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com profile
Other Players To Watch
Brandon Thompson, Clemson; Devon Still, Penn State; Ronnie Cameron, Old Dominion; Aladema Ta'amu, Washington; Josh Chapman, Alabama
New York Giants
Defensive tackle could be looked at as an under-rated 'need' position for the defending Super Bowl champs. Chris Canty is coming back from knee surgery, and the only other experienced tackle the Giants have is Linval Joseph. Marvin Austin has never played an NFL down and ahas not played football in two years. The Giants would seem likely to address this position at some point. Cameron did visit with the Giants, but it would not be surprising to see the Giants use a pick in the first two rounds on one of the top tackles available.
New York Jets
The Jets seem more intent on adding an outside pass rusher or a safety, but a nose tackle would also be a plus. New York has Sione Pouha, but he is 33. Poe would be intriguing for the Jets with the 16th overall selection. On the second or third day Ta'amu and Chapman could develop into nose tackles in a 3-4.Brockers visited the Jets as well.