2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Linemen

For a long time, the Indianapolis Colts went with Tony Dungy’s “Tampa Two” defensive, which focused more on speed, rather than size. As successful as that defensive scheme proved to be, it all cost the Colts at times, when they would get smashed in the mouth and ran over by heavy running teams. Indianapolis brought in a new scheme on defense, when they brought in rookie head coach Chuck Pagano from the Baltimore Ravens. Pagano brought in former Raven Cory Redding, and drafted defensive tackle Josh Chapman from Alabama, to try and beef up the defensive line. Injuries to both players kept the Colts from truly developing the defense that Pagano was trying to put in place. Perhaps the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine has shown the Colts a few players on the defensive line that they may be able to use as another piece to finish the puzzle.

Two of the three best performances in the bench press were defensive tackles. Brandon Williams from Missouri Southern St. tied for the top spot in the bench press, with 38 reps. Williams was followed closely by another defensive tackle, Akeem Spence from Illinois, who put up the weight bar 37 times. The next-closest were two defensive tackles that both put up 33 reps.

One of the top prospects on the defensive line was unable to participate at the combine, and was asked to be sent home. Star Lotulelei, a defensive tackle from Utah was asked to withdrawal from the scouting combine, after doctors discovered an abnormality in his heart. There is no final diagnosis on the severity of the abnormality, but this discovery is at the least a setback for a top-ranked talent.