Round 3: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama
The Crimson Tide defense was too good not to include one of the many talented Alabama defensive linemen. Dalvin Tomlinson has all the measurable attributes to become an absolute terror for an opposing offensive lineman.
Over the last two seasons for Alabama, Tomlinson has brought a consistent disruptive gap pressure to make the Tide defensive great, week in and week out. Though the sack totals are minimal, the nine pass deflections over the past two seasons are the numbers that stick out. That constant pressure leads to many quarterback mistakes, an area where Alabama has taken advantage of during the Nick Saban era.
If scouts need evidence of Tomlinson’s potential, all they would need to do is to turn on the Alabama-Ole Miss game from this past season. Tomlinson was the star of the show on the defensive side of the ball, accounting for seven tackles and a pass deflection that denied a Rebel’s upset.
With the prospect of trading Sheldon Richardson in the back of Mike Maccagnan’s mind, Tomlinson could be a perfect replacement in production and cost savings. A strong combine will certainly push Tomlinson into the second round, but as it stands, he could be a steal in the third round.
