Overview
Position: Defensive tackle
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 329 pounds
School: Virginia Tech Hokies
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.37 seconds
Vertical jump: 23.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet
Three-cone drill: 7.95 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.83 seconds
Tim Settle 2018 NFL Draft Profile
Typically defensive tackles are known for plugging up holes along the offensive line and don’t collect too many stats. However, that was not the case for Tim Settle out of Virginia Tech. Settle was born and raised in Manassas, VA and attended Stonewall Jackson High School. Settle had a monster senior year finishing with 72 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and 10 pass deflections.
That season bolstered Settle’s stock as he became a highly sought-after high school prospect. ESPN had him ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle and second best prospect in the state of Virginia. Settle had scholarship offers from over 30 schools including programs like Alabama and Auburn, but he elected to stay close to home and play for the Hokies.
Settle redshirted his first year at Virginia Tech but hopped into the rotation the following year and produced immediately. As a redshirt freshman, Settle tallied up 17 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and blocked one kick against East Carolina. In 2017, Settle started all 13 games for the Hokies defense. He recorded 36 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and blocked a field goal last season. Settle had a career-high six-tackle performance against the Clemson Tigers and earned second-team All-ACC accolades.
Strengths
- Plays with a low pad level despite being tall for the position;
- has pretty good agility for his size;
- lost significant amount of weight before his final season – in better shape;
- quick and powerful hands;
- has an arsenal of pass-rushing moves;
- sheds blockers well and able to avoid cut blocks;
- has a good motor for someone his size;
- tall and instinctual enough to bat balls down the at line of scrimmage;
- versatile enough to be a one-technique, three-technique or five-technique;
Weaknesses
- still considered a bit overweight;
- only played in two college seasons – many think he declared too early;
- gets pushed around easily when winded;
- does not always use his hands effectively;
- relies too much on brute strength;
NFL Comparison: Dontari Poe
NFL Teams with a need at the position: Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: Early to mid second round
Bottom Line
Settle arguably has the best size of any defensive tackle in this draft class and even with his tall stature, he manages to play with a low pad-level and stay extremely balanced. He is a legit force in the run game and even when he does not get off blocks, he creates piles in running lanes. He has a solid arsenal of pass-rushing moves and creates a consistent push from the middle of the pocket that will make quarterbacks uncomfortable. He is a bit inexperienced and did not play against great offensive linemen, but Settle came up big for the Hokies against good teams. He is versatile enough to play multiple different positions along the defensive line which should make him an intriguing prospect to many teams, specifically those who run a 3-4 defense.
