The clock is ticking on the 2017 NFL Draft.

One of the league's most important events kicks off with the first round at 7 p.m. (CT) on April 27 in Philadelphia. The second and third rounds begin at 6 p.m. (CT) on April 28. Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. (CT) on April 29.

The Vikings currently have eight selections in the draft, beginning with the 48th overall pick, which is the No. 16 spot in the second round.

Vikings.com is taking a glance at the top prospects at each position leading up to the draft.

We're switching sides of the ball as we look at defensive tackles.

Where the Vikings Stand

The interior of Minnesota's defensive line is anchored by nose tackle Linval Joseph, who made his first Pro Bowl in 2016 after recording 100 total tackles (according to coaches' stats) with seven tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Defensive tackle Shamar Stephen started all 16 games last season and recorded 57 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd missed nearly the entire 2016 season and is looking to get healthy for 2017. Veteran Tom Johnson had 2.0 sacks and 26 total tackles. Toby Johnson was elevated to the active roster in the final month of the season and had two tackles.

Recent Draft History (over past five years)

Total number of defensive tackles taken: 99

Round 1: 15

Round 2: 14

Round 3: 19

Round 4: 13

Round 5: 11

Round 6: 13

Round 7: 14

The numbers of players drafted at this position has been consistent in each round of the past five drafts. 

The Prospects (based on rankings by CBS Sports)

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1. Jonathan Allen

Alabama, Senior, 6-foot-3, 286 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *5.00 seconds

Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 30 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet

2016 stats: started all 15 games; team captain; recorded 69 total tackles with 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss; added three fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal; winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Ted Hendricks Award; unanimous First Team All-America selection; named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year; earned First-Team All-SEC honors by both the coaches and the Associated Press

Hot take: According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, Allen has a "developed body mass and bulk. Powerful upper body to create movement or force his way through the shoulder of blockers. Strong hands to stack, track and shed with violence. Uses a variety of hand tactics, including terrific rip-pull technique to toss and accelerate past linemen. Physical limbs with his upper and lower halves in sync to unlock himself from blocks."

Brugler also noted Allen "lacks ideal length for an edge player. Doesn't have a sudden initial move to consistently threaten the corner with speed. Developing snap anticipation and often late off the ball. Bad habit of rising off the snap and playing too high. Needs to better protect his lower body from cuts."

2. Malik McDowell 

Michigan State, Junior, 6-foot-6, 295 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *4.85 seconds

Bench press: 23 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 28.5 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 3 inches

2016 stats: started eight games before missing final three with injury; 34 total tackles with seven tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks; Second-Team All-American honoree by SI.com and CBS Sports; First-Team All-Big Ten selection by the Associated Press and Phil Steele

Hot take: According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, McDowell has a "tall, limber body type with long arms. Smooth lower body athleticism to sidestep blocks, collect himself in small spaces and redirect to get skinny through gaps. Initial burst to surge off the snap and attack blockers. Bends well for his body type to dip and arc around edge blockers."

Brugler also noted McDowell has "high hips and taller stature, allowing blockers to get underneath his pads -- gets off balance when he tries to get lower than blockers. Very narrow stance with a high butt. Average core power and can be too easily knocked off his path to the ball carrier."

3. Chris Wormley

Michigan, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-45 298 pounds

Combine numbers

Bench press: 23 reps of 225 pounds

2016 stats: started all 13 games; recorded 39 total tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks; First-Team All-Big Ten selection by coaches; Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by media; Academic All-Big Ten honoree

Hot take: According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, Wormley has "stocky, well-distributed body mass. Balanced movement skills with impressive lateral quickness and range for a 300-pounder. Converts his first step to power and extends his reach to drive blockers backwards. Sets a hard edge due to knee bend, strong base and violence in his punch."

Rang also noted that Wormley is "not a dynamic athlete who will capture the edge with speed alone. Lacks explosive traits and tends to be too methodical with his process. Inconsistent pass rush plan and needs to be more efficient with his move-to-move transition."

4. Larry Ogunjobi

UNC Charlotte, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *4.97 seconds

Bench press: 26 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 32 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 8 inches

3-cone drill: 7.55 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.75 seconds

2016 stats: started all 12 games; recorded 65 total tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks; first Charlotte player to earn First-Team All-Conference USA selection in program history

Hot take: According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Ogunjobi has a "low center of gravity with impressive power coursing through his hips. Wins race against blockers for first hands on opponent. Fires out of his stance and into blockers with coiled hips and a wallop in his punch. Strikes with leverage. Able to dislodge blockers with anchor issues."

Zierlein also noted that Ogunjobi has a "very average build for an interior player. Has continued to add weight while at Charlotte but likely needs a few more pounds. Below-average arm length makes it essential for him to get into blocker first. Will get big-boyed occasionally."

5. Dalvin Tomlinson 

Alabama, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 310 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *5.19 seconds

Vertical jump: 27 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 2 inches

3-cone drill: 7.68 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.59 seconds

2016 stats: played in 15 games; recorded 62 total tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks; forced one fumble; tallied 55 of his tackles against the run

Hot take: According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, Tomlinson is a "large-framed athlete who carries his weight well. Nimble lower body to sidestep and quickly redirect through congestion. Upper body power and long arms to stack the point of attack, eating double-teams. Hips and feet stay in sync."

Brugler also noted Tomlinson has "limited pass rush traits. Doesn't have the initial quickness to split gaps, relying more on timing than burst. Stands up at times and gets caught in hand fights, not going anywhere. Occasionally reverts to brute force over mechanics when countering."

6. Montravious Adams

Auburn, Senior, 6-foot-4, 304 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *4.87 seconds

Bench press: 22 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 29 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet

3-cone drill: 7.62 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.89 seconds

2016 stats: Started all 13 games; recorded 44 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks; added two fumble recoveries and an interception with two blocked field goals; team captain; Second-Team All-American selection by Associated Press, AFCA and CBS Sports; First-Team All-SEC by Associated Press; played in Reese's Senior Bowl;

Hot take: According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Adams comes "low out of his stance and with good explosiveness. Springs into gaps to stress guards and split double teams. Usually first into neutral zone. Disruptive when working the gaps. Burly lower half with good thickness through his hips and thighs."

According to Zierlein, Adams also "strikes head first with eyes down losing sight of the play. Doesn't utilize hands well enough to keep himself clean. Needs to improve punch and extension to add value as a two-gap tackle. Sticks on blocks and labors to disengage."

7. Jaleel Johnson 

Iowa, Redshirt senior, 6-foot-3, 316 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *5.38 seconds

Bench press: 19 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 28 inches

Broad jump: 8 feet, 4 inches

3-cone drill: 7.64 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.62 seconds

2016 stats: started all 13 games; recorded 55 total tackles with 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks; First-Team All-Big Ten selection by coaches; Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by media

Hot take: According to Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, Johnson "looks the part with wide shoulders and thick hips/legs. Fluid movement skills and hip flexibility to work tight spaces. Extends into blockers with shock in his hands to push, pull and work off contact. Understands timing, length and leverage and his high school wrestling background shows on film."

According to Brugler, Johnson also "gets himself out of control and loses sight of the ball. Allows his pads to rise once engaged with blockers, standing up and staying glued at first contact. Too easily moved by doubles and his base narrows, negating his anchor strength."

8. Nazair Jones

North Carolina, Redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 304 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *5.11 seconds

Vertical jump: 24.5 inches

Broad jump: 8 feet, 5 inches

3-cone drill: 7.93 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.63 seconds

2016 stats: started all 13 games; recorded 70 tackles and a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss

Hot take: According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Jones "has good size with long arms and thick lower half. Play strength is above average. Likes to initiate the contact at point of attack. Initial punch has some shock behind it and he has the power to press defenders off of his chest and keep them at the end of his length."

Zierlein also noted Jones' "instincts and awareness are below average. Can be slow to find the football. Fooled by misdirection, play-action and screen passes. Lacks feel for flow of the play causing him to play behind the blocks rather than racing in front of them."

9.Davon Godchaux**

LSU, Junior, 6-foot-3, 310 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash: 5.27 seconds

Bench press: 18 reps of 225 pounds

2016 stats: started all 12 games; recorded 62 total tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks; added two fumble recoveries;

Hot take: According to Lance Zierlein of CBS Sports, Godchaux "gets out of his stance and into the blocker with good hip explosion. Plays with proper pad level at point of attack to create desired leverage. Hands-first striker who gets early arm extension. Utilizes hands and leverage for quality read-react positioning in the trenches."

Zierlein also noted Godchaux is a "short-limbed pass rusher with squatty build of a bulldog. Undersized for interior work. Has issues fighting off double teams. Has difficult time reaching through the edge and pulling himself over the top. Might need more snaps off as motor seems to lose gas."

10. Caleb Brantley 

Florida, Redshirt junior, 6-foot-3, 307 pounds

Combine numbers

40-yard dash:* *5.14 seconds

Bench press: 21 reps of 225 pounds

Vertical jump: 27 inches

Broad jump: 8 feet, 9 inches

3-cone drill: 7.66 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.62 seconds

2016 stats: started 11 of 13 games; recorded 31 total tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks; Second-Team All-SEC selection by coaches and multiple media outlets

Hot take: According to Rob Rang of CBS Sports, Brantley "has a compact, powerful frame with a naturally low center of gravity and thick limbs. Springs off the snap with the initial quickness to penetrate gaps and wreak havoc in the backfield. Brantley does a nice job of using an over-arm swim and chopping his hands to knock away the blockers' attempts to latch on, coordinating his hands and feet to slip free."

Rang also noted Brantley has "average size for the position and his frame might not handle much weight without negatively impacting his quickness. Brantley appears to possess just average arm length and he can struggle to disengage once blockers have successfully latched on."