Dalvin Tomlinson
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Dalvin Tomlinson
| image = Dalvin Tomlinson (31016456277) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Tomlinson with the New York Giants in 2018
| current_team = Arizona Cardinals
| number = 94
| position = Nose tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|2|28}}
| birth_place = McDonough, Georgia, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 325
| high_school = Henry County (McDonough)
| college = Alabama (2012–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 55
| pastteams =
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 342
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 19.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 3
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 7
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 =
| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| pfr = T/TomlDa00
}}
Dalvin Tomlinson (born February 28, 1994) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, and played for the team from 2017 to 2020.
Early life
Tomlinson attended Henry County High School in McDonough, Georgia. He played football and was a wrestler in high school, winning three state titles.{{Cite web |url=http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2015/12/the_story_of_alabamas_renaissa.html |title=The story of Alabama's 'Renaissance man' |last=Zenitz |first=Matt |website=AL.com |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918222411/http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2015/12/the_story_of_alabamas_renaissa.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/alabama_signee_dalvin_tomlinso.html |title=Alabama signee Dalvin Tomlinson wins state wrestling title with 9-second pin (updated with video) |last=Scalici |first=Matt |website=AL.com |date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206131629/http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/02/alabama_signee_dalvin_tomlinso.html |url-status=live }}
College career
Tomlinson began attending Alabama in 2012 and redshirted his first season while still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered playing for his soccer team in high school.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20160919/dalvin-tomlinson-all-in-hands |title=Dalvin Tomlinson: All in the hands |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=September 17, 2016 |work=Tuscaloosa News |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419200319/http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20160919/dalvin-tomlinson-all-in-hands |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20161114/university-of-alabamas-dalvin-tomlinson-plays-for-his-late-mom |title=University of Alabama's Dalvin Tomlinson plays for his late mom |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=June 30, 2011 |work=Tuscaloosa News |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419193924/http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20161114/university-of-alabamas-dalvin-tomlinson-plays-for-his-late-mom |url-status=live }}
Throughout Alabama's fall camp in 2013, Tomlinson competed with Ed Stinson, Jeoffrey Pagan, and A'Shawn Robinson for the starting defensive end position. Head coach Nick Saban named him the backup right defensive end behind Jeoffrey Pagan to begin his freshman season. On August 31, 2013, Tomlinson made his collegiate debut during Alabama's 35–10 victory over Virginia Tech. He recorded four combined tackles, but left after suffering a knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2013 season. He had a surgery to repair the knee injury and was due to miss 5–6 months.{{Cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9654705/dalvin-tomlinson-alabama-crimson-tide-season-knee-surgery |title=Dalvin Tomlinson out for season |last=Scarborough |first=Alex |date=September 9, 2013 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025622/http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9654705/dalvin-tomlinson-alabama-crimson-tide-season-knee-surgery |url-status=live }}{{cite web| title=Alabama Crimson Tide: Dalvin Tomlinson| url=http://rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3169| access-date=November 3, 2017| website=rolltide.com| archive-date=November 7, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023136/http://rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3169| url-status=live}}
He returned to fall camp in 2014 and competed with Jonathan Allen and D. J. Pettway for the job as the starting defensive end. On August 30, 2014, Tomlinson recorded five combined tackles during Alabama's season-opening 33–23 victory over West Virginia. On October 25, 2014, he recorded two solo tackles and sacked Tennessee's quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first one of his career during a 34–20 victory. On November 15, 2014, he recorded a season-high seven combined tackles, two tackles Mississippi, and made the second sack of his career, as Alabama defeated Mississippi State. He finished his sophomore season in 2014 with 22 combined tackles (8 solo), two sacks, and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 14 games.{{Cite web |title=Dalvin Tomlinson 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2014 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308155219/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2014/ |url-status=live }}
Tomlinson returned to fall camp in 2015, competing for the starting defensive end position with A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, Jonathan Allen, and Da'Shawn Hand. He was named the backup right defensive end behind Jarran Reed to begin his third season. In Alabama's season-opener against Wisconsin, Tomlinson made two solo tackles and a career-high three pass deflections during Alabama's 35–17 victory. On September 26, 2015, Tomlinson recorded a season-high five combined tackles in a 35–0 defeat over Louisiana-Monroe. During a Week 8 contest against LSU, he collected four combined tackles and was credited for half a sack on Brandon Harris in a 30–16 victory.{{Cite web |title=Dalvin Tomlinson 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2015 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308155229/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2015/ |url-status=live }} Tomlinson completed the 2015 season with 34 combined tackles (22 solo), a half a sack, and led the Crimson Tide with five pass deflections in 14 games. He was a part of a highly touted defensive front in 2015, that consisted of four future NFL players that would all be taken in the first two rounds of the 2016 and 2017 NFL draft. Along with him and nose tackle Daron Payne, the defensive line included A'Shawn Robinson (46th overall, 2016), Jarran Reed (49th overall, 2016), and Jonathan Allen (17th overall, 2017).
In 2016, Tomlinson competed with Jonathan Allen, Dakota Ball, and Da'Shawn Hand for the vacant defensive end positions throughout fall camp. Head coach Nick Saban named him the right defensive end opposite Jonathan Allen, to begin the 2016 season. He made his first career start during Alabama's season-opener against USC and helped hold the Trojans to 64 rushing yards and recorded one tackle during the 52–6 victory. He played both defensive tackle and defensive end throughout the game. The following week against Western Kentucky, he recorded three combined tackles, a tackle for a loss, and his first sack of the season, as the Crimson Tide defeated the Hilltoppers 38–10. On November 19, 2016, Tomlinson collected a career-high eight combined tackle and was credited with an assist for a tackle for a loss during a 31–3 win against Chattanooga. He finished his senior season a total of 62 combined tackles (45 solo), 5.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games and 14 starts.{{Cite web |title=Dalvin Tomlinson 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2016 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308155208/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dalvin-tomlinson-1/gamelog/2016 |url-status=live }}
During his career, he had 122 tackles and four sacks.{{Cite web |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_5eb5fe6a-f847-11e6-a845-bb4b032a3099.html |title=Alabama DT Dalvin Tomlinson trying to prove his power, wrestling background can help rush the passer in NFL {{pipe}} Saints |last=Erickson |first=Joel A. |date=February 21, 2017 |website=Theadvocate.com |access-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419200136/http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_5eb5fe6a-f847-11e6-a845-bb4b032a3099.html |url-status=live }}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Tomlinson received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and helped the South defeat the North 16–15 with four combined tackles.{{cite web| url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2017.php?squad=South| title=Senior Bowl Roster: South| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=seniorbowl.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507102520/http://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2017.php?squad=South| archive-date=May 7, 2017| url-status=dead}} The Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers all met and interviewed Tomlinson during the week of the Senior Bowl.{{cite web| url=http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect| title=WalterFootball: 2017 Prospect Meetings| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=Walterfootball.com| archive-date=August 10, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810004953/http://www.walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byprospect| url-status=live}} He attended the NFL Combine and performed all of the combine and positional drills except for the bench. He also participated at Alabama's Pro Day and opted to only run positional drills and perform the bench press for scouts and team representatives. The majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be selected anywhere from the second to fourth round. He was ranked the fifth best defensive tackle in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and NFL media analyst Mike Mayock, ranked the sixth best defensive tackle by ESPN, and was ranked the ninth best defensive tackle by Sports Illustrated.{{Cite web |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |title=2017 NFL Draft Rankings: Top Prospects by Position |last=Burke |first=Chris |date=April 24, 2017 |website=si.com |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408130206/https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=April 22, 2017 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428003954/http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mayock-s-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-3-0-0ap3000000799336 |title=Mike Mayock's 2017 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0 |last=Mayock |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Mayock |date=April 12, 2017 |website=NFL.com |access-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-date=June 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617175429/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000799336/article/mike-mayocks-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-30 |url-status=live }}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+7/8
| weight = 310
| dash = 5.19
| ten split = 1.81
| twenty split = 3.02
| shuttle = 4.59
| cone drill = 7.68
| vertical = 27
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 2
| bench = 22
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 33+1/2
| hand span = 10+1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Alabama's Pro Day{{cite web| url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/dalvin-tomlinson?id=2557846| title=NFL Draft Profile: Dalvin Tomlinson| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=NFL.com| archive-date=June 2, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602051741/http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/dalvin-tomlinson?id=2557846| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=125536&draftyear=2017&genpos=DT| title=Dalvin Tomlinson, DS #5 DT, Alabama| access-date=May 31, 2017| website=nfldraftscout.com| archive-date=June 20, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620090650/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=125536&draftyear=2017&genpos=DT| url-status=live}}
}}
=New York Giants=
The New York Giants selected Tomlinson in the second round with the 55th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=April 28, 2017 |title=New York Giants Draft DT Dalvin Tomlinson in Round 2 |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-Draft-DT-Dalvin-Tomlinson-in-Round-2/164d4fcd-6156-4748-b0aa-e8236b9ea9c6 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Giants.com |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020331/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-Draft-DT-Dalvin-Tomlinson-in-Round-2/164d4fcd-6156-4748-b0aa-e8236b9ea9c6 |url-status=live }}
On May 10, 2017, the New York Giants signed Tomlinson to a four-year, $4.57 Million contract that includes $2.13 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.46 million.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Dalvin Tomlinson contract| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/dalvin-tomlinson-21796/| access-date=November 3, 2017| website=spotrac.com| archive-date=November 7, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021021/http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/dalvin-tomlinson-21796/| url-status=live}}
He competed with Robert Thomas, Jay Bromley, Jarron Jones, Jordan Williams, and Corbin Bryant throughout training camp for the role as the starting defensive tackle.{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: New York Giant's depth chart: 08/01/2017| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/198/NYG| access-date=November 3, 2017| website=Ourlads.com| archive-date=November 7, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025646/http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/198/NYG| url-status=live}} Head coach Ben McAdoo named Tomlinson the right defensive tackle, along with Damon Harrison, to begin the regular season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2017/9/5/16256802/ny-giants-2017-depth-chart-lets-see-what-it-looks-like |title=Giants 2017 Depth Chart: Let's See What It Looks Like |last=Valentine |first=Ed |date=September 5, 2017 |website=bigblueview.com |access-date=November 3, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107020038/https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2017/9/5/16256802/ny-giants-2017-depth-chart-lets-see-what-it-looks-like |url-status=live }}
File:Leonard Williams (cropped).jpg ]]
He made his professional regular season debut during the Giants' season-opener against the Dallas Cowboys and made four combined tackles in the Giant's 3–19 loss.{{cite web| title=NFL Player Profile: Dalvin Tomlinson| url=http://www.nfl.com/player/dalvintomlinson/2557846/profile| access-date=November 3, 2017| website=NFL.com| archive-date=November 2, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102143717/http://www.nfl.com/player/dalvintomlinson/2557846/profile| url-status=live}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2017.htm |access-date=2024-07-29|website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
He originally began the 2018 season at defensive end. After Damon Harrison was traded to the Detroit Lions, Tomlinson was named starting nose tackle.{{cite web | last=Stapleton | first=Art | title=NY Giants' Dalvin Tomlinson undaunted by challenge to step for Snacks | website=Bergen Record | date=2018-10-27 | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2018/10/27/giants-dalvin-tomlinson-undaunted-challenge-step-snacks/1788811002/ | access-date=2024-11-27}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
On March 17, 2021, Tomlinson signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Eric |date=March 17, 2021 |title=Vikings Agree to Terms With Defensive Tackle Dalvin Tomlinson |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/dalvin-tomlinson-defensive-tackle-free-agency |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Vikings.com |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307134207/https://www.vikings.com/news/dalvin-tomlinson-defensive-tackle-free-agency |url-status=live }}
=Cleveland Browns=
On March 15, 2023, Tomlinson signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-agree-to-terms-with-dt-dalvin-tomlinson|title=Browns agree to terms with DT Dalvin Tomlinson|work=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=March 15, 2023|first=Anthony|last= Poisal}} He started 32 games in two years with the Browns, recording six sacks and 54 tackles. Tomlinson was released by Cleveland on March 12, 2025.{{Cite web|title=Browns terminate contract of DT Dalvin Tomlinson|url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-terminate-contract-of-dt-dalvin-tomlinson|access-date=April 3, 2025|website=clevelandbrowns.com|language=en}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
On March 12, 2025, Tomlinson signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Snag Dalvin Tomlinson For Defensive Tackle Help|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/defensive-tackle-incoming-with-cardinals-dalvin-tomlinson|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=March 12, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=30168|espn=2979860|nfl=dalvin-tomlinson}}
- [https://www.azcardinals.com/team/players-roster/dalvin-tomlinson/ Arizona Cardinals bio]
- [http://www.rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3169 Alabama Crimson Tide bio]
{{Arizona Cardinals roster navbox}}
{{2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football navbox}}
{{Giants2017DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomlinson, Dalvin}}
Category:Sportspeople from McDonough, Georgia
Category:Players of American football from Henry County, Georgia
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Alabama Crimson Tide football players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players