draft guru over at somethingawful did his big write up

[Fiz]

This guy really knows his poo. here are the DTs.

Defensive Tackle

Top Prospects

Michael Brockers, LSU, 1st

Massive frame, absolutely perfect for the position in the NFL. Very quick off the snap, very strong, with some pretty solid technical ability. Exceptionally good run defender, does a great job of throwing off blocks and finding the ball carrier. Isn’t a particularly good pass rusher, but has a lot of athleticism to burn and could improve here. Looks best as a 2 gapper in a 4-3, but could do any interior line job if needed to include the NT spot.

Fletcher Cox, Miss State, 1st

Most well rounded DT prospect this year. Very strong with very nice hands; he gets consistent penetration and has very nice range against both runners and against the QB. Isn’t really big enough to anchor well, much more of a one gap player. Really outstanding motor, impressive athletically and in very good shape for a bigger guy. Few off-field issues, but developed a ton this year due in large part to hard work in the weight room. Might project well as a 3-4 DE in addition to the one gap DT role.

Devon Still, Penn State, 1st

Versatile and productive player, very big, tough run defender who has had some success as a pass rusher as well. Came back from some injuries to have an excellent all around season, rose quickly on draft boards and might be the best overall DT. Similar frame to Brockers, tall and muscular, great athlete. Projects pretty much anywhere on the inside of the line.

Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, 1st-2nd

Pretty divisive player amongst draftniks. Stout run defender, but not an elite athlete and certainly not a legit disruptive force inside. Anchors very well and is very difficult to move; can still make plays through double teams. Very hard worker and a respected teammate, plays nearly every down. Has had a few injury problems in the past. Projects best a 4-3 2-gapper, but could potentially fit in anywhere along the 3-4 line as well.

Brandon Thompson, Clemson, 1st-2nd

Isn’t spectacular but he is really, really tough to move. Holds up well against double teams and uses leverage/technique extremely well. Plays bigger than his weight suggests, could possibly fit in as a 3-4 NT, but projects best as a 4-3 2 gapper or possibly a 3-4 DE.

Dontari Poe, Memphis, 1st-2nd

Massive player, but surprisingly well proportioned and athletic despite being 350 lbs. Extremely strong with very nice mobility, good feet and surprisingly good side-to-side movements. Isn’t particularly explosive; won’t beat linemen inside with speed. Like his strength and the use of hands, but he has short arms and can struggle to get leverage against longer linemen. Conditioning could be better. Getting some attention as a 3-4 NT type; he can anchor against the double team and control two gaps effectively but he isn’t great at shedding block and finding the ball carrier. Best fit is probably as a 4-3 two gapper.

Alameda Ta’amu, Washington, 2nd

Kind of a tough player to read. Is quick, but not quick enough to be a 1-gapper. Is strong, but might not be strong enough to be a true 2-gap NT. However, combination of size, quickness, strength, and stamina will make him pretty appealing for all defensive schemes. If he can improve his anchor against double-teams he will be a very attractive centerpiece of a 3-4, if not he’ll probably project as a two gapper in a 4-3.

Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, 2nd

Very good athlete for his size, has a big frame and good strength. Needs to get bigger and stronger for the NFL but still does well against double teams; can eat single blockers alive. Versatile player, lined up all along the line and did pretty well even though he’s pretty raw technically. Projects best as a 3-4 DE, but value will be in being one of the only legit 4-3 1-gappers in this draft.

DaJohn Harris, USC, 2nd-3rd

Limited athlete with a good frame and great strength. Feet move pretty quickly, he can get into a position and hold it fairly well. Isn’t particularly explosive, pass rush moves are very raw and not very effective. Works hard but isn’t an every down player. Projects as a space-eater and run defender in any system.

Josh Chapman, Alabama, 3rd

Short, squat, strong guy. Pretty quick first step but isn’t particularly fast. Doesn’t anchor particularly well but is a real handful when singled up. Solid run defender, won’t scare many teams with his pass rush skills. Occasionally listed as NT prospect but I’m not sure he’ll ever be able to anchor enough to do that in the NFL. Like him as a 3-4 DE or a space eater in a 4-3.

Mike Martin, Michigan, 3rd

Slightly undersized, solid run defender with relatively low upside. Polished player, uses hands well and sees the field well. Can track the ball carrier across a pretty wide area, moves fairly well. Will be a bit outmatched physically in the NFL.

Mike Daniels, Iowa, 3rd-4th

Bit undersized for the DT position at the NFL level, but he has held up well against some good against some good interior lines in college. Pretty solid pass rusher, quick off the ball. Good athlete, even drops into coverage occasionally and doesn’t look like an idiot. Not sure how much his productivity was helped by the very good line around him last year, he’ll have a chance to show what he can do this year. May fit in best as a 3-4 DE or situational DT.

Billy Winn, Boise State, 4th

Slender looking guy, very quick off the ball. Looks great as an inside pass rusher, pretty solid all around pass rush skills. Average run defender, relies on quickness and speed. Lacks strength inside, minimal power and no real push or anchor. Looks best right now as a situational pass rusher or one gapper in any position in any scheme, to include a LDE in a 4-3.

Kheeston Randall, Texas, 4th

Massive physical specimen, will get bigger than the 300 he weighs now. Not a great athlete and doesn’t have a very quick first step, but he’s impossible to move and is absolutely dedicated to getting to the ballcarrier. Seems to get doubled on most plays and doesn’t mind it too much, fights through it well. Looks versatile to me, could do 3-4 DE, NT, or 2-gap DT.

Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati, 4th

Very tall, slender interior prospect. Stronger than his weight would indicate, can anchor well and is tough to move. Nice selection of pass rush moves. Athleticism is below average. Very scheme-versatile, played everywhere in college and looks like a fit in nearly any down lineman position minus perhaps the NT.

Others

Jaye Howard, Florida

Great size and strength coupled with impressive athleticism; very raw.

Tydreke Powell, North Carolina

Part of a DL machine; has NFL size and a lot to prove this year.

Armond Armstead, USC

Gigantic very talented guy with some medical issues

Marcus Forston, Miami

Very nice skill set and physique, major injury issues

Akiem Hicks, Salve Regina

Huge, very talented guy who got busted for taking cash to go to LSU

[Cat'sGrowl]

Great write up.

[TylerVagyler]

Brockers

[TylerVagyler]

is there a link to his full write up?

[Fiz]

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3468426

[TylerVagyler]

This is a guy I really like:

Chandler Jones, Syracuse, 1st-2nd

Lanky guy with long arms. Fantastic athlete, great first step and strength for his size. Pretty raw as a pass rusher, relies mainly on outside speed moves and/or bull rush right now. Isn’t a great run defender yet but can anchor and is very good at finding the ball carrier and making tackles. Hasn’t done much if any coverage, projects best early on as a 4-3 DE or as a situational pass rusher. Older brother can probably kick your rear end.

Brockers and Jones would be great.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Could you imagine if a post that good and informative was ever made on the Huddle?

Neither can I.

It'd probably sink to the second page in the span of a day, in favor of a chknwing thread anyways.

[Fiz]

somethingawful's football forum is legit the best football forum on the web.

it's ten bucks to register, but it's well worth it.

[TylerVagyler]

I really think Ryan Broyles will be an absolute steal. If he is available in the 4th or 5th, we should take him. The dude has serious talent and I think will recover from his injury just fine.

[d-run]

Quinton Coples, North Carolina, 1st

Came into the season looking like a generational guy; mediocre productivity this season. Has played both DE and under tackle, did brilliantly at both. First step is incredibly quick, fantastic hands and a great motor. Relentless in the pass rush. Tremendous strength, holds up well in the run game and is very tough to move. Most well-rounded DE to enter the draft in a while. Projects to any position along the DL as well as rush OLB in a 3-4 depending on what his drafting team sees in him. No real question marks except for slow production his senior season.

lol

[Fiz]

Coples mailed it in this year, likely because the season was shot anyway and he was trying to avoid injury.

He's still a freak.

If he was available at 8/9, the Panthers would draft him.

[CarolinaNCSU]

If we took Chandler Jones...can we get Bones in a package deal?

Great write up. Thanks for sharing.

[TylerVagyler]

If we get the #8 pick, I think Brockers and Coples will both be available. And I honestly don't know who Hurney would take in that situation.

[Fiz]

You take Coples because he's generational and Hurney is BPA at all cost.

Follow the Giants method.