My Take On The Dt's

[nagai]

So I've been spending way too much time lately looking at these DT prospects, watching tape, reading reports etc. Here's my report on them. Just a disclaimer, I'm no expert on the draft, just an enthusiastic fan who's willing to learn :) .

Jerel Worthy: Should by hyped a lot more imo. Physically, he has all the tools. He can anchor against the run very well, he has an explosive first step and strong, violent arms which can generate a good pass rush. Good upper and lower body strength. Other than Poe, he is the most athletically gifted and well rounded DT prospect here. His lack of production is the biggest red flag. Personally I think it's a combination between middle-of-the-road technique, endurance and laziness. Don't get the wrong idea though, he's not Quinton-Coples-lazy, he just has a tendency to take it easy if his initial push gets neutralised. Decent leader. With the right coaching and rotation, I think he can be a regular probowler.

Devon Still: Much better than I expected. Has a very quick first step, comparable to Worthy. Along with his strong arms, this allows him to get to the backfield and create big plays, before the offence has any chance (think a toned down version of Nick Fairley from last year). His legs aren't as strong as Worthy's and has to work when he gets locked on to. When he comes in with that explosive first step however, locking down on him is difficult and he's a force against the run. Inconsistent with his technique, just like all these prospects. However, when his technique is right, he's very hard to stop in both running and passing situations. Vocal leader of the team. His biggest problem imo is his history with injuries. Suffered torn left ACL/MCL in August 2007, broken left ankle in August 2008. That's scary for the Panthers who has a lot of former 1st round picks with the same problem.

Fletcher Cox: Good but a bit overrated. Has long and strong arms, which helps with rushing the passer. Has amazing top speed but doesn't actually possess an explosive first step (although not a particularly bad one either). Good at splitting the gaps with his speed and strong arms and making plays behind the LOS. I think this makes him a good, but not an elite pass rusher. His lower body strength isn't as impressive, but can still hold his own against the run. He would need to play next to a good NT because he can never anchor the line, especially not against double teams. His frame is slightly on the small side, but he can still put on 10-15 pounds. Passionate player that gives his all and plays well against top talent.

Michael Brockers: His best traits are his size, effort and lower body strength. He's probably the best DT here against the run, constantly demanding double teams and pushing his blockers back. Not as fast as people make him out to be. He's a smooth athlete but doesn't have good top speed or an explosive burst (I think he just gives people that impression with his motor). Upper body strength is also only adequate, as shown with his 21 reps on his pro-day. Never really pushes or whips blockers away with his arms. His lack of burst and weaker arms make it hard for him to succeed as a pass rusher, though he can still give his opponent a hard time with his relentless effort (but I'm not sure that will mean as much in the NFL). Still raw in terms of technique and is often lost as a pass rusher. Best as a NT.

Dontari Poe: Has absolutely every physical trait you would want. A mountain of a man with extremely impressive strength, especially in his arms. Has very impressive speed for a guy his size and a good first step to go with it. Extremely raw (even more so than Brockers) and can get neutralised one-on-one even by running backs sometimes because of a lack of technique. Despite his impressive combine and laundry list of physical traits, I would not draft this guy in the first round. Why? You would think that a project like Poe would only be a one year starter, but no, he has started in 30 games - that's 2 and a half seasons. In other words, he's had ample opportunities to improve and polish up his skills, but despite this experience, he is still the rawest of the group. You wish you could call him a one year wonder because that would at least explain how raw he is, but he hasn't had a single eye-popping season. I don't mind drafting projects, but at the very least, you need to show me that you can improve year after year and be a student of the game. I see this guy as a big trap on draft day.

I hope you guys enjoyed this. This is just my personal take on the guys. I know it's a bit against the grain and I do respect the experienced draftniks. However this is just my honest analysis, I didn't rank these guys in a way that would make me feel special or whatever and if I'm proven wrong 3 years down the track, I'll be proud going down guns-blazing B) .

[mick eye]

Good analysis. I think your dead on. Still has red flags as far as injury history. Poe and Brockers both are raw as a cucumber. Cox is essentially McClain IMO. Worthy is worthy. I don't see a red flag as far as production Michigan St. Straight from the MSU team site 38 starts with 107 tackles, 27.5 for a loss 12 sacks for a combined negative 196 yrds. Been consistent the last two years and i know this year folks were keying in on him.

[DynastyRTR]

Great analysis. Should be very helpful

[nagai]

Thanks guys! Additional thanks to whoever gave me the rep (someone decided to balance it out with a neg rep, dunno what's up with that).

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Anyone else? :P

[Kuech the Sneak]

I think worthy did have good production, I think Fletcher cox is under-rated. I like Kearse, Neblett and Shirley and would like to see them given a legitimate chance but I'm not against drafting a DT

[KendrickPanther]

I see a half dozen or more DTs projected as first rounders yet none are without fault. I just wonder if we go CB in the first round will one of these DTs drop to the 40th overall pick for us.

[nagai]

I see a half dozen or more DTs projected as first rounders yet none are without fault. I just wonder if we go CB in the first round will one of these DTs drop to the 40th overall pick for us.

You can say the same thing about the corners though. I mean there are only 6 elite talents in this year's draft and the rest all have their faults. It's just about finding a guy you're comfortable with. The only corner without glaring holes in his game is Claiborne, who should be gone by the time Hurney gets to make a pick.

[Kevin Greene]

If we take one of these guys I just hope the pick is taken where the value dictates it should be taken.

So a trade down scenario could really work for us.

[carpanfan96]

I think fletcher is the best of a poor group, he's got talent. His first step is considered to be near elite (evident by his 1.63 split). The reason any of these guys look bad is because of technique and leverage, it doesn't matter how strong you are if your technique is piss poor, your going to get blown off the football.

That said

Cox

Poe

Brockers

Worthy

My sleeper pick at DT in this draft (rounds 5-6) is Akiem Hicks from Regina, probably the best measurables of any DT in this draft but doesn't have much experience at the position and is a project player. He's big like Brockers with 35 inch arms and a wingspan of 84 inches at 6-5, 320 pounds.

[nagai]

If we take one of these guys I just hope the pick is taken where the value dictates it should be taken.

So a trade down scenario could really work for us.

I kinda agree, though I think there will be big differences in our approach. Would I be happy about drafting Worthy at 9? Yes, in fact I'll be ecstatic. I think value is important but that should not be dictated by what the draftniks say. I think you'll get a top player in Worthy so drafting him at 9 would be good value. The reverse is also true. Brockers and Poe are considered good players by the media and decent picks at 9. However, I would not touch Brockers until the late teens and I want no part of Poe in the first round altogether. This is because of my own personal evaluation of them. I think value is something that should be dictated by your own rankings. You never know what all the other teams think on draft day so the worse thing you can do is judge value with the consensus media big board or something (which is always wrong).

I think fletcher is the best of a poor group, he's got talent. His first step is considered to be near elite (evident by his 1.63 split).

This is my problem, you can't just look at workout stats and assume that it translates onto the field. I assumed that cox was an elite pass rusher based on his workout too, until I read a report about his first step and decided that it was worth looking into myself. Honestly, I've watched 3 game films on this guy and it's never that great. His first step is never so good that you go 'dayum! he smoked the guy!', whereas I have said this about other prospects. He has good speed but that only kicks in after that average first step. Compare his game with Worth and Still and you'll see a big difference.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

None of those guys are worth #9 unless someone else trades to get them. I don't see any of them as bps at 9. Good analysis though.

[Miaoww]

Pretty solid analysis.

[Marguide]

Still has skinny legs and an overdeveloped upper body. I would bet that the injuries continue in the pro's.