Melvin Ingram May Be The Best Pick At De And Lb For The Panthers

[panthers55]

One of the things overlooked with Ingram is that not only was he a great pass rusher but he started out at linebacker his freshman year. He moved to DE in 2009. Lets say we want a pass rusher and someone who can drop into space in a zone blitz. A guy who can cover a TE although maybe not a running back. A guy who can come in on 3-4 looks and play the DE position as well as the DE in a 4-3 base offense.

He might give us good versatility doing all those things. He could play some Sam backer who ends up blitzing 50% of the time in our scheme, would be stout against the run and could surely hold the edge. If Davis surprises everyone and comes back strong he would still see the field as a pass rusher. Instead of looking at who would replace Davis we need to think about who could come in and be versatile enough to fill that role if needed and would still be solid if he played as a DE. He runs a 4.79 40 which is about what Beason will run this year if he is lucky. After all Beason's 40 time coming out of college was a 4.72.

Given we run a hybrid defense and will incorporate both schemes and here is a guy who plays DE in a 4-3, or a OLB in a 3-4 and maybe even Sam linebacker in a 4-3, he could fit quite a few needs if we can think outside of the box.

Throwing it out there for consideration.

[Guest Bwood]

Not to mention he's even lined up, and made an impact at defensive tackle.

[Lout]

He is ideal for a 3-4 team at OLB. His arms are too short to get off blocks consistently against OTs so I don't think we consider him at DE. I love him as a player and his versatility, but don't think he is a scheme fit. Not to mention, we have not brought him in for a pre-draft visit. We have never drafted a player in the 1st round that we did not bring in for a visit. Quoted Mixon on that. I'd be incredibly surprised if we drafted him.

[SOJA]

I like him, but I don't know if he necessarily fits our defense

[panthers55]

He is ideal for a 3-4 team at OLB. His arms are too short to get off blocks consistently against OTs so I don't think we consider him at DE. I love him as a player and his versatility, but don't think he is a scheme fit. Not to mention, we have not brought him in for a pre-draft visit. We have never drafted a player in the 1st round that we did not bring in for a visit. Quoted Mixon on that. I'd be incredibly surprised if we drafted him.

What people say is that he has excellent explosiveness, strong hands and good moves which allows him to penetrate between blockers and make tackles. His arm length issue is overblown because he won't be engaging offensive linemen straight up but splitting gaps and going around the edge. As for never drafting a player we didn't bring in, I don't remember bringing in Beason, Davis, Williams or Stewart. I know at least 2 of those guys we didn't bring in. Like usual Mixon seems out in left field.

[Actionman0z]

He does not fit, and I hope he is there at #9 so we can trade down.

[pOpCoRnPoPpEr]

Maybe the best defensive player in the draft. Doubt he will be there at 9.

[panthers55]

I understand the not fitting our scheme but honestly what exactly is our scheme these days. Didn't we bring in Applewhite and Dillard to do the exact same thing. For those who think we play a standard 4-3 it doesn't look like a fit, but for folks who see us as evolving and needing versatility, this move could be excellent.

[panthers55]

He does not fit, and I hope he is there at #9 so we can trade down.

That could very well happen. If we could swing a 2nd or third then we should consider it strongly. It isn't as if we couldn't pick someone else with all our needs.

[Actionman0z]

Exactly. I'd rather have an extra 3rd and drop down 5 spots and take one of the blue chip players ranked close together.

[Lout]

If we are switching to the 3-4, then I would be all for Ingram. I think Ingram would not be very effective in the NFL at base 4-3 DE. As far as I know, we are still a base 4-3 team, that will show some more 3-4 looks. A guy like that can play both 3-tech and 5-tech would be a good pick. Ingram would have a hard time disengaging from blockers on running plays with his 31 inch arms.

[XClown1986]

Utilization is everything with this kid. At best he can be a Terrell Suggs type of player, at worst he could be misused and bounce around the league his whole career. He can't line up in the same position all game, every game, he has to be lined up each game based on mismatches, and even then he needs to be moved around, because he will be keyed on. He'll be assigned a position on the roster, but he can't be used that way.

[Dash Global]

do not want.

trade down and pick up a 2nd or 3rd

[panthers55]

If we are switching to the 3-4, then I would be all for Ingram. I think Ingram would not be very effective in the NFL at base 4-3 DE. As far as I know, we are still a base 4-3 team, that will show some more 3-4 looks. A guy like that can play both 3-tech and 5-tech would be a good pick. Ingram would have a hard time disengaging from blockers on running plays with his 31 inch arms.

Again his draft analysis doesn't say that he had any problem against the run. They said we was solid in the run game could hold the edge and is a good tackler. This analysis says he had 3 of his sacks at the 3 technique spot which may give him an edge against slower guards.

Run defense: Uses low center of gravity and thick upper body to play with leverage against the run game. Holds his ground well whether lined up with his hand down or standing up. Can split double team to penetrate and make the tackle. Often spins off to reach ballcarriers running to either side instead of shock-and-shed on the edge. Most tight ends will not handle him one-on-one.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1620606