Derek Wolfe, DE/DT, Cincinnati

[srrono]

What do you guys think about this kid for depth at DLine?

Derek Wolfe, DE/DT, Cincinnati
Height: 6-5. Weight: 302.
Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
12/21/11: Wolfe has had an excellent senior season with 64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and 9.5 sacks. At the point of attack, he overwhelms offensive linemen with his strength and speed. Wolfe closes on the quarterback quickly and plays the run extremely well. He also has a nice repertoire of pass-rushing moves and uses a strong rip move. Entering the NFL, Wolfe has very good technique with a relentless motor. He could be an ideal 3-4 defensive end. Don't be surprised to see him move up during the draft process.

8/21/11: Derek Wolfe has had two quality seasons for Cincinnati. In 2009, he recorded 41 tackles with eight tackles for a loss and five sacks. Last year, he had 48 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. If he can stay consistent as a senior, it would ensure his status as a mid-round pick. If Wolfe has a big senior season with his scheme flexibility to play either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense, his could raise his stock.

[gary]

Is this to start or just depth?

[srrono]

Originally Posted by gary

Is this to start or just depth?

I would say depth next year.

[Wolf6151]

He was BB's pick in the 2nd round of his latest mock. I haven't seen Wolfe play but everything I read on him is very positive, he sounds like he'll make someone a great 3-4 DE. This is a down year for D-line talent as such I think he'll go in the early 2nd round, before we pick. Even if he did fall to us in the 2nd round I think we have bigger issues on the O-line, and NT than a backup DE that will seldomly see the field. Good player pick but we've got bigger issues than DE depth. JMO.

[mussop]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

He was BB's pick in the 2nd round of his latest mock. I haven't seen Wolfe play but everything I read on him is very positive, he sounds like he'll make someone a great 3-4 DE. This is a down year for D-line talent as such I think he'll go in the early 2nd round, before we pick. Even if he did fall to us in the 2nd round I think we have bigger issues on the O-line, and NT than a backup DE that will seldomly see the field. Good player pick but we've got bigger issues than DE depth. JMO.

This is what everyone was saying last year.


I posted this 2 days ago in the 'Who do the Texans take with the 32nd pick in the 2012 Draft?" thread.

Originally Posted by mussop

Wolfe (JJ Watt clone)
Kuechly ( reminds me of zack Thomas )
Worthy ( a bigger Antonio Smith)
Those are my late first guys that you don't hear about much but are going to shoot up the draft board at the combine.

You can never have enough DL like this especially with our defensive scheme. The fresher you can keep your front seven for the end of games and more importantly, the late season/playoffs, the better off you are. Besides Antonio Smith is on the wrong side of 30 now and if him or Watt were to go down for an extended amount of time we would be in trouble.

I'm always for beefing up the trenches but if it came down to OL or DL

The OL was one of the best in the NFL this year.

It is unlikely anyone we would draft late in the first would beat out any of our current starters despite what you think.

Either position is most likely going to be depth at least the first year or two.

DL's use a rotation of players, OL doesn't. Therefore DL would get the most immediate reps.

Antonio Smith is on the wrong side of 30 now.

Wolfe has the size to play inside or out. He's just as big as Cody so who's to say he couldn't beat out Cody?

I hate youtube highlights and know that you can't judge a palyer solely on them but you should check him out.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by mussop

This is what everyone was saying last year.


I posted this 2 days ago in the 'Who do the Texans take with the 32nd pick in the 2012 Draft?" thread.



You can never have enough DL like this especially with our defensive scheme. The fresher you can keep your front seven for the end of games and more importantly, the late season/playoffs, the better off you are. Besides Antonio Smith is on the wrong side of 30 now and if him or Watt were to go down for an extended amount of time we would be in trouble.

I'm always for beefing up the trenches but if it came down to OL or DL

The OL was one of the best in the NFL this year.

It is unlikely anyone we would draft late in the first would beat out any of our current starters despite what you think.

Either position is most likely going to be depth at least the first year or two.

DL's use a rotation of players, OL doesn't. Therefore DL would get the most immediate reps.

Antonio Smith is on the wrong side of 30 now.

Wolfe has the size to play inside or out. He's just as big as Cody so who's to say he couldn't beat out Cody?

I hate youtube highlights and know that you can't judge a palyer solely on them but you should check him out.

I don't recall seeing this post before and appreciate you re-posting as it supports a lot of my thoughts on the lines. Your input on Derek Wolfe mirror what my research says also, especially on his motor. The more info I got the more "Watt" I heard.

I am not saying Brisiel is better than SMith but I believe management thinks so. Wolfe is a player to groom while Smith plays out his contract. We have talked for years about being able to draft good players and allow them to develop.

[Insideop]

Originally Posted by Wolf6151

He was BB's pick in the 2nd round of his latest mock. I haven't seen Wolfe play but everything I read on him is very positive, he sounds like he'll make someone a great 3-4 DE. This is a down year for D-line talent as such I think he'll go in the early 2nd round, before we pick. Even if he did fall to us in the 2nd round I think we have bigger issues on the O-line, and NT than a backup DE that will seldomly see the field. Good player pick but we've got bigger issues than DE depth. JMO.

Let me reiterate what mussop said in an earlier post, this is not about getting a "backup DE that will seldomly see the field." This is about getting another high motor guy that can play NT in a rotation with Cody and allow them to move Mitchell to the DE rotation. It's like killing 2 birds with 1 stone .

Cody is listed as 6'4" and 301 lbs and Wolfe is listed as 6'5" and 302 lbs. Mitchell, on the other hand, is listed as 6'3" and 289 lbs. I know it doesn't sound like much difference, and Mitchell has been playing well at the NT position, but I think this would give the Texans more flexibility and more options if a NT or DE went down. I hope we can get Wolfe and I wouldn't mind if they had to take him in the 1st either. I think he fits what Wade is looking for in a player. JMO.

[Brandon420tx]

The more I think about it the more I like it. We could be losing Bulman this offseason to free agency and The DL rotate quite often in our defense. He can backup Smith until he breaks down or retires.

I wouldn't want him in the first (I'm still holding out for Dwight Jones in the 32nd pick) but I think I would be extremely happy to trade up in the second to get him if necessary. Really the only positions I'm looking forward to early in the draft is WR, Interior OL, and backup DL, and I wouldn't care about trading up later picks to get solid guys at those positions, this is the first year when I have felt we really don't need alot of selections, but 3-4 solid early ones.