DT/DE prospects 2012 Draft

[Playoffs]

It appears to me this draft is deep in quality DTs and, to a lesser extent, DEs. I like the idea of drafting with the depth of a class -- e.g. 2008 and OTs.

For a starting point, I'll use Mike Mayock's Top 5 at both positions:

Defensive Tackle
1. Dontari Poe, Memphis
2. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
4. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
T-5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
T-5. Devon Still, Penn St.

Defensive End
1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
3. Nick Perry, USC
4. Vinny Curry, Marshall
5. Jared Crick, Nebraska

Who else belongs on these lists? Who do you think falls to 26? Who do you like?

 

[Insideop]

Yes, DT is a pretty good class this year, but it sure didn't look that way to me during last season. Now it's looking like one of the deeper positions. The guy I'm hoping the Texans take is Mike Martin of Michigan. He's about 6' 2" and weighs 307 lbs. He's projected to go somewhere between round 2 and round 3 by most. He's very strong, has a "high motor," and he said the Texans have shown the most interest in him. I think he'd be a great addition to the team and hope we can snag him maybe in the 3rd.

 

[badboy]

It appears to me this draft is deep in quality DTs and, to a lesser extent, DEs. I like the idea of drafting with the depth of a class -- e.g. 2008 and OTs.

For a starting point, I'll use Mike Mayock's Top 5 at both positions:

Defensive Tackle
1. Dontari Poe, Memphis
2. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
4. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
T-5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
T-5. Devon Still, Penn St.

Defensive End
1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
3. Nick Perry, USC
4. Vinny Curry, Marshall
5. Jared Crick, Nebraska

Who else belongs on these lists? Who do you think falls to 26? Who do you like?

I don't see DT as a prime need so I would not take any. OLB is a need but for a rotational back up and 2, 3 & 4 of DE's are projected as OLB. Upshaw may be there per mocks I've seen recently and other than Kendall Wright would probably be my #26. My hope would be Wright (WR) and Curry in sencond but I see Vinny moving up in second round.

 

[mussop]

I don't see DT as a prime need so I would not take any. OLB is a need but for a rotational back up and 2, 3 & 4 of DE's are projected as OLB. Upshaw may be there per mocks I've seen recently and other than Kendall Wright would probably be my #26. My hope would be Wright (WR) and Curry in sencond but I see Vinny moving up in second round.

Disagree! We need more players for our front 3 rotation just as bad as we need another rotation player at OLB. Smith is over 30 and could be a cap casualty next year. Cody is serviceable at best. He easily could and should be replaced. I bet thats why we have shown interest in Martin.

Depth here is really non existent and with the aggressive defensive style we play we NEED more quality players for the rotation. If not our front is going to be wore out before the season os over.

 

[Playoffs]

Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Kept watching LSU Brockers. More + more games. A project. A player who will be drafted based on what he might become not what he is now.

Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Asked about DT. Really like Cox. Natural athleticism + movement. Balance + flexibility to rush QB. Great scheme versatility. Played DT/DE.

Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Cox far more versatile than Poe. Cox "3 tech", can rush QB from inside. Also aligned at DE at MSU + showed quicks + burst as edge rusher.
23m Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
RE: Poe. Always a debate among scouts/coaches re: physical/athletic skill set v. college production. No right answer.
28m Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
RE: DT Poe. Outstanding skill set: Size, athleticism, quickness, burst for a 350 lb man. Concern was lack of production. Won't impact draft

 

[Rey]

If Poe was on the board when we picked I'd take him in a nano second.

 

[beerlover]

Just updated my top 32 board & believe there are 3 DT/DE specific prospects another 7 or so hybrid DE/OLB prospects & 2 DT's only.

 

[Playoffs]

Ryan Lownes ‏ @ryanlownes Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
The more I watch #LSU DT Michael Brockers, the more I'm bewildered by his status as a consensus top 20 pick. I don't see it at all.

 

[steelbtexan]

BL has a great top 32.

But if a team drafts Brockers they are drafting for potential rather than production.

 

[bah007]

BL has a great top 32.

But if a team drafts Brockers they are drafting for potential rather than production.

Same with Dontari Poe.

 

[mussop]

Ryan Lownes ‏ @ryanlownes Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
The more I watch #LSU DT Michael Brockers, the more I'm bewildered by his status as a consensus top 20 pick. I don't see it at all.

been saying this for over a month.

 

[Playoffs]

Greg Cosell ‏ @gregcosell Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Asked about Cox v. Poe. Cox a much better prospect than Poe. Can play inside + outside at times. Much more versatile. Could be gone by 12.



Evan Silva ‏ @evansilva Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Personnel man on Whitney Mercilus: "16 sacks are deceiving. A lot of it was just cleaning up. Not good vs run at all."
4m Evan Silva ‏ @evansilva Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
NFL personnel man on #UNC DE Quinton Coples: "He's good as hell, but he's nuts. I'm not sure what's up with him":
9m Evan Silva ‏ @evansilva Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
NFL personnel exec on Dontari Poe: "He'll be overdrafted. I mean watch him play, just watch. He didn't do anything."

 

[TimeKiller]

How about a late round guy, one we actually might see?

Vaughn Meatoga, Hawaii- Short, strong gap-shooter with good hustle and trench disposition. Fits Wade's mold in spades. 3 bills with quick feet.

 

[Yaky]

Ryan van Bergen Michigan

Had a very good last year finishing with 12.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks.
Non stop motor and he has experience playing in 3-4 defence.

Great size at 6'6" 291. His huge frame will allow him to easily carry 300, ideal for a 5 technique.
31 reps and a 4.90 40 at his pro day.

 

[Playoffs]

SI's Tony Pauline reports #Cowboys are targeting Dontari Poe at the No. 14 pick. "Poe is the apple of their eyes"

 

[Dutchrudder]

SI's Tony Pauline reports #Cowboys are targeting Dontari Poe at the No. 14 pick. "Poe is the apple of their eyes"

Well there you have it, he will be a bust.

It does make me wonder if they will look to move Ratliff if they get him. It would be interesting if there was a way for the Texans to get Ratliff.

 

[bah007]

Ryan van Bergen Michigan

Had a very good last year finishing with 12.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks.
Non stop motor and he has experience playing in 3-4 defence.

Great size at 6'6" 291. His huge frame will allow him to easily carry 300, ideal for a 5 technique.
31 reps and a 4.90 40 at his pro day.

I love Van Bergen. He is the same mold as Watt, just not quite as talented.

 

[rmartin65]

I love Van Bergen. He is the same mold as Watt, just not quite as talented.

Ditto. I believe this is exactly what I said when I put him in a mock a couple months ago. And I remember you liking him then, too.

 

[bah007]

Ditto. I believe this is exactly what I said when I put him in a mock a couple months ago. And I remember you liking him then, too.

Yeah he is just one of those guys you want on your team. He has been moved from position to position pretty much every year. He just does whatever he can to help the team. And he gives 100% effort every single play. And not only is he talented, he is a smart player too.

He is a late round steal. Whoever drafts him is getting a future starter as a 34 DE, in my opinion. Not a Pro Bowler, but a guy who just goes out there and gets his job done.

 

[WolverineFan]

Yeah he is just one of those guys you want on your team. He has been moved from position to position pretty much every year. He just does whatever he can to help the team. And he gives 100% effort every single play. And not only is he talented, he is a smart player too.

He is a late round steal. Whoever drafts him is getting a future starter as a 34 DE, in my opinion. Not a Pro Bowler, but a guy who just goes out there and gets his job done.

I agree. Van Bergen and Mike Martin were both misused by Michigan's last coaching staff and didn't put up big numbers in that 3-3-5 defense, although Martin was still very disruptive. They got the new coaches this past year and both were all-conference selections. Both of those guys are very under the radar (Martin not so much anymore post-Senior Bowl + Combine).

I don't see RVB ever being a stud but he could be a better Tim Jamison. Looks like a solid rotational player and a possible future starter (especially as a 5' tech). I think the Watt comparison is spot on. He's that same style of player just not as talented.

 

[Playoffs]

Mayock updated again

Defensive End
1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
3. Nick Perry, USC
4. Chandler Jones, Syracuse
5. Vinny Curry, Marshall

New Entry: Jones
Out: Jared Crick, Nebraska (5)
Fall: Curry (4)

Defensive Tackle
1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
2. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
4. Dontari Poe, Memphis
T-5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
T-5. Devon Still, Penn St.

Rise: Cox (2), Worthy (4)
Fall: Poe (1)

 

[mussop]

Mayock updated again

Defensive End
1. Quinton Coples, North Carolina
2. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
3. Nick Perry, USC
4. Chandler Jones, Syracuse
5. Vinny Curry, Marshall

New Entry: Jones
Out: Jared Crick, Nebraska (5)
Fall: Curry (4)

Defensive Tackle
1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State
2. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
3. Michael Brockers, LSU
4. Dontari Poe, Memphis
T-5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut
T-5. Devon Still, Penn St.

Rise: Cox (2), Worthy (4)
Fall: Poe (1)

Its about time Worthy has moved up. Still should be #1. I have been saying this for months.