Z Reports top defensive players

[Lucky]

here are some excerpts from Lance Zierlein's blog at The Chronic:

Most Overrated
Brooks Reed, Arizona
Reed had a terrific Senior Bowl and showed every pass -rushing move imaginable in one-on-one drills which is one of the reasons that I believe he will probably be over-drafted. Hell, I was just as excited as anyone until I actually watched tape of him. What I see in Reed is a slightly stiff pass rusher with a great motor and a very good inside spin move. What worries me is that Reed wasn't as productive as you might expect from a pass rusher being considered in the first round. While I expect Reed to be a solid pro, I don't think he'll be the pass rusher that some expect - and he's probably best suited to be a strong-side OLB in a 3-4 defense that already has an accomplished pass rusher on the weak-side. I don't see Reed as a first round talent.

Most Overrated
Curtis Marsh, Utah State
Marsh has good height and speed, great athleticism and he's highly intelligent. Teams like those traits and somebody will probably overdraft him because of it. What teams won't like is his limited experience against average competition, his relative lack of productivity and his below average instincts. Instincts, for a CB, is vital and if a player doesn't have them, he will often find himself fighting for 4th/5th CB positions on a team within a couple of years no matter what round he was drafted in or what his measurables are.

I tend to agree regarding Reed, but disagree on Marsh. Reed looks like an effort type guy without a lot of athleticism. He's a self made guy, someone who should contribute at least as a backup and special teamer. But more of a stop gap guy that you would be looking to replace as a starter. Of course, the Texans may need a stop gap starter if Barwin can't go 100%. But, 2nd round seems too high to take Reed.

On Marsh, he's rated as a 4th/5th round pick. How can you overrate a mid round CB? There are 3 types of player available in the mid rounds. One, an experienced player who has limited physical ability. Two, an unskilled, inexperienced player with plus ability. Three, a troublemaker. Given the choice in the mid rounds, I go with door #2. I take the guy with computer numbers and give my coaches a chance to develop him. The onus is on them.

In the earlier rounds, I look for the guys who have it all. Putting aside the pipe dream of Patrick Peterson, the CBs I like the most where the Texans are sitting are:

1st round - Amukamara
2nd round - Dowling
3rd Round - Burton
4th/5th Round - Marsh

 

[awtysst]

Most Overrated
Dontay Moch, Nevada
Fans love Moch because of his outrageous speed and athleticism, but right now he is a much better athlete than all-around football player and those kinds of players shouldn't go as early as Moch might (2nd round). Moch has the kind of speed and explosiveness that will catch the eyes of at least a few teams in the second round, but the problem is that Moch doesn't really have many counter moves once he doesn't win with speed. Moch's size dictates that he'll have to be a 3-4 OLB, but teams have concerns about whether or not he can play moving backward and handling trickier defensive schemes.

I completely agree. Moch comes across as the second coming of Vernon Ghoslten.

 

[awtysst]

Most Overrated
Dontay Moch, Nevada
Fans love Moch because of his outrageous speed and athleticism, but right now he is a much better athlete than all-around football player and those kinds of players shouldn't go as early as Moch might (2nd round). Moch has the kind of speed and explosiveness that will catch the eyes of at least a few teams in the second round, but the problem is that Moch doesn't really have many counter moves once he doesn't win with speed. Moch's size dictates that he'll have to be a 3-4 OLB, but teams have concerns about whether or not he can play moving backward and handling trickier defensive schemes.

I completely agree. Moch comes across as the second coming of Vernon Ghoslten.

 

[Mr teX]

i pretty much said the exact same things about brooks reed yesterday in someone's mock draft thread where they had us taking him with our 1st pick. He'll be solid, but i don't forsee him being a force as a pass rusher mainly b/c of the things LZ said.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Nice to see someone else not drinking Phil Taylor koolaid.

 

[beerlover]

zona kinda reached last year for Dan Williams, I know we discussed him around here too. both seem like 1 gap penetrators teams covet & are willing to pay premium to acquire.

 

[YoungTexanFan]

Reed seems a lot like Clay Matthews III. Self made players at the 3-4 OLB spot from the Pac 10 with similar body styles. Not overly productive in college. I want him on my team, not at 11 by any means, but if he falls to our second round pick, I take him regardless of who I took in the first round. I didn't think Matthews was going to be any good and I was wrong.