We can all probably agree one of the most if not the most important position in a 3-4 defense is the NT. Now probably the easiest way to find a replacement for Ferguson would be the free agent signing of Albert Haynesworth, or the signing of another FA. I however don't feel the big three are willing to offer him the contract he is looking for or that there are any other 3-4 NT on the market they would want.
This means to solve our existing problem we will need to draft one. I however don't feel we will draft a NT in the first round. I just feel based on Parcell's pedigree a LB or DB will be drafted.
Ideally I would love Ron Brace to fall to us with the 44th pick but since there are so many new 3-4 defenses and he is a beast I doubt this will happen.
So here are some players I feel we may target in later rounds.
Someone I am definately keeping my eye on & would love for us to draft is Sammie Lee Hill, a defensive tackle from Stillman College (coming from a small Division 2 school just like Langford). Hill is big (6'4", 329 lbs) and athletic (30" verticlel), and he has the versatility to play in the middle of a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Here is his analysis from the NFL Network.
Analysis Positives: Tall with muscular overall build and long arms. ... Displays excellent agility and quickness for his size. ... Uses a punch and good hand play to discard offensive tackles at the line of scrimmage. ... Swats chipping running backs away like flies on the outside. ... Good closing speed and has the length to wrap up in the backfield. ... Flashes the initial quickness inside. ... Bull rushes his man into the pocket when one-on-one inside. ... Breaks down on the edge and changes direction well for his size. ... Could project as a 3-4 defensive end.
Negatives: Looks like a man among boys against lower level competition, especially when lined up on the edge, but must prove he can handle the next level physically. ... Fails to consistently get off double teams when inside. ... Must work on lowering his pad level so he's not stood up to lose the leverage battle against NFL offensive linemen and be susceptible to cut blocks. ... Doesn't chase or hustle consistently.
Negatives: Short, squatty build with little room for additional mass. ... Bit of a one-trick pony. ... Relies on his natural leverage advantage to hold up against the run. ... Marginal upper-body strength and hand quickness to break free of blocks. ... Lacks the consistent initial burst off the snap to operate as a three-technique or the bulk to hold up against double-teams. ... Marginal lateral quickness to pressure the pocket. ... Needs an open lane to close. ... Lacks the height and long arms to bat down passes. ... Suspended for the opening game of the 2007 season due to an undisclosed violation of team rules.
Lastly we have Khalif Mitchell from East Carolina.
6'5", 318 lbs,
Mitchell spent his first two seasons at North Carolina and amassed 26 tackles. After sitting out the 2006 season, Mitchell made honorable mention All-Conference USA with 19 tackles, including 5.5 tfl in 2007. He only played in seven games in 2008, missing time early in the season with ankle and foot injuries. His 16 tackles, three for loss and a sack was not the production he hoped to see in his final season, but Mitchell's size and athleticism pique the interest of scouts.
Analysis from NFL Network Positives: Tall with long arms and good upper- and lower-body strength. ... Fluid when running in space. ... Chases down the line and hustles downfield. ... Can push his man into the backfield when gaining leverage one-on-one. ... Uses his length to wrap up ballcarriers after they get into the hole. ... Has the body and athleticism to play defensive end in the 3-4 alignment.
Negatives: Only adequate quickness off the snap. ... Doesn't play to his strength -- gets too upright and lacks the anchor to hold his ground against double teams. ... Must improve his hand play to get off blocks and beat his man in pass rush. ... Leans into his man too much, costing him balance and allowing linemen to use his movement against him. ... Susceptible to cut blocks because of his height, but has the recovery speed to get up and make a tackle. ... Was substituted out in most rushing situations. ... Lacks great awareness and doesn't keep his eyes in the backfield. ... Medical check required on recent injuries
Those are just 3 NT's I feel we could be looking at in the draft, I would love to hear who you feel we could target in the later rounds.
This means to solve our existing problem we will need to draft one. I however don't feel we will draft a NT in the first round. I just feel based on Parcell's pedigree a LB or DB will be drafted.
Ideally I would love Ron Brace to fall to us with the 44th pick but since there are so many new 3-4 defenses and he is a beast I doubt this will happen.
So here are some players I feel we may target in later rounds.
Someone I am definately keeping my eye on & would love for us to draft is Sammie Lee Hill, a defensive tackle from Stillman College (coming from a small Division 2 school just like Langford). Hill is big (6'4", 329 lbs) and athletic (30" verticlel), and he has the versatility to play in the middle of a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Here is his analysis from the NFL Network.
Analysis Positives: Tall with muscular overall build and long arms. ... Displays excellent agility and quickness for his size. ... Uses a punch and good hand play to discard offensive tackles at the line of scrimmage. ... Swats chipping running backs away like flies on the outside. ... Good closing speed and has the length to wrap up in the backfield. ... Flashes the initial quickness inside. ... Bull rushes his man into the pocket when one-on-one inside. ... Breaks down on the edge and changes direction well for his size. ... Could project as a 3-4 defensive end.
Negatives: Looks like a man among boys against lower level competition, especially when lined up on the edge, but must prove he can handle the next level physically. ... Fails to consistently get off double teams when inside. ... Must work on lowering his pad level so he's not stood up to lose the leverage battle against NFL offensive linemen and be susceptible to cut blocks. ... Doesn't chase or hustle consistently.
Myron Pryor from Kentucky is also someone we could target. 6'0", 319 lbs,
As a four-year starter, Pryor emerged as a legitimate playmaker for the Wildcats as a senior, earning second-team All-SEC honors. Pryor had 107 career tackles, including 20.5 tfl and 11 sacks. NFL scouts wonder if his breakout senior campaign had more to do with the talent around him, but a solid week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game may have cemented Pryor's status as a draftworthy prospect.
Analysis from NFL Network
Positives: Powerful lower body. ... Good use of his natural leverage and strength to anchor as a run blocker. ... Anticipates the snap count well and flashes some initial quickness to push the pocket. ... Good short-area quickness to make plays at the line of scrimmage. ... Durable. As a four-year starter, Pryor emerged as a legitimate playmaker for the Wildcats as a senior, earning second-team All-SEC honors. Pryor had 107 career tackles, including 20.5 tfl and 11 sacks. NFL scouts wonder if his breakout senior campaign had more to do with the talent around him, but a solid week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game may have cemented Pryor's status as a draftworthy prospect.
Analysis from NFL Network
Negatives: Short, squatty build with little room for additional mass. ... Bit of a one-trick pony. ... Relies on his natural leverage advantage to hold up against the run. ... Marginal upper-body strength and hand quickness to break free of blocks. ... Lacks the consistent initial burst off the snap to operate as a three-technique or the bulk to hold up against double-teams. ... Marginal lateral quickness to pressure the pocket. ... Needs an open lane to close. ... Lacks the height and long arms to bat down passes. ... Suspended for the opening game of the 2007 season due to an undisclosed violation of team rules.
Lastly we have Khalif Mitchell from East Carolina.
6'5", 318 lbs,
Mitchell spent his first two seasons at North Carolina and amassed 26 tackles. After sitting out the 2006 season, Mitchell made honorable mention All-Conference USA with 19 tackles, including 5.5 tfl in 2007. He only played in seven games in 2008, missing time early in the season with ankle and foot injuries. His 16 tackles, three for loss and a sack was not the production he hoped to see in his final season, but Mitchell's size and athleticism pique the interest of scouts.
Analysis from NFL Network Positives: Tall with long arms and good upper- and lower-body strength. ... Fluid when running in space. ... Chases down the line and hustles downfield. ... Can push his man into the backfield when gaining leverage one-on-one. ... Uses his length to wrap up ballcarriers after they get into the hole. ... Has the body and athleticism to play defensive end in the 3-4 alignment.
Negatives: Only adequate quickness off the snap. ... Doesn't play to his strength -- gets too upright and lacks the anchor to hold his ground against double teams. ... Must improve his hand play to get off blocks and beat his man in pass rush. ... Leans into his man too much, costing him balance and allowing linemen to use his movement against him. ... Susceptible to cut blocks because of his height, but has the recovery speed to get up and make a tackle. ... Was substituted out in most rushing situations. ... Lacks great awareness and doesn't keep his eyes in the backfield. ... Medical check required on recent injuries
Those are just 3 NT's I feel we could be looking at in the draft, I would love to hear who you feel we could target in the later rounds.
Never Thought Id Be On A Boat
