Hey, anybody know who looks good at OLB this year?
Let's take a little break. We haven't had a DE discussion since the combine, and the likes of Tyson Jackson and Jarron Gilbert are beginning their inevitable climb up the mocks as the draft approaches.
One tidbit I just noticed on Gilbert is that he has incredible 36' 3/4" arms, which on a 6'5+ frame would make for quite a presence in the passing lanes. (It also makes his 28 bench reps look pretty darned good.) His athleticism, explosion and knack for getting into the backfield are well documented. Meanwhile, a few different draft sites make vague references to "maturity" issues, without any specifics whatsoever. Anybody have a clue what that's about? He was a team captain, fwiw.
Come on, let's just keep discussing Beatty and Barwin.
First of all, I just don't see the same pressing need at DE as some people do. We have Seymour, Warren, Wright, Green and LeKevin Smith, same as last year. Not a lot of playing time for a rookie to contribute. I understand that Seymour, Green and Smith are in their contract years. But I think we should be able to extend Wilfork leaving us free to franchise Seymour if necessary for 2010, assuming we can't extend him, and draft a replacement next year when there is a much stronger 3-4 DE class.
If we were totally in love with a 3-4 DE prospect then I could understand the logic of drafting one early. Believe me, if Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska had declared then I would be all for taking him at #23, as I believe he would be an incredible 3-4 DE for us. But what we are left with is the following:
- Tyson Jackson - 6'4"+, 295", experienced 3-4 DE starter for LSU. Inconsistent and sometimes lazy. I doubt he will last to 23, but I really don't like him all that much.
- Jarron Gilbert - a physical freak, but one whose productivity hasn't matched up. To me, he's a much bigger reach at 23-34 than Connor Barwin would be (sorry, obligatory Barwin inclusion; now back to the post). He's a 3rd round pick whose physical traits should push him into the 2nd round, who is being given 1st round consideration because of the lack of other prospects and because he can jump out of a swimming pool. I want him on my water polo team, but not necessarily at 3-4 DE. Certainly not earlier than #47.
- A bunch of 4-3 UT's who could conceivable play 3-4 DE but aren't really suited to it: Peria Jerry, Evander Hood, etc.
The 2010 draft will have a much more talented crop of potential 3-4 DEs: Gerald McCoy (top 10), Marvin Austin (probably top 20), Ndamukong Suh (probably top 20), Arthur Davis (1-2), Vince Oghobasse (1-2), among others. One or more could slip given all of the wealth, or at least be within trade-up range. Suh is my clear favorite at this point - probably out of reach, though things may change. Davis and Oghobasse are excellent options who are likely quite possible for us on the first day.
If the FO thinks Gilbert can be a pro-bowl 3-4 DE then I'm all for him at 47 or 58. But he seems pretty much like an unproven physical specimen. His play has been inconsistent, and hasn't lived up to his athletic ability. He seems much more like a workout warrior to me than B**w*n (oops, I almost did it again).
