Positional ranking 3-4 DE Pre Combine

A name to file away for next year: Margus Hunt. I watched him earlier this season and it was obvious that he is still new to football, but he seems to have improved at such an impressive rate (3 sacks in the bowl game against Pitt) that I would be remiss to leave him off the list. He has the size (6'7 #290) and athleticism (record holder in both shot put and discus), and is just starting to tap into his football potential.

I'm still not a huge fan of any of the 34 DE talent in this draft. Maybe Randall. I do, however, strongly advocate trying to pry Campbell away from Arizona. He'd give us what we've missed since Seymour.

If Pryor and Wright were available this year, do you think we would have had more one gap defense?

Given the status of G Warren, Ellis, Anderson, Pryor and Mike Wright, I would expect alot of new DLmen being picked up this off season.

The war room might go like, who's the best DB available?, who's the best dl available? next pick. Who's,,,

NinjaZX6R said:

10-3 win is not a beatdown. Beating up some frosh LT and a Ryan Diem RT in Shutgart isn't a beatdown. That being said, He has a better ceiling than his useless cousin.

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That was a defensive beat down. The entire OSU offense was manhandled. Maybe if you guys didn't cheat it would of been more competitive.

MSU said:

That was a defensive beat down. The entire OSU offense was manhandled. Maybe if you guys didn't cheat it would of been more competitive.

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It doesn't take much to shut down OSU's offense.

I think that where Vinny Curry will be picked will depend on his true height. I've seen him listed at just over 6'3 by NFLDraftScout.com but I've also seen him listed at 6'5 by Draftcountdown.com..

If Curry is 6'4, then I could easily see the Pats trading up in the second or trading down from the end of the 1st to get Curry. I don't see Curry as a 1st rounder.

DaBruinz said:

I think that where Vinny Curry will be picked will depend on his true height. I've seen him listed at just over 6'3 by NFLDraftScout.com but I've also seen him listed at 6'5 by Draftcountdown.com..

If Curry is 6'4, then I could easily see the Pats trading up in the second or trading down from the end of the 1st to get Curry. I don't see Curry as a 1st rounder.

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Agreed. I don't want any OLB prospects under 6'4". But this is the DE thread, we're talking OLBs.

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot said:

Agreed. I don't want any OLB prospects under 6'4". But this is the DE thread, we're talking OLBs.

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Where Curry plays will depend on his weight as well as his height. If he's 6'5 and 285-290, then I could see him as a 3-4 DE.. But if he's 6'3 and 265, then he's an OLB. A lot will depend on where he comes in at the combine..

DaBruinz said:

Where Curry plays will depend on his weight as well as his height. If he's 6'5 and 285-290, then I could see him as a 3-4 DE.. But if he's 6'3 and 265, then he's an OLB. A lot will depend on where he comes in at the combine..

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Visually he looks heavier than the 260-265 he is normally listed as, but that can be deceiving. Have you seen him listed at 290?

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot said:

Agreed. I don't want any OLB prospects under 6'4". But this is the DE thread, we're talking OLBs.

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I think it is ok to blend the two, in a 4-3 the LDE can easily be in the 270-280 range. I expect a smattering of 3-4 and 4-3 players and some who can play both.

2012 3-4 DEs:
1. Quinton Coples
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155. Everybody else.

I'll take that a step further. The only first round 3-4 DE I want is Michael Brockers, and he's a redshirt sophomore. If he doesn't declare, there are no first round DEs that I want. After that, then we're on to the Crick, Wolfe, Reyes level.

Sciz said:

I'll take that a step further. The only first round 3-4 DE I want is Michael Brockers, and he's a redshirt sophomore. If he doesn't declare, there are no first round DEs that I want. After that, then we're on to the Crick, Wolfe, Reyes level.

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I LOVE Brockers. I don't where he goes if he declares, but it would give us a good shot at getting a top tier DE between Coples, Cox, and Brockers.

Rumours:

@NFLMocks
I have an inkling that LSU DT Michael Brockers is going to follow his teammate Morris Claiborne to the NFL today in 4PM ET News conference

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https://twitter.com/#!/NFLMocks/status/157507990273011713

in reply to:

@jnsanchez
@NFLMocks Brockers hired an agent and will be going pro

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https://twitter.com/#!/jnsanchez/status/157509004367642624

mrscruff said:

Rumours:
https://twitter.com/#!/NFLMocks/status/157507990273011713

in reply to:

https://twitter.com/#!/jnsanchez/status/157509004367642624

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I want. He's the closest thing to a prototypical 34 DE in the draft.

Sciz said:

I want. He's the closest thing to a prototypical 34 DE in the draft.

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And so Michael Brockers declares:
Mac's Football Blog: LSU DT Michael Brockers Enters 2012 NFL Draft

Love Brockers. Not sure he'll fall to us unless we trade up, however. At least it pushes another player down the board.

Brockers declaring is fantastic. He really stood out to me all year. Fantastic LSU DT.

MP-Logick said:

Love Brockers. Not sure he'll fall to us unless we trade up, however. At least it pushes another player down the board.

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Apparently Tyler Wilson is also still considering coming out and Rueben Randle has. I can see both being first rounders knocking a couple more down.

Just found this:

Akiem Hicks video

Highlight video and level of opposition notwithstanding, he looks really athletic and fluid for such a big man. I can see why he wowed at the Shrine Game. Worthy of pick #128? Lines up at OLB too (drool).

Mind you, does look like the opposing linemen are a bunch of girls (no disrespect to girls).

Here's an article that was on draftdaddy. Mizzou's Dominique Hamilton 6'5" 320lb weigh in at East/West Shrine Game. Played NG at Mizzou and has put on some weight. I'd rather have an outstanding 5tech guy like Richard Seymour than any olb. But, I doubt if we find one at 27. Seems more likely there are some olb/de types whom we might be able to get there. Would allow us to draft Peter Konz or a wr in the first. In addition to an olb/de. Get a guy like Hamilton in the 2nd. I didn't see Mizzou play once this season. Anyone catch him this year?

MU's Hamilton opens NFL scouts' eyes Tiger Extra - Mizzou Sports | ColumbiaTribune.com