Best DEs/Pass rushers in 2014 class

I think the issue with Hubbard is going to be work ethic and character. From what I heard after he declared I don't think he is going to get a glowing recommendation from Nick Saban. I believe the reports a few months ago were nobody at Alabama tried to convince him to return to school instead of enter the draft and nobody was disappointed that he declared. I'll try to find a link but they gave the impression he is a real diva and huge pain in the butt.

This is what NFL.com had written about him (its from Nolan Nawrocki fwiw)

Has a quirky personality, inflated opinion of his ability and carries a sense of entitlement that could be difficult to manage and require a patient positional coach

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Johnny Manziel leads most controversial prospects in NFL draft - NFL.com

Wilfork#75 said:

I think the issue with Hubbard is going to be work ethic and character. From what I heard after he declared I don't think he is going to get a glowing recommendation from Nick Saban. I believe the reports a few months ago were nobody at Alabama tried to convince him to return to school instead of enter the draft and nobody was disappointed that he declared. I'll try to find a link but they gave the impression he is a real diva and huge pain in the butt.

This is what NFL.com had written about him (its from Nolan Nawrocki fwiw)



Johnny Manziel leads most controversial prospects in NFL draft - NFL.com

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No problem. Hightower will go upside his head until he figures it out.

Avenger said:

what about Jackson Jeffcoat? he's a little undersized but could come in and be that 3rd rusher we are missing, he produced at Texas and put up a pretty good combine, especially the 3 cone.

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Love his measurables, hate his tape. Weak punch and way underpowered. I don't see any potential for effective hand usage in him.

I save my irrational love for flawed prospects for only a few of them. Like this guy:



Dat explosion

Get it shawtaay said:

Love his measurables, hate his tape. Weak punch and way underpowered. I don't see any potential for effective hand usage in him.

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While Scott Crichton is precisely the opposite: powerful, violent upper body, but stiff hips and lead feet. I challenge anybody to watch Crichton's tape and find a play that he affected after changing direction. Or watch his workouts and see him nearly fall over with every quick cut, and contemplate his 1.76 10-yard split.

Then watch Jeffcoat right afterwards, and try find a play where he moved the defender with his hands. again.

Frustrating DE class all around. I'm starting to warm more to Attaochu, who shows some burst and violence as a pass rusher without looking lost in space. And if you'd be willing to trade a little of that burst and violence for more length, polish, versatility, and always seeming to in the exact right spot, there's still Trent Murphy.

It really is a weak class at DE. All the more reason to get a DT who can pass rush.

everlong said:

It really is a weak class at DE. All the more reason to get a DT who can pass rush.

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I hear you. I keep recoiling at the idea of risking a first-round pick on Easley's reconstructed knees, but then I keep coming back to it again.

Well we wouldn't say it was bad if we had #1 cause Clowney killing it - Welcome to Texans and they still need a QB ( Points toward Ryan )

patchick said:

I hear you. I keep recoiling at the idea of risking a first-round pick on Easley's reconstructed knees, but then I keep coming back to it again.

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His talent is undeniable but the knees coupled with the reports of immaturity during the interview process at the combine and the cartoons better than watching football comment have me thinking he may not even be on the Pat's draft board.

everlong said:

His talent is undeniable but the knees coupled with the reports of immaturity during the interview process at the combine and the cartoons better than watching football comment have me thinking he may not even be on the Pat's draft board.

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Easley was a team captain, FWIW. And Will Muschamp (not known for hyperbole) lauded his intelligence and understanding of the game:

2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Florida Defensive Lineman Dominique Easley | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

From my view, Easley is a top 15 pick who wouldn't be available at 29 if not for the injury history. Anything that drops him just makes him more of a bargain. A good comparison would be Greg Hardy in 2010, another guy who wasn't particularly well understood. I actually think Easley compares fairly well to Hardy as a guy who can play outside or inside.

mayoclinic said:

Easley was a team captain, FWIW. And Will Muschamp (not known for hyperbole) lauded his intelligence and understanding of the game:

2014 NFL Draft Close-Up: Florida Defensive Lineman Dominique Easley | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2014 NFL Draft

From my view, Easley is a top 15 pick who wouldn't be available at 29 if not for the injury history. Anything that drops him just makes him more of a bargain. A good comparison would be Greg Hardy in 2010, another guy who wasn't particularly well understood. I actually think Easley compares fairly well to Hardy as a guy who can play outside or inside.

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Completely plausible but without being part of the interview process there's really no way for us to know thus it's worth noting. Maybe he's misunderstood and immature. Maybe he was a great leader and thus was voted a team captain and maybe he was voted such just because he's a stud player but offered no leadership. This is the imperfect part of the draft process for hacks like us.

patchick said:

While Scott Crichton is precisely the opposite: powerful, violent upper body, but stiff hips and lead feet. I challenge anybody to watch Crichton's tape and find a play that he affected after changing direction. Or watch his workouts and see him nearly fall over with every quick cut, and contemplate his 1.76 10-yard split.

Then watch Jeffcoat right afterwards, and try find a play where he moved the defender with his hands. again.

Frustrating DE class all around. I'm starting to warm more to Attaochu, who shows some burst and violence as a pass rusher without looking lost in space. And if you'd be willing to trade a little of that burst and violence for more length, polish, versatility, and always seeming to in the exact right spot, there's still Trent Murphy.

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Before you warm too much to Attaochu, watch him against Morgan Moses. Got stoned.

manxman2601 said:

Before you warm too much to Attaochu, watch him against Morgan Moses. Got stoned.

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You just made me cry.

Yeah, that's ugly stuff, and it reinforces my niggling worry that I hadn't really seen Attaochu shed blocks so much as evade them. That can be rough going against long-armed NFL tackles.

patchick said:

You just made me cry.

Yeah, that's ugly stuff, and it reinforces my niggling worry that I hadn't really seen Attaochu shed blocks so much as evade them. That can be rough going against long-armed NFL tackles.

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In time you'll join me in the view that Dee Ford is the best pass rusher available . Easley is the second best if you are just looking for a pass rush specialist. And then it's Fede or Gardner for me or Kareem Martin if they're looking for a backup DE but not necessarily a pass rusher.

manxman2601 said:

In time you'll join me in the view that Dee Ford is the best pass rusher available . Easley is the second best if you are just looking for a pass rush specialist. And then it's Fede or Gardner for me or Kareem Martin if they're looking for a backup DE but not necessarily a pass rusher.

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Available at what number?

Luxusdk said:

Available at what number?

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Ah well, there's the rub. He's likely only available at #29 and I agree with Patchick that he doesn't have the length, size or athleticism that one normally associates with BB. But, if an edge rusher is the #1 priority, Ford is comfortably the best at filling that role. Whether that makes him worth taking at 29 depends on how important getting an edge rusher is. I still like the Shazier-Tuitt option better.

No mention of Kony Ealy ? Projected to go a little before #29 but could get into our range. Combine numbers similar to Chandler's, a little less explosion, better 3 cone time (6.83 3 cone is awfully good for a DE, Chandler's was 7.07). Some have him going too high, others not in the first round at all.

manxman2601 said:

In time you'll join me in the view that Dee Ford is the best pass rusher available

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I want to love Ford, but I keep hearing this voice calling "Jerry Hughes! Jerry Hughes!" Too often the quick, undersized rushers who can beat college RTs have trouble with the NFL transition.

patchick said:

I want to love Ford, but I keep hearing this voice calling "Jerry Hughes! Jerry Hughes!" Too often the quick, undersized rushers who can beat college RTs have trouble with the NFL transition.

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Jerry Hughes had ten sacks last year. Undersized rushers can learn to make that transition.

As I've said, there are other directions I'd rather go but if additional pass rush from the edge is the number one need, Ford is the only one I think can provide it without making too much projection.

BelichickFan said:

No mention of Kony Ealy ? Projected to go a little before #29 but could get into our range. Combine numbers similar to Chandler's, a little less explosion, better 3 cone time (6.83 3 cone is awfully good for a DE, Chandler's was 7.07). Some have him going too high, others not in the first round at all.

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I keep wanting to love him, keep going back to the tape and just I just don't see it. I think it's a moot question anyway and he'll be out of reach.

manxman2601 said:

Jerry Hughes had ten sacks last year. Undersized rushers can learn to make that transition.

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That's an intriguing question: after three seasons as a huge disappointment in Indianapolis, why did Hughes finally make an impact with Buffalo? Did they use him differently? And if so, how does that project to the Patriots' defense?