Deon Simon, DT, Northwestern St.

I've been vocal about Arizona St. DT Marcus Hardison, who I think can line up all over the DL from the 9 tech to the 0/1, and who would make a dynamic dual along with Dominique Easley. But with Vince Wilfork a question mark for 2015 and certainly beyond, a run stuffing DT is definitely a position to consider. Danny Shelton is overrated IMO, and will be long gone anyway. Eddie Goldman, Jordan Phillips, Malcolm Brown, Carl Davis, Ellis McCarthy and Terry Williams have all been extensively discussed. But at the Combine BB met with a very intriguing small school DT, Deon Simon from Northwestern St. (Louisiana):

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...mon-draft-diary-20-surprise-belichick-meeting

Simon first came to attention when his team got walloped 70-6 by Baylor, but he held his own against top competition and shut down Baylor's inside running game:

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/02/relative-unknown-deon-simon-drawing-comparisons-to-dontari-poe/

He had pretty good athleticism at the Combine, where he measured 6' 4 3/8" 321#: 5.12 40, 1.74 10-split, 4.79 SS, 7.92 3C, 29.5" VJ, 8'9" BJ and 35 reps on the BP. Compare those with Haloti Ngata (5.13 40, 1.73 10-split, 4.59 SS, 7.97 3C, 31.5" VJ, 9'2" B J and 37 reps on the BP).

Definitely someone to keep an eye on as a potential day 3 run stuffer. With Sealver Siliga in place, if the Pats keep VW or re-sign Alan Branch for 2015 then I think they can afford to take a year or two to develop a guy like Simon. Damon Harrison from William Penn has been a great small school addition for the Jets; Simon isn't as stout as Harrison, but is much more athletic. They team evidently has him on their radar, so he should be on ours.

Another tidbit: Simon did his pre-Combine preparation with Rosey Colvin.

http://www.natchitochestimes.com/vi...SU-tackle-Deon-Simon-prepping-for-NFL-Combine

Brandon Williams of Missouri Southern was a favorite of many people in 2013. Grid gave him a "top 10" rating. Baltimore took him 2 picks after Duron Harmon with the last regular pick in the 3rd round, and he started 14 games this year.

I haven't seen film of Simon. He is certainly more athletic than Williams. Sounds like he's a decent prospect. Definitely someone to evaluate.

Stanford's David Parry is another interesting one. He's only 308lbs but he too had a good 10yd split of 1.76, did 34 reps and jumped almost identically to Simon (didn't do the shuttles or 3cone). Parry is your typical NT build though so might be too similar to Siliga.

By the way, Rakeem Nunez-Roches hit a 34" vert and a 114" broad at 307lbs which puts him at 69.5 on Kiran's explosion index (70 is the cut off for explosive).

manxman2601 said:

By the way, Rakeem Nunez-Roches hit a 34" vert and a 114" broad at 307lbs which puts him at 69.5 on Kiran's explosion index (70 is the cut off for explosive).

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Speaking of the explosion index, some results form this year's combine:

- Vic Beasley 86-87 (35 BP + 41" + 10'10" BJ)
- Davis Tull 79.5 (26 BP + 42.5" VJ + 11' BJ)
- Owamagbe Odighizuwa 74-75 (25 BP + 39" VJ + 9'11" BJ))
- Trey Flowers 74.5 (28 BP + 36.5" VJ + 10' BJ)
- Mario Edwards 74.5 (32 BP + 32.5" VJ + 10' BJ)
- Deon Simon 72.5 (35 BP + 29.5 BJ + 8' BJ)
- Danny Shelton 71 (34 BP + 30 "VJ + 7' BJ)
- Randy Gregory 70.5 (24 BP + 36.5" VJ + 10' BJ)
- Anthony Chikillo 70.5 (27 BP + 34.5" VJ + 9' BJ)
- Preston Smith 68 (24 BP + 34" VJ + 10' BJ)
- Arik Armstead 67 (24 BP + 34" VJ + 9' BJ)
- Xavier Cooper 67 (29 BP + 29" VJ + 9' BJ)
- Jordan Phillips 66 (28 BP + 30" VJ + 8' BJ)
- Ellis McCarthy 65 (24 BP + 32" VJ + 9' BJ)
- Malcolm Brown 63.5 (26 BP + 26.5 VJ + 8' BJ)
- Dante Fowler 60.5 (19 BP + 32.5" VJ + 9' BJ)

Many players didn't do all 3 events, including Bud Dupree, Carl Davis, Henry Anderson, Shane Ray, Eli Harold, and Danielle Hunter. Eddie Goldman and Marcus Hardison didn't do the drills at all.

That is impressive for Simon. Good work on him.

I think we're going to draft a run stuffer as you suggest, Mayo, and probably fairly high (round 1 or 2)
I just have this sneaky feeling that we are going to give Big Vince his walking papers.

I love these types of posts. Guys that are a little under the radar, which helps refocus the larger picture with later round solutions to potential first round problems.

Great as always mayo.

If Mayo doesn't mind, I'll add another potential DT to the mix.

Leterrius (L.T.) Walton, Central Michigan, DT

6'5", 319lbs, 32 1/4" arms

5.35 forty, 1.79 10 split
4.78 shuttle
7.91 3cone
25 BP
27" vert
8'7" BJ

From CBS

STRENGTHS: Looks the part of an NFL player with broad shoulders, long arms and a tapered frame with excellent weight distribution. Despite his weight, appears to have the frame capable of handling additional muscle mass. Can surprise opponents with his initial burst, showing the quickness to penetrate gaps and enough flexibility and balance to re-direct laterally in pursuit. Flashes power to stack and shed blockers at the line of scrimmage and has enough strength to drag down ballcarriers as they attempt to run by.


WEAKNESSES: A project. Able to get by with sheer size and athleticism in the MAC but doesn't possess the functional strength at this time to hold up at the line of scrimmage in the NFL. Struggles to hold up to double-teams, especially when he allows his pads to get too high. Lacks variety as a pass rusher, relying almost exclusively on his initial quickness or a bull rush.

Overview:He leaves as a three-year starting defensive tackle, averaging 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks a year during that time. His statistics are hardly jaw-dropping but Walton was constantly double-teamed. He possesses the traits to excite scouts, including surprisingly light feet given his frame and long arms. Teams operating out of the traditional 4-3 or 3-4 schemes could be equally intrigued by Walton's potential, though he's likely at least a year in the weight room away from contributing in the NFL.

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Lance Zierlein at nfl.com

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calls him an "ascending player":

SOURCES TELL US
"I have a feeling he's going to be one of those guys who ends up being an NFL player that nobody sees coming. He was a baseball and basketball player, which means he has good hands and feet. More coaching might be able to unlock an NFL player." -- AFC West scout

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This is only five plays, but it gives you some idea of who he is:

And Zierlein on Deon Simon:

STRENGTHS
Imposing, wide frame. Displays powerful upper half with ability to manhandle centers or undersized guards. Can eat blocks and command his spot. Uses his hands well down the line of scrimmage against the run and has the tools to become a factor against the run as a pro.

WEAKNESSES
Fails to fire off the ball with quickness or explosion. Plays with straight legs, leading to inconsistency in his forward charge after contact. Motor runs hot and cold depending on game he's having. Turns into bored pass rusher if initial pass rush is quelled. Still learning to use strength to be more effective bull rusher. Has limited play radius against the run.

BOTTOM LINE
Big-bodied defensive tackle who could find a home as a two-gapping nose guard in a 3-4. Simon is 24 years old and is coming off of a knee injury, but he has noticeable power and shows potential to slow the run in the middle of a defense. He needs much better pad level and plenty of coaching for his potential to be unlocked.

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Two very interesting developmental prospects at DT.