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Let's talk a little more on JJ Watt vs. Muhammed Wilkerson

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midwestpatsfan

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We are just a week away from the draft and I think it is safe to say that Watt and Wilkerson are names that are associated with the Patriots quite a bit. For some, that makes some very happy, for others, they are not quite as pleased. I decided to go and watch as much film as I could on them to get a better opinion on him myself. I have been sick so I was able to watch full games(thank you espn3) and any and all highlights from youtube. Here is what I came up with.
J.J. Watt
Positives:
Extremely high motor, never seems to give up on a play, tough.
Very active hands-not lineman to lineman, but always has his hands up trying to knock down passes.
Has a decent amount of pass rush moves and is a good tackler.

Negatives:
His height weight is deceiving. He looks awfully light in his lower half to be an every down DE in the 3-4. The comparison to Mike Wright in terms of body type is spot on.
Gives up on getting to the QB too quickly IMO. He stops the rush to go for the pass deflection too early, and he jumps alot, leaving your feet is never a good idea when you are being blocked.
While he did show good pass rush moves, I think he did not use all of them often enough, usually fell in love with the bull rush and was not always effective.
Better against the run than I first thought, but he did get taken out of run plays more often than I would have liked to see.

Muhammed Wilkerson:
Positives:
Great power, extremely strong.
High motor guy that seems to be in on every play.
Perfect body type for the 3-4 end spot.
Good tackler and stout against the run

Negatives:
Raw, used his power and athleticism rather than technique to make plays
Does not have elite pass rush skills
Will need to work on play recognition
Not as fast or mobile as a guy like Watt

That is what I saw. What does that mean? I can see arguments for both. My concern with Watt will be durability, I see a guy who can contribute right away and get after the QB from the DE position but I can see him getting injured and run out of plays because of his build. I see a lot of Mike Wright in him, and when Wright is healthy, he has contributed, but he was also undrafted and did not require a big contract.

Wilkerson is raw and will need some coaching before he makes his real impact on the team. I think he is ready now to play the position but to be truly an effective player make take a year or 2. However, I see his upside as higher than Watts. Wilkerson has the same body type of Seymour and has the same athleticism, just raw. IF he can take to coaching, he could be a guy who not only puts up close to 10 sacks a year, but will not be able to run against either. Do the Patriots want to wait for him to develop or do they want the immediate impact of a guy like Watt?

The 3rd variable may be the Camerons', Jordan and Heyward. I have not gotten to them yet but hope to tonight if I can play up this sickness enough tonight while my wife cleans the house for easter.
 
Good analysis. Cameron Jordan please.
 
If we come out of the first round with either Watt, Jordan or Wilkerson and another solid player (in either order) I will be very happy.
 
Thanks letekro,
I was hoping to watch more film but my stupid job got in the way. I am going to cram this week like it was finals for college, only way more fun. I did just post one for my favorite running back in this draft as well.
 
Wilkerson was on Cowherd show yesterday. Brian Kenney filling in for Colin. He came across as a good kid. Very humble. Promised his mom to finish his degree. She wanted him to stay in school. Basketball background. I think they said his wingspan 84". Seymour used to knock quite a few passes down. Maybe this kid can do that too.

Being in Big 10 country. I saw a lot of Watt this year. He does seem like the type of guy who will be a playmaker at the next level. His batted pass, int and return against Michigan caught my attention. He's a converted TE from C.Michigan. Might explain his lack of lower body strength. Might be able to improve on that.

Don't think we can go wrong with either one. I'm also higher on Cam Heyward than many people. Saw him dismantle PSU in 09. Something Watt or Wilkerson didn't do. Cam Jordan is a great fit too.
This draft does give us options in areas of neeed.
 
Many flavors to chose from, just hope that BB picks the right one!
 
Thanks for the analysis. Very interesting. I don't see the Wright comparison as being spot on, though. Watt is a MUCH better athlete than Wright, with a much higher upside.

In my ideal world. I wish Jordan, Watt, Heywood, Wilkerson, and Kerrigan are ALL available when the Pats draft, simply to actually see who BB likes better with his pick.
 
I might be the only one in here who sees JJ Watt as a future BUST

I would take Muhammed of the two...any day,any time
 
Midwest,

This is actually one of thebetter breakdowns ive read. Thanks for the few tidbits!
 
I might be the only one in here who sees JJ Watt as a future BUST

I would take Muhammed of the two...any day,any time

I have concerns about Watt as well. Reminds me of Adam Carriker. I'm hoping for Jordan (and then Houston).
 
I might be the only one in here who sees JJ Watt as a future BUST

I would take Muhammed of the two...any day,any time

Awhile back, before really watching Watt, I said I thought he was a bust and he still might be. I too lean towards Wilkerson over Watt with everything being even. I tried to keep my analysis as unbiased as possible, but I think it kinda shows that I am not as high on Watt as some.
 
Reiss puts the spotlight on Wilkerson today.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4695171/10-possible-patriots-mo-wilkerson

Intriguing comments:

"For the style of 3-4 defense the Patriots employ, a strong case could be made that Wilkerson fits the defensive end profile better than any prospect, including J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan and Cameron Heyward. He was a team captain."

The bold on the captain bit is from me — I thought it was interesting Reiss pointed that out; Pats have been into drafting captains lately. Wouldn't be a shocker to see the Pats "reach" for him at 17. Or maybe they trade down a few spots, add a pick or two, and still get him.
 
BB has had a knack for guys who were team captains for their teams.

Watt has this "wrong body type" thing written all over him. Like he shouldn't be playing DE. He does look like a big, blocking TE like Manumaleuna (when he was fit) or Alge Crumpler. But, he does have the versatility of having played in a 4-3 scheme as DE, like Jordan, and you know BB also likes to mix up fronts. Wilkerson, he only played DT.
 
They've both good prospects but Watt has a higher upside and athleticism so to me he gives this defense another dimension that is missing upfront. Watt IS the most explosive lineman in this draft and he has the agility of a linebacker. The only defensive player who posted better overall numbers was Von Miller. A guy who weighs 40 lbs LESS.

We need an RDE who can also get after the QB not a JARP - Just another run plugger. I think both players might be available at #17 if 3 QBs go before then. So we'll see who BB likes best if that scenario develops come draft day.
 
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Did Watt even work out for the Pats...or get an interview?

I don't have a record of it.....am I missing something?
 
Wilkerson should be there at 28.
 
Did Watt even work out for the Pats...or get an interview?

I don't have a record of it.....am I missing something?

I haven't heard of the Pats working out Watt.

According to this contact/interview list the DL the Pats have had multiple contacts with are:
Bailey, Jordan, and Wilkerson.

But I'm not really sure what that means in regards to their actual interest level concerning Watt. I don't believe that the Pats worked out Wilfork either.
 
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BB has had a knack for guys who were team captains for their teams.

Watt has this "wrong body type" thing written all over him. Like he shouldn't be playing DE. He does look like a big, blocking TE like Manumaleuna (when he was fit) or Alge Crumpler. But, he does have the versatility of having played in a 4-3 scheme as DE, like Jordan, and you know BB also likes to mix up fronts. Wilkerson, he only played DT.
Not to pick on you, but you must not have caught a Temple game this season - Muhammad played everywhere on the D-line from 4-3 DE to 3-tech to 3-4 NT to 3-4 DE in the two games I got to see. Temple liked to move him around to force the offense to look for him. The favorite comparison pundits now make is Ty Warren, which is legitimate, but incomplete, I look at him as a blend of Warren with Mike Wright. He's got the same kind of build Warren has, but he seems to have some of Wright's quickness getting into the backfield and disrupting things. Perhaps if people compared him to Ty Warren ca. 2006/2007 where Ty got into the backfield and pressured the QB more.
 
Wilkerson for me too. I've never been convinced about Watt, especially not if it takes a top-20 pick.
 
I might be the only one in here who sees JJ Watt as a future BUST

I would take Muhammed of the two...any day,any time
I agree.

Too many similarities to Mike Mamula to warrant such a high pick. Wilkerson has a higher ceiling, IMO.
 
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