2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

Joey007 said:
I get the value, but man.. taking a non pass rushing DT at 31 just doesn’t feel like the best allocation of resources.

I don't know the answer because I wasn't around when he was drafted but what were people saying when Wilfork was taken in the first?

Username · Mar 25, 2026

DoubleDeluxe said:
But it does seem getting a run stuffing DT who is limited in rushing is something you could do in the later rds.
I like Capeheart. Not sure where he goes, rd 4?

That's true, but there's levels of run stuffing, and McDonald will be elite at an NFL level as a run stuffer in year 1. I also think he's able to get after the QB, if he's not double teamed he's gonna get into the backfield quick. He's always double teamed though.

Look, I understand I'm very much against the grain here in what I value personally and I wouldn't for an instant claim that I'm right and everyone else is wrong. It's just that they're the type of players that appeal to me. He will impact the offense in every single snap, directly or indirectly. I'd take that over, say TJ Parker or Cashius Howell, who might flash two or three times a game. But again, that's just me.

Username · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
I don't know the answer because I wasn't around when he was drafted but what were people saying when Wilfork was taken in the first?

He was regarded as a top 10 talent that dropped to 21

Joey007 · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
There's a lot of value in a big guy in the middle who cause chaos, doesn't take a backwards step and collapsed pockets even if he doesn't get to the QB, he assists in a lot of sacks

But I'm a sucker for a big, run stuffing DT. The first two players I posted about in this class were McDonald and Capeheart. The heart loves what the heart loves.

I do really like the prospect. Not against him.

But I guess I would ask, what do you think we should be doing on the edges? Feels like we’re still awfully thin.

DoubleDeluxe · Mar 25, 2026

Username said:
He was regarded as a top 10 talent that dropped to 21

Yup, it was incredible value to get him where we did

Joey007 · Mar 25, 2026

manxman2601 said:
I don't know the answer because I wasn't around when he was drafted but what were people saying when Wilfork was taken in the first?

Also wasn’t around. But we did invest a ton into Rosie Colvin on the edge the season beforehand (he missed most of 03) also still had Vrabes and Willie.

We were pretty stacked on pass rushers.

Joey007 · Mar 25, 2026

Joey007 said:
Also wasn’t around. But we did invest a ton into Rosie Colvin on the edge the season beforehand (he missed most of 03) also still had Vrabes and Willie.

We were pretty stacked on pass rushers.

Not to mention… but at DT we didn’t have a young true NT at the time. That was around the time we were interchanging old space eaters like Ted Washington and Keith Traylor.

Username · Mar 25, 2026

Joey007 said:
I do really like the prospect. Not against him.

But I guess I would ask, what do you think we should be doing on the edges? Feels like we’re still awfully thin.

I agree, it's just a case of picking what you feel is most beneficial to the team overall.

I feel like McDonald comes in and is immediately out best run defender, better than Williams, Barmore et al on day 1. He is also going to be more impactful in the pass game than his stats suggest, purely from the chaos he generated. Certainly more impactful than Tonga was.

So then you look at the pass rushes that will be available at 31. Are any of them likely to be more impactful than what we have already? Are any of them going to be significantly better than the pass rushes that will be available later, to the point where you're comfortable passing on McDonald who has genuine elite traits and performance, but at a less flash, less sexy role?

I suppose it's all moot anyway, because it's highly improbable that he drops to us.

manxman2601 · Mar 25, 2026

Man! This DT class. Jayden Loving of Wake Forest is 308lbs and ran a 4.68-4.78 forty, jumped 35" and put 33 reps on the bench. Also has an 82.9 run defense grade.

dliverey44 · Mar 25, 2026

It would not hurt my feelings to see a rush package of nothing but 4 Bull Rushers and that will probably happen with Barmore, Milt, Dremont and Jacas (I am willing it into existence.

DaBruinz · Mar 25, 2026

dliverey44 said:
It would not hurt my feelings to see a rush package of nothing but 4 Bull Rushers and that will probably happen with Barmore, Milt, Dremont and Jacas (I am willing it into existence.

Best part is that Milt and Jacas can beat you with Bull Rushes or Speed.

dliverey44 · Mar 25, 2026

I want this guy on the Pats so bad. I have been watching alot of him lately and dude takes on double teams multiple times a game and holds his own.

mayoclinic · Mar 25, 2026

dliverey44 said:
I want this guy on the Pats so bad. I have been watching alot of him lately and dude takes on double teams multiple times a game and holds his own.

I agree.

What's interesting to me is that Van den Berg seems both very strong at the point of attack, and very disruptive. Rare combination.

I find it interesting that Mike Renner had Van den Berg at 121 in his Big Board in February, before the testing numbers.

Renner's 2026 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the top 200 prospects as the NFL combine unfolds

Ohio State boasts four top-10 prospects, while Miami's pass-rush duo lands inside the top 26.

www.cbssports.com

dliverey44 · Mar 25, 2026

I read that he had like 27 pressures and given the amount of 0-1 tech he played is uber impressive

Him next to Milt makes me salivate

DaBruinz · Mar 26, 2026

dliverey44 said:
I want this guy on the Pats so bad. I have been watching alot of him lately and dude takes on double teams multiple times a game and holds his own.

He's very likely the kind of guy that Vrabel wants for his defense at DT. I'd be interested to see if any of the comps are to Pat or Kevin Williams.

manxman2601 · Mar 26, 2026

Landon Robinson's bend. I don't really like linemen under 6' because they're such outliers, although I'm getting Willie Lampkin flashbacks, but Robinson is intriguing.

mayoclinic · Mar 26, 2026

Username · Mar 26, 2026

manxman2601 said:
Landon Robinson's bend. I don't really like linemen under 6' because they're such outliers, although I'm getting Willie Lampkin flashbacks, but Robinson is intriguing.

That's insane

Although part of me wonders if the next picture shows him eating grass

manxman2601 · Mar 27, 2026

dliverey44 · Mar 27, 2026

manxman2601 said:

I mean Milton Williams was sub 7 in the 3C at his pro day, but maybe he was considered at DE. He was listed at 284, maybe Dane just does not have a good memory. I mean its not like he doesn't know/study every kid that has ever played football in college. lol

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2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

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