Backup Defensive Linemen

[RayClay]

I think that the reality is that all the rest are developmental players with no real roles as yet.

BRACE
PRYOR
RICHARD
DEADERICK
WESTON

Agreed

The undiscussed question is whether we really need both Brace and Pryor, if both Warren and Lewis turn out as advertized. I don't either of them playing RDE any time soon, and we have lots of backup DT's.

We don't need either one, as you just stated. Pryor is a good looking player who will fill whatever role he can. he's really a 4-3 tackle, but can play some nose and has a good attitude, I think.

He'll never be what brace could be, though. Brace may never be what Brace could be either. Brace will be cut if he stops making progress, he's a project at a valuable position few have the body for. Pryor needs to worry about finding roles, his future has little or nothing to do with Brace, if Brace fails, they will go after another huge NT project.

 

[captain stone]

Thanks to Pats1, here's the up-to-date roster:
List of current NFL team rosters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Based on no more additions, and ass-uming full health, here's my prefered depth chart:

Ty Warren - Wilfork - Wright
Lewis - Brace - Pryor
Deaderick - Weston - Richard
Gordon - G.Warren - Grady
Love

After Wright & Ty Warren, there is no other natural 3-4 DE on this list. Lewis, and esp. Pryor & Grady are too short; Deaderick & G.Warren are too heavy & slow, though at least Deaderick is younger & played the position under Saban in college; Richard & Amon Gordon come closest, but are simply not talented enough to deserve serious consideration. Kyle Love? Never heard of him.

the 4-man chart looks like this:

Ty Warren - Wilfork - Brace - Wright
Lewis - Pryor - Weston - Deaderick
Richard - Grady - G.Warren - Gordon
Love

No matter which front is used, there is very little athleticism on it. Ty Warren is prob. the most athletic, but has been injured too often; Wright is next, but is limited; Pryor & Grady are too small for this system (I still don't know why they're here - they should be in Tampa or Indy); Lewis & Gordon are older, slightly bigger versions of Pryor & Grady; Richard & Love = fodder; the rest? Fuhgeddaboudem.

 

[mgteich]

You have elevated Brace to the first line in our 4-3 sets. I don't think he has done anything YET to justify being anything but a backup to Wilfork in case of injury (an important role). I see Lewis in this role instead of Brace.

Thanks to Pats1, here's the up-to-date roster:
List of current NFL team rosters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Based on no more additions, and ass-uming full health, here's my prefered depth chart:

Ty Warren - Wilfork - Wright
Lewis - Brace - Pryor
Deaderick - Weston - Richard
Gordon - G.Warren - Grady
Love

After Wright & Ty Warren, there is no other natural 3-4 DE on this list. Lewis, and esp. Pryor & Grady are too short; Deaderick & G.Warren are too heavy & slow, though at least Deaderick is younger & played the position under Saban in college; Richard & Amon Gordon come closest, but are simply not talented enough to deserve serious consideration. Kyle Love? Never heard of him.

the 4-man chart looks like this:

Ty Warren - Wilfork - Brace - Wright
Lewis - Pryor - Weston - Deaderick
Richard - Grady - G.Warren - Gordon
Love

No matter which front is used, there is very little athleticism on it. Ty Warren is prob. the most athletic, but has been injured too often; Wright is next, but is limited; Pryor & Grady are too small for this system (I still don't know why they're here - they should be in Tampa or Indy); Lewis & Gordon are older, slightly bigger versions of Pryor & Grady; Richard & Love = fodder; the rest? Fuhgeddaboudem.

 

[captain stone]

You have elevated Brace to the first line in our 4-3 sets. I don't think he does anything YET to justify being anything but a backup to Wilfork in case of injury (an important role). I see Lewis in this role instead of Brace.

In practice, I agree that Lewis will get first-line snaps at DT when a 4-man front is used. He will also be the top backup End in that front, esp. if Brace can show anything at all during short-yardage situations in TC.