Talking Defensive Tackles - 2014

[Kontradiction]

I haven't focused enough on Jernigan because I didn't consider him a BB type previously because I thought of him as a one-gapper only. He did impress me in the Championship game however as a run stopper which intrigued me more.

The DL actually one gapped a lot more this year than they had in previous years, by my estimation. Now, of course, this was after Wilfork went down. But they did a fair amount of one gapping. If they continue to make the transition to that, Jernigan would be a tasty prospect. I would be absolutely fine with Nix as well if Wilfork doesn't return to the Big Vince we all know and love (which, unfortunately, is a very real prospect).

 

[mgteich]

AS WE APPROACH THE DRAFT
We have

top three - C. Jones, Siliga, Wilkork or Kelly or a replacement top free agent
backups - Vellano, Forston, Armstead

CONCLUSION
Sure, we could always use a stud DT. However, this position is not likely to be as much a draft need as a TE, a DE for the rotation, a DE for the sub-package, an offensive lineman, a strong safety or even another corner.

 

[Wilfork#75]

There are 3 DT's I would love to get in the 1st round; Hageman, Nix and Donald. All are very different and offer different skills sets, but I think all 3 would be fantastic fits. If we could pull off a Mallett for #33 trade I also wouldn't hesitate to take two of them (hell I would take all 3 if I could). Realistically I think Hageman will be long gone after he blows up the combine. I think there is still a chance Nix falls due to his injury and lack of demand for NT's. I am hoping Donald falls due to his size but I think its probably 50-50 that he makes it to 29 now.

I'm torn on Tuitt, I love the size and athleticism but his play never really lived up to my expectations. I wouldn't touch him round 1, but round 2 I think he would certainly be intriguing. With the way his draft stock is slipping it wouldn't surprise me if he fell to the 3rd round.

In the end I think Jernigan and Hageman are the top DT's off the board. The other guy I think will rise late and could be a surprise as the 3rd DT off the board is Ego Ferguson. I have a feeling he will end up a 1st round pick and could go ahead of Donald and Nix.

The DL actually one gapped a lot more this year than they had in previous years, by my estimation. Now, of course, this was after Wilfork went down. But they did a fair amount of one gapping. If they continue to make the transition to that, Jernigan would be a tasty prospect. I would be absolutely fine with Nix as well if Wilfork doesn't return to the Big Vince we all know and love (which, unfortunately, is a very real prospect).

I think early on we played a lot of different combinations of one and two gapping up front as well. With versatility of a BB defense I wouldn't be too concerned with trying to fit in a more penetrating DT like Jernigan or Donald. Im sure there are plenty of ways we could incorporate a pass rushing or run stopping DT.

 

[doesntmatter1]

I think Oklahoma St. dt Calvin Barnett is someone that will shoot up draft boards.

 

[mayoclinic]

There are 3 DT's I would love to get in the 1st round; Hageman, Nix and Donald. All are very different and offer different skills sets, but I think all 3 would be fantastic fits. If we could pull off a Mallett for #33 trade I also wouldn't hesitate to take two of them (hell I would take all 3 if I could). Realistically I think Hageman will be long gone after he blows up the combine. I think there is still a chance Nix falls due to his injury and lack of demand for NT's. I am hoping Donald falls due to his size but I think its probably 50-50 that he makes it to 29 now.

I'm torn on Tuitt, I love the size and athleticism but his play never really lived up to my expectations. I wouldn't touch him round 1, but round 2 I think he would certainly be intriguing. With the way his draft stock is slipping it wouldn't surprise me if he fell to the 3rd round.

In the end I think Jernigan and Hageman are the top DT's off the board. The other guy I think will rise late and could be a surprise as the 3rd DT off the board is Ego Ferguson. I have a feeling he will end up a 1st round pick and could go ahead of Donald and Nix.

I have Jernigan and Hageman rated as my top 2 DT prospects. If either slipped to 29 they would be great value. Hageman has freakish upside, but he does disappear at times; Jernigan also has tremendous potential, but is more consistent right now. I agree with you about Ego Ferguson - he's probably my number 3 - and about Tuitt, who I think is a risk in the 1st round.

There's nothing to not like about Aaron Donald, but his size is more of a question mark for me than the other guys. I have trouble seeing him holding up as a starter against NFL lineman for a full season. I would be reluctant to spend a 1st on him. Jernigan played NT for Florida St. and has exceptional strength and durability for his size, so I'm less concerned about those issues with him.

Nix is a 1st round talent, but he's not Wilfork, and I personally wouldn't take a pure run stuffer that high when there are so many good 2-down run-stuffing NTs in this draft (Justin Ellis, Zach Kerr, Beau Allen, among others). I personally like the idea of Linval Joseph replacing Wilfork and then adding someone like Hageman or Jernigan if they are available, or just keeping Tommy Kelly, who played quite well for us. Siliga, Jones and hopefully Armstead provide plenty of depth and versatility.

I think early on we played a lot of different combinations of one and two gapping up front as well. With versatility of a BB defense I wouldn't be too concerned with trying to fit in a more penetrating DT like Jernigan or Donald. Im sure there are plenty of ways we could incorporate a pass rushing or run stopping DT.

I agree. I think we'd have lots of options, be able to throw lots of different looks at teams, and be able to go 5 deep at the DT rotation and keep guys fresh.

 

[everlong]

I have Jernigan and Hageman rated as my top 2 DT prospects. If either slipped to 29 they would be great value. Hageman has freakish upside, but he does disappear at times; Jernigan also has tremendous potential, but is more consistent right now. I agree with you about Ego Ferguson - he's probably my number 3 - and about Tuitt, who I think is a risk in the 1st round.

I agree with this 100%. I'd also add if they got Houston's pick @33 perhaps Hageman and Jernigan would warrant a double move up into the low to mid 20's like the Jones and Hightower draft. I would be ecstatic with that even if it means no 3rd or 4th rounder. You could still address C\OG in the second or trade back to replentish the picks if there's no value. It would make TE an FA priority to grab either Pettigrew or Chandler but I like that better anyway.

 

[mayoclinic]

I agree with this 100%. I'd also add if they got Houston's pick @33 perhaps Hageman and Jernigan would warrant a double move up into the low to mid 20's like the Jones and Hightower draft. I would be ecstatic with that even if it means no 3rd or 4th rounder. You could still address C\OG in the second or trade back to replentish the picks if there's no value. It would make TE an FA priority to grab either Pettigrew or Chandler but I like that better anyway.

Right now my "best case" scenario is something like:

- Re-sign Edelman, or sign a lower-cost alternative (Riley Cooper or Jeremy Maclin)
- Re-sign Blount, or sign an alternative (Toby Gerhart)
- Sign a UFA interior OL who upgrades the line (ideally Alex Mack, but Jon Asamoah and Rodger Saffold are options)
- Sign a UFA in-line TE (Brandon Pettigrew is my preference) to pair with Gronk
- Sign UFA DT Linval Joseph, or at least re-structure Wilfork

29. Jernigan or Hageman
33 (assuming Mallett trade). Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford
62 (possibly with a slight trade back). Marcus Smith or Christian Jones.

Then go back to offense starting in the 3rd round and add an interior lineman, move TE, and depth at WR.

 

[everlong]

Right now my "best case" scenario is something like:

- Re-sign Edelman, or sign a lower-cost alternative (Riley Cooper or Jeremy Maclin)
- Re-sign Blount, or sign an alternative (Toby Gerhart)
- Sign a UFA interior OL who upgrades the line (ideally Alex Mack, but Jon Asamoah and Rodger Saffold are options)
- Sign a UFA in-line TE (Brandon Pettigrew is my preference) to pair with Gronk
- Sign UFA DT Linval Joseph, or at least re-structure Wilfork

29. Jernigan or Hageman
33 (assuming Mallett trade). Trent Murphy, DE, Stanford
62 (possibly with a slight trade back). Marcus Smith or Christian Jones.

Then go back to offense starting in the 3rd round and add an interior lineman, move TE, and depth at WR.

As much as I hate to say it unless they somehow talk Amendola into a restructure for less money Edelman is gone. They can't afford 10M on the slot. A guy like Maclin brings a different skill set. I like your other moves. I wouldn't rule out a big receiver like Bolden if they can't find the right TE. He may want too much coin for the Pat's liking though.

 

[mayoclinic]

As much as I hate to say it unless they somehow talk Amendola into a restructure for less money Edelman is gone. They can't afford 10M on the slot. A guy like Maclin brings a different skill set. I like your other moves. I wouldn't rule out a big receiver like Bolden if they can't find the right TE. He may want too much coin for the Pat's liking though.

It's OT for this thread, but I'm frankly assuming Edelman is gone until proven otherwise. I think the Pats would be foolish to keep both Edelman and Amendola - too much redundancy at one position, at too much of a cost. Josh Boyce will provide plenty of backup capability, and more of an ability to stretch the field. We're probably stuck with Amednola - Edelman had a better year last year, but it's only 1 year, and Amendola was injured.

I'd much rather complement one of Amendola/Edelman with a Riley Cooper or Jeremy Maclin and spend the difference on a TE like Pettigrew.

There is such good day 3 depth in this draft. The Pats could pick up Arthur Lynch, Richard Rodgers or Xavier Grimble, plus a FB/H-Back like Trey Millard. Mark Harrison could also factor into the mix, either as a big WR or as a WR/move TE hybrid. Add a TE like Pettigrew and a more complementary receiver, with the expected development of Dobson-Thompkins-Boyce, and all of a sudden you'd have a very deep and diverse group of receiving threats, at very reasonable cost. That would leave with with day 1-2 and part of day 3 to address OL and DL.

 

[varjao]

This position deserves special attention because depending the way it unfolds can get a lot of changes in the roster.

If a stud DT fall into our spot, drafting him and cutting Wilfork could be a upgrade in the position and a good money available to address FA.

As mentioned previously in this thread, BB found some good value on Siliga and Jones, players we can think as 5th round value. Also Vellano provides depth.

I have a short memory but it seems to me that Kelly was playing in a high level early in the season. I love Wilfork but he can't rush the passer. Even if he come back 100%, this will be BB's main concern this off season. At this point I have more confidence in Kelly having an impact than Vince.

Run defense is important of course, but BB was able to address in the same season in a 6 or 7 games span. Pass defense, pressure on the QB on the other hand is an issue hard to fix. There you need a playmaker. So I'm ok to get a DT if he can provide interior penetration, a rusher. I'll pass any guy who can only stop the run.

If Wilfork agrees to restructure, than I can say we are all set at the position, use the picks in a top DE and the other needs on the offense or secondary.