Draft Nuggets 2015: Entry #16
By Jeff Bowers of youtube.com/TheSportsNarrative
Twitter: @sportsnarrative
Positional Breakdowns: Defensive Tackles
Even though on the surface running back, corner and defensive end might appear to be bigger needs for the Cowboys, I wouldn’t be surprised if they left round one on Thursday night with a defensive tackle. In the Marinelli scheme, rotating all four D Line spots and getting pressure with just for are very important, thus creating a need for quality depth throughout. With the addition of Greg Hardy, the Cowboys now have 3 quality edge rushers (though they could seek another) and they have many candidates at the 1 technique. However, there is little proven depth behind Tyrone Crawford at the 3 technique and an undersized. Pass-rushing DT would be a great position to target. So here as a look at the top DTs in this year’s draft and how they would fit in the Dallas scheme.
1. Leonard Williams, USC, 6’5” 302lbs – Williams is a natural force and is the best player in this draft by far. With the versatility to play 5 tech in a 3-4 or 3 tech in a 4-3, Williams should immediately start for whatever team chooses him and could turn into someone’s Warren Sapp.
Projection: Top 5
2. Danny Shelton, Washington, 6’2” 339lbs – Shelton is a mountain of a man and could solidify any team’s run defense instantly. While not exactly a force rushing the passer, Shelton has drawn comparisons to future HOFer Vince Wilfork with his endurance for a man his size. Whether a NT in a 3-4 or 1 tech in a 4-3, Shelton has a chance to anchor a DL for years to come.
Projection: Top 15
3. Malcolm Brown, Texas, 6’2” 319lbs – Brown is another “immovable object” on the defensive line and, while he is a bit more agile than Shelton, is not blessed with the same level of endurance. While he might be tabbed to play NT in a 3-4, I think his best position would be in a 4-3 where he can use his leverage and bull rush to wreck havoc in the backfield of opponents.
Projection: Top 20
4. Arik Armstead, Oregon, 6’7” 292lbs – At times, Armstead can flash dominance on tape. At other times, he disappears like rain on sand. At Oregon he was asked to play all over their defense, from DT to DE to even dropping into coverage. In the pros, Armstead is probably best cast as a 5 tech in a 3-4, though his surprising lack of burst in pass rushing is a worry and might make him no more than a solid contributor in his career.
Projection: 1st round
5. Eddie Goldman, Florida State, 6’4” 336lbs – Goldman is an underrated prospect who is an ideal 3-4 NT who loves the game and works hard at his craft. Though he has some technique and leverage quirks to work on, Goldman is a run stuffer that other team’s will learn to fear.
Projection: 1st round
6. Michael Bennett, Ohio State, 6’2” 293lbs – After a set of run stuffers, Bennett breaks the trend as a true pass-rushing DT. While he can get blown off the ball in the run game at times, his agility and savvy makes him truly dangerous when he pins his ears back to get to the QB, as 18 career sacks can attest. My only issue is his adequate passion for the game, though perhaps a nice contract or winning could alleviate that.
Projection: 1st/2nd
7. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma, 6’5” 329lbs – Phillips is likely to be a first round pick simply due to size, but a history of back issues for a man his size is a huge red flag for me. With long arms and a powerful base, Phillips draws comparisons to Terrance Knighton and might be a superior force versus the run given health and a monitoring of his weight.
Projection: 1st/2nd
8. Carl Davis, Iowa, 6’5” 320lbs – When he is interested, Davis can be a dominant and versatile force on defense. Could be a 1 tech or a 3 tech in the Cowboys defense and provide plus pass rush ability and solid run defense too. But has an inconsistent motor and raised major red flags in interviews at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. On tape, he is a beast. In person, you hope he isn’t.
Projection: 2nd round
9. Grady Jarrett, Clemson, 6’1” 304lbs – Jarrett is a plus pass-rushing 3 technique whose only big negative is his lack of height and short arms. Jarrett has displayed toughness playing through injuries, is a team guy and uses his big hands to his advantage. If Jarrett lasts to pick 60 for Dallas, Jarrett would be a very solid choice
Projection: 2nd-3rd
10. Marcus Hardison, Arizona State, 6’3” 307lbs – Hardison is a bit of an underrated prospect after suffering a knee injury at the Senior Bowl and not being able to run at the Combine. Hardison has a pro-ready body, nice burst and solid anchor vs the pass and run respectively. However, his motor runs hot and cold and he could struggle to grasp complex defensive concepts. Overall, Hardison looks like a solid rotational type DT who could become a starter in time.
Projection: 3rd round
11. Gabe Wright, Auburn, 6’3” 300lbs – 3rd round
12. Xavier Cooper, Washington State, 6’3” 293lbs – 3rd round
13. Christian Covington, Rice, 6’2” 289lbs – 3rd/4th
14. Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa, 6’2” 325lbs – 3rd/4th
15. Darius Philon, Arkansas, 6’1” 298lbs – 4th round
16. David Parry, Stanford, 6’1” 308lbs – 4th round
17. Leterrius “LT” Walton, Central Michigan, 6’4” 319lbs – 4th/5th round
18. Kaleb Eulls, Mississippi State, 6’3” 305lbs – 5th round
19. Derrick Lott, Chattanooga, 6’4” 314lbs – 5th/6th
20. Joey Mbu, Houston, 6’3” 313lbs – 5th/6th