I know our D line is aging and as of now it really looks like we need d line help, but I think there are more pressing needs that can and should be taken care of in the first round instead of drafting a d lineman. Here is my reasoning: 1. Mike Devito. (26 yrs old) The kid went undrafted and in less than three years we turned him into a starter. 3-4 D-line is one of the easier positions to turn lower round talent (or undrafted players) into stars. These guys aren't flashy players and often get overlooked in the combine because they aren't workout warriors and nor do they need to be. Dont forget we have Matt Kroul (pos. second coming of Devito) 2. Ropati Pitoitua (25 yrs old) I really think if it wasn't for this injury the kid would be a rotating in throughout the season. When Ropati came in he was definitely very raw but he has been making plays every preseason (its hard not to want to follow a 6'8 undrafted rookie). Every year he has been getting better and I think this would have been his breakout year. You even heard Rex comment about it on Hard Knocks before he got injured. 3. Sione Pouha (31 yrs old) I realize he is 31 years old but he came into the league at 26 and has only really played for two years. The guy has a lot of tread left on his tires besides the fact that alot of d-lineman can play for a really long time. (Pat Williams, Ted Washington, Grady Jackson) 4. Jarron Gilbert For all of you It's always Sunny fans WILDCARD!!!! I know, I know, he can't play, he only was drafted because he jumped out of a pool. But I really don't think Rex would have said pre draft, that he liked him, then picked him up when the bears dropped him and then once a roster spot opened elevated him to the Active Roster. Rex said that Chicago made Jarron lose like 20-30 lbs so it might take some time to get his strenght back, but if you watched any of his Senior Bowl tape, the kid was quick off the line and Really strong. This all being said I am not against us drafting a D-lineman in the draft I just think that we shouldn't draft one with our 1st round pick unless he is BPA and we can't trade down for good value. I think we should wait until rounds 3-5 to try and maybe try to pick up a nose tackle.
Don't you think you defeated the premise of this thread with that comment? With Ellis a strong possibility of being out of the equation and Gilbert still untested, I would put a DE as a high priority.
I don't think I defeated the point of the thread. Is De a need based on the age of our starters ATM, YES....Do I think we need to address it with out first pick, No. I think that our defense could use some more speed at OLB and Safety. Being that we are going to pick at the end of the draft this year because we will be in the playoffs, we can get a top 2 safety prospect. Look at where earl thomas got drafted last year. Our problem at the moment isn't our inability to stop the run or having our de improperly engage two blockers, we are doing that fine. Our biggest struggle on defense like we all know is getting a consistent pass rush (OLB) and getting interceptions (safety). I know safety isn't often seen as that important of an aspect on defense but in Rex's defense its huge.
I understand Ellis will probably be gone but that doesn't mean we can't find a savy vet to fill in. Ellis has barely played the past 3-4 weeks (minus last week because pryce was injured). This year we found Pryce, last year we had fricken Howard Green and the year before that it was Kenyon Coleman. Yea they aren't great players but they did the job and in the past three years the cycling in of those three players didnt stop us from being a top defense or run defense.
We can't keep signing stopgap vets like Trevor Pryce and Marques Douglas. This team has to get younger on the defensive line. 2011's draft has a lot of top tier talent at 3-4 end. This is our best chance to land a franchise player on the line.
I've been scouting some players recently and one stood out: His name is Chris. He's 5'10 and extremely muscular and lightning fast. He's a very raw football player, but an amazing athlete. He's not very coordinated and he can't catch to save his life. Here's what one of our fellow posters said about him: Oh wait, that's you. I bet this prospect could rack up double digit sacks consistently. Looks like we'll be able to find a solid pass rusher outside of the first after all.
Precisely why we do not need to draft one in the first round. We have enough talent at Dline to be able to draft a guy in the 3rd or 4th round this year so he can start next year if Ropati or Gilbert don't pan out.
You're not making any sense, man. The 3-4 DE talent at the top of this draft is the best we've seen in a while. ...why should we wait to grab a less-talented prospect? We most definitely do not have the talent or depth to wait around for a mid-rounder. Shaun Ellis is closer to being done than most people seem to think. Mike DeVito is an over-achiever that will work best in a rotation. Ropati Pitoitua is coming off of a major injury and Jarron Gilbert is pretty damn far from being a sure thing. Our lack of depth at 3-4 DE would be blatantly obvious if we had an injury at the position. (*knock on wood) 2011 has so much top tier talent at 3-4 end that a great player could fall into our laps - Marcell Dareus, Allen Bailey, Adrian Clayborn, Nick Fairley, Marvin Austin, Cameron Jordan, JJ Watt, Lawrence Guy, and Cameron Heyward are all first round talents. There's no way that many 34 ends go in the first.
They'll all be gone by the middle of the second round. This draft isn't as deep as you seem to think. There's a lot of top level talent, but a lot of the positions are very mediocre outside of the top five.
The jets should have drafted a 3-4 DE last year in the first round. If they don't take a d-lineman in the first or second (or third depending on Cro stipulations) I'd be stunned/pissed. Unless they have plans for free agency..
Who we're they supposed to draft at #29 at the DE position??? There was no value at #29 for a DE. The true next 3-4 DE after #29 was Carlos Dunlap at #54 to the Bengals. The Jets took the BPA.
Regarding the assumption Shaun Ellis might not be back next year, what's the reasoning? Retiring? I understand he's not worth what he once was, but I think he could contribute rotationally. I think he'll take one look at what FA is offering, then resign with the Jets on a smaller deal...
I'd have no problem with him being re-signed to a smaller contract. I think he's really taken a step back - it just seems like he's wearing down.
I think he can still contribute though, maybe not as a fulltime starter. You can get a lot out of older 3-4 Ends if you manage his time wisely. Of course this is coming from a huge Shaun Ellis fan who doesn't want to see him leave, so my vision might be slighted to some extent...
^ I think he can still contribute in a rotation too ...but we don't have a rotation and that's what I was trying to explain to the OP. I'm sure you understand this though. Matt Kroul's been playing some lately. Hopefully he can continue to get meaningful reps. It'd be nice to see guys like Pitoitua and Gilbert step up, but I'd still like to see us bring in a potentially elite 34 defensive end through the draft.
Of course there needs to be more talent added to the current DE situation, when you have to rely heavily on the likes of 10+ year vets on the downside of their careers, it's gonna end up biting you in the ass eventually. It also reflects the depth at the position. Some say you don't need the most talented players at DE for a 3-4 to be effective, but I don't necessarily agree. Sure, you can stick someone in there who just follows their assignments and do fine, but stick a Marcell Dareus or Nick Fairley there who can follow assignments AND more, it takes the defense to a whole new level...
I hope they do go D-line early, there needs to be more size and depth there. It would do wonders for the pass rush, making the path to the qb much easier for blitzing LBs and safeties.
