Who do you guys think would be some good players for the 3-4 in this years draft? Obviously you have Haloti Ngata and Gabe Watson at NT, and Bobby Carpenter and maybe Manny Lawson at OLB. But who else do you think would fit a 3-4? Especially at end, I dont see many 3-4 ends in the draft. One player I like at OLB is Daryl Tapp...I think hes one of the players that could make a successful transition from end to LB
Mario Williams would be sick at 3-4 DE. He can rush the passer becuase of his crazy speed (4.66 40 yard dash) and stuff the run with his great strength (35 reps of 225). I think that A.J hawk would be pretty good OLB because he's strong and can take on blocks, chase down running backs, cover real well, and rush the passer. SOme other OLBs who i think would be good in the 3-4 are Thomas Howard, Demaco Ryans (He's solid, not a great pass rusher nor does he have great speed but he'll get the job done because he plays every play like it's his last), and Chad Greenway. If your good you'll be good in any system IMO but these guys will be better than others because of thier athlic ability or intensity
Hawk and Greenway can both play either ILB positions IMO. James Wyche and Stanley McClover are both pure pass rushers that could transition to OLB Rod Wright and Claude Wroten are both perfect at defensive end in a 3-4. Montavious Stanley and Tommy Jackson are both late round steals that could audition at nose tackle for us IMO.
A player the Jets may consider in Day 2 that would be a good fit in the 3-4....Chris Gocong from Cal Poly. Chris had a good workout at the combine and is in the mold of Mike Vrabel. Cocong is a little undersized, but has a terrific motor and is a lunchpail guy, seems like Mangini's type of player. Only negative is the competition Cocong played against.
D'Qwell Jackson Second best LB in this draft (but won't get drafted until end of first beginning of second). Played ILB in a 3-4 at Maryland and dominated.
WW's right on Gocong, great passrusher. They won't worry about Comp. with him though, they took Demarcus Ware at like #12 even though he came from Troy St. (n/i those mentioned already) 34 ends- Dusty Dvoracek, OU; Kyle Williams, LSU; Jon McCargo, NC St. 34 NT- Babatunde Oshinowo, Stanford; Gerald Anderson, Georgia; Sir Henry Anderson, Oregon St. 34 OLB- Eric Henderson, Georgia Tech; Frostee Rucker, USC; Jeremy Mincey, Florida As for ILB's, most can switch to 34 without problem unless they're smaller types, but Anthony Schlegal and Kai Parham (as at UVA) should be able to play right away in them.
Disagree on the Kai Parham one. The Virginia LBs are overrated this year and have had a bad showing. I think Parham ran above 5 seconds in the 40.
Parham had a poor 40 time, but's got the size and strength to be a very successful ILB in a 34. He's faster than that on the field, and really stepped after the rest of the Cav defense was either gone (Blackstock, Canty) or underachieving (Brooks when he came back). He and Chris Long both had very good seasons, and even though Parham's stock was hurt by the 40, he's a very nice option for 34 teams once the top names are off the board.
SUPER SLEEPER 3-4 DEFENSIVE PLAYER PROSPECTS Name: Anthony Montgomery School: Minnesota Position: DT/3-4 DE Height: 6'5" Weight: 305 lbs Speed: n/a Projected Round: 7th/Undrafted FA Scouting Report: Anthony is a solid interior plugger for the Gophers who demands a double team...Montgomery excelled as a 1 gap and 2 gap defensive player. He has been a consistent player, as he had 9 TFLs (Tackles For Lost) last year. A sleeper prospect at this point who the scouts [may not] know about, his stock will rise come combine time [if invited]. His athletic ability to sideswipe guards will impress NFL teams. On film, he looked pretty good, but needed to up his stats a little. Still, a lunchpail guy who will be good in the pros because there won't be alot of pressure on him to come in an preform early. A solid guy who could be a day 1 player if he works out well. http://www.thefootballgenius.com/draft/tfgrecs_2006/AnthonyMontgomery.html "After finishing the bulk of Minnesota?s games, including their last 5 games (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, and the Music City Bowl vs. Virginia) and noticing that Anthony Montgomery is not invited to the Combine as of early January, TFG remains firm that Anthony deserves a Second Round grade and is one of the most underrated prospects in recent memory... In the Second Quarter of the Ohio State game, Anthony got several one-on-one chances against Ohio State OLG Rob Sims. Anthony blew past Sims for a sack on a quick swim move. Several other times Anthony quickly disposed of Sims and disrupted. During the game, Anthony got to know Ohio State Center Nick Mangold quite well. Nick and Rob did a lot of double teams on Anthony, but still were unable to blow him back. After Q2, almost every Buckeye inside running play went away from Anthony, with Mangold sealing. Mangold is a fine Center. Sims is currently ranked as a mid rounder by the guru consensus, and is also playing OG this year after playing OT last year. The Mangold-Montgomery clashes were interesting, in that Mangold was able to hold his ground most of the time without help. Still, Anthony got the better of Mangold several times. Anthony Montgomery played at perhaps a First Round level against Ohio State. Anyone confused about Anthony?s true ability ought to watch that Ohio State tape?"
Name: Brandon McKinney School: Michigan St Position: DT/3-4 NT Height: 6'3" Weight: 327 lbs Speed: n/a Projected Round: 7th/Undrafted FA Scouting Report: A massive mountain of a man to move! He really stuffs the opposing teams run lanes and running game. He neutralizes his man one on one consistantly. Has strong arms and hands to handle his man. Normally takes on multiple blockers, which frees up other players to do their job. He is aggressive, and hustles to the ball frequently. Shows desire on most plays. Somewhat athletic for a man his size. Could use better conditioning. Due to his lack of good conditioning, he tends not to play the better part of the defensive snaps.
Name: Mark Anderson School: Alabama Position: DE/3-4 OLB Height: 6'4" Weight: 254 lbs Speed: 4.60 Projected Round: 4th/5th Scouting Report: Mark Anderson is a light defensive end with a quick first step and the ability to get to the QB. He can get off blocks and get to the ball-carrier in run support, as evidenced by his 11 tackles for loss in 2004 and 14 in 2005. He has some very nice athletic moves that help him get around the offensive tackle, although he generally tries to use his speed to beat the tackle wide. If he has a little space, he can use a quick stutter step to get the lineman leaning the wrong direction before running past him. Anderson is another one of those productive college defensive ends who is a bit undersized heading into the NFL. Anderson does need to get stronger as he can be driven out of the play by the offensive lineman if the lineman can get hold of him. The good news is that Anderson has the frame to support another 15-20 pounds of bulk. A solid senior season on a defense that received a lot of national attention should allow Anderson to go in the first couple rounds on day two of the 2006 NFL Draft. He is a player at the defensive end position who brings good pressure off the edges. He displays explosive quickness and speed off the snap, which he regularly uses in known passing downs with good swim move techniques and strong pressure off the edges. He is a rather agile and athletic player for the defensive end position, who possesses the ability to run down plays from the backside, which is rare for a player at his position. He reminds me of current NFL defensive end Willie McGinest, in stature and I feel he possesses the versatility and athletic ability to play both the defensive end and linebacker positions, with his agility, mobility, and lateral hip movement...With his athletic traits I mentioned above I feel his transition as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker would be a fluid and successful transition, I feel he would benefit greatly to this new hybrid position where his talents can be better utilized and deployed on opponents. With the tenacity and passion he shows on the field, along with the pursuit and closing speed he shows running down the ball, I feel his talent would blossom and make him a possible dominant player at the next level. I would say he is somewhat of a long strider and upright runner in pursuit of the ball due to a high waistline, which makes him susceptible to quick change of direction problems, but nothing I would worry about too much, because all he does is make plays on the field. If a NFL team were to deploy him in hybrid situations I feel he could become one of the later round more unheralded steals in this upcoming draft.
Name: Charles Bennett School: Clemson Position: DE/3-4 OLB Height: 6'4" Weight: 258 lbs Speed: 4.70 Projected Round: 5th/6th Scouting Report: Charles Bennett followed up his breakout 2004 season with a solid season in 2005. Bennett routinely made his presence felt in the backfield causing absolute terror for opposing quaterbacks. Bennett has great speed, which he often uses on the outside to blow by slower tackles. He has a quick initial burst as well as fast developing pass rush moves which help him to quickly move past the blocker. Bennett also does a very nice job of getting his hands up if he knows he won't reach the QB and always seems to know exactly where the QB is and what he is thinking. He plays his defensive end spot a little like an OLB which may help considering with his size at the moment he would project to be an OLB in a 3-4. Although he has a pretty good frame adding much more weight to his frame could have some negative effects on his game. Size will be an issue for him at the next level so his offseason workouts will play a large role in where he is selected in the 2006 NFL Draft.
There are a ton of 3-4 ends and 3-4 OLBs out there - just look for the "undersized" label and there you have it. Small DTs become great 3-4 ends and small DEs (with good hips) become great 3-4 OLBs.
I really like Kai Parham, even after running his 5-something. Im guessing he would play ILB? Or do you think we could move him to OLB as our pass rushing specialist? We could end up with some really nice depth next year. Assuming we sign Brad Kassell, and Parham plays ILB, we could have Vilma, Hobson, Kassell, AND Parham. Not too shabby :up:
I've been seeing a lot of old post on the main board lately where people are touting their own horns for having some good foresight. I thought I might do the same. The 3 of the 4 sleepers I brought up in this thread are doing pretty well for themselves. Mark Anderson Was drafted in the 5th round behind the likes of Eric Smith and Anthony Schlegel. While not being a starter, he had the fourth-highest sack total recorded by an NFL rookie since 1982 with 12.0. Finished second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. This year he took over the staring role and had Alex Brown sent to the bench. I still think he would be an even better 3-4 OLB. Anthony Montgomery Another 5th round pick. Despite seeing only limited action as a rookie, Anthony worked himself into the starting line-up in 2007 and has become an integral of Washington's 6th ranked rush defense. IMO Montgomery still would be a monster 3-4 DE. Brandon McKinney Went undrafted. Got picked up by San Diego, as a rookie he moved up from the practice squad, to the 53 man roster to 3rd NT on the depth chart. He is now 2nd in the depth chart at NT behind Jamaal Williams. He could easily start for us. He's not a better talent than Robertson just a better fit for the 3-4 scheme. Charles Bennett Went in the 7th round to Tampa Bay. He is struggling to stay on the roster as a DE. At just 245 lbs, he just does not have the bulk to be an every down 4-3 DE. He's best bet at any NFL success is to be released, find a team that runs the 3-4 and try his luck at OLB.
