3-4 Prospects

Rambo13 · Feb 12, 2007

I'm going to try to start a list of players who may be especially fit for the 3-4 and provide some relevant descriptions or comparisons that will help justify this opinion. All else are welcome to contribute and discuss.

NFLDraftCountdown said:

Jamaal Anderson - DE - Arkansas - 6'6" 280 lbs

Strengths:
Has great size with a large frame and long arms...A smooth athlete with excellent agility...Strong and powerful...Terrific pass rusher who can be effective with either a bull-rush or finesse moves...Does a quality job versus the run...Motor runs non-stop...Very good in pursuit and has a burst to close...Is versatile and could play a number of different roles depending on the scheme he is in...Has a ton of upside.

Weaknesses:
Does not have a lot of starting experience...Timed speed and quickness are good but not great...Still pretty raw and will need some technique work...Will play too high and needs to display more consistent leverage...He will struggle to separate from blocks at times...You could run the risk that he is simply a one-year wonder.

Notes:
His father Glenn played college basketball at Gallaudet University...Had a terrific junior campaign in 2006 despite a lack of national recognition...Could easily fit in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme...Similar to Richard Seymour and could be a poor-man's Mario Williams...Even though he's not yet a finished product this guy has all the tools to develop into a premier all-around defensive end in the pros.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Adam Carriker - DE - Nebraska - 6'6" 295 lbs

Strengths:
Has outstanding size and a big frame...Has tremendous strength and is extremely powerful...Holds his ground and is exceptional against the run...Has a motor that never stops...Solid tackler...Instinctive and pursues well...Is technically sound and uses his hands well...Is versatile and could play a number of different roles and positions...Very productive...Tough guy and a hard worker with great intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Is not overly athletic and lacks great timed speed...A DE / DT 'tweener...He might be too tall and has trouble protecting his lower body...Is not a great natural pass rusher...Is not explosive and doesn't have a burst to close...Has battled through a series of minor injuries during his career...May not be a good fit for every team.

Notes:
Might be able to move inside to tackle but his best fit at the pro level will probably come as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...He isn't the type of flashy pass rusher we are accustomed to seeing from the position but that isn't everything...With so many teams now moving to the 34 defense there will probably be a high demand for this guy so don't be surprised if the "Blackshirt" goes higher than most expect.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Ray McDonald - DE - Florida - 6'3" 280 lbs

Strengths:
Has excellent size and the frame to get even bigger...A good athlete who is quick and explosive...Versatile with experience at both end and tackle...Has good range and pursues well...Sure tackler...Strong and gets a good push...Able to penetrate and makes plays in the backfield...Hard worker with top intangibles...Has upside.

Weaknesses:
A DE / DT 'tweener who might not have a true position at the next level...He does not have great speed...Plays too high and leverage is an issue at times...Can get knocked back when he lets his technique slip...Not a dynamic pass rusher...Missed most of the 2005 season with knee injuries and durability is still a major concern.

Notes:
His father, Ray Sr., played wide receiver for the Gators back in the 1980's...Was overshadowed by Marcus Thomas and Jarvis Moss to a degree but he had a great senior season and saw his draft stock soar...Could realistically play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme...Needs to stay healthy but has some intriguing physical tools and could interest 34 teams as an end or 43 teams as an undersized tackle.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Baraka Atkins - DE - Miami - 6'4" 275 lbs

Strengths:
Has good size and bulk with a nice frame...Stout against the run...Good strength and power...Agile and quick off the snap...Is versatile with experience at multiple positions...Gets excellent penetration...Plays with good leverage and balance...He was durable...Has a lot of experience...Solid production...Still has some potential.

Weaknesses:
Classic 'tweener who's not big enough to play inside yet doesn't have the ideal speed or athleticism needed for the outside...Was never really able to focus on mastering a single position...Has an inconsistent motor...Not a great pass rusher or sack artist...Questionable work ethic...Was actually benched for a while in '06.

Notes:
His father is the mayor of Sarasota, Fla and his brother, Dumaka, plays center at Florida St...He was a four-year starter who bounced back and forth between end and tackle throughout his career but finally settled in on the interior for the most part as a junior and senior...Tough to evaluate because he was basically playing out of position the last two years...His best pro fit may be at end in a 3-4 scheme.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Alan Branch - DE - Michigan - 6'6" 331 lbs

Strengths:
Has outstanding size and a huge frame...Extremely strong and powerful...Terrific athlete for his size...Able to take on multiple blockers...Versatile with experience at numerous positions in different schemes...Stout at the point and plays the run very well...Delivers a jolting initial punch...Sheds blockers well...Able to penetrate, collapse the pocket and make plays in the backfield...Still has some major upside.

Weaknesses:
Is not a great pass rusher...Not real explosive and lacks elite quickness...Might be a little too tall and does not always play with proper leverage...Does not use his hands to work around blockers very well...Stamina and weight have been issues.

Notes:
Was also a three-year starter on the varsity basketball team in high school and he even returned five punts for touchdowns as a prep...Is similar in some ways to John Henderson...Has played defensive end in a 3-4, defensive tackle in a 4-3 and nose tackle in both alignments for the Wolverines during his career...A marvelous talent who could be one of the most coveted defensive players in the entire draft.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Justin Harrell - DE - Tennessee - 6'4" 300 lbs

Strengths:
Has good size with long arms and the frame to bulk up further...Athletic with solid speed and good quickness...Is mobile with pretty good range...Plays the run well and is a good tackler...Will penetrate and make plays in the backfield...Tough and will play through pain...May have some versatility...Hard worker...Top intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Has some health concerns and durability is a major question mark...He struggles to shed blockers...Has an inconsistent motor...Can use his hands better...Is not overly stout at the point...Is not real powerful and his good weight room strength does not always translate to the field...He never really had a breakout campaign.

Notes:
Missed the majority of his senior season with a ruptured biceps tendon but put off surgery for a week so he could help his team in a big game against Florida...Does everything well but doesn't really stand out in any one area...Might also project to defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...The Volunteers have a strong pro tradition when it comes to defensive tackles and Harrell will attempt to follow in the footsteps of John Henderson, Shaun Ellis, Darwin Walker, Rashad Moore and Jesse Mahelona.
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Rambo13 · Feb 12, 2007

NFLDraftCountdown said:

Ryan McBean - DE - Oklahoma State - 6'5" 290 lbs

Strengths:
Very athletic...Has great quickness and a burst...Has good strength...Stout at the point of attack and holds his ground...Mobile with good range in pursuit...He has a solid motor and is very active...Plays with good leverage...Still has a lot of upside.

Weaknesses:
Needs to get a little bigger and bulk up...Inconsistent and doesn't always play up to his immense talent...Wasn't very productive...Instincts and play recognition are questionable...Does not use his hands well...Raw and far from a finished product.

Notes:
Originally from Jamaica...A junior college transfer who has only played two years of Division I football...Possible 3-technique tackle in a 4-3 scheme or an end in the 3-4...Typical workout warrior who has great physical tools but his play on the field won't always reflect it...Could get drafted much earlier than expected if teams fall in love with his measurables and potential...Is probably a boom or bust prospect.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Turk McBride - DE - Tennessee - 6'4" 275 lbs

Strengths:
Has a decent frame and could still add some bulk...Is very quick off the snap...Has an excellent motor...Mobile with good range...Gets good penetration...Strong and powerful...A very good athlete...Does a tremendous job in pursuit...Superb initial punch...Versatile and can play many roles in a number of schemes....A big upside.

Weaknesses:
'Tweener who is undersized in the middle and not fast enough for the outside...Is still raw and does not have a lot of starting experience...Has trouble disengaging from blocks...Is not a great natural pass rusher or sack artist...Is not stout at the point and will get pushed back...Lacks elite timed speed and a burst...Durability?

Notes:
His real first name is "Claude"...Has experience at both tackle and end and could project to either at the next level...Was buried on the depth chart behind three future pros (Jesse Mahelona, Justin Harrell, and Tony McDaniel) early in his career and didn't really get an opportunity to shine until 2006 but he made the most of it and had an outstanding senior campaign...Best fit at the next level could come as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...Could get chosen earlier than the tape would suggest due to his vast potential...Intriguing prospect whose stock is on the rise.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

Antonio Johnson - DE - Mississippi State - 6'3" 300 lbs

Strengths:
Has great size and the frame to get a little bigger yet...Very athletic with excellent quickness...Timed speed is very good...Is strong and powerful...Mobile with good range...Sheds blocks and disengages well...Makes plays in the backfield...Displays flashes of brilliance and can be almost dominant at times...Still has lots of upside.

Weaknesses:
Was not very productive and is not a great pass rusher...Instincts and awareness are questionable...Has only two years of Division I experience and only started for one...Plays too high at times...He's not stout at the point of attack and can be run at...Might only be a wave player in the pros...Still raw and needs technique work.

Notes:
Did not play during his senior high school campaign and then played his first two years at Mississippi Delta Community College...Has just about everything you look for physically...Some team will likely take a flyer on him earlier than his play would dictate based on his measurables and immense potential...A developmental guy.
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NFLDraftCountdown said:

David Patterson - DE - Ohio State - 6'3" 285lbs

Strengths:
Has a great motor...Mobile with decent speed and good quickness...Sheds blocks well...Versatile with starting experience at tackle and end...Technically sound and uses his hands well...Tough and a hard worker...Has a lot of playing experience.

Weaknesses:
Does not have the bulk that you look for...A 'tweener who might not have a true pro position...Is not overly strong, powerful or stout at the point...Lacks a burst and does not close fast...Not a fit for every team...Is he just a situational player?

Notes:
His best fit might be at defensive end in a 3-4 scheme but he's probably more of a backup type...Unheralded member of a very talented Buckeye defense who may not be an elite pro prospect but is very solid and could certainly be a contributor.
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Things to note so far: There a lot of potential 3-4 Ends in this draft so when we miss out on Carriker we can still get a good one in the second or third without worrying much. I didn't see many people who were cited as potential Nose Tackles and didn't record the OLBs yet.

Theo Lambros · Feb 12, 2007

Sticking Anderson in a 3-4 would really limit his effectiveness as a pass-rusher. It's kind of a waste, although he has the body type for it.

Some other guy off the top of my head...

DE/NT Brandon Mebane
DE/NT Antonio Johnson
DE Ryan McBean
DE Ikaika Alama-Frances
DE Xzavie Jackson
DE Turk McBride
DE STeven Harris
DE Clifton Ryan
NT Paul Soliai
NT DeMarcus Tyler
NT Stanley Doughty
NT Marquay love

Namath2Kolber · Feb 12, 2007

Theo Lambros said: ↑

Sticking Anderson in a 3-4 would really limit his effectiveness as a pass-rusher. It's kind of a waste, although he has the body type for it.

Some other guy off the top of my head...

DE/NT Brandon Mebane
DE/NT Antonio Johnson
DE Ryan McBean
DE Ikaika Alama-Frances
DE Xzavie Jackson
DE Turk McBride
DE STeven Harris
DE Clifton Ryan
NT Paul Soliai
NT DeMarcus Tyler
NT Stanley Doughty
NT Marquay love
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That's off the top of your head?

Impressive.

ViLmAfAn5128 · Feb 12, 2007

did someone mention a starting defensive player from MIAMI??? get him

3-4 Prospects

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