Defensive Tackle Prospects

[Kazkal]

Who do you like and why?

Just throwing some names out there that I heard well reading forums....

1.)Amobi OkoyeA (dude is only freaking 19 years old? and has been playing college football sense he was 15? DAMN)

2.)Quinn PittcockUndersized...do you guys think his frame could take 10 more lbs?

3.)Alan Branch He's alot of freaking man

4.)Frank OkamThe Next Stroud?

[schweinhart]

I'd rate the Top 5 DTs as:

1. Alan Branch -- An absolute monstrosity who can move extremely well for his size.

2. Marcus Thomas -- No DT gets better penetration or plays more intense.

3. Justin Harrell -- His torn bicep tendon won't hurt his chances too much to get drafted high.

4. Tank Tyler -- When he's on, he's unstoppable but he's got to prove he can stay on.

5. Red Bryant -- The old Aggie DT mold of beast has made a return.

Here's my take on the others listed:

1. Frank Okam -- He's big and strong enough to control doubles but could use another year. In any event, he's a much better pro prospect now than Rod "The Treadmill" Wright ever was.

2. Quinn Pitcock -- His best bet to go high would probably be 3-4 DE rather than DT, although teams that use stunting DTs in a 4-man front will like his quickness and moves.

3. Amobi Okoye -- Able to get some penetration but only fair in strength, leverage and pursuit.

[derekshank]

Quinn Pitcock -- His best bet to go high would probably be 3-4 DE rather than DT

Interesting. I hadn't really though of that before... but it makes a lot of sense. He's a good college DT, because he can take advantage of the weaker competition, and he's extremely good at penetrating... kind of what you look for out of a 3-4 DE. I think as a DT in the NFL he'll disappear because of his size, but as a 3-4 DE, he could really flourish.

[BlainThePain]

I'd rate the Top 5 DTs as:

2. Marcus Thomas -- No DT gets better penetration or plays more intense.

If I'm not mistaken, he has also been in some trouble and suspended so he will probably be our second round pick.

[schweinhart]

I'd rate the Top 5 DTs as:

2. Marcus Thomas -- No DT gets better penetration or plays more intense.

If I'm not mistaken, he has also been in some trouble and suspended so he will probably be our second round pick.

Katie open the door Thomas looks like a blend of Darnell Dockett and Claude Wroten. Now if he can just go through the offseason w/o getting pulled over with $5k in his pocket and a pound of ganja in the backseat, he should be up there on draft day.

As for Pitcock, he like Thomas should get looked at either way which will help them both but I think Thomas is much better as a DT prospect. There's a few lesser versions of these 2 who might also fly in the NFL including Ray McDonald, Truk McBride and Derek Landri

[derekshank]

I don't see us getting a 1st day DT unless we trade down for more picks (we currently only have a 1st and 2nd round picks).

I personally see LB as our biggest need, and depending on the future of some of our free agents, either DE or maybe C as the other. When our LB's have been in the correct position, our run D has been great. That tells me the D-Line is doing it's job, so I doubt we'll take a first day DT.

[Kazkal]

"nods" plus who knows mybe find another 4th rnd gym like peko or they move fanene inside..... Weakside LB's will be my next thread sense mr derek has burst my bubble lol.

[BlainThePain]

I don't see us getting a 1st day DT unless we trade down for more picks (we currently only have a 1st and 2nd round picks).

I personally see LB as our biggest need, and depending on the future of some of our free agents, either DE or maybe C as the other. When our LB's have been in the correct position, our run D has been great. That tells me the D-Line is doing it's job, so I doubt we'll take a first day DT.

It's all going to come down to whether Pollack and Thurman return, and if we resign Landon. It might be our biggest need and it might not be a need at all.

[derekshank]

I don't see us getting a 1st day DT unless we trade down for more picks (we currently only have a 1st and 2nd round picks).

I personally see LB as our biggest need, and depending on the future of some of our free agents, either DE or maybe C as the other. When our LB's have been in the correct position, our run D has been great. That tells me the D-Line is doing it's job, so I doubt we'll take a first day DT.

It's all going to come down to whether Pollack and Thurman return, and if we resign Landon. It might be our biggest need and it might not be a need at all.

Maybe I'm a little early... but I'm already writing off Thurman. And even if he does come back... he's one mistake from another year long suspension. He can't be counted on.

I expect they will re-sign Landon Johnson, but I view him as depth. Given Marvin's style of getting as many players in the game as possible, that's an important role... but I just don't see him as the explosive WSLB we need to become a great defense. I doubt we'll see Simmons back when his contract is up in '08, so that position needs to be addressed one way or the other.

I think the SSLB is well covered. If Pollack comes back... great. If not, Jeanty looks to be a steal. But we are lacking in what I would view as legitimate starters for the future of this team. We've got Brooks, Jeanty, and maybe Pollack. None of those guys are WSLB... and the guys on our team that currently qualify are either getting old quick, are are merely good situational players. In either case, I don't want them to be starting all 16 games.

I just don't see another position, offense or defense, that we need to address more than LB.

[ChadJohnson-85]

I expect to see Thurman gone by next year unless Marvin has plans for a 3-4 defense with Brooks & Odell @ MLB + Simmons & Pollack @ OLB. Hopefully we'll know by draft day if Pollack & Thurman will return or not. If they don't return I'd like to see us draft Buster Davis or Paul Posluszny. That would be awesome IMO.

[Kazkal]

Won't simmons be in a retirement home Joking