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2nd Round: Devon Still


ArmyBengal

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NFL.com:

OVERVIEW

Still is one of the most NFL-ready interior lineman of this year's senior class and arguably one of the most polished and "safe" picks of the draft. He has massive size to clog lanes on the inside and occupy blocks. Still displays good technique to beat double teams and get to the passer, and the power to bowl over would-be blockers to be disruptive in the backfield. He has been a reliable and productive player throughout his time at Penn State. A team that needs to address its run defense and add a player who will occupy and keep linebackers free in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme likely will select Still in the middle of the first round as an immediate starter.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Still is a strong player who gets off the line quickly for his size and shows the explosion to blow back offensive guards into their own backfield. He excels as a run defender by using his strength to occupy a blocker while he reads the play and reacts, which is ideal for a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. He has the ability to use hand technique and footwork to remove himself from blocks and get in the backfield. For a massive nose tackle, he is an above-average pass rusher who can use an array of swim and dip moves to get to the passer.

WEAKNESSES While Still can rush the passer, it is rare that he actually gets there to record the sack, as his athletic ability is rather average once he is in the open field. He works tremendously in tight quarters but doesn't display that quickness or explosion when free. This is true of his play in pursuit, as well. Once the ball gets past him, he usually is done for the play.

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

Its a VERY Ravens-like thing to do. When you come to a guy you have a huge grade on who has fallen, you take him. Talent wins out.

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

At one point he was the number 1 DT, but fell because of injury reasons. Im telling you guys if he plays like he did this year, he will be amazing in this rotation and im not kidding. I cant wait to see him play.

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

Its a VERY Ravens-like thing to do. When you come to a guy you have a huge grade on who has fallen, you take him. Talent wins out.

Great pick. We really are having a Ravens/Steelers-esque draft. I can't complain. Especially when Pat Sims will likely be gone after next year.

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CBS:

Pass rush: Comes fast and hard off the snap if given a step by backpedalling linemen in pass protection. Will work through the whistle. Tries to swim past his man when there is room to maneuver, bothering the quarterback but rarely getting there. Effective taking up two blockers and flashes some quickness outside on twists. Run defense: Most productive against the run when slanting into the action. Strong at the point when keeping his pads low, but his height means a constant battle to prevent linemen from getting under his pads. Fights through doubles, at times still finding the ballcarrier through traffic. His anchor against doubles when not attacking the pocket is inconsistent; blown off the line too often. Good effort

to reach ballcarriers coming into his area; keeps his eyes on them and can make the play even when moving back or losing his balance. Must work on defeating cut blocks with his hands.

Explosion: Combination of size and strength has not yet been harnessed. Inconsistent off the snap, more often last one to move than the first. Does not knock back better linemen. Fatigue becomes an issue later in game, losing his explosiveness off the ball and hustle. Strength: Rarely dominates his man at the point. Capable of shedding with strong hands and tossing aside guards if their heads are down, but could do so more regularly. Tackling: Wide body and long, strong arms envelop backs running between the tackles. Good vision and strength lets him bring down backs by a shoelace, even if falling to the ground. Possesses nimble feet and fair change of direction for his size; chases ballcarriers around the line and can stay with elusive backs after they make a move. Gives some chase to the sideline on quick throws and when backs try to run outside.

Intangibles: Suffered torn left ACL/MCL in August 2007, broken left ankle in August 2008. Cousin Art Still played for the Kansas City Chiefs. Another cousin, Levon Kirkland, was a standout linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers. --Chad Reuter

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Walter:

Strengths:

Brute force in the trenches

Makes plays behind the line of scrimmage

Ability to collapse the pocket

Power to push linemen aside

Strength to hold ground against drive blockers

Good pad level

Disruptive

Quick first step

Plus athletic ability

Has speed and power

Strong pass-rusher

Powerful bull rush

Flexible to play nose tackle or three technique in a 4-3

Can beat double teams

Ready to play immediately in the NFL

Weaknesses:

Can get quiet in stretches

Could use more closing speed

Didn't play as well against best competition

Summary: There are a wide variety of opinions on Still. Some see him as a pick in the middle of the first round, while others think he is a second-rounder. After watching a lot of him in 2011, the opinion here is that Still would be worth a pick in the top 32 and is good enough to go in the middle of the first round.

Still had a superb senior season. He was a playmaker and the leader of the Penn State defense. Still has good size, surprising speed and real power. He played Alabama tough and gave their talented offensive line a lot of trouble to start the season. His last few games, especially against Ohio State and Wisconsin, were his worst showings of the year. Still did not perform well against Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler. Still finished with 55 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, a pass batted away and a forced fumble in 2011.

Still was generally very disruptive at the point of attack. Even when he didn't get sacks, he regularly got pressure on the quarterback. His pass-rushing skills with power and speed are very advanced entering the NFL. He also holds his ground in run defense. Still would regularly blast into the backfield and tackle running backs for a loss. Teams sent a lot of extra blocking in Still's direction, but he continued to be disruptive.

Still has an excellent combination of power, athleticism and speed entering the NFL. He could stay in a 4-3 defense as a nose tackle or a three technique. The former may be his best position. It also appears that Still could play defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He has length to perform on the edge. Given his scheme flexibility along with his production, Still has a real shot at being a mid-first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

Its a VERY Ravens-like thing to do. When you come to a guy you have a huge grade on who has fallen, you take him. Talent wins out.

DT is a solid value well our starters are set in stone It's good to have a strong rotation and sims probably gone next year...Plus peko has 2 years left in contract? best tobe prepared encase lose someone later.

Great pick, albeit not a sexy pick...

They need skilled playmakers here on out. Dump all these late round picks and get another r2 and r3!!!!!!

Agreed RB and WR in round 3...would also love see em move back up in rnd 2...

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

Its a VERY Ravens-like thing to do. When you come to a guy you have a huge grade on who has fallen, you take him. Talent wins out.

Absolutely. Still was simply too good to pass up here. And with Sims obviously wanting a big payday it fits for the future as well.

Now we need to find a WR...

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I was kind of expecting something like this, DT was good value here. Still was projected as a first rounder by some, including IIRC ourlads. Good pick.

Its a VERY Ravens-like thing to do. When you come to a guy you have a huge grade on who has fallen, you take him. Talent wins out.

Absolutely. Still was simply too good to pass up here. And with Sims obviously wanting a big payday it fits for the future as well.

Now we need to find a WR...

Not only that but remember when Sims went down how horrible the run defense was, so i really like this pick

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