Bull-rush market: Bevy of big DTs about to cash in
Article By cbrown.tsn on 18th February, 2010
Some defensive tackles are about to make a lot of money.
Two tackles (Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy) are projected to be taken 1-2 in the draft, and as many as four NFL DTs (San Francisco's Aubrayo Franklin, Pittsburgh's Casey Hampton, Green Bay's Ryan Pickett and New England's Vince Wilfork) could receive the franchise tag by the Feb. 25 deadline.
Whether a team plays a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, a defensive tackle who can stop the run and supply an inside pass rush is a valuable commodity. Suh and McCoy are so talented and versatile that it would be surprising to see one still on the board after the Rams (first overall pick) and Lions (No. 2) make their selections.
"I would not argue with either one going with the first pick overall," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said during a Wednesday conference call. "McCoy would have been a top-five pick had he come out last year. (General manager) Billy Devaney in St. Louis is going to have a tough call. Both these kids are outstanding. I give Suh the slightest of edges."
At least four other defensive tackles have the potential to be first-round picks: UCLA's Brian Price, Tennessee's Dan Williams, Penn State's Jared Odrick and Alabama's Terrence Cody. Weight issues have hurt Cody's first-round chances, and he needs to be in shape at the Combine to improve his status.
Here are three assets that top tackles bring to defenses:
1. They give linebackers the freedom to roam. A tackle who requires double-team attention allows linebackers to make plays. Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata gives inside linebacker Ray Lewis the space to roam sideline to sideline. Franklin does the same for 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis.
"A lot of my plays come from him (Franklin) holding double-teams and playing the way that he does," Willis said at the Pro Bowl. "When you have a guy like Aubrayo, whenever you t...
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Two tackles (Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy) are projected to be taken 1-2 in the draft, and as many as four NFL DTs (San Francisco's Aubrayo Franklin, Pittsburgh's Casey Hampton, Green Bay's Ryan Pickett and New England's Vince Wilfork) could receive the franchise tag by the Feb. 25 deadline.
Whether a team plays a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, a defensive tackle who can stop the run and supply an inside pass rush is a valuable commodity. Suh and McCoy are so talented and versatile that it would be surprising to see one still on the board after the Rams (first overall pick) and Lions (No. 2) make their selections.
"I would not argue with either one going with the first pick overall," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said during a Wednesday conference call. "McCoy would have been a top-five pick had he come out last year. (General manager) Billy Devaney in St. Louis is going to have a tough call. Both these kids are outstanding. I give Suh the slightest of edges."
At least four other defensive tackles have the potential to be first-round picks: UCLA's Brian Price, Tennessee's Dan Williams, Penn State's Jared Odrick and Alabama's Terrence Cody. Weight issues have hurt Cody's first-round chances, and he needs to be in shape at the Combine to improve his status.
Here are three assets that top tackles bring to defenses:
1. They give linebackers the freedom to roam. A tackle who requires double-team attention allows linebackers to make plays. Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata gives inside linebacker Ray Lewis the space to roam sideline to sideline. Franklin does the same for 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis.
"A lot of my plays come from him (Franklin) holding double-teams and playing the way that he does," Willis said at the Pro Bowl. "When you have a guy like Aubrayo, whenever you t...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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