Draft: Tackles (Defensive)
by Rayder K on Feb 15, 2009 10:44 AM PST
32 comments
This year, one of the Oakland Raiders biggest needs is the defensive tackle position. The current players, Tommie Kelly, Terdell Sands, William Joseph, and Gerard Warren are getting old. Since old age is kicking in, they have less speed, power, and stamina. However, this year's draft contains a great class of defensive tackles. Which one is right for the Raiders?
1 - B.J. Raji
B.J. Raji was a three-year starter in the ACC. and was named to 1st Team All-ACC in 2008. B.J. Raji is suited for the 3-3, but can play the 4-3. Raji can become one of the best defensive tackles as long as he continues to work hard and maintain his weight.
Strengths
Outstanding mass and bulk...Excellent strength...Stout at the point of attack...Can fill two gaps...Able to occupy multiple blockers...Tough, powerful and nasty...A beast against the run...Can really collapse the pocket...Able to penetrate and make plays in the backfield...Above average athleticism...Quick and agile...Pursues well and has a burst to close...Good instincts and awareness...Will offer schematic versatility. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
Conditioning and stamina have been problems...Is shorter than you'd prefer...Maturity and commitment have been questioned...Doesn't always play with proper leverage...Inconsistent and his motor tends to run hot and cold...Is not an elite pass rusher...Struggled to keep up with his studies and intelligence may be an issue..Durability concerns? - Draftcountdown.com
via media.scout.com
2. Evander Hood
Evander Hood, a three year starter, is a good player. He is versatile, but not great at any one thing. Another advantage about Evander Hood is he is a late 1st round or even a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Strengths
Very good size and bulk...Active with a non-stop motor...Excellent speed and quickness...Uses his hands well...Strong with some power...Nice instincts and awareness...Stout at the point of attack...Gets upfield and can collapse the pocket...Does a good job in pursuit...Explosive with a burst to close...Sudden off the snap...Has a lot of experience...Extremely coachable...Hard worker...Teamleader. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
Plays too tall at times...Doesn't always use proper leverage...May not be a difference maker..Self-made player..Jack-of-all-trades, but master of none ... Has some minor durability concerns ... Average production. - Draft countdown.com
3. Peria Jerry
Peria Jerry will become a 25 year old rookie if he comes to the NFL. Peria Jerry was a 1st Team All-American in 2008 and was named 2nd Team All-SEC as a junior and 1st Team as a senior. He led SEC is tackles for loss in 2008, However, he has injury problems.
Strength
Very athletic...Terrific speed...Quick and explosive...Really fires off the ball...Active and has a fantastic motor...Does a nice job in pursuit and has a burst to close...Can penetrate and wreak havoc in the backfield...Uses his hands well...Shows the ability to shed blocks...Is comfortable in space...Pretty tough...Hard worker and leader...Great instincts and awareness...Productive against top competition...Still improving and might have some upside...Super impressive bloodlines. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
Does not have great size or bulk...Frame is awfully close to being maxed out...Not very strong or powerful...Isn't real stout at the point of attack...Has to be more consistent with his leverage...Can get pushed around in the run game...Struggled in the classroom and intelligence may be an issue...Older than the average prospect...Will not be a good fit for every team...Has some major durability concerns. - Draftcountdown.com
4. Fili Moala
Fili Moala's cousin is Haloti Ngata from the Ravens. Defensive line is in his blood. He is a three year starter who played with Sedrick Ellis two years ago. He is very quick, very aggressive and I mean very aggressive and mean.
Strengths
Excellent athleticism...Very quick and agile...Good speed...Adequate size with long arms...Has a big frame with room to grow...Active and does a nice job in pursuit...Good range and mobility...Can penetrate and slice into the backfield...Productive pass rusher...Decent instincts and awareness...Versatile...Good bloodlines...Great program pedigree. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
Inconsistent and disappears for stretches...Plays too tall at times and doesn't always use good leverage...Has some trouble getting off blocks...Does not use his hands well...Needs to get stronger...Is not overly stout at the point...Some minor durability and character issues. - Draftcountdown.com
5. Mitch King
Mitch King really showed up at the Senior Bowl. This guy has a good motor, strength, but has tremendous speed. He was a 4 year starter in the Big Ten. he was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year as a senior and also earned numerous All-American honors. He lacks a lot of size, but his heart and motor is huge. He can use his speed to plug up holes as he showcased at the Senior Bowl. He was in almost every play.
Strengths
Good athlete...Great timed speed...Was very productive...Relentless with a non-stop motor...Does a nice job of getting off blocks...Is versatile...Good strength...Extremely aggressive...Plays with a nasty demeanor...Intense and competitive...Has a lot of experience against top competition..A hard worker and team leader with elite intangibles. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
May not have a true position...Undersized for a tackle...Short and slow for an end...Can be too aggressive and passionate at times...Average instincts and awareness...Pass rush repertoire is limited...Not very fluid...Has some trouble in space...Can get overpowered and engulfed. - Draftcountdown.com
6. Ron Brace
Three year starter for the Boston College Eagles. He played alongside B.J. Raji and complimented his at the dominating Eagle's defensive tackle position. He has great size and has a good motor. He really showed how good he was at the Senior Bowl. However, many speculate that he was good because of the presence of B.J. Raji alongside of him.
Strengths
Excellent size and bulk...Very quick off the snap...Great strength...Is stout at the point of attack...Does a terrific job against the run...Gets a good push up the middle...Will collapse the pocket...A powerful tackler...Shows the ability to shoot gaps and penetrate at times...Nice instincts / awareness...Lots of experience...Improving and has upside. - Draftcountdown.com
Weaknesses
Not a sack artist and repertoire of pass rush moves is limited...Does not always play with proper leverage...Still needs to use his hands better...Will get hung up on blocks...Conditioning and stamina might be issues...Has an inconsistent motor...Didn't face many double teams. - Draftcountdown.com
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Interesting Rankings
I agree with you that the Raiders need to find 1-2 new defensive tackles either through the draft or free agency to build better depth at those two positions. I disagree, however, that age is the cause of their problems last year. By your logic, both of our starting CBs are getting old and need replacing.
The problem last year was a lack of depth, pure and simple. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, along with defensive line coaches Keith Millard and Don Johnson decided on using a 3 man rotation of Kelly, Warren, and Sands for the DT positions. It obviously didn’t work. We all know Sands struggles with his stamina given his gargantuan physique, leaving Kelly and Warren on the field for much of the game. Both Kelly and Warren are under-tackles ("UT"), or “3 technique” DTs, whose job is to penetrate the line, collapse the pocket, and get after the QB. Nose-tackles ("NT"), on the other hand, are charged with occupying bodies and taking on double teams, collapsing running lanes.
Look at last year’s depth chart:
UTs: Kelly, Warren, Joseph (only for a short period of time)
NTs: Sands
Having two under-tackles on the field for most of the game left the Raiders susceptible against the run, as Kelly and Warren are less stout at the point of attack than nose-tackles such as Sands are supposed to be. Keeping this in mind, the Raiders need another nose-tackle to add to the depth chart much more than they need another 3-technique under-tackle. With another NT on the roster it would allow Kelly and Warren to only worry about substituting for each other and playing side by side in nickel packages, rather than for nearly the whole game.
Understanding that we’re looking for nose-tackles rather than under-tackles you can remove Peria Jerry, Evander Hood, and Mitch King from your list.
Nose Tackle Rankings:
After the consensus top NT (Raji) the rankings are muddled. Here are some links for some DL rankings.
DraftCountdown
Walter Football
FFToolbox
One guy I’d like the Raider to consider in the middle or later rounds is Michigan’s Terrance Taylor.
At 6’1" and around 315lbs., Taylor has almost the exact same size as B.J. Raji, but I can almost guarantee that Taylor will be significantly stronger and faster than Raji (something that next week’s Combine will confirm.) Along with being a force on the football field, Taylor is also a champion power lifter and wrestler.
Scouting Report:
Taylor has played in 47 games during his career as a Wolverine, registering 104 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and has batted down 3 passes at the line of scrimmage. His athletic ability has even made a difference for the Michigan special teams unit, where he blocked two kicks during his junior year and 1 as a senior. Taylor will provide whichever NFL team that drafts him with some versatility. He would be perfect in a 4-3 system with a smaller pass rushing tackle at his side, and is very comfortable playing nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment. Taylor also has the size/speed combination that could cause offenses nightmares if he lined up as a huge 3-4 defensive end at times. If he works out well and can run a 4.8 second 40 at the combine (his unofficial best time), his stock would sky rocket. Taylor could go anywhere in the second to fourth round, depending on the demand for defensive tackles at the top of the draft.
"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.
by LiveAdam on Feb 15, 2009 11:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
LiveAdam
Very good report and thanks for correcting me. I have no clue the different types of D-Linemen. I just went with the guys I saw at the Senior Bowl and some reports and mock drafts. My favorite guy is Ron Brace though. I think he fits with us with his massive frame. What you think?
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 15, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Raji, Brace, and Taylor
He’s definitely fits the mold of the type of DT we need, but it’s hard to judge his college performance knowing that B.J. Raji was lined up next to him. As the DraftCountdown scouting report states, Brace didn’t face many double teams, because it was likely Raji taking up two defenders.
Here’s an interesting note: DraftCountdown has Raji, Brace, and Taylor ranked as 1, 5, and 10 respectively, but really they are ranked as 1,2, and 3 as nose tackles (the rest being under-tackle or 3-4 “5 technique” DE prospects.)
Compare their numbers:
B.J. Raji
Games: 47
Tackles: 105
Tackle/Loss: 32.5
Sacks: 12.5
Ron Brace
Games:47
Tackles: 85
Tackle/Loss: 23.0
Sacks: 5.5
Terrance Taylor
Games: 47
Tackles: 114
Tackle/Loss: 17.5
Sacks: 6.0
All three are very productive. Raji is a surefire 1st rounder, Brace is a fringe 1st rounder, and Taylor could go anywhere from the 2nd to the 4th round.
"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.
by LiveAdam on Feb 15, 2009 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for the insight
but we’re not actually looking DT at #7, are we?
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
by naq92 on Feb 15, 2009 4:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I Wouldn't Count It Out
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 15, 2009 5:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No
WR, OT, or DE with the #7 pick.
"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.
by LiveAdam on Feb 15, 2009 6:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My faves are Moala and King
Anybody from USC or Iowa’s defenses are good players. And there’s no sense spending very high of a pick on DT when we already have an overpaid Kelly.
I’d like to see Moala because he’s a good pass rusher, but not in the sense of what Sapp was. He’s got more size and has the frame to bulk up. If we have a good pass rusher in the middle, we can then ship around for a good run stopping DE to line up beside Richardson. And if you can get through the O-Line on pass downs, you can surely do just as well on run plays. I think Moala would be a steal, especially with Board teaching our DT’s.
However I would like to see Taylor, or King in here as well. I’m not very big on Brace because of poor stamina. We’re drafting youth to avoid stamina issues.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 15, 2009 1:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nice report and thanks for the research
count me in as a guy who doesn’t think the problem is age at our tackle position. I also don’t blame entirely the line for the rushing defense problems. You need backers and DB’s to fill the holes and frankly we are woefully weak at that area. I am not as down on Kelly and Warren as other people are on this site. I think most feel that since Kelly got so much money he should be totally dominant, and guess I concur with that, on the other hand he does not get dominated, nor does Warren. If the Raiders want to release Sands I am ok with that. With his size he should be unblockable at the point of attack, but instead he stands up and tries to ward off tacklers which he rarely does. I have never felt he has any passion for the game, he is just so damn big and strong, what else is there for him to do? If the Raiders draft a DT after the first round that is also OK with me. First and foremost get an offensive tackle unless Cable has seen something in McQuistan that he hasn’t shown yet.
by Laoren on Feb 15, 2009 1:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
agreed on DT situation
I think if Sands is released (which I believe he will be for cap space) and we don’t get one in free agency (please let it be Bernard) then we should in fact draft one. I’d like to see more of a pass rusher come in. That way we could use a pick on another run stopper instead of this perfect DE which can only be found in the first or second round. Kelly plugs up holes, but Warren’s really the only guy who penetrates the line. If we can snag up Moala from the 4th. or 5th., then we would have a pretty good front four at work. That just leaves us to drat either Maualuga or Brinkley at MLB and we’ll have a pretty good defense.
On the topic of Brinkley. I think we have to go with Maualuga. You gotta think we’re not the only people who see the possible steal value in Brinkley. I just have a bad feeling that we’ll draft OT, then get Hayward-Bey, but be left without Brinkley in the third. After Brinkley there’s nobody left that can be truly good at MLB in the draft leaving us with another massive hole on defense and another year of bad run D.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 15, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
we dont have a fifth round pick
"THE RAIDERS DON'T REBUILD THEY RELOAD"
by raiderlalo81 on Feb 17, 2009 9:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Brinkley tore his ACL in 07
"THE RAIDERS DON'T REBUILD THEY RELOAD"
by raiderlalo81 on Feb 17, 2009 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for that
I keep forgetting that
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 17, 2009 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
about the no fifth
I know Brinkley hurt his ACl
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 17, 2009 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Taylor looks like a great mid round talent
Seems like he could eat a few blockers to allow Kelly to wiggle free
by Bud Light on Feb 15, 2009 2:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
By The Way
I think we should all hold off on any more of these types of posts until after next weekend’s Combine. We’ll have a much better understanding of who the best prospects really are, then be able to dissect each position group for those players we think are fits for the Raiders, along with a better idea of their draft rank. No offense Rayder K, I just think we’re talking about all this a week too early.
We should probably have separate posts for WR, OL, DL, and LB.
"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.
by LiveAdam on Feb 15, 2009 2:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
agreed
there’s too many draft posts on here WAY too early on. I’d like to see a good Free Agent post if somebody could post one. I would but I have no idea where you guys get all your FA info.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 15, 2009 2:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Patience
I was going to do a free agent post, but when I looked at the list I realized that it is too inconclusive at this point. Chris Johnson was listed as a free agent, but he signed, so now he is off of that list and teams signing their own FA’s is going to happen a lot before the free agency period starts.
That is why I have been commenting on these various draft posts to wait until after the combines, after the franchise tag period comes and goes, after all the teams make their cuts for salary cap purposes and mostly after all the teams decide whether or not they are going to sign their own free agents.
Then we will really know who is out there and what kind of cap room the Raiders will have to work with. Then we can assess the free agent pool, debate here and make reasonable assumptions of who we would like to get. When the free agent list takes a reliable form, March 1st, I will publish a free agent post.
It really should be around mid-April that we start getting intense with the draft, because we will then know much better, after all of the above, what the Raiders needs as well as the other 31 teams’ needs will be.
Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.
by TheRaiderWay on Feb 15, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
oh, well for the most part
i think we pull those rite out of our ass.
Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!
by naq92 on Feb 15, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yea
I did a Offensive Tackle and Defensive Tackle (This One) already. I want others to do the rest. But, you are right about waiting with these draft posts. I might hold off for a bit. But, I just can’t wit with the franchise week in session and free agency coming up. But hey, I post these so we know what kind of talent are available.
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 15, 2009 2:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No, don't hold up on anything
I check this site 3 or 4 times a day and just enjoy the playful bantering that goes on, no matter the post. It certainly is true and I have said it many times that it is too early to talk about the draft, but still fun to hear about the potential projects and what different guys feel about them. Of course, now with the combines we will have new names thrown into the hat, and soon teams will be franchising players, other players will get signed so we should have some good stuff to write about and better yet, read about. Raider talk 24-7 that is great. I also read blogs about the A’s, and Warriors but the most fun is on this site.
Much more fun to read and write about football than baseball or basketball. The Nnamdi and Lechler decisions have to be made within the next 2 days and cuts have to follow about the same time I think. We hardly knew you Sands, bye, bye.
by Laoren on Feb 15, 2009 8:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Sands in Same Position as Huff
I think Sands’ contract status gives him one more year to prove himself, otherwise he’ll be gone after 2009. As shown below, his contract is significantly back loaded.
2/14/2007: Signed a four-year, $17 million contract. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus and a $1.3 million roster bonus in the second year. 2009: $1.3 million (+ $1.9 million roster bonus), 2010: $4.6 million (+ $800,000 roster bonus), 2011: Free Agent
Per Rotoworld
The Raiders are so thin at defensive tackle I don’t think can afford to cut Sands, despite his inconsistent play and going Chuck Norris on Lechler on the charter flight home.
"I love being here. I love these players. I'm loyal to these players and this team, all right? I'm on the side of the players and the Raiders. And anybody who isn't on the side of the Raiders, then I'm not with them." - Randy Hanson, DB coach.
by LiveAdam on Feb 15, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
he didn't go Chuck Norris
Sands is too big too roundhouse. He would have fallen over attempting to. He just simply punched him in the face. Going “Chuck Norris” is doing a roundhouse.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 16, 2009 4:05 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Either Way
He sucks for what we pay him and should’ve been cut after hitting Lechler (the only Raider pro bowler since 2003 except for Burgess and Asomugha.) I think we should keep William Joseph and Gerard Warren and cut Sands.
Win, Lose, or Tie, Raiders til' I die.
by thepunisher00187 on Feb 16, 2009 8:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I Agree
We can pick up a good DT in the draft.
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 16, 2009 11:31 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
but as LiveAdam said
that would create a bit of a cap hit. And also cutting him wouldn’t really help as we still need a good DT with him on roster. Take him off and we’d need two. One to possibly start, and one for rotation.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 16, 2009 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How about a trade?
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 16, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
who for who
just need some details on this trade.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 16, 2009 1:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Trade
Sands for a 4,5,or 6 round pick
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 16, 2009 1:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
4th. is pretty high
6th. is about right and i think he’s better than any 6th. round pick.
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by KA1Z3R on Feb 16, 2009 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
what the hell?
oakland hasn’t had a good d-line since sapp and burgess were 10 plus sack masters in the same season terdell sands is garbage family issues last year and and he lost his cheeseburger on that flight by the way i hope he does get traded for a big mac value meal from mickey d’s it would play better than he does and tommy kelly he is good but just like mick foley he needed terry funk to stir things up and thats what we need and a young guy is great. but my vote is to get ed johnson he was solid in indy and he was up in smoke also, but hey just add another name to our already storied franchise
sd raider fan
by sd raider fan on Feb 16, 2009 11:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
New here Huh
U seem pretty smart. I believe we will have some opposers to your claim.
A New Spirit, A New Team, A New Coach, But Same Commitment.
by Rayder K on Feb 17, 2009 12:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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