Patriots Draft Week in Preview: 3-4 Defensive Ends

by Richard Hill on Apr 10, 2011 4:00 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

1. Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama

2. Cameron Jordan, DE, California

3. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

4. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State University

5. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

Mentions: Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Corey Liuget (Illinois), Phil Taylor (Baylor), Christian Ballard (Iowa), Allen Bailey (Miami)

This year's draft is packed full of talent in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft. It's clear that the top talent will be in the middle of the first round, but there will be a couple passable talents in the second round. The thought is that the Patriots need to draft another defensive end, but with Ron Brace, Marcus Stroud, Ty Warren and a couple other prospects (Mike Wright, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love, Brandon Deaderick) all competing for only two defensive end spots, there is only room for one more defensive lineman- and the Patriots' surprise move this year could be to not draft a defensive end at all. I wouldn't want the Patriots to pass over a defensive end, but I wouldn't be entirely surprised.

Who are some linemen you'd want me to look at?

Fastest 3 Cone Drill: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 6.88s

Fastest 40 Time: Allen Bailey, Miami, 4.77s

Fastest Short Shuttle: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa, 4.13s

Longest Broad Jump: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 10'0

Vertical Jump: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 37.0

Most Bench Press Repetitions: Adrian Taylor, Oklahoma; J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 34 reps

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Looking at the combine numbers alone, it's clear that J.J. Watt is the most athletic 3-4 defensive end prospect in this year's draft. We'll look at production as well as skill set over the week to see which players are the best fit for the Patriots.

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The more I watch Heyward, the more I like him.

He needs to be more aware of how his blockers will counter him (watch for cut blocks, counters, etc), but I think he could be a solid fit if he adds another 15 pounds to his trunk and core.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 10, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

I kinda feel the same

but every time I watch highlights it seems like he’s always falling or tripping or something. Maybe it’s nothing but I can’t but think it’s more than a coincidence; have you heard anything about him having issues with his balance or coordination? I feel like that could be a big thing for a guy who should be taking on double teams.

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 10, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't have a comprehensive view

…but I see a lot of times where there are people at his feet while he is engaged in a block, and several instances in the few highlights that would definitely be illegal in the NFL.

shrug

by pablum257 on Apr 10, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yep

The couple of Buckeye games I saw, guys were taking shots at his knees whenever they could. Some dirty, dirty play – guys coming off their feet basically to cut-block him. Ugh.

I like how he’s bulked up his frame – he still looks remarkably skinny for a 6’5er. Seymour hit the combine at much the same weight, and he added another 15lbs on, too.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
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by Comedic.Sans on Apr 11, 2011 3:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree.

I feel like he needs to get his awareness up because a lot of the time he’s tripping up is because he’s getting thrown off balance or he’s getting cut blocked. He needs to better react to how the linemen are guarding him.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 10, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't watch a lot of Ohio State games

but the way he just manhandled Arkansas was more than impressive. My Saints friend who I watched the game with just said, “Wow, he looks a lot like Richard Seymour right now”.

by jcorye1 on Apr 11, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eJHAOFNzKo

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
Cameron Heyward- Future 3-4 RDE for the New England Patriots.

by NinjaZX6R on Apr 11, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I see Jordan and Bailey as hybrids...

big OLB Elephants or uh, 4-3 sub guys (which I am not in favor of). Watt, Heyward, or Wilkerson seem legit 5 guys. Taylor is an inside guy, so is Legit. I would hope to pair at least a Sheard with any of them.

by U. S. Grant on Apr 10, 2011 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

I mean, Watt only has 5 pounds on Jordan and 3 on Bailey.

So I wouldn’t eliminate them because of their size.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 10, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I know but,

don’t Bailey especially, and Jordan seem more agile, and faster. Anyone can lose or gain even ten pounds, but they just seem better in space than the bigger guys, I also think we need a legit 305lb, 6’4" minimum at end. It wouldn’t hurt to disguise the defense more, Don’t you think some of these teams will start running in passing formations with all the specialists.

by U. S. Grant on Apr 10, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

But you must admit that Watt plays with a mean streak.

Watt can be dominant. While Jordan looks more like a fit for the a 4-3 team for me. Spending a pick on a first round guy that needs to add weight is not the best move to me. Not for a team that thinks they can play for it all.

by Patriots12 on Apr 10, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

thats kinda my point,

I don’t like either at end. I might like them at OLB. But Watt, Heyward, and Wilkerson seem better fits at end to me.

by U. S. Grant on Apr 10, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

by Patriots12 on Apr 10, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree...

…and Watt has better combine scores than Jordan. He’s the total package for some team.

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by Richard Hill on Apr 10, 2011 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I am pretty much down to

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State University
Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
Phil Taylor (Baylor),

I’ve eliminated everyone else

by prioris on Apr 10, 2011 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I wouldn't take Taylor,

But I’d be okay if he was picked. Would prefer one of the others, though.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Apr 10, 2011 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

should add these as other possibilities

Kenrick Ellis, Hampton (PW)
Marvin Austin, Arizona (OV)

so down to five

by prioris on Apr 10, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm fired up!

“Can’t wait”

by U. S. Grant on Apr 10, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

I think if we picked up Wilkerson

with our first pick, and then Allen Bailey somewhere in the second round, it would be a tremendous combination. Bailey is big enough to put his hand down in a sub package, and agile enough to drop into coverage; while Wilkerson is strong enough to push back into the pocket and wreak havoc, while still being a force against the run. That would be my ideal defensive draft in the first two rounds.

by BigRussNovak on Apr 10, 2011 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

Before Richard finishes up his rankings...

I’ve been doing film study of my own and believe Corey Liuget is the best outside the state of Alabama. If Jurrell Casey had 2-3 more inches, he’d give Liuget a run, but even Corey’s size is a bit lacking. Either way, I think he’s my guy – he’ll just cost a high pick. Him at 17 would be terrific value.

by wildcat61 on Apr 14, 2011 4:50 PM EDT reply actions