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Topic: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT (Read 202 times) |
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #1 on: Mar 15th, 2004, 12:00pm » |
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VINCE WILFORK
Miami, Fla
HT: 6' 1"
WT: 323 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
Vince Wilfork is an outstanding DT at a very deep position. He is a very large man who is able to clog the middle and tie up blockers. Despite his size, he possesses good quickness and is able to get off the snap well and jump into a gap. Once in the gap, he uses his great physical strength (36 reps at 225 lbs.) to overpower offensive linemen. He has very good speed for a man his size, covering forty yards in just over 5 seconds. Wilfork is also well-liked by his teammates.
WEAKNESSES:
The big knock on Wilfork was an inability to keep his weight under control. He played most of the 2003 season around 350 pounds, but was able to drop his weight before the combine. With his weight apparently under control, he will be able to address the other knock on him--his propensity to wear down during the games.
PROJECTION:
Wilfork will be one of the first defensive tackles selected in the draft, most likely by Houston with the tenth pick overall. Buffalo, Chicago, and Cincinnati are also teams who would be very interested in drafting him. Wilfork may have gone as early as #5 to Washington or #8 to Atlanta, but both teams addressed the DT position during free agency.
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #3 on: Mar 23rd, 2004, 9:28am » |
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DARNELL DOCKETT
Florida St.
HT: 6' 3"
WT: 297 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
Darnell Dockett was seen by most as a tall, somewhat lanky DT coming out of college. Then he outclassed everyone at the Senior Bowl and climbed straight up the draft boards. Dockett has a very explosive first step and can slide between the offensive linemen and create havoc in the backfield. Dockett has excellent speed (4.9 forty) for a man his size and can run the play down from behind. Because of this speed, he could also slide to the DE position. Excellent pass rusher and run stopper.
WEAKNESSES:
If he is going to make it big at the pro level, he will need to get bigger. He is a bit lanky and has the frame to add bulk. His quickness will help, but the better NFL offensive lineman will out-physical him in the trenches. Dockett is said to have had trouble picking up the nuances of the playbook. He will need to dedicate himself to understanding the skills needed if he wants to be an elite NFL lineman.
PROJECTION:
Dockett was always seen as a very athletic DT, but not until the Senior Bowl did NFL scouts believe he could work effectively against the best offensive linemen. Because he was constantly in the backfield and collapsing the pocket, Dockett probably climbed into the first round of the draft. Teams like Cincinnati, New England, and Seattle could all use a solid DT and might grab him when they are on the clock.
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #4 on: Apr 9th, 2004, 3:13pm » |
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DONNELL WASHINGTON
Clemson
HT: 6' 6"
WT: 325 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
Donnell Washington enters the draft after his junior season and is one of the top prospects at a very deep position. He is big and powerful and a tremendous run stuffer. He has the quickness to shoot the gaps and close holes immediately. With his speed (5.0 forty) he is also able to rush the passer from the tackle position. Washington uses his long arms to keep blockers from getting into him and locking him up. He is able to move laterally and often makes the tackle outside the pocket. He plays with emotion and intensity. Is a very athletic player for someone his size.
WEAKNESSES:
One of the biggest knocks on Washington is that he is an underachiever. He dedicated himself to getting ready for the NFL following his senior season and hopefully has realized that he needs to continue to work towards his success. He doesn't have many weaknesses in his game other than he sometimes does not locate the ball well. Washington also will let his emotions get the best of him and it will hurt his game. He needs to keep his weight down or he'll tire too quickly in games.
PROJECTION:
Washington is one of the biggest prospects at defensive tackle. He also has the potential to be an All-Pro for many years, but only if he really wants to do it. If a team is able to talk to him and determine that he'll work hard for them, he could sneak into the end of the first round. Teams like the Titans, Eagles, Colts, Chiefs, and Patriots may all consider him with their late first-round picks, otherwise he'll go early in the second round to a team like the Falcons or Texans.
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #7 on: Apr 20th, 2004, 2:47pm » |
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DWAN EDWARDS
Oregon St.
HT: 6' 3"
WT: 313 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
Dwan Edwards could be one of the most complete defensive tackles entering the draft. He has ideal size for the position and a low center of gravity. He is very effective at plugging holes and stopping the run and can also and pressure the QB. A master of the bull rush, Edwards possesses good strength and decent speed (5.0 forty). He is able to maintain his balance and hold the point of attack. Edwards is a vicious tackler who takes on the ball carrier head-on, wraps, and drives him deep into the turf. Edwards is a very active player and possess an outstanding work ethic.
WEAKNESSES:
Edwards, despite his obvious talent, has been somewhat inconsistent at the college level. He will need to learn more techniques for the position. He must use his arms and hands better as he will allow the offensive blockers to get into him and tie him up. Edwards relies on instincts and will sometimes be fooled by play action or misdirection. He is quick, but not very fast, so he'll have trouble in pursuit.
PROJECTION:
At the end of the college season Edwards was the third highest rated DT behind Harris and Wilfork. Through no fault of his own, he's slid down the draft boards a bit because some flashier players (Starks, Dockett) have gained more attention. Regardless, the team that selects him will be getting a solid player who will start immediately. Look for Edwards to go somewhere in the middle of the second round, possibly to the Niners or Bengals.
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #8 on: Apr 20th, 2004, 2:48pm » |
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IGOR OLSHANSKY
Oregon
HT: 6' 5"
WT: 315 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
In terms of pure talent, there are few who can compete with Igor Olshansky. He is amazingly strong (43 strength reps), fast (sub 5.0-forty speed), and athletic. He has a great body for football with very low body fat. He has a quick burst off the line and gets involved in plays immediately. He holds the point of attack against the run and tackles well. He is quick enough to jump the gaps and disrupt plays. Olshansky also is a good pass rusher who can blow up the pocket and locate the QB. Despite his football inexperience, he uses a variety of different moves to get to the QB. He moves well and can chase down ball carriers. Olshansky plays with intensity and has an incredible motor.
WEAKNESSES:
Olshansky is very new to football and is still learning the nuances and techniques necessary to be a complete player. He is an intense player who has a tendency to overpursue and fall victim to misdirection and play action.
PROJECTION:
Olshansky seemingly came out of nowhere, but the scouts caught on and love the guy now. Some mocks show him sliding into the first round, but he is probably more of a mid-second round player at this point because of his inexperience. He would be a good selection for the Texans, Broncos, Niners, Bears, or Bengals.
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
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Re: 2004 NFL Draft - Player Profiles - DT
« Reply #9 on: Apr 20th, 2004, 2:48pm » |
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ISAAC SOPOAGA
Hawaii
HT: 6' 2"
WT: 317 lbs.
STRENGTHS:
Isaac Sopoaga is a monster at defensive tackle. It is nearly impossible to run at him. He stuffs the holes and won't be moved by many offensive linemen. Like many other Samoans in the NFL, he is incredibly strong (42 strength reps), has a football body (thick, low center of gravity), and has above average athleticism. He understands blocking schemes and can adjust to beat them. He frequently draws double-teams and will occupy both players, allowing teammates to take advantage. He runs a 5.0 forty and uses his speed to get after QBs and pursue ball carriers.
WEAKNESSES:
Sopoaga is a bit of a project right now. An NFL team can plug him in immediately and benefit from his talents, however it will take him some time and good coaching for him to become a complete player. He needs to learn to play with better leverage and not rely so much on his strength. He also needs to use his hands in shedding blockers more. Sopoaga needs to keep his weight in check, or it will negatively impact his play.
PROJECTION:
Sopoaga has climbed the boards since the end of the season and is now a sure day-one selection. He could go as early as the end of the second round (Eagles, Colts) or fall into the early third round (Cardinals, Giants, Chargers, Falcons).
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