DE Prospects 2018 Draft

[saints4lifeagain]

I created this thread on another board, but figured since the Panthers may be in the market for a DE in the draft, I'd add here as well. This is one of the deeper positions in the draft, in my opinion, even if less spectacular than last years position group. I really like a few of these prospects. I'm going to leave Chubb off, because he's going to be gone. 

First, is Arden Key. Key would probably be the top prospect on any board if not for his off field concerns. The still unspecified leave of absence really hurts. I've seen some mocks without him even in the first round. That's huge for what is probably the most talented player in the draft. Key has Myles Garrett type athleticism. I expect him to blow the combine up and shoot up boards into the top 10, but he's gonna have to knock the interviews out of the park. Highlight tape, from 2016, as he missed a lot of time this year: 

 

Second, is Marcus Davenport. If Davenport played at a bigger school, he'd be a lock for top 10. His height and frame remind you of Calais Campbell. He looked like a man amongst boys in CUSA, which he should have. Depending on how he tests, he may be long gone. Highlight tape: 

 

 

Third, is Harold Landry. More of a strictly speed rusher type player. May even play some off ball linebacker in the NFL. Long and fast. Those are things NFL scouts love. Struggles against the run a bit, and doesn't have a huge array of pass rush moves, but the athleticism is there. Should be there in the 20s. Highlights: 

 

Next is Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Somebody who is going to have to put on some weight to get first round consideration. He's sneaking into some drafts, but if he shows up to the combine any lighter than 250, I think it's tough. He's got a lot of tape where he gets washed out by size. Scouts don't want to see that, because size is everywhere in the NFL. However, he's explosive, fast, and can bend. Probably the best bend of all the guys I've watched. Interested to see him test. Highlights: 

 

Last, is Sam Hubbard. Hubbard is a Cam Jordan clone, just slightly less athletic. Didn't have great production at a school that produces dlinemen like no other. Not as explosive as some of the other guys as a pass rusher, but very complete as a DE. Highlights: 

Thoughts? I'd like to keep this thread purely draft talk, if possible. 

[top dawg]

No Bradley Chubb?  Wow! 

[saints4lifeagain]

1 minute ago, top dawg said:

No Bradley Chubb?  Wow! 

I said in the opening that I'm leaving him off because he'll be long gone by the time our picks roll around. Chubb is going top 10. Key may, but I'm still seeing mocks without him in the first round all together. I don't think that's the case, but there's a chance he's there. There's zero chance Chubb is. I can add him if you'd like, but it's pointless lol.

[Captain Morgan]

How many of these guys are legit 4-3 guys?  I don't know what the weight limit is to be considered an every down DE, but anything less than 250 doesn't sound right for the Panthers.

I think Landry is right around 250.  Hubbard weighs closer to 270, and while maybe not as flashy a rusher as Landry, he may be a better fit.

 

[top dawg]

6 minutes ago, saints4lifeagain said:

I said in the opening that I'm leaving him off because he'll be long gone by the time our picks roll around. Chubb is going top 10. Key may, but I'm still seeing mocks without him in the first round all together. I don't think that's the case, but there's a chance he's there. There's zero chance Chubb is. I can add him if you'd like, but it's pointless lol.

It's fine.  I appreciate the work. 

[Pi = 3.1SHutYoMouth!]

Most of the best pass rushing prospects that are realistic for us in the first round are more suited for 3-4 schemes. Way too much risk on Arden Key. How many of these potential guys with little production in college actually hit? I'm just seeing another unproductive athlete that becomes another Cam Jordan or Barkevious Mingo. If he's in the 3rd round or later then why not. First Round No.

From depth who fits more our scheme, we may have to look at guys around 3-4 round. One guy, I like is Duke Ejiofor. Good size at 6-4 275. Not the most athletic but absolute creative and intelligent in pass rushing situations. Consistent production the last two years. 

 

 

[saints4lifeagain]

2 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

How many of these guys are legit 4-3 guys?  I don't know what the weight limit is to be considered an every down DE, but anything less than 250 doesn't sound right for the Panthers.

I think Landry is right around 250.  Hubbard weighs closer to 270, and while maybe not as flashy a rusher as Landry, he may be a better fit.

 

Landry and Okoronkwo are fringe guys. Like I said, Landry may even play some off ball linebacker, and may be better suited for 34 defenses, but I think he's got the ability to put his hand in the dirt. And at 6'3" and 250 Lbs, it's not like he's a small guy. Would need to put on some weight to play every down. 

Okoronkwo is going to have to make weight at the combine. If he shows up at 240 or so, I think it hurts his stock. Dumervil played DE at 250 or so his whole career, and he's a bit shorter, like Okoronkwo. He's listed at 6'1" and 240, but if he shows up at 6' and 250, I think that helps.

[ColumbusCounty]

Landry has alot of potential IMO ...  better than Addison potential. 

[saints4lifeagain]

4 minutes ago, Pi = 3.1SHutYoMouth! said:

Most of the best pass rushing prospects that are realistic for us in the first round are more suited for 3-4 schemes. Way too much risk on Arden Key. How many of these potential guys with little production in college actually hit? I'm just seeing another unproductive athlete that becomes another Cam Jordan or Barkevious Mingo. If he's in the 3rd round or later then why not. First Round No.

From depth who fits more our scheme, we may have to look at guys around 3-4 round. One guy, I like is Duke Ejiofor. Good size at 6-4 275. Not the most athletic but absolute creative and intelligent in pass rushing situations. Consistent production the last two years. 

 

 

Davenport is probably the second most solid prospect at DE in the draft, after Chubb, which is why I expect him to climb. I wouldn't be surprised to see him climb into the top 10. 

There is literally zero comparison to Mingo. Mingo was tall and slim and nothing but fast. Mingo was 6'4 and 240. Key is gonna be 6'6 and 270. Key is twice the pass rusher Mingo ever was. There was no lack of production. There are off field concerns, which he seems to have handled. Key has Garrett potential, which puts his ceiling higher than any other rusher in the draft. I have no idea where the Cam Jordan comparison came from, especially as if it would be a bad thing. Cam is probably the best pure DE in football.

[Dilla]

You might to add Chad Thomas. He is projected as a late 2nd-early 3rd right now, but I think he'll be one of those late 1st risers in the workout process.

[Untouchable]

Okoronkwo just came in at 6013, 243 lbs at the senior bowl which likely gives him a knock on Carolina's board but he does have surprisingly good length.

Landry has some rumors out that he won't hit is listed college stats (6'3" 250) and that he is falling on draft boards (likely would include ours).

Key is reportably falling out of the first too right now because he's looking line an ordinary athlete to go along with the off field stuff.

Davenport's stock is sky high right now and might not make it out of the top 15.

[t96]

I honestly really don’t like this class of DEs much. Key won’t be an option for us and I like him the most. Chubb obviously great but like you said not an option. After that I don’t love the options in the first 2 rounds. Would go for guys with potential later.

[Captain Morgan]

Talking about Key brings up a point we haven't discussed yet.  Getty is gone...will Hurney be more accepting of character concerns?  (does this deserve it's own thread?)

[KDawg004]

I really like Key and think he’s the best fit for us and can contribute right away. Just don’t know about the off the field stuff.

Chad Thomas has prototypical size and his stats don’t indicate how good of a player he really is. But he’s still a bit raw. Looks lost at times.

Ejiofor looks like good value from where he’s projected to be drafted. Can probably come in and help on passing downs day 1.