If we want a NT- look no further than Dontari Poe

[Sloth]

The correct answer could be that neither of them are worth our pick. This was the widely held position that was held at the end of the season when people were still focussed on actual football. Now the hype is moving these guys up the board and people are forgetting.

Fortunately, Hurney and Rivera will look at this with level heads.

Who is?

Our biggest needs are arguably DT, LB, CB, OT, FS. Maybe DE. There are no Linebackers worth #9, Claiborne won't make it to us, so no CB worth #9, Reiff might be worth it but probably won't slide to us and no other OTs are worth #9. There aren't any FS who should go in round one. You've thrown DT out as none of the remainder are worth #9.

Who are you taking?

[panthers55]

I was in favor of a DE to replace Hardy but now I think that either brockers or Poe will make Hardy much better. By stuffing the line it makes runners hesitate and try and find a hole or take it outside where Hardy can be waiting. Since Brockers and Poe can penetrate as well, there won't be double teams on Hardy plus the linebackers can roam outside knowing the middle is covered. We could end up having a Minnesota type line against the run. That would be excellent and go along way to improve this defense. I didn't think there was a Kris Jenkins type guy in this draft. Now I think Poe is that guy. Remember that Jenkins was a second rounder and not considered a beast coming out of Maryland. True is technique can be coaches, speed and athleticism can't. Right now Poe seems to be the real deal.

[CRA]

I did see Poe play this year as I am ECU alum and actually watch C-USA games.

People have to keep in mind that Poe is a junior and Brockers is a redshirt sophomore. Neither guy is going to come in and dominate right away. If you pick either one of them you have to take the time to develop them and teach them how to play at the NFL level.

For that matter, rookie DTs not named Suh don't come in and dominate their first year. Both of these guys are projects to a point.

What I like about Poe is that he really is a Kris Jenkins kind of guy who was dominant for us when he tried. Poe being a workout wonder is a great thing given we had to pay Jenkins to work out and he still didn't do it. Poe seems like that won't be a problem for him at all. He seems hungry and wanting to prove himself.

Brockers would also be a great pickup given his wingspan, ability to build more muscle and develop as he continues to mature and grow.

People expecting any defensive linemen to come in dominate this year are going to be very disappointed. But if they are looking for us to draft a guy who will be a beast for us in the future and a rotational guy right now, then Poe and Brockers would both be great.

As for why haven't we heard about Poe this year, remember that the combine is designed to put everyone on the same playing field for comparison purposes. It lets a guy like Poe who played on a crappy Memphis team to compete with Brockers who got much more press. Seems a few years ago another C-USA player, Chris Johnson, came into the combine and blew it up. He showed he could compete with the big boys. Poe just made his case today.

yeah, but Chris Johnson dominated people on the field in college before entering the NFL his senior season. Johnson was a video game his senior season.

Poe didn't dominate his conference. He didn't play four years but he still never reached a point he could stand out in a weak conference.

Not a fan of high draft picks, from weak conferences, that didn't prove on the field to be head and shoulders better. You can do that later in the draft.

[rayzor]

I was in favor of a DE to replace Hardy but now I think that either brockers or Poe will make Hardy much better. By stuffing the line it makes runners hesitate and try and find a hole or take it outside where Hardy can be waiting. Since Brockers and Poe can penetrate as well, there won't be double teams on Hardy plus the linebackers can roam outside knowing the middle is covered. We could end up having a Minnesota type line against the run. That would be excellent and go along way to improve this defense. I didn't think there was a Kris Jenkins type guy in this draft. Now I think Poe is that guy. Remember that Jenkins was a second rounder and not considered a beast coming out of Maryland. True is technique can be coaches, speed and athleticism can't. Right now Poe seems to be the real deal.

i would add fletcher cox to that list of DTs. otherwise 100% agreed. add to that the effect of additional pressure on the QB on the passing D. secondary would be helped out a lot by having someone that can collapse/push the pocket.

[klumme]

Agree P55 and lets not forget Poe played in a 3-4 D were stats is not as easy to come by.

His midget arms worry me a little though.

Both him and Brockers can come in and stop the run day one and both needs some work on their pass rush skills.

We have a need at DT and now there is 3-4 prospect who might have value at our position. Nice. There is only one CB and he will likely be gone before.

[pantherclaw]

I take it back, I would take him at 9 hands down. He just ran an unofficial 4.87 in the 40. 350 lbs and he just ran a sub 5 second 40?? Seriously????

At this point he may be gone by number 9. Ridiculous.......

I think he's the best tackle in the draft.

Hopefully he's there when the panthers draft.

[Proudiddy]

I don't give a poo, 346 lbs is a load to move for anyone, not even factoring in his 40+ reps on the bench, he can just stand there and let everybody else do their thing lol.

[panthers55]

anyone that will flip there position rankings upside down over just the combine...is someone who belongs on a TV.

Not true at all. What it means that the combine helped clarify some things that they were not clear about. Look at Chris Johnson a few years ago. He was listed as a second or third rounder but blew it up in the combine and was taken number 17 by Tennessee. That seemed to work out pretty well until Tennessee decided not to pay him. Also note that people had him as their 4th or 5th best DT, not 25th. Moving up from 5th to 2nd for example is not that huge.

The combine helps players from smaller schools shine and compete on the same stage. Do you think anyone knew how strong Poe was or how weak some other guys were? Remember that these underclassmen don't get the press or publicity of upperclassmen. The combine opened some eyes.

Now expect guys to go back and watch Poe's games with renewed interest. What he may lack is not ability but lack of supporting talent and coaching. As a junior he was just coming into his own.

[frash.exe]

Ok, I've heard about him before the combine, he has great athleticism for his size, and I would've been fine with taking him at 9 before the combine

[Marguide]

anyone that will flip there position rankings upside down over just the combine...is someone who belongs on a TV.

Not always true. If a guy like Cox who showed good motor and production on the field, shows up and also demonstrates great athleticism, then he desrves to move up.

On the other hand you have Brockers. With him you have to make projections as he is still growing and played little on 3rd down. For Brockers, a lack of athleticism changes the projection.

That's entirely justifiable.

[csx]

Who is?

Our biggest needs are arguably DT, LB, CB, OT, FS. Maybe DE. There are no Linebackers worth #9, Claiborne won't make it to us, so no CB worth #9, Reiff might be worth it but probably won't slide to us and no other OTs are worth #9. There aren't any FS who should go in round one. You've thrown DT out as none of the remainder are worth #9.

Who are you taking?

I see you point. We will see how the draft unfolds, you really never know tis early.

My point was that you can point out things about one player without having the agenda a pimping another. You can think that Poe is this or that and it having nothing to do with your opinion about Brokers.

[panthers55]

yeah, but Chris Johnson dominated people on the field in college before entering the NFL his senior season. Johnson was a video game his senior season.

Poe didn't dominate his conference. He didn't play four years but he still never reached a point he could stand out in a weak conference.

Not a fan of high draft picks, from weak conferences, that didn't prove on the field to be head and shoulders better. You can do that later in the draft.

Johnson didn't dominate until his senior year. I knew who he was but remember I follow ECU. Seriously he was good but not great until his senior year.

Remember that for D linemen in college, they need 2 years just to learn the position, they rarely dominate early especially playing for a team with little talent.

There are a bunch of players from smalller schools who have proven that they can play at the pro level and do quite well so that argument is lame at best. Size, strength and speed matter regardless of where you went to school. The combine was designed to counter that kind of narrow thinking.

[frash.exe]

Not always true. If a guy like Cox who showed good motor and production on the field, shows up and also demonstrates great athleticism, then he desrves to move up.

On the other hand you have Brockers. With him you have to make projections as he is still growing and played little on 3rd down. For Brockers, a lack of athleticism changes the projection.

That's entirely justifiable.

lol he lacks athleticism because he didn't run fast enough doing something you'll never see him do in a game.

[CRA]

Johnson didn't dominate until his senior year. I knew who he was but remember I follow ECU. Seriously he was good but not great until his senior year.

Remember that for D linemen in college, they need 2 years just to learn the position, they rarely dominate early especially playing for a team with little talent.

There are a bunch of players from smalller schools who have proven that they can play at the pro level and do quite well so that argument is lame at best. Size, strength and speed matter regardless of where you went to school. The combine was designed to counter that kind of narrow thinking.

well in fairness, I specifically said his senior year. Also, why I acknowledge in fairness Poe didn't play 4 years. My point is only if you don't play in a major conference I at least want to see ONE season where you dominate your competition if you are going to be a top 1st round draft pick. I don't think that is a wild preference for a top draft pick.

Name the last top 10 pick who didn't play in a big time conference....and he never domianted a single season in college? Sure there are small time college players who come out and play well in the NFL but that isn't the arguement here.

Point is investing a top 10 NFL pick into a kid who never dominated a season and played in a weak conference. You don't see that. There aren't a bunch of guys that fit the scenario I am talking about.