DEs

[davos]

Everyone knows we need a more effective pash rush. Yeah, with Edwards returning and a likely FA signing, this line still needs some work and its at DE. We have Hardy and Johnson. Hardy could end up blowing up next year but at the same time I still think they're looking for an extra body to rotate in that can be just as good or better (especially in areas such as run-d). We may get Mark Anderson in the FA but that's about all I'm seeing.

So basically, this could be the direction that surprises some in this draft? I wanted to ask, which DE in this draft fits us best? We got a handful of tweener LB/DEs but I'm talking a potential legit DE in a Ron Rivera defense. Who ya got?

The field (positional tweeners in italic):

Quinton Coples (UNC) a maybe if he falls, would solve a lot...but I don't like him

Melvin Ingram (South Carolina) he'd be interesting...especially how we could use him in games beyond DE.

Whitney Mercilus (Illinois) *my top guy for us atm

Jared Crick(Nebraska) interesting...coming off injury but has been a must-game-plan-for player his career.

Andre Branch (Clemson) *my #2 choice

Nick Perry (USC) I actually like this guy a lot for us. He consistently got better throughout his career. But we're looking at another LB/DE here.

Vinny Curry (Marshall) a favorite in these parts

Chandler Jones (Syracuse) A more pure DE in my book. He could be a good fit with our defense.

So, who stands out to you? I know, its really not that great of a year for the position.

[Guest Bwood15]

Nick Perry is my #1 choice followed by Ingram.

Perry had an incredible combine and has pretty decent size. He looks like a player with his best years in front of him, and a lot more room to grow.

Ingram is slightly undersized, but like you said he fits into so many different packages that there is no way he wouldn't make some sort of impact on our defense.

[mmmbeans]

i think crick is a DT in a 4-3... that said, i like him.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Mitchell Schwartz said the hardest player he's had to block was nick perry, and coming from the guy who shut down all the souths top d-lineman at the senior bowl, like coples Ingram and upshaw

[HeatCheck]

Mitchell Schwartz said the hardest player he's had to block was nick perry, and coming from the guy who shut down all the souths top d-lineman at the senior bowl, like coples Ingram and upshaw

I think that has more to do with Schwartz playing him on a yearly basis in the Pac 12

[Guest Bwood15]

Not only did Shwartz say that, but Matt Kalil and Tyron Smith both said he is the toughest pass rusher they've ever faced. And that was every day in practice. A lot like Peppers vs. Gross in camp.

[nickzz]

wouldn't mind melvin ingram in a panthers uniform

[MHS831]

I am NOT a UNC fan. Born in Columbia while Dad was a TE for the Gamecocks. So not pulling a homer.

Coples is the kind of player 4-3 defensive coaches salivate over. He played through a bunch of crap with the UNC scandal, a position change, and then a new coach. Maybe he was told to aviod injury, but he did showcase some awesome talent at the Senior Bowl.

About the Perry comments--and this from a critique of Kalil several weeks ago--what other DEs in the Pac 12 were there? I still like him, based on his measurables.

Melvin Ingram--I love the player, but his short arms could make him a LB only in the NFL. b

All hybrid 34 OLBs/43 DEs: I am not fond of converting hybrid 3-4 LBs into DEs. We give up the run when we do that. We have some pretty good RBs in our division. We are not the Colts, and we already have Tucker and Applewhite.

Finally, do not discount the progress Keiser made last year. He came out early because Harbaugh left, and he was used in a 43 and 34 in college. He was projected to be a day 1 or day 2 pick in this year's draft had he stayed. Expect him to be about 10 lbs heavier and better. He played very little and had 4 sacks--that aint bad.

[DaCityKats]

Olivier Vernon should be added. i think Coples is the cream of the crop tho.size, speed, athletisim, and production.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I'd want a DE in the second round. Unless we go CB, then DT or DT then DE in the second.

Whitney Mercilus is definitely in my radar. I doubt that he makes it past the pats. Nick Perry and Vinny Curry as well. Andre Branch too.

[jarhead]

Nick Perry is the man

[MHS831]

Nick Perry is the man

He was impressive at the combine. I was surprised. Could be the best defensive player I am hearing little about

[BeasonBeastingBacks]

Perry, Coples, Ingram, and maybe Mercilus have played their way into the first round. Crick is more of a 34 DE, and i wouldnt mind having one of Branch/Curry/Jones in the 2nd if we dont go CB or something.