here are some players that I think we should take a look at to play the under DT and RE when we go 4-3
DT
Ray Drew, DE/DT, Georgia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 284.
Projected 40 Time: 4.89.
Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
8/23/14: In 2013, Drew recorded 43 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for a loss. He was very good for Georgia. Drew could play as a 3-4 defensive end who rushes from the inside in the sub package. In a 4-3 defense, he could play end on run downs and rush from the inside in passing situations.
DE/OLB Zach Wagenmann Montana
6"3 250
projected round 6
40 time low 4.71 high 4.92 = 40 time 4.81
Had 17.5 sacks in 2014 and 37.5 in his career.
looks like a good late round/udfa tweener
Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 293.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Projected Round (2015): 1-2
Bennett recorded 41 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, three passes broken up and three forced fumbles in 2014. He had impressive games against Maryland, Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Alabama. Bennett is a fast gap-shooter who can cause disruption in the backfield. A perfect player to play the 3T, under DT and rotate in hopefully many new sets.
DT Christian Covington*, DT, Rice
Height: 6-2. Weight: 289.
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5
Covington recorded 20 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss, one pass batted and 2.5 sacks through the first six games of 2014. His season ended early because of surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap. The rehab time-table is said to be six months.
8/23/14: Covington was a First-Team All-C-USA pick in 2013. The sophomore had 51 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. It was the second-straight good season for him as he had 43 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and a pass batted in 2012. It will be interesting to see if Covington can elevate his game as an upperclassman.
DT Xavier Cooper*, DT, Washington State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 293.
40 Time: 4.86.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.
3/7/15: Cooper was a surprise early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft. He has a serious amount of speed for a defensive tackle close to 300 pounds, and he put that on display at the Combine with a blazing fast 40. Cooper can use that speed to be a pass-rushing threat on the inside.
The junior totaled 37 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2014. He had 50 tackles with five sacks the year before. Cooper broke into the starting lineup as a freshman with 34 tackles, 8.5 for a loss and three sacks. He could use more strength for the NFL, and perhaps he should have stayed for his senior year.
DE/OLB Markus Golden, Missouri
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected 7/14: Golden ran slower than expected than expected. In 2014, he recorded 10 sacks, 78 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, two passes batted and three forced fumbles. Golden dominated in the game against Toledo and showed great speed off the edge. Central Florida sent tons of double-teams his direction, yet he still recorded 1.5 sacks while opening things up for teammate Shane Ray to have a massive performance.
Za'Darius Smith, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Height: 6-4. Weight: 274.
40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.
3/7/15: Smith totaled 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up and 4.5 sacks in 2014. He was solid against Florida and a contributor for a talented Wildcats' defensive line, but he still didn't play up to his skill set. Smith had strong weeks at the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl. He showed more pass-rushing skills than his 2014 totals indicate and did well in the one-on-ones at both all-star games. Smith definitely helped himself on the field and was solid at the Combine
Eli Harold*, DE/OLB, Virginia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2015): 1-2.
3/7/15: Harold was very impressive in 2014. He totaled 54 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two passes batted, one interception and a forced fumble. The junior had strong showings against UCLA, Louisville and North Carolina. Harold is fast and athletic on the edge. He needs to add weight to remain in a 4-3 defense in the NFL. Harold worked out well at the Combine, but needs to get bigger.
8/23/14: Harold made a big impact as an edge rusher for Virginia in 2013. The first-year starter totaled 8.5 sacks with 15 tackles for a loss, 51 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass broken up. His season was highlighted by a three-sack game against rival Virginia Tech.
Harold is a fast and athletic edge rusher, but probably will have to move to linebacker if he can't gain a significant amount of weight. As a freshman backup in 2012, Harold had two sacks
the obvious ones are Dupree, Orchard, now wildcards I think I wan't to throw in, Preston Smith Mississippi St 6"5 270 4.8, Trey Flowers Arkansas 6"2 268 4.82, Cedric Reed 6"6 270 De/DT, good be a good udfa PICK UP.
DT
Ray Drew, DE/DT, Georgia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 284.
Projected 40 Time: 4.89.
Projected Round (2015): 6-FA.
8/23/14: In 2013, Drew recorded 43 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for a loss. He was very good for Georgia. Drew could play as a 3-4 defensive end who rushes from the inside in the sub package. In a 4-3 defense, he could play end on run downs and rush from the inside in passing situations.
DE/OLB Zach Wagenmann Montana
6"3 250
projected round 6
40 time low 4.71 high 4.92 = 40 time 4.81
Had 17.5 sacks in 2014 and 37.5 in his career.
looks like a good late round/udfa tweener
Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 293.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Projected Round (2015): 1-2
Bennett recorded 41 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, three passes broken up and three forced fumbles in 2014. He had impressive games against Maryland, Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Alabama. Bennett is a fast gap-shooter who can cause disruption in the backfield. A perfect player to play the 3T, under DT and rotate in hopefully many new sets.
DT Christian Covington*, DT, Rice
Height: 6-2. Weight: 289.
Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5
Covington recorded 20 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss, one pass batted and 2.5 sacks through the first six games of 2014. His season ended early because of surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap. The rehab time-table is said to be six months.
8/23/14: Covington was a First-Team All-C-USA pick in 2013. The sophomore had 51 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. It was the second-straight good season for him as he had 43 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and a pass batted in 2012. It will be interesting to see if Covington can elevate his game as an upperclassman.
DT Xavier Cooper*, DT, Washington State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 293.
40 Time: 4.86.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.
3/7/15: Cooper was a surprise early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft. He has a serious amount of speed for a defensive tackle close to 300 pounds, and he put that on display at the Combine with a blazing fast 40. Cooper can use that speed to be a pass-rushing threat on the inside.
The junior totaled 37 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2014. He had 50 tackles with five sacks the year before. Cooper broke into the starting lineup as a freshman with 34 tackles, 8.5 for a loss and three sacks. He could use more strength for the NFL, and perhaps he should have stayed for his senior year.
DE/OLB Markus Golden, Missouri
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected 7/14: Golden ran slower than expected than expected. In 2014, he recorded 10 sacks, 78 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, two passes batted and three forced fumbles. Golden dominated in the game against Toledo and showed great speed off the edge. Central Florida sent tons of double-teams his direction, yet he still recorded 1.5 sacks while opening things up for teammate Shane Ray to have a massive performance.
Za'Darius Smith, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Height: 6-4. Weight: 274.
40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round (2015): 3-5.
3/7/15: Smith totaled 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up and 4.5 sacks in 2014. He was solid against Florida and a contributor for a talented Wildcats' defensive line, but he still didn't play up to his skill set. Smith had strong weeks at the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl. He showed more pass-rushing skills than his 2014 totals indicate and did well in the one-on-ones at both all-star games. Smith definitely helped himself on the field and was solid at the Combine
Eli Harold*, DE/OLB, Virginia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2015): 1-2.
3/7/15: Harold was very impressive in 2014. He totaled 54 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, two passes batted, one interception and a forced fumble. The junior had strong showings against UCLA, Louisville and North Carolina. Harold is fast and athletic on the edge. He needs to add weight to remain in a 4-3 defense in the NFL. Harold worked out well at the Combine, but needs to get bigger.
8/23/14: Harold made a big impact as an edge rusher for Virginia in 2013. The first-year starter totaled 8.5 sacks with 15 tackles for a loss, 51 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass broken up. His season was highlighted by a three-sack game against rival Virginia Tech.
Harold is a fast and athletic edge rusher, but probably will have to move to linebacker if he can't gain a significant amount of weight. As a freshman backup in 2012, Harold had two sacks
the obvious ones are Dupree, Orchard, now wildcards I think I wan't to throw in, Preston Smith Mississippi St 6"5 270 4.8, Trey Flowers Arkansas 6"2 268 4.82, Cedric Reed 6"6 270 De/DT, good be a good udfa PICK UP.
