Oregon DL Derrick Harmon

Yes, technically, that is what I am talking about. That type of player has more value because they can be the stalwart NT in the middle in base defense, but also is athletic enough to be on the field in sub package play as well. That player goes from being on the field 1/3 of the time, to potentially 100% of the time (obviously not the case, but their snap load goes up massively). You get more "value" from that player as opposed to the NT type because they are capable of being on the field a lot more often. I agree that there still is some value in a NT that only plays base snaps, but that value isn't enough to be using a day 1 or day 2 pick on.

What I am describing with the DT type is what Philly does. They can afford to be in sub package sets all game because their two top DT's are freaks. They can stop the run AND chip in on the rush. This allows Philly to deploy Cooper DeJean as that extra DB and put him all over the field. Speaking of which, I am glad we met with Xavier Watts from ND, as he is a DeJean-type chess piece that we should definitely be considering.

 

They have similar styles and big frames. I am not sure that Grant is more versatile... he is probably just a bit bigger and a bit better of an athlete. They have similar strengths and weaknesses, I just think Grant has a bit of a higher ceiling. Either would be a welcome addition to the line.

I think both are worthy of a first round pick and if Grant runs that 4.8 he says he's going to at his pro day, we might not even get a shot at drafting him. That type of player on the DL is my preference though. Big athletic run stopper that is capable of playing sub package ball.

 

That's why I like Grant the scouts think he can play in the sub packages.

 

I think Williams can too, he's just not quite the athlete Grant is... Either way, that is the type of player we need. I think Harmon is a good player (and he might be the replacement for Cam we need), but that is the only type of player that makes a true impact in the short term on our defense. Our DL is aging, but despite that we were a top ranked front 7 against the run (outside of the two Ravens away games). A specific type of player will move the needle for us, and that is they body type/athlete our defense is missing.

The only problem is, we desperately need offensive weapons too. Based off our combine visits, it looks like round 1 and 2 will consist of two of WR, RB, DL, CB.

 

I think they will make major moves in free agency to fill in WR and CB.

 

Let's hope.

 

I hope so. I've said for a while that we have a ton of money available, so we better put it to use. We can take a lot of positions of the top of the draft list (WR, CB, DL, etc.) a major move in those areas would make a first round draft pick a lot less necessary.

 

I don't get this. Do you not think Benton contributed more than Ogunjobi? I did. You seem stuck on the idea that we have to have that 325 pound NT type. I'm not against that, but following BPA philosophy to some degree, if Grant isn't there and Harmon and Williams are, I'm going Harmon.

 

Let's purge some of the dead weight on DL depth chart, and sign mid tier FA with production history and draft another DL to groom for DL replacement. Purging of atleast 3 current DL should pay for this FA acquisition.

 

more like lack of awareness by the coaching staff, that was the worst defensive game plan I have ever witnessed by the Steelers. Lets not forget that Watt and Highsmith didnt attack Lamar and went to the Rb every time.....this was pathetic and the HC should have been canned on the spot.....but this isnt a bash Tomlin thread, this is just a general statement based on observations that any HC that deployed that scheme should not have kept their job...period!!!

 

Another DL Duck I want. I want that whole line, and I'm not kidding. He's not very tall, and only has 32 inch arms, but he moves well and is 330 lbs. He's a day 3 guy.

The thing that I like best is the unreal leverage he plays with. This dude consumes double teams.

 

Nazir Stackhouse is similar, and both "may" be available in the 6th or 7th round. Being shorter and rounder, Caldwell may be more of a true NT than Stackhouse, but I'd be happy with either in the 6th or 7th if we don't get Grant in the first.

 

Well its not just the larger DT body type because I think the defense needs a NT... Its because it changes our ability to defend the run when we are in sub-packages. The NT type comes off the field when we go subs, but I want that body type with the capability of staying on the field in more obvious passing downs. It's more about how it changes our formations and how we can play sub ball than it is simply the NT position. If we go that body type, it HAS to be a player who is athlete enough to be a force in the interior rush and not just a two down run stuffer.

I think Harmon is a fine player, but the short term benefit is simply a replacement for losing Heyward. Not awful of course, because if we replace Cam with a good player that is a definite win.... but I just think the other route is more impactful to the defense as a whole (all things being equal). We should still take the player we think is better if we are picking between two body types (no reason to force it, go with the guy you like), but I prefer us to take someone like Grant if we feel we HAVE to go DL this draft.

As for your first question, maybe? Idk. Neither player was awful, but neither was particularly consistent either. Both had stretches of fine play and stretches of vanishing. They were obviously fine... we weren't a top 5 run defense for nothing. But I wouldn't say one was massively better than the other.