MadDog49er's Combine Defensive Line Review | Page 4

MadDog49er · 2016-03-03T02:36:48-08:00

Greetings, all! Been trying to digest all that I have watched from the combine to break down my favorite part of the combine, the defense. Too much to put in one thread, so this is focused on DL. I will do a back seven review later: Let's start with Joey Bosa, since many believed this season that he was the odds on favorite to go number one in this draft. Highly unlikely now, as he needed a massive combine to keep that top status. Running a 4.86 did not help. Nor did the 1.69 split. Nor the 32" vertical. For most defensive ends, those numbers are not bad. But for a guy hoping to go first overall, just not strong enough. The good news for Bosa is that he looked athletic in the field drills, and ran the cone and shuttle times very well. In the end, it was a mixed bag for him. Expect a selection in the 5-9 range. DeForest Buckner, my best overall player in this draft, also did not hit a home run at the combine. I expected at 6'7", 291, he would run in the low 4.9s. Instead, he clocked a 5.06, with 1.77 ten yard split. Good, but not great. He did post very solid numbers in the vertical, 32", and long jump, 9'8", and his shuttle and cone times were good, just not elite. On the field, he looked smooth and quick. However, in a field of guys who were dominant at the combine, I believe his stock slipped a bit this weekend. Probably in the same draft range as Bosa, from 5-9. Jonathan Bullard is my second best DE/DT in this draft, and he did NOT disappoint. At 6'3", 285, Bullard ran a 4.93, which was good. However, his ten yard split was 1.66, which is outstanding. He also jumped 32", long jumped 9'7", and posted good cone and shuttle numbers. Bullard looked smooth and strong on the field. I know I am in the vast minority of people who follow the draft in saying so, but Bullard is worthy of a top ten pick. He is eighth best overall now. Expect some team in the teens to pick him up. STUD! SPARQ, which compares the athletic ability of NFL prospects with current NFL players at their position, labeled Bullard in the 85th percentile for NFL DT's. One of my favorite players to watch on game film. Loved what I saw from Kenny Clark, who is a tough guy to grade for me. Exceptional in some games, mediocre in others. He was a combine stud. At almost 6'3", 314, he ran a 5.06, with a 1.72 ten yard split. He lifted 29 times, jumped 29", both pretty good. More importantly, he looked like a beast on the field. Ran with a lot of violence, but was smooth in his movements. Looked super athletic for a DT. Scary good combine for him! On the flip side, A'Shawn Robinson did not have a good week. He posted a slow 40 time (5.20) and did not perform very well in the combination of measurable: bench press (22), broad jump, vertical (26"), and cone/shuttle times. Worst, I thought he then looked sluggish in the drills. This is the guy who I saw mostly as a run plugger at the line of scrimmage, a guy with very little up the field movement, and that's exactly what I thought after the combine. SPARQ placed Robinson at the bottom 11% athletically compared to NFL DTs. Simply not a very good performance for a guy thought to be a lock first rounder. On the other hand, Bronson Kaufusi is one that stood out to me as an athletic guy who can plays at the 34 DE position. Watched him in four games yesterday, and saw constant productivity and disruption. The guy simply makes plays all over the field. Kaufusi, at 6' 6 ½", 285, with 34 ½" arms, ran a nice 40 time (4.87), did very well in the shuttle and cone drills, and looked explosive in the drills. At 285 pounds, he ran the linebacker drills and did a terrific job dropping into coverage. He has plenty a room to stack on an extra 15 pounds, he's the son of a coach, plays hard on every single down with a high motor. The only issue is that he is 25 years old already because of his Mormon mission. If he is there at the top of the third round, the team has to take a serious look. Emmanuel Ogbah turned out to be one of the real surprises for me at the combine. At weigh in, he had 35 1/2 " arms. Teams will love that number. His forty time was fast at 4.63, vertical 35 ½", and broad jump at 10'. Very strong numbers. In college, he was highly productive, with heavy hands, but I didn't see a guy with athleticism, nor speed. Now, he is limited athletically to being a guy moving up the field, as his shuttle and cone times were slow, but he still put on a very surprising performance overall. Suited to be a 43 DE. Rough week for Noah Spence. Measured in at 6'2", 251, with 33" arms (we knew this from the Senior Bowl), and then promptly runs a 4.80. Really bad time for a guy who was thought to be super athletic. Good vertical and broad jumps, but shuttle and cone times were average. On the field, he did not stand out. While all of these numbers were not bad for an average combine invitee at his position, Spence is a guy that carries some baggage, and he needed to kill it on the field and also in interviews, which from some reports did not go well. Expect a drop to the latter part of the first, or even into the second round. As for Robert Nkemdiche, this guy has all the physical tools in the world. At 6' 3 ½", 294, with 34" arms, he ran a very quick 40 time (4.87), did very well the bench press (28 reps), vertical (35"), and broad (9'8"). Explosive athlete. However, the dude is a mess. From all reports, his interviews were an unmitigated disaster, and his meeting with the press was not impressive. He blamed alcohol for his falling out of a hotel window, blamed the marijuana found in the room on someone else, and then dropped the bomb that Laremy Tunsil was in the room. This a bad character dude who is just going to be in trouble day after day in the NFL. If I am a team, I am not considering him until the 4th round. He's got all the talent in the world, but if you honestly appraise his games this year, you see a guy who runs hot and cold. Super inconsistent, and mostly unproductive. Against Alabama? Star. The next couple games? Quiet. Why deal with all the trouble of Nkemdiche when there are good guys who were more productive on the field in 2015. Sheldon Rankins had a tremendous Senior Bowl week, and followed it up with a solid combine. He ran a time just above 5.0 (5.03), had 28 lefts, jumped 34 ½", which is huge, and broad jumped 9'10". He ran very fast cone and shuttle times, and in the drills looked explosive and smooth. SPARQ places him athletically at the 80th percentile for NFL DTs. Excellent game tape. The guy looks like a winner: hard worker never takes play off. There's a lot to like in this kid. Expect a top 15 selection. Andrew Billings had a mixed combine. I thought, as a strength champion that he would lift at least 40 times in the bench press. He only got up 31. His 40 went pretty well for a 311 pounder, at 5.11. His broad jump was strong, decent in vertical, and he looked pretty good in field drills. He did struggle in transitioning laterally, and this was shown in disastrous shuttle and cone time. He is a straight up the middle guy, blowing up blockers. Perfect as an anchor 34 NT. Expect a late first round, early 2nd round selection The two Clemson DE's in this draft had a good combine. Shaq Lawson was the faster of the two, running at 4.70. He also performed well in the broad jump and especially in the shuttle and cone times. On the field, he did not look out of place as a potential 34 OLB. He has short arms, 32 ½", which will surely disqualify him from Team Baalke. Kevin Dodd measured in at 6'5", two inches taller than Lawson, and looked like an NFL player. Ran a respectable forty time at 4.86, and has long arms (34"). He will perform field drills at his Pro Day. Shrine week star, Javon Hargrave, looked very good. Big, bubble butt, 43 one-gapper, ran a 4.93, which is blazing for a 309 pounder. Small hands, short arms, but explosive in vertical and broad. Looked terrific on the field. Not bad for a kid from South Carolina State. SPARQ placed him athletically in the 71st percentile athletically compared to NFL DT's. Expect a mid 2nd round selection. I'll end with my Circus side show- two defensive linemen looked flat out bizarre in their workouts. Dean Lowry of Northwestern had a great combine. At 6'5 ½", 296, he ran a fast forty (4.87), had 30 presses, ran well in drills, etc. But, for a guy at over 6'5", he had 31" arms. It was weird to look at, like they were superimposed on his body like the Burger King small hands guy. T-Rex arms. Strange. Even more bizarre was Shawn Oakman, who has a powerful upper body and scrawny legs. He looked like Oscar Pistorius while running the forty. Dude, mix in a leg day. Super creepy to look at. So much more to post. So little time

Mar 5, 2016 at 10:58 AM

#46

jreff22
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Posts: 67,314

who are your top 5 3-4 DE's?

Mar 5, 2016 at 1:34 PM

#47

GORO
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Posts: 2,251

Originally posted by eastcoast49ersfan:
Whoever falls between Bosa and Goff.

I don't think it's guaranteed that Buckner goes before Bosa or Wentz goes before Goff. In that list, I'd say the guys who will definitely be picked in the top 6 are Tunsil and Ramsey who are probably the 2 best players in the draft. Buckner, Jack, and Wentz are likely to be gone too, but I don't consider them guarantees.

Worst case scenario may be that we take Bosa at 7 and turn him into a 3-4 OLB which I'd be fine with. I'd prefer if we tried to trade back with a 4-3 team in that scenario and pick someone like Ogbah or Floyd later in the first if we need a pass rusher.

I would be excited to see Bosa in a 49er uniform. I thought he moved better than Aldon Smith in the LB drills.

Mar 5, 2016 at 5:30 PM

#48

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
In the end, Baalke shouldn't overthink this one. If Buckner is on the board, pull the lever. Dude is a monster from Day One.

There's a reason why you're name is gold!

I don't watch much college ball but can you tell me the differences from AA's game to Buckner's? More polished?

[ Edited by NCommand on Mar 5, 2016 at 5:39 PM ]

Mar 6, 2016 at 2:47 AM

#49

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by GORO:
I would be excited to see Bosa in a 49er uniform. I thought he moved better than Aldon Smith in the LB drills.

Much better in the drills/3 cone/shuttle.

Mar 6, 2016 at 2:49 AM

#50

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by NCommand:
There's a reason why you're name is gold!

I don't watch much college ball but can you tell me the differences from AA's game to Buckner's? More polished?

Just a better all around game. Extremely disruptive, highly productive, has excellent play awareness, knows how to use leverage. Much better at getting after the passer (sacks, hits, hurries)

Mar 6, 2016 at 3:33 AM

#51

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by jreff22:
who are your top 5 3-4 DE's?

1. Buckner
2. Bullard
3. Chris Jones
4. A'Shawn Robinson
5. Bronson Kaufusi
6. Jihad Ward

Easy one-two for me. The top two guys are consistent studs. I like Chris Jones more than most, because he is incredible when dialed in, but he is considered kind of a knucklehead (the wardrobe malfunction during 40s at the combine fit the right person). I don't know the final placement on him. Robinson is terrific at the line of scrimmage, but gives little up the field. I love Kaufusi's game, but he is kind of stuck in position purgatory right now. He needs to stack on about 10-15 pounds of weight and play the 34 DE role. Ward is a perfect fit for the 34 DE role, but underproduced on the interior this year. Variables may shift #3-6, but 1-2 is not going anywhere. They are rock solid beasts.

Mar 6, 2016 at 6:53 AM

#52

Murphys1
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Posts: 1,231

Pull the lever on Buckner...only of Goff is gone, right MD?

Mar 6, 2016 at 7:16 AM

#53

TexasNiner
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Posts: 7,879

Originally posted by eastcoast49ersfan:

Originally posted by bzborow1:

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by GORO:
When I watched highlights of Oregon games last year to watch Armstead I would see Buckner looked like big but was usually quiete, what changed the following year because Buckner had a monster year? Do you see him having 9 plus sacks yearly?

Just better in 2015. Knows how to use his hands better, get skinny between two blockers, use multiple pass rush moves to beat OL. 9 sacks a year is a pretty big number for a 34 DE, but I think he is going to hit it consistently. He is a complete player right now.

Despite all the talk, I don't think the 49ers will have a shot at Buckner, Ramsey or Jack. Draftniks like to match needs to teams like a glove and they ignore the reality that teams are looking for the best players.

Buckner, Ramsey, Wentz, Jack and Tunsil will all be gone.

If those guys are gone, who is a realistic target for SF?

Whoever falls between Bosa and Goff.

I don't think it's guaranteed that Buckner goes before Bosa or Wentz goes before Goff. In that list, I'd say the guys who will definitely be picked in the top 6 are Tunsil and Ramsey who are probably the 2 best players in the draft. Buckner, Jack, and Wentz are likely to be gone too, but I don't consider them guarantees.

Worst case scenario may be that we take Bosa at 7 and turn him into a 3-4 OLB which I'd be fine with. I'd prefer if we tried to trade back with a 4-3 team in that scenario and pick someone like Ogbah or Floyd later in the first if we need a pass rusher.

If Buckner, Ramsey, Wentz, Jack and Tunsil are gone, and then Bosa or Goff goes too, I would take Stanley all day and be thrilled about it. Plus, Spence, Hargraves, and Treadwell are on the board.

If a team did want to give up a ransom for us to move back a few spots for Bosa, Goff or Stanley, we would have two of those guys plus several more very nice options still available if we didn't move back more than 4-5 spots. That might be hard to pass up if the guy we were targeting is gone. I'd be thrilled to take Shaq Lawson later and pickup another 2nd rounder or a future first.

But barring a coup like that, if we could get Stanley at 7 because our guy at D/QB was gone, I consider it a steal and walk away smiling.

Mar 6, 2016 at 7:37 AM

#54

crew
Veteran
Posts: 805

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by jreff22:
who are your top 5 3-4 DE's?

1. Buckner
2. Bullard
3. Chris Jones
4. A'Shawn Robinson
5. Bronson Kaufusi
6. Jihad Ward

Easy one-two for me. The top two guys are consistent studs. I like Chris Jones more than most, because he is incredible when dialed in, but he is considered kind of a knucklehead (the wardrobe malfunction during 40s at the combine fit the right person). I don't know the final placement on him. Robinson is terrific at the line of scrimmage, but gives little up the field. I love Kaufusi's game, but he is kind of stuck in position purgatory right now. He needs to stack on about 10-15 pounds of weight and play the 34 DE role. Ward is a perfect fit for the 34 DE role, but underproduced on the interior this year. Variables may shift #3-6, but 1-2 is not going anywhere. They are rock solid beasts.

Assuming Goff is there at #7 and Baalke takies him, Chris Jones in RD2, think there is a good possibility he would be there.

Mar 6, 2016 at 7:58 AM

#55

Sims19849ers
Veteran
Posts: 5,419

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by jreff22:
who are your top 5 3-4 DE's?

1. Buckner
2. Bullard
3. Chris Jones
4. A'Shawn Robinson
5. Bronson Kaufusi
6. Jihad Ward

Easy one-two for me. The top two guys are consistent studs. I like Chris Jones more than most, because he is incredible when dialed in, but he is considered kind of a knucklehead (the wardrobe malfunction during 40s at the combine fit the right person). I don't know the final placement on him. Robinson is terrific at the line of scrimmage, but gives little up the field. I love Kaufusi's game, but he is kind of stuck in position purgatory right now. He needs to stack on about 10-15 pounds of weight and play the 34 DE role. Ward is a perfect fit for the 34 DE role, but underproduced on the interior this year. Variables may shift #3-6, but 1-2 is not going anywhere. They are rock solid beasts.

I agree although I'd slide Vernon Butler in there after Bullard. I think he will be a stud as well

Mar 6, 2016 at 8:14 AM

#56

saniner
Veteran
Posts: 7,724

I'll admit, I haven't watched too much of Bullard, but man is he impressive.

https://mobile.twitter.com/DraftScout247/status/704126699248750593/video/1

Great power and explosiveness. The one problem I see is he gets up the field so damn fast that he can take himself out of plays sometimes.

Mar 6, 2016 at 8:16 AM

#57

eastcoast49ersfan
Veteran
Posts: 4,112

Originally posted by TexasNiner:
If Buckner, Ramsey, Wentz, Jack and Tunsil are gone, and then Bosa or Goff goes too, I would take Stanley all day and be thrilled about it. Plus, Spence, Hargraves, and Treadwell are on the board.

If a team did want to give up a ransom for us to move back a few spots for Bosa, Goff or Stanley, we would have two of those guys plus several more very nice options still available if we didn't move back more than 4-5 spots. That might be hard to pass up if the guy we were targeting is gone. I'd be thrilled to take Shaq Lawson later and pickup another 2nd rounder or a future first.

But barring a coup like that, if we could get Stanley at 7 because our guy at D/QB was gone, I consider it a steal and walk away smiling.

If 7 players are gone when we pick 7th, you would be thrilled if we pick Stanley

The good thing in my opinion is one of those 7 players has to be there if not more (if Stanley or someone else goes earlier). I wouldn't be mad if we pick Stanley but ideally, Anthony Davis comes back and we get Goff/Wentz/Buckner/Jack with the 7th pick.

Mar 6, 2016 at 8:20 AM

#58

Sims19849ers
Veteran
Posts: 5,419

Originally posted by saniner:
I'll admit, I haven't watched too much of Bullard, but man is he impressive.

https://mobile.twitter.com/DraftScout247/status/704126699248750593/video/1

Great power and explosiveness. The one problem I see is he gets up the field so damn fast that he can take himself out of plays sometimes.

I've watched every game being a Gator fan and that concern certainly has held true at times. But he lives in that backfield. The sacks and tackles for loss are there but the hurries and times when he ruins a play by pushing his man back or shooting into the backfield and making the RB run lateral so the backers can clean it up are there too. It seemed like everytime it was something and short, he was the one that wrecked that play. His first step off the snap is elite. I was shocked when I saw him in the 2nd round of mocks

Mar 6, 2016 at 9:01 AM

#59

NCommand
Hall of Fame
Posts: 123,365

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Originally posted by NCommand:
There's a reason why you're name is gold!

I don't watch much college ball but can you tell me the differences from AA's game to Buckner's? More polished?

Just a better all around game. Extremely disruptive, highly productive, has excellent play awareness, knows how to use leverage. Much better at getting after the passer (sacks, hits, hurries)

Thank you brother!

Mar 6, 2016 at 3:45 PM

#60

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by Murphys1:
Pull the lever on Buckner...only of Goff is gone, right MD?

Tough call for me. I don't think Goff is a special QB, but I think Buckner is a special player. Since QBs carry such huge value, it makes it hard for me. I see Goff as a top 15-20 QB in the league, with a smaller window of upside compared to some of the other QBs in the draft. If they are going all-in on a QB, they have to move up and get Wentz. He is the best of this group.