Antonio Smith, DT?

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Antonio Smith is allegedly 6'4" 285lbs, which would make him a bit light in the pants to play the DT position on 1st & 2nd down. Taking a look at the draft prospects who have legit size to play in the middle along with the necessary agility to pass rush I focus on 3 times from the Combine. 4.4_ or less in the shuttle, 7.3_ or less in the cone, and 1.69 or less in the 10 yard split. Those who competed at the Combine and meet these splits are:

Geno Atkins 6'2" 293lbs 4.43 - 7.33 - 1.68
Gerald McCoy 6'4" 295lbs 4.48 - 7.32 - 1.68
Ndamukong Suh 6'4" 307lbs 4.44 - 7.21 - 1.69
Tyson Alualu 6'3" 295lbs 4.43 - 7.15 - 1.67

That's a pretty short list. Atkins and Alualu have 10 more lbs on Antonio Smith. So, I'd prefer keeping the the Smith/Barwin platoon at DE and finding/drafting a big/fast 3-Tech to rotate with Okoye. Otherwise, I'd ask Smith to bulk up and find/draft another DE to rotate with Barwin. Either way, I'm not going to stand pat on personnel and hope that they just get better.

...This just in - Alex Brown has been cut by the Bears. Hmmmm at 6'3 & 260lbs, I could tell Antonio Smith to sit at the buffet table.

285 is light for a DT, but not something that is too light especially considering he could definitely get close to Atkins/Alualu's weight. I'm thinking the upgrade to personnel should be to get another DE and a run stopping DT. DTs that can rush the passer are expensive. I'm perfectly fine if the Texans get a DT that can rush the passer, but the high pick needed could be used elsewhere.