Antonio Smith, DT?

[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.

[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.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

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.

So, if I'm reading you correctly, you want a "cheap" pass rushing DE instead of an expensive pass rushing DT. Let me introduce you to the DE from Washington, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. Currently a 4th round pick by nfldraftscout.com. He's 6'4" 267lbs with 30 career sacks and 47 TFLs. Other measurables include 4.73 - 40, 29 reps, 1.61 - 10, 4.18 - shuttle, & 6.91 - Cone. I think I'm going to have to put him on my Draft Board now. He played in either the Shrine Bowl or the Texas v. Nation game, and he got pressure.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...;pageContainer

[Joe Joe]

Originally Posted by Roy P

So, if I'm reading you correctly, you want a "cheap" pass rushing DE instead of an expensive pass rushing DT. Let me introduce you to the DE from Washington, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim. Currently a 4th round pick by nfldraftscout.com. He's 6'4" 267lbs with 30 career sacks and 47 TFLs. Other measurables include 4.73 - 40, 29 reps, 1.61 - 10, 4.18 - shuttle, & 6.91 - Cone. I think I'm going to have to put him on my Draft Board now. He played in either the Shrine Bowl or the Texas v. Nation game, and he got pressure.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p...;pageContainer

Exactly. Getting Smith more reps at DT improves pass rushing at two positions at the cost of hurting the run defense some. Yes, pass rushing DEs (not elite ones) are cheaper than the top ten picks needed for a good pass rushing DTs like Suh and McCoy.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Joe Joe

Yes, pass rushing DEs (not elite ones) are cheaper than the top ten picks needed for a good pass rushing DTs like Suh and McCoy.

I would be looking at Geno Atkins and Tyson Alualu, not Suh or McCoy. In fact, I'm a little greedy and would like Atkins AND Te'o-Nesheim.

[Roy P]

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.

I would suppose the Texans shared my thought process, but went with Earl instead of Geno.