|High School Harry| Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 NFL Draft 2018: Mike Mayock’s top 5 interior defensive linemen 14 Could one of these guys join the Bengals and help stop the run next to Geno Atkins at defensive tackle? By PatrickJudis@PatrickJudis Mar 24, 2018, 7:00am EDT SHARE Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images The Bengals have a plethora of talent they rotate in the middle of the defensive line. However, outside of Geno Atkins none of these players have showed consistent enough success to warrant the starting spot next to the Pro Bowler. The likes of Andrew Billings and Ryan Glasgow at defensive tackle and having Michael Johnson and Jordan Willis kick inside during pass rushing situations is a decent set up, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. That’s especially true with the Bengals returning to more of a rotational approach to snaps at the position last season. Mike Mayock recently put out his top 5 players at each position, and there are some names here who could instantly boost the Bengals interior defensive line. Vita Vea will likely be off-the-board by pick No. 21 when the Bengals are drafting, but Da’Ron Payne and Maurice Hurst are both likely in play for Cincinnati in Round 1 and though Mayock likes Payne out of Alabama over Hurst out of Michigan, the same can’t be said of all draft analysts. 1). Vita Vea, Washington Vea is a raw prospect who has the potential to be disruptive in the NFL. At 350 pounds Washington even lined him up on the edge a few times, and he was able to hold his own. You simply don’t see 350 pounders move the way he does. The frustrating part about him, as evaluators have noted, is he hasn’t really corrected simple things he is doing wrong in his technique like reaching too far out. It leads to a lot of inconsistent tape but he still has incredible potential as the top defensive tackle this year. 2). Da’Ron Payne, Alabama Payne is a plug and play prospect. You can throw him out there and he will use his 300 pound build to halt a lot of rushing attempts. The only real issue is he has a lot to learn as far as pass rushing goes, but he has the tools to learn that over time. For a team like the Bengals, it’d be ideal considering they have pass rushers bursting at the seem, but they need a guy to help hold down the middle. 3). Maurice Hurst, Michigan Hurst is a great disrupting defensive tackle. He actually uses his acceleration to create most of his penetration against the offensive line, but the doubts still remain whether he is strong enough to be successful against NFL caliber offensive lines. He’d be a great guy to have come off the bench and take over for Atkins when he needs a breather, but he could be drafted too early to warrant that role for the Bengals. There was a red flag with Hurst at the NFL Combine as a heart condition was discovered, but it’s not thought to be a major deal and he participated in Michigan’s pro day this week. 4). Taven Bryan, Florida Bryan is a very athletically gifted player and shows great quickness, but he also comes in under 300 pounds. Some analysts feel he has a future on either the inside or outside of defensive lines in the NFL. The major ding against him is his lack of awareness and technique. Too often it looks like he is simply trying either over power guys or just be faster than them. He also gets lost too often during plays. That is something that won’t work at the next level, but it is coachable. 5). Harrison Phillips, Stanford Phillips is a former wrestling champ, and it shows in the way he is able to work around blocks to get to the quarterback. However, he can show very poor technique and play too high for an inside defender. There is a lot of upside to him as he has great motor. In fact Lance Zierlein compares him to Glasgow. The only question is do the Bengals need another Glasgow? Probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatternMaster Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 This article doesn't mention Chris Baker, he will play significantly snaps for the Bengals this year. However I like Payne then Vea the most out of this group of players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKrumrieFan Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 This article says we have pass rushers bursting at the seem but we desperately need a DT that can rush next to Geno on the inside. We also need another DE too since MJ isn't very good, Smith is gone and we only have Dunlap, Lawson and Willis who was inconsistent and probably not ready for a significant % of snaps for 16 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted March 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 1 hour ago, PatternMaster said: This article doesn't mention Chris Baker, he will play significantly snaps for the Bengals this year. However I like Payne then Vea the most out of this group of players. 18 minutes ago, TimKrumrieFan said: This article says we have pass rushers bursting at the seem but we desperately need a DT that can rush next to Geno on the inside. We also need another DE too since MJ isn't very good, Smith is gone and we only have Dunlap, Lawson and Willis who was inconsistent and probably not ready for a significant % of snaps for 16 weeks. Agree with both. Also, per the article, its "seams", not seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|schotzee| Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 1 minute ago, High School Harry said: Agree with both. Also, per the article, its "seams", not seems. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatternMaster Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 1 hour ago, TimKrumrieFan said: This article says we have pass rushers bursting at the seem but we desperately need a DT that can rush next to Geno on the inside. We also need another DE too since MJ isn't very good, Smith is gone and we only have Dunlap, Lawson and Willis who was inconsistent and probably not ready for a significant % of snaps for 16 weeks. I think Lawson and Willis are good players that flashed some potential in their rookie season, Lawson moreso than Willis, but both guys are promising young players that will improve with more playing time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 Settle and Hill are 2/3 round guys I'd be interested in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 We need to find a solid 4-down DE in the 3rd or 4th round area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 7 hours ago, PatternMaster said: This article doesn't mention Chris Baker, he will play significantly snaps for the Bengals this year. However I like Payne then Vea the most out of this group of players. It would be my hope that he doesn't even make the team and we get an upgrade of talent over him through the draft. I think the team considers him in that same light, as that's how his contract is constructed. It won't kill us to cut him, if all that pans out. I see him as a likely backup plan should that not happen, or put another way... veteran insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 25 minutes ago, snarkster said: We need to find a solid 4-down DE in the 3rd or 4th round area. Rare find, kind of like finding gold in your back yard. Sure, it happens, but highly unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|schotzee| Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 47 minutes ago, snarkster said: We need to find a solid 4-down DE in the 3rd or 4th round area. Not to sound stupid, but wth is a four down defensive end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Bunghole| Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, schotzee said: Not to sound stupid, but wth is a four down defensive end? One that only plays on first and second downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 7 minutes ago, schotzee said: Not to sound stupid, but wth is a four down defensive end? LOL, also a special teams guy, who's in on the punt team, perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 1 hour ago, snarkster said: We need to find a solid 4-down DE in the 3rd or 4th round area. I think Willis could be that guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalFanInTO Posted March 25, 2018 Report Share Posted March 25, 2018 5 hours ago, Jason said: Settle and Hill are 2/3 round guys I'd be interested in. Tim Settle is my favourite DT in this draft as far as a fit for the Bengals needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKrumrieFan Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 7 hours ago, PatternMaster said: I think Lawson and Willis are good players that flashed some potential in their rookie season, Lawson moreso than Willis, but both guys are promising young players that will improve with more playing time. Completely agree, but right now they are DEs 2 and 3. There really isn't a DE4. That is why I want one drafted. MJ is practically useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 3 hours ago, schotzee said: Not to sound stupid, but wth is a four down defensive end? Meant to type 3-down. Someone whio can defend against the run, but doesn't have to come off the field on passing downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 2 hours ago, Jason said: I think Willis could be that guy. Love Willis and think he'll only get better, but with the loss of Smith, we only have Johnson, Dunlap, Willis & Lawson @ DE. I'd like to see them add another guy for depth - I'd like to see them go to camp with 4 DE's plus Lawson especially in case of injury (although I'm guessing Gilberry will be sitting by a phone someplace ). Maybe a swing guy who can slide over to DT in some passing situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengaled Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 3 hours ago, BengalFanInTO said: Tim Settle is my favourite DT in this draft as far as a fit for the Bengals needs. I like him a lot, too. He's a prospect with a huge ceiling and a lot of room to grow. I think a situational role in the pro game will fit him much better than what he was asked to do at the college level. With that said, he's certainly not my favorite DT, but for the investment might offer the best value and I think that's likely what you were trying to say, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 3 hours ago, snarkster said: Love Willis and think he'll only get better, but with the loss of Smith, we only have Johnson, Dunlap, Willis & Lawson @ DE. I'd like to see them add another guy for depth - I'd like to see them go to camp with 4 DE's plus Lawson especially in case of injury (although I'm guessing Gilberry will be sitting by a phone someplace ). Maybe a swing guy who can slide over to DT in some passing situations. We need DT's just as much, 3 or 0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snarkster Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 4 hours ago, T-Dub said: We need DT's just as much, 3 or 0. I'd like an OC, RT, DE, DT & a LB or DB in the first four rounds (5 picks) - no particular order. REALLY pissed the McWebb trade fell through. We could've addressed all six of those plus a QB in the first four rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 Too bad he won’t make it to 21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 On 3/26/2018 at 3:20 PM, Jason said: Too bad he won’t make it to 21. A lot can happen before draft day. He could get drunk and assault a police horse, you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 49 minutes ago, T-Dub said: A lot can happen before draft day. He could get drunk and assault a police horse, you never know. That's about what it would take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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