DT vs. Skill Player Reprise From 2006

[CasualFan]

When Shanahan drafted Cutler at #11 there were a couple of DTs on the board that got taken soon afterward. There was quite a debate at the time as to whether this was the right choice, with Cutler cast as a luxury pick vs. the need pick of a DL upgrade.

Now it's one year later, and it seems that Cutler was also a need pick. (I argued at the time that having a backup QB who won't automatically lose the game for you was also a need pick, but I could see the arguments for a DT too.) But let's not make this about Cutler, since there's been way too much board space taken up on that one. So what about those DTs sitting there at #11? Does anybody know how these DTs are playing? Are they studs? Busts? Solid players but not special? In other words, how well did Shanahan do in making this decision? Cutler was obviously a good player, but were these guys better players or even comparable players? Let's hear from the D-line experts on this board!

[JoRo]

The DT taken by the Eagles has been a crappy player, which doesn't completely suprise as he was a workout wonder (like Mario Williams...but that is another discussion)

However Ngata has been outstanding and many Ravens execs. think he will be one of their perenial Pro Bowlers.

[22cannon]

Don't knock Mario Williams yet. He's had turf toe this year (the same thing Tatum Bell & Ron Dayne had). I would expect good things from him next year.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

The DT taken by the Eagles has been a crappy player, which doesn't completely suprise as he was a workout wonder (like Mario Williams...but that is another discussion)

However Ngata has been outstanding and many Ravens execs. think he will be one of their perenial Pro Bowlers.


The Ravens have so many good players on defense that it's easy to look great when surrounded by greatness. Ngata doesn't even play most of the time. He's a huge space eater, but he has little real athletic ability (think Ted Washington). I guess he does what he was drafted to do, but he's not someone who would excel without a LOT of help. He's no Warren Sapp or Jamal Williams.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

I'm still of the mindset that you DON'T DRAFT A DT IN THE FIRST ROUND! It's like Drafting a guard or a TE. DT is an important position, don't get me wrong, but usually a second or third round pick will net you a good one (you just can't wait around until day 2). Save the first rounder for a skill position that will make an immediate impact and is hard to find real quality later(QB, RB, WR, DE, OT, CB, LB).

I'm of the impression that you should never waste a first round draft pick on a DT, OG, K, P, S, or TE unless they are an anomaly that doesn't come around often (Vernon Davis comes to mind) and aren't just your best "___" they're one of your best FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

Go DE or RB in the first, not DT, and definitely not Safety!

[JoRo]

Don't knock Mario Williams yet. He's had turf toe this year (the same thing Tatum Bell & Ron Dayne had). I would expect good things from him next year.


I aint tryin to knock him, but before he had the exceptional workout he was sposed to be around the 10th pick or even 15... then he ran a 4.6 forty.

Also on Ngata. I aint saying thats what I think, I read it in PFW from the "whispers and way we hear it" Just cuz you hate the Ravens dont mean their drafted player sucks. Honestly I wouldn't have minded a space eater like him :) The Ravens have been one of the best drafting teams (other than Boller) for a while now.

[WABronco]

Ngata is a nice clogger.

Bunkley's struggled, obviously. But he's just such a physical beast that I'm not willing to dump on him after one year...

[Lorcust]

Ngata will likely never see a pro-bowl due to the way he is used for a Raven.

He frees up space for other pro-bowlers/potential pro-bowlers (Kelly Gregg, Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, Adalius Thomas, Bart Scott, Ray Lewis) to make plays.

He'll never pile up the stats.

He plays DT/DE in the 3-4 and DT in the 4-3, whichever the Ravens decide to play at the moment.

He's versatile and Rex Ryan uses him the right way, which also increases the success he has.

[Lorcust]

Ngata is a nice clogger.

Bunkley's struggled, obviously. But he's just such a physical beast that I'm not willing to dump on him after one year...

My Eagles friend told me Bunkley missed a team flight because he was "picking up some chicken."

Tsk Tsk Tsk...

[DURANGO BRONCO]

I think most of the 2006 1st round defensive linemen have made an impact, but nothing like Cutler will. Our record is so consistently good we never have a chance at a franchise QB. Heres a brief review of top ten picks:

12 - Haloti Ngata - 13 tackles-18 asst.-1 sack (better than avg.)
13 - Kamerion Wimbley - 44 tackles -18 asst.-11 sacks (very good 3-4 OLB)
14- Brodrick Bunkley - 6 tackles- 4 asst. (read that his coaches are dissapointed)
20 - Tamba Hali - 40 tackles-17 asst.-8 sacks - 1 int (very good)
22 - Manny Lawson-47 tackles-10 asst.-2.5 sacks-1int. (very good 3-4 OLB)
26 - John McCargo - 5 tackles - 1 asst. (haven't heard anything about him)
30- Mathias Kiawanuka - 44 tackles-9 asst.- 4 sacks-2 ints. (very good)

Good players also come late. Last year when we had pick 130 (Hixon pick) I was slobbering as Kyle Williams, Mark Anderson annd Babe Oshinowo were still available. 134 -Williams has done well, and 159 -Anderson has been very good with 12 sacks. Big Babe has only played one game, so not sure about him.

Isn't the grass always greener on the other side?????????????

[Lorcust]

I think most of the 2006 1st round defensive linemen have made an impact, but nothing like Cutler will. Our record is so consistently good we never have a chance at a franchise QB. Heres a brief review of top ten picks:

12 - Haloti Ngata - 13 tackles-18 asst.-1 sack (better than avg.)
13 - Kamerion Wimbley - 44 tackles -18 asst.-11 sacks (very good 3-4 OLB)
14- Brodrick Bunkley - 6 tackles- 4 asst. (read that his coaches are dissapointed)
20 - Tamba Hali - 40 tackles-17 asst.-8 sacks - 1 int (very good)
22 - Manny Lawson-47 tackles-10 asst.-2.5 sacks-1int. (very good 3-4 OLB)
26 - John McCargo - 5 tackles - 1 asst. (haven't heard anything about him)
30- Mathias Kiawanuka - 44 tackles-9 asst.- 4 sacks-2 ints. (very good)

Good players also come late. Last year when we had pick 130 (Hixon pick) I was slobbering as Kyle Williams, Mark Anderson annd Babe Oshinowo were still available. 134 -Williams has done well, and 159 -Anderson has been very good with 12 sacks. Big Babe has only played one game, so not sure about him.

Isn't the grass always greener on the other side?????????????

John McCargo was possibly the worst pick in the 06' draft.

Moving up into the first round to select a player that was projected for the late third-early fourth is a complete joke.

And as a result, the pick was a complete joke.

Kiwanuka has looked okay, keep in mind he just plain dropped one of those interceptions (Tony Romo) while he was running it back, and he did that unmistakable error of giving Vince Young a hug on 4th down, partially costing them a game.

Rookie jitters, but he has looked shaky.

[Fat Joe]

John McCargo was possibly the worst pick in the 06' draft.

Moving up into the first round to select a player that was projected for the late third-early fourth is a complete joke.

And as a result, the pick was a complete joke.

Kiwanuka has looked okay, keep in mind he just plain dropped one of those interceptions (Tony Romo) while he was running it back, and he did that unmistakable error of giving Vince Young a hug on 4th down, partially costing them a game.

Rookie jitters, but he has looked shaky.


Meh, hes a D lineman, not a running back, and the VY thing, I blame on the NFL for their sudden emphasis on roughing the passer. I remeber back in highschool football during stretches our coach would throw us a ball, and he'd zing it at us, if we didnt catch it he'd say "ah, must be a lineman!" It was kinda funny, and very true. They are what they are.

[JoRo]

Meh, hes a D lineman, not a running back, and the VY thing, I blame on the NFL for their sudden emphasis on roughing the passer. I remeber back in highschool football during stretches our coach would throw us a ball, and he'd zing it at us, if we didnt catch it he'd say "ah, must be a lineman!" It was kinda funny, and very true. They are what they are.


To comment on that football thing, our coaches did that to us before, never threw to me...but as a center they would throw to me after the play.... I'd have to say I drop those less than the wideouts do :P