Denver Post: Broncos Have More Misses Than Hits When Drafting D-Linemen

[qbronco]

Interior DL may be the most difficult position to scout. Most players are categorized as either run-stoppers or pass-rushers. It is most difficult to find an impact player who can do both.

[Cugel]

Interior DL may be the most difficult position to scout. Most players are categorized as either run-stoppers or pass-rushers. It is most difficult to find an impact player who can do both.

That's because of the "Big Planet" theory. The number of men big enough and athletic enough to be dominating two-way DL in the NFL is just not that large.

A lot of DL are simply not as talented as the LBs or S's or CBs or WRs because those players are smaller, so NFL teams are picking from a larger # of college players. There are just more guys 6'2" and 245 than 6'6" and 310 who are also athletic and quick. So, if you're a WR or CB, and you can't run a 4.4 - 4.5 40 then your chances of being drafted aren't that red hot.

But, a DL who might have equal flaws gets drafted because there just aren't enough really top flight big men to man the trenches for NFL teams.

Some guys who are big and strong but not particularly fast, agile or athletic get to play DT but they'll never be able to rush the passer.

[qbronco]

That's because of the "Big Planet" theory. The number of men big enough and athletic enough to be dominating two-way DL in the NFL is just not that large.

A lot of DL are simply not as talented as the LBs or S's or CBs or WRs because those players are smaller, so NFL teams are picking from a larger #. There are just more guys 6'2" and 245 than 6'6" and 310 who are also athletic and quick.

Some guys who are big and strong but not particularly fast, agile or athletic get to play DT but they'll never be able to rush the passer.

Totally agree, Cugel.

That is why the hit rate is so low for D-lineman. That, and the fact that they get the "you-know-what" beat out of them every game. It's hard to make it through a season and still be dominant with the beatings they take.

Ruben Carter, the NT for our infamous Orange Crush Defense, said he usually couldn't even get out of bed on Monday mornings.

[CasualFan]

That's because of the "Big Planet" theory. The number of men big enough and athletic enough to be dominating two-way DL in the NFL is just not that large.

A lot of DL are simply not as talented as the LBs or S's or CBs or WRs because those players are smaller, so NFL teams are picking from a larger # of college players. There are just more guys 6'2" and 245 than 6'6" and 310 who are also athletic and quick. So, if you're a WR or CB, and you can't run a 4.4 - 4.5 40 then your chances of being drafted aren't that red hot.

But, a DL who might have equal flaws gets drafted because there just aren't enough really top flight big men to man the trenches for NFL teams.

Some guys who are big and strong but not particularly fast, agile or athletic get to play DT but they'll never be able to rush the passer.

And all that Planet Theory stuff is exactly why you're not going to get that big, quick, strong, athletic DT who both rushes the passer and stops the run and doesn't take plays off and isn't getting himself arrested at the club for frisking some girl while drunk all the way down the draft board at #25. Not even close. The DTs you're looking at in this so-called deep draft for DTs aren't even close to being that against NFL competition unless we're just incredibly lucky.

The Planet Theory says you're supposed to take elite DTs early in the draft, not "he'll do" DTs. Elite is the operative word. The question isn't whether you take an elite DT at #25 vs. an elite cornerback or running back or center, the question is whether you take a pretty ordinary DT vs. those elite players at the other positions.

Also, the reason elite DTs are rare is not that there are so few big men around (DTs are no bigger than guards or tackles), but because the athletic big men get moved to offensive tackle in college. Which probably tells you something about the relative importance of the two positions.

It makes the search for the big guys in the middle of an NFL defense more difficult. There is also the fact that many collegiate coaches who develop an athletic lineman with a big frame switch him to offensive tackle in the constant push for more offense. Georgia's Justin Anderson, Mississippi State's James Carmon, Washington's Senio Kelemete and Auburn's Brandon Mosley are all offensive tackles expected to be drafted this year who began their careers on defense.

Denver Post: Big need for speed on defensive lines as NFL draft nears

So I'm going to ask the question again, even though I still haven't gotten an answer from any of the people Tebowing for two DTs: How ordinary do the DTs still available have to be when we pick at #25 before you'll consider drafting some other player at a different position? My view is that if the guy you're getting isn't significantly better than the people you could get in free agency then DT becomes no higher a priority than any other position. I still haven't heard a single reason why this is wrong. And I certainly hear no analysis as to why the DTs people are salivating over in the draft are substantially better than the free agents on offer, minus the big DT learning curve.

[Yakka27]

What's the deal with Aubryo Franklin? He's still a FA right?

Is he only a 3-4 defensive lineman? Why haven't we kicked the tires on him?