Reasons not to draft a NT at #12
by ct1361

NT’s Are Ineffective At Rushing The QB

One of the big reasons stated for drafting a NT is to get “push” up the middle when rushing a QB. As the chart shows, the NT’s listed above simply don’t rush the passer well. Only 3 of the NT’s listed graded out as “average” by Profootballfocus.com. All others are ranked “below average”. When grading the Pass Rank, the site takes into effect sacks, QB hits, and QB pressures and none of the NT’s graded very well at all. How many on this site have wanted a NT to pressure the QB like Wilfork or Jenkins? Yet, both of those players are considered below average when rushing the passer.

But as you noticed, all NT’s ranked above average in Rush Rank. The likes of Pouha, Gregg, Ratliff, Wilfork, and Franklin are outstanding run defenders. Also notice that Ferguson is the best ranked pass rusher but is ranked slightly behind Soliai when it comes to defending the run. (How many of you are surprised by Soliai ranking ahead of Fergie when it comes to defending the run?)



NT’s Are Part Time Players

Another interesting stat shown in the chart is the % of snaps played. Most NT’s in the chart play between 40% - 60% of the snaps. Only two played more than 60% of the snaps available, Wilfork (64%) and Ratliff (72%). The reason why these players are playing a small % of snaps points to the Pass Rank category above. NT’s don’t rush the passer, so they are not on the field on passing downs. If you delve into the % of snaps played by NT’s in 2nd & Long or 3rd & Long situations, the % of snaps falls dramatically.



Drafting NT’s In The 1st Round Are Not Sure Things

There are 4 NT’s on the list taken in the 1st round (Pickett, Raji, Hampton, Wilfork). None of them are elite pass rushers (in fact Hampton is the worst pass rusher on the list). Only one, Wilfork, would be considered an elite run stopper. I would make the argument that the best all around NT’s on the list are Gregg and Ratliff and they were drafted in the 6th and 7th round respectively. Not only are they excellent at stopping the run, they are average at rushing the passer, which grades out much higher than the other NT’s on the list. (As an aside, Fergie and Ratliff were both drafted by Parcells and both in the 7th round).



In conclusion, the Phins are going to make a big investment in the #12 pick. Last year the #12 pick, Knowshon Moreno, got a contract worth $23 million over 5 yrs with $13 million guaranteed. If I was going to pay that much for a defensive player, I would want that guy to be a multi-dimensional player (not just a run stopper) and be on the field more than 60% of the time. If the Phins must go defense, go after an OLB. Get a player like one of these guys who not only stop the run (except for Dumervil), but rush the passer as well.

The reason behind a good NT is to take up two blockers to allow the LBs to make the plays.

This is one reason I do not like the 3-4 defense. You need a couple of special people at certain positions to be really good at it. And since more and more NFL teams are starting to use the 3-4, those few players are going to be harder and harder to find and more costly to keep.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the 3-4 very similar to Arnsparger's 5-3 defense? A lot of OLBs in the 3-4 are converted college DEs.

I say go with Kindle at #12 as you know what you're getting with him and what you're getting is a lot!

I think Clemons or Culver could start at FS next season and the Fins wouldn't miss a beat. Of course that could be cause Wilson started at FS last season?
!

If Miami does go OLB, I am hoping it is Brandon Graham. He's been more productive, has the ability and power to play SOLB and provide pass rush and his motor always runs hot.

Sergio Kindle production has been spotty, and while he is talented, his effort has been inconsistent and we cannot overlook the fact that this kid has had 2 serious drinking related incidents. His own high school coach worries about him being in South Beach.

The reason behind a good NT is to take up two blockers to allow the LBs to make the plays

Outside of NT the next big hole is OLB......Porter is gone, Taylor is a FA, and the team has brought in 0 FA's at that position...

What the team needs is to add another LB who can help to make the defense dominate, who can get some consistent pressure on the qb, and give quality run support. And we all know that Parcells loves him some LB!


I say go with Kindle at #12 as you know what you're getting with him and what you're getting is a lot!

I remember under Saban when we ran a 4-3 and we would rotate up to 10 DL in and out.

KINDLE sucks. His hips are too stiff, and it shows. He doesn't turn and run, or change direction as well as a lot of others vying for MIAMI's attention. He's V GHOULSON (sp?) all over again.

Gholston.

I am not a fan of Kindle either. I haven't watched enough to have observed the things you stated, but I'll take your word for it.

Why was Vernon Gholston?

Does Gholston suck?

He plays about as much as Jason Allen.

Overrated:
Richard has picked another guy that none of us are too fond of, Texas’s Sergio Kindle who “does not generate leg drive and is stiff and awkward in space”. ‘Mechanical’ is a word all three of us use often to describe Kindle’s game.