Here's a thread for all discussion of D Lineman..
Imo, we need to add 2 pass rushing ends and at least one DT, preferably a run stuffing behemoth.
Free Agents I like:
DT Justin Ellis (OAK)
- Never recorded a sack in his career, but his game is in run stuffing and he happens to be pretty dominant at it. He offers the size and power we thought we were getting with Swaggy Baker, and still young, 27 I believe. I'm okay with McCoy and McDonald at 3 tech this season (would like to add Taven Bryan in the 2nd if possible as a third option there) but we need a big NT and right now all we have is Stevie T, who redshirted his freshman year.
DT Daquan Jones (TENN)
- Similar to Justin Ellis, makes his money stuffing the run from inside. Big, powerful, frees up LB blitzes. Probably comes a little cheaper than Ellis, and gives a little bit of pass rush (2-4 sacks a year).
DE Ziggy Ansah (DET)
- With the need for pass rushers these days I see Ansah looking for a huge pay day. I don't know if he's worth that gamble. Has produced in the past, but also shown signs of regression recently. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery, new scheme, etc. And he could very well end up dominating for someone, but I'd rather take the risk of trading up for Chubb, than paying big money for Ansah, especially with so many of our players needing to be paid soon.
DE Michael Bennett (SEA)
- Seattle has discussed letting Bennett go. He's obviously nearing his last few years, like McCoy, but still a better option than any player we currently have. He may not give you 10+ sacks but should keep QBs from having all day to throw. 6-8 sacks would be okay for a 6m/yr cap hit.
Prospects I like:
DE Bradley Chubb
- Not much explanation needed. I believe he is worth us trading up to 3, just like Julio was worth ATL trading up for years ago. Pro Bowl floor with HOF Ceiling imo. Should get us 12+ sacks by his 3rd season if not earlier.
DT Taven Bryan
- I really, really like Bryan but I think he ends up going as early as top 15. His strength and acceleration is very reminiscent of our own 93. I like his versatility across the line (3tech/DE). High motor, good character. Perfect replacement for McCoy moving forward. If we can somehow jump back into the 1st using any combination of Brate/DJax/Beckwith I would do it in a heartbeat. Just imagine getting both Chubb and Bryan to anchor the line for the next decade. If we end up trading down, he's my target.
DT Maurice Hurst
- Pass rushing 3-tech. Probably more productive than Bryan earlier on, but may be a liability in the run game. Still, he has Aaron Donald-like potential as a pass rusher. Wont make it to the second round but could be worth a potential trade back up to 1st if he slips to the mid 20s.
My 2 cents:
I would sign DT Daquan Jones (3yrs) and DE Michael Bennett (1yr).
I would then trade up with our 2019 1st for DE Bradley Chubb, and trade back up into the first maybe with Cincinatti or Seattle, using TE Cam Brate/DJax to get DT Taven Bryan.
RE Bradley Chubb, Noah Spence
DT Gerald McCoy, Taven Bryan
DT Daquan Jones, Clinton McDonald
DE Michael Bennett, Will Gholston
