Picking Winners On The D-Line
February 9th, 2013
After five years in the gut of the Bucs’ defensive line, it’s no surprise that Chris Hovan says the Bucs should draft a defensive lineman in April.
Speaking to Rock Riley on 98.7 FM this morning, Hovan also said if he were a general manager, he would draft a defensive lineman in the first round every year.
Hovan said he’s a big fan of how the Giants have attacked drafting for their defensive line and he’d like to see the Bucs follow the same track — to have “depth that are playmakers.”
This got Joe thinking and researching, and the somewhat sad fact is the Bucs have invested as heavily as the Giants on defensive linemen over the past 10 NFL Drafts. The problem is the Bucs weren’t as successful.
Bucs’ premium D-line picks through last 10 drafts.
2011 – Adrian Clayborn (1), DaQuan Bowers (2)
2010 – Gerald McCoy (1), Brian Price (2)
2009 – Roy Miller (3), Kyle Moore (4)
2008 – Dre Moore (4)
2007 – Gaines Adams (1)
2003 – DeWayne White (2)Giants’ premium D-line picks through last 10 drafts.
2011 – Marvin Austin (2)
2010 – Jason Pierre Paul (1), Linval Joseph (2)
2007 – Jay Alford (3)
2006 – Mathias Kiwanuka (1), Barry Cofield (4)
2005 – Justin Tuck (3)
2004 – Reggie Torbor (4)
2003 – William Joseph (1), Osi Umenyiora (2)
Obviously, the Giants have had their misses, but they’ve also numerous home runs — and two Super Bowls. Even Barry Cofield, hardly a household name, has had an impressive career.
Joe has hope for the Bucs’ more recent picks on the D-line given the run-stuffing prowess in 2012 , but the Mark Dominik-era D-linemen still have much to prove.
As Joe’s written previously, Joe would have no problem with the Bucs snagging a D-lineman in the first round this April. Decisions on free agents Michael Bennett and Roy Miller, however, will go a very long way toward making that call.
February 9th, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Joe, I just don’t see us sitting at #13 to worry about taking the B.P.A. (DE, DT)
Smart money says, if Dominik gets an offer to swap out of #13, and gain
an additional pick, he will do it. Unless of course, Milliner fell to #13
February 9th, 2013 at 3:31 pm
I don’t know if I would consider a 4th rd pick a “premium pick.” 1 and 2 for sure, maybe 3, but 4th pick? Anyway, that Kyle Moore pick was just a disaster. I also have extremely high hopes for Adrian Clayborn and think he is going to be a stud for us for a long time.
February 9th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
also Im proud of Roy Miller. he has really come a long way.
February 9th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Good article Joe. Its an interesting analysis. Very curious to see how the off season will play out. Keep the news coming.
February 9th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
glad to see Hovan active in the area. I always appreciated his work ethic and determination. Can’t put a draft pick or price on a players Heart and Hovan had heart.
@Andrew 1 I agree with you.
Glad everyone has settled down on the King rant’s funny $hit though. Thanks for the entertainment to all the last couple of days. I just heard a new buffet was opening in Oldsmar.
February 9th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
O line
February 9th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Is is any wonder our secondary, specifically, Cb, is such a disaster? The cb position has been woefully neglected in the draft for many years. Besides, the very questionable selection of Talib in the first, there have been NO CBs taken above the 6th round besides our favorite whippin’ boy Myron Lewis in a decade. Shiano’ style of defense puts a premium on skill cb’s and if he wants to be successful with this style of heavy blitzing and press-man corner play, we better start investing in quality CB’s in the upper rounds of the draft. This style of defense is much more similar to the Jets than the Giants. Maybe Dominik will be more successful drafting Cb’s than DE’s, lets hope so!
February 9th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
What is awesome to me about the team we have is for the first time in a while all we need are a few pieces to be a very good team for a long time. If we can get two stud corners (I don’t know where there coming from but hypothetically) the bucs could be a great team. We had an almost 1500 yard rusher with a depleted O line, almost two yes two 1,000 yard reciecers and lost games because we gave up an astronomical amount of pass yards. Even with freeman i believe we could win in the playoffs.
I know I know….. Playoffs playoffs, a little early but I can dream.
February 9th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Sheldon Richardson or Shariff floyd
February 9th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
I think Dom should trade down in the first, maybe into the 25 – 30 range for an additional 3rd. Then take the best CB available with that first and the next best CB with their 2nd. Then trade their two sets of 3 and 4 back into the 2nd for BPA. An OT, a FS, a DT, or even an RB. One first and three seconds would go a long way to the Bucs future.
February 9th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
Hovan is right, but Roy Miller has come a long way!
February 9th, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Trade down for Dion Jordan, sit at 13 and take Sheldon Richardson, Trade down and grab Eifert, Trade up to take Milliner, Sit at 13 and take J.Banks, somehow Dominik gets us the 32nd pick in the draft and the first pick in 2nd round and we select Trufant and Logan Ryan. I would be happy with any of these scenarios
February 9th, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Millner isn’t good enough to trade up for.
If Jones falls grab him, if try to trade back, if no trade partners, take Richardson.
February 9th, 2013 at 10:14 pm
@RastaMon
Richardson over Floyd….need some Buc Nasty to get more respect on that Dline….but have you checked out Kawann Short yet? He’s nasty too and could be had cheaper than Richardson and Floyd…..something to think about 🙂
February 9th, 2013 at 10:24 pm
They’re looking hard at Trufant me thinks.
February 10th, 2013 at 3:48 am
Roy Miller decides to have 1 good year…during a contract year. Hmmm……….Bucs are crazy if they pay him more than $3 Million per year. He’ll likely only play well in the final year of it
February 10th, 2013 at 4:54 am
I do find it curious that Roy Miller finally plays up to expectations in his contract year. I wouldn’t be opposed to replacing him with some new more athletically gifted blood but would be far happier if we landed a corner. Everyone looks Milliner now; wait until the combine ends so we can gauge his forty and three cone to Rhodes and Banks.
I’m very high on guys in the second like Eric Reid, DJ Swearinger, and Phillip Thomas all SEC studs. If we can’t pull in Jairus Byrd drafting a FS with range and big hit ability would help our below average coverage ability significantly.
February 10th, 2013 at 6:04 am
Why are you guys Hell Bent on drafting a FS (you MUST be Madden Video Game junkies…wanting a Stud SS & FS). Anywho, If Michael Bennett is asking for a ridiculous contract and we don’t Franchise Tag him….sign DE/OLB Paul Kruger from the Ravens (non-stop motor)
February 10th, 2013 at 7:43 am
If any of you morons do any research on Roy Miller the “person”………
You would find a humble, blue collar, workaholic, army brat with high character and something to prove…..
The reasons for his recent up-tick in play are as follows…..
1. Change of technique- he is taylor made for the tilt-nose technique
2. Completely healthy for the first time in a while to start the season
3. Healthy Gerald McCoy for a full season
4. Time…..just getting better at playing D-tackle in the NFL….it takes time when you are constanly changing scheme and technique for your first 4 years in the NFL.
Accusing Roy Miller of “purposely playing better to get paid” is absolutely absurd if you know ANYTHING about him.
February 10th, 2013 at 8:00 am
@drbinshore…….so, what do YOU pay him if YOU are The Rock Star G.M.???????
February 10th, 2013 at 8:11 am
So having studs at FS like Ed Reed or Dashon Goldson is such a bad thing. I hated Madden 13 fyi… Yeah Paul Kruger would fit in where exactly, I’d rather play Bowers three downs then throw money at Kruger. Byrd would be a far more valuable signing.
February 10th, 2013 at 8:24 am
@FreemanBomb5…..Having a great FS is a luxury right now. We need Pass Rushers. Worst in NFL the last 2 years. If we draft Vaccaro outta Texas, he’s great…but D-Line help is paramount. We need pressure on QB or DB’s will look bad regardless (I’ll take Byrd all day but don’t waste a draft pick on FS when we have Barber & the dude from Florida and Tandy)
February 10th, 2013 at 8:47 am
@FreemanBomb5
Ive been singing the praises of Swearinger for a while now. He’s mocked to go in the 4th in many mocks. I dont think he’ll make it past the 3rd. Ace Sanders for PR/slot WR is mocked for the 5th…..holy crap if that happens someone hits the jackpot. I think both wont get past the 3rd. Im a Gamecock and I know my boys. Just wait till next year’s draft when everyone will be salivating over Clowney. Haha.
February 10th, 2013 at 9:28 am
@FreemanBomb5 said,
“Yeah Paul Kruger would fit in where exactly”
OLB/DE
He can easily replace SLB Q. Black and has ideal size to be used as a DE.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
It also makes sense to draft the $$$ position’s.If you wanted to grab a top LT in FA.They’ll cost 10mill.But if you draft one high he’ll only cost 5mill per for 4 year’s.I’m beginning to think PFF is witch craft.Two free agent’s they think the Buc’s should pick up…Sheldon Brown and Ronnie Brown.
February 10th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Justin P…….great post, 100% agree with you, could have the best FS via draft or NFL with no pass rush, QBs will find WRs and TEs all they day, especially in the NFC south. Like I’ve said in earlier posts KC,JAX,OAK and Tbay were 4 worst teams in terms of sacks last yr, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that 3 of those 4 are drafting 1,2,3. I agree with another earlier post which I have also posted earlier take Richardson at 13 or if some lucky reason (which I highly doubt) draft Milliner otherwise if possible move down and draft best OT or pass rusher available. If would could grab Trufant very late 1st or even Eifert I would be happy with this, and Logan Ryan in the 2nd or if Tavon Austin is avaible be great to a legit slot WR. Our draft position would address our biggest need (CB) so we should help our secondary but helping the pass rush.
February 11th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
We need we need DB’s that can give our pass rushers more than 3 seconds to get to the QB.
We could have the best pass rushers in the NFL and with no time the results would still be the same.