Eckel: Defensive linemen are strength of this year's NFL draft (1 Viewer)

[lurking around]

Eckel: Defensive linemen are strength of this year's NFL draft




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By Mark Eckel/The Times
on April 14, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated April 14, 2013 at 7:07 AM



Former Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, left, should be one of the top players selected.Gerry Melendez/The State

Whether you’re a team that uses a traditional 4-3 defense and needs some big defensive tackles to clog the middle and collapse the pocket or a team with a 3-4 defense in need of a pure nose tackle or run-stuffing ends, this year’s draft can be of help.

With a dearth of talent at both the quarterback and running back positions, just a smattering of quality wide receivers and what one scout called “the worst group of linebackers in years,’’ the defensive line position, particularly inside, stands out in this Class of 2013.
Eckel: Defensive linemen are strength of this year's NFL draft | NJ.com

 

[ndcc]

Eckel: Defensive linemen are strength of this year's NFL draft




Print
By Mark Eckel/The Times
on April 14, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated April 14, 2013 at 7:07 AM



Former Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, left, should be one of the top players selected.Gerry Melendez/The State

Whether you’re a team that uses a traditional 4-3 defense and needs some big defensive tackles to clog the middle and collapse the pocket or a team with a 3-4 defense in need of a pure nose tackle or run-stuffing ends, this year’s draft can be of help.

With a dearth of talent at both the quarterback and running back positions, just a smattering of quality wide receivers and what one scout called “the worst group of linebackers in years,’’ the defensive line position, particularly inside, stands out in this Class of 2013.
Eckel: Defensive linemen are strength of this year's NFL draft | NJ.com

Good find by the OP; good read (but might be gushing too much about the D-linemen). I think the crop of linebackers in this draft aren't too shabby.

He probably takes his position because many of the linemen are considered "tweeners."

My favorite part of the article:

“It’s really a good group,’’ a personnel man for a NFC team said. “There’s talent from top to bottom. I think you’ll see quite a few go in the first round and some more go in the second round. Heck, you’ll get some good ones in the later rounds, too.’’

“What you have in this draft is a lot of versatile guys,’’ another scout said. “Sometimes you have guys who can play in a 4-3, but are out of a place in a 3-4, or the other way around, guys who are strictly 3-4 nose tackles. Most of the players in this group can do either, and that makes them very valuable.’’

Not only that, but some teams might "reach," which would put more quality players in as UDFA's. Anyway, it's a decent article.

 

[SaintsJunkie]

exactly why I think we can find a few in later rounds