Pierce JR vs Mike Green-2 Edge in the class?

[Cowboyny]

In my opinion, Abdul Carter is clearly the #1 Edge in this year's class, but #2 I think comes down to Tenn's Pierce Jr vs Marshall's Mike Green:

-The level of competition clearly goes to Pierce Jr, but you cannot ignore the 17 sacks for Green.
-Both are twitched up athletes
-Is Pierce more of a pass rush specialist? Why did he play so little snaps? Did his coaches not trust him to play against the run?
-Why wasn't Green a full time starter until last yr? Why wasn't he allowed back at Virginia?
-Both are consider below average run defenders that need to get stronger, Green might be maxed out being a former WR

 

[reddyuta]

Imo Mike green is a more explosive player and it is credit to him that he converted to DE at Virginia from wide receiver, that is not easy conversion and you have to be an great athlete to do it.

 

[Aven8]

Carter looks like Micah’s little brother or something. It’s amazing

 

[darthseinfeld]

In my opinion, Abdul Carter is clearly the #1 Edge in this year's class, but #2 I think comes down to Tenn's Pierce Jr vs Marshall's Mike Green:

-The level of competition clearly goes to Pierce Jr, but you cannot ignore the 17 sacks for Green.
-Both are twitched up athletes
-Is Pierce more of a pass rush specialist? Why did he play so little snaps? Did his coaches not trust him to play against the run?
-Why wasn't Green a full time starter until last yr? Why wasn't he allowed back at Virginia?
-Both are consider below average run defenders that need to get stronger, Green might be maxed out being a former WR

Tennessee rotates their lineman alot. Pearce actually had the most snaps amoungst the front 7 for the Vols. Pearce is actually considered a strong run defender

 

[cnuball21]

It’s Pearce comfortably for me. 2 years of production in the best conference in college + more length that will allow him to comfortably add more size without losing burst.

Especially for a 4-3 scheme.

And I love Green.

 

[cnuball21]

We also need to stop the Pearce run defense narrative…dude had an 80+ run grade last year.

 

[baltcowboy]

Pierce is an elite pass rusher in the toughest conference in college football. Hard to not pick him over Green.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Give me Green.....all-day
Many were wondering about the competition he faced at Marshall but it seems the senior bowl answered that a little. Coaches, offensive players and defensive players agreed this kid was the most dominant. In other words, I would have no problem using 12 to draft him. You finally have a stud opposite of Parsons......who you double-team.

 

[TheDank]

Pearce played backside on running downs as much as possible because he can't set an edge (Omar Norman Lott who I also like seemed to be a rotational pass rusher as well for TN). He would exacerbate our issues with stopping outside runs. Maybe he develops because he has that long frame, but we're talking about 2-3 years and a major projection.

Green is just hands down the better football player right now. He brings great power for his size, he has a pass rush plan and elite hand usage, he has a great first step. He might be slightly less of an athlete than Pearce but give me a great football player who is a great athlete over a mediocre football player who is an elite athlete all day.

Pearce is a mid to late one for me and I have him just below Mykell Williams.

 

[Mr_437]

Imo Mike green is a more explosive player and it is credit to him that he converted to DE at Virginia from wide receiver, that is not easy conversion and you have to be an great athlete to do it.

Actually, WRs are similar to DEs, as OTs are similar to CB at the LOS. Usually, it's too much of a size difference for that type of position change.

 

[TNCowboy]

In my opinion, Abdul Carter is clearly the #1 Edge in this year's class, but #2 I think comes down to Tenn's Pierce Jr vs Marshall's Mike Green:

-The level of competition clearly goes to Pierce Jr, but you cannot ignore the 17 sacks for Green.
-Both are twitched up athletes
-Is Pierce more of a pass rush specialist? Why did he play so little snaps? Did his coaches not trust him to play against the run?
-Why wasn't Green a full time starter until last yr? Why wasn't he allowed back at Virginia?
-Both are consider below average run defenders that need to get stronger, Green might be maxed out being a former WR

Pearce was one of the better run defenders at DE in the country. Tennessee has a bush league coaching staff that didn't know what to do with a superstar DE. It's like they were saving him for a day that never came. They employed the "everybody gets to play" defensive gameplan on their defensive line. The did the same thing with Omarr Norman-Lott, who averaged 17 snaps a game, while other elite DTs averaged 40+.

I'd love to have either. I think Pearce is a better overall defender, but Green might be a little bit better passrusher.

 

[Cowboyny]

It’s Pearce comfortably for me. 2 years of production in the best conference in college + more length that will allow him to comfortably add more size without losing burst.

Especially for a 4-3 scheme.

And I love Green.

It is a very interesting debate, which is why I started a thread. By the way, did watch Stewart this morning, he most definitely belongs in the top 20 discussion, I have him right behind these two prospects.

 

[Cowboyny]

Tennessee rotates their lineman alot. Pearce actually had the most snaps amoungst the front 7 for the Vols. Pearce is actually considered a strong run defender

I struggle with evaluating this new modern day edge rushers. They all look to me like 3-4 olb's then then do 4-3 DE's. We already see what struggles Parsons has against the run when he is dealing with those huge Tackles throughout a game. As a pass rusher, Pearce jumps off the screen, but not sure we can have two undersized edge players playing 4-3 DE for this team.

 

[Cowboyny]

Pearce was one of the better run defenders at DE in the country. Tennessee has a bush league coaching staff that didn't know what to do with a superstar DE. It's like they were saving him for a day that never came. They employed the "everybody gets to play" defensive gameplan on their defensive line. The did the same thing with Omarr Norman-Lott, who averaged 17 snaps a game, while other elite DTs averaged 40+.

I'd love to have either. I think Pearce is a better overall defender, but Green might be a little bit better passrusher.

That is interesting that you believe Green is the better pass rusher. I have it the other way and think his first step is the best in the class.

 

[Cowboyny]

Pierce is an elite pass rusher in the toughest conference in college football. Hard to not pick him over Green.

We saw a similar argument with Ware vs Merriman. We know how that turned out.

 

[Cowboyny]

We also need to stop the Pearce run defense narrative…dude had an 80+ run grade last year.

This is my issue, you know all offseason I have been looking to see how to fix our run defense. I cannot play either with Parsons in hope of being better against the run. As pass rushers, would be similar to that alpha opposite Lamb and make our pass rush lethal, but it does little to fix our biggest weakness of stopping the run.

Stewart on the other hand, does help us day 1 against the run, but doesn't have any where near the pass rush of those two players.

If we can fix our run defense, I all aboard of taking these type of edge rushers, but that remains the biggest weakness. It won't matter if this team is in constantly 3rd and short.

 

[Cowboyny]

Pearce played backside on running downs as much as possible because he can't set an edge (Omar Norman Lott who I also like seemed to be a rotational pass rusher as well for TN). He would exacerbate our issues with stopping outside runs. Maybe he develops because he has that long frame, but we're talking about 2-3 years and a major projection.

Green is just hands down the better football player right now. He brings great power for his size, he has a pass rush plan and elite hand usage, he has a great first step. He might be slightly less of an athlete than Pearce but give me a great football player who is a great athlete over a mediocre football player who is an elite athlete all day.

Pearce is a mid to late one for me and I have him just below Mykell Williams.

• Does not (yet) have the density or play strength to be a three-down player
  • Easily displaced on the edge in run game despite violent intentions
  • When momentum is against him, washouts are certain
  • Often on the turf
• Swallowed and turned around by OSU OL in run game

 

[cnuball21]

It is a very interesting debate, which is why I started a thread. By the way, did watch Stewart this morning, he most definitely belongs in the top 20 discussion, I have him right behind these two prospects.

Nice! Yea, Stewart is a complete freak show.

 

[Cowboyny]

Give me Green.....all-day
Many were wondering about the competition he faced at Marshall but it seems the senior bowl answered that a little. Coaches, offensive players and defensive players agreed this kid was the most dominant. In other words, I would have no problem using 12 to draft him. You finally have a stud opposite of Parsons......who you double-team.

As I said, either would be excellent to pair with Parsons for our pass rush, but neither moves the needle of fixing our biggest weakness of stopping the run.

 

[cnuball21]

This is my issue, you know all offseason I have been looking to see how to fix our run defense. I cannot play either with Parsons in hope of being better against the run. As pass rushers, would be similar to that alpha opposite Lamb and make our pass rush lethal, but it does little to fix our biggest weakness of stopping the run.

Stewart on the other hand, does help us day 1 against the run, but doesn't have any where near the pass rush of those two players.

If we can fix our run defense, I all aboard of taking these type of edge rushers, but that remains the biggest weakness. It won't matter if this team is in constantly 3rd and short.

Yea I mean Pearce’s bread and butter is as a rusher but he isn’t a slouch against the run. Very solid PFF run D grade.

I feel like some analysts just look at his weight and lazily make the assumption he isn’t good against the run and put it in the scouting report.

He def needs to add size and strength but that’s almost every rookie edge that comes into the league. In year 1 it wouldn’t have to be Micah and Pearce on the Edge at all times…Pearce would would likely be splitting snaps with Kneeland (more snaps as rusher) and Micah can blitz off ball.