The Competition for Aaron Donald

[Leadbelly]

After his Combine work, it suddenly was looking like Aaron Donald at pick 16 was less of a possibility. But look at the teams drafting around us and it doesn't seem like there are that many competitors.

Grey = pretty unlikely due to their scheme, current personnel, or stronger needs elsewhere.
Blue = low likelihood but possible
Red = high likelihood

01. HOU -- doesn't fit scheme and too high
02. STL -- already have M Brockers and K Langford, massive need on OL, and too high
03. JAX -- too high and big need at QB
04. CLE -- doesn't fit scheme and too high; could see Barr or Mack
05. OAK -- too high and needs at QB, WR, LB, CB as well
06. ATL -- scheme fit and DTs are meh; DE, OL, and OLB also in mix; could see Barr or Mack
07. TB -- scheme fit w. Lovie; could pair very well w. G McCoy; DE and OT on radar too
08. MIN -- drafted S Floyd last year but still thin at DT; scheme fit but heavy QB need = DT later on
09. BUF -- already have M Dareus and K Williams
10. DET -- already have N Suh and N Fairley
11. TEN --- already have J Casey
12. NYG -- could take J Tuck's DE/DT role but seems small for NYG DT prototype; see CJ Mosely here
13. STL -- already have M Brockers and K Langford, plus massive need on OL
14. CHI -- fits scheme; key is what they do with Melton
15. PIT -- doesn't fit scheme
16. DAL
17. BAL -- doesn't fit scheme
18. NYJ -- doesn't fit scheme and already have M Wilkerson and S Richardson at DE
19. MIA -- transitioning between 3-4 to 4-3 and need better interior rush; also OL need to fix bullying mess
20. ARI -- doesn't fit scheme
21. GB -- could take Donald as BPA at 21 but unlikely to trade up for him; already have identical M Daniels
22. PHI -- switched to 3-4 but want mobile rush threats at DE; could fit but price to move up likely too high

Thoughts? Disagree with any of these team needs?

 

[Common Sense]

I don't think I'd discount Minnesota, either. Where it really gets interesting is at the bottom of Round1/top of Round 2.

 

[tm1119]

I think Donald is an exception to fitting a scheme because he is really more of a pass rusher than a DT. Best available pass rushers usually go higher than they should just because it's a unique skill set. Especially with the amount of spread formations and general passing plays, just put him on the line and tell him to beat the guy in front of him.


With all that said.....I still don't think he's worth all this looking ahead and worrying. If he's there and he's our pick I will be happy, but I still don't view him as the type of prospect you bang your head against the wall because you missed him.

 

[Alexander]

I don't think I'd discount Minnesota, either. Where it really gets interesting is at the bottom of Round1/top of Round 2.

Especially do not overlook Minnesota. Kevin Williams may not return and I am sure Zimmer remembers what Geno Atkins did for him.

 

[Alexander]

With all that said.....I still don't think he's worth all this looking ahead and worrying. If he's there and he's our pick I will be happy, but I still don't view him as the type of prospect you bang your head against the wall because you missed him.

Normally, I would agree.

The problem we have is the scheme we intend to run. We have to have pressure from the DL and it is preferable that the 3-technique can generate it in the scheme. We need to get younger and better through the middle of this defense and getting pressure from an interior lineman would be huge.

 

[tm1119]

Normally, I would agree.

The problem we have is the scheme we intend to run. We have to have pressure from the DL and it is preferable that the 3-technique can generate it in the scheme. We need to get younger and better through the middle of this defense and getting pressure from an interior lineman would be huge.

Hatcher was pretty great last year and it didn't do all that much for the line.....it's a collective effort. Obviously the 3 tech is important and we need to replace Hatcher, but getting Aaron Donald isn't going to be like some miracle drug that automatically that makes the rest of the line better.

 

[Gaede]

Hell be available.

There are 15 prospects who are cleaner then him, imo

 

[supercowboy8]

I would discount TB AZ McCoy is more of a 3 tech so I don't think they will draft another 3 tech that early. Minnesota is an option more than Tampa Bay. Floyd can play the 1 in Zimmer scheme and Donald could be the 3.
Atlanta needs DL help across the line.
NYG could also be an option. Look at Jenkins. Donald could replace Cullen Jenkins at DT.
Chicago might stay with current scheme if so then they are a player. I think there is 5 teams ahead us that can take him.
Oakland
Atlanta
Minnesota
NYG
Chicago

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think there might be a miss conception on Donald, just a bit. I mean, yeah, he is disruptive and yeah, he can rush the passer but he also recorded 170 tackles in three years with something like 63 tackles for loss over that same time period. He's not just a pass rusher folks.

 

[DuDa]

The Bears can say all that they want but they are moving McClellin to OLB and have hired all 3-4 guys for their defensive coaching staff. They are going 3-4 but don't want teams to know it.

 

[DuDa]

I think there might be a miss conception on Donald, just a bit. I mean, yeah, he is disruptive and yeah, he can rush the passer but he also recorded 170 tackles in three years with something like 63 tackles for loss over that same time period. He's not just a pass rusher folks.

Well said. If I had to give Donald a position I would call it chaos because thats what he inflicts on the opposing offensive line.

 

[xwalker]

The Bears can say all that they want but they are moving McClellin to OLB and have hired all 3-4 guys for their defensive coaching staff. They are going 3-4 but don't want teams to know it.

Their D-Coordinator is Mel Tucker. IIRC he oddly switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3 in Jacksonville, but has primarily used the 3-4.

Their new DL and LB coaches were in Dallas during the 3-4 years.

 

[Alexander]

I think there might be a miss conception on Donald, just a bit. I mean, yeah, he is disruptive and yeah, he can rush the passer but he also recorded 170 tackles in three years with something like 63 tackles for loss over that same time period. He's not just a pass rusher folks.

Actually he had over 90 TFL over his college career. That is serious production.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Actually he had over 90 TFL over his college career. That is serious production.

I actually only counted the last three years and not his Freshman year but here are the totals I have for TFL. Not sure if accurate but this site has always been pretty good for me.


http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/player/545/1033607/tackleforloss/gamelog.html

2010 3
2011 16
2012 18.5
2013 28.5

 

[Alexander]

I actually only counted the last three years and not his Freshman year but here are the totals I have for TFL. Not sure if accurate but this site has always been pretty good for me.


http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/player/545/1033607/tackleforloss/gamelog.html

2010 3
2011 16
2012 18.5
2013 28.5

I think if you consider sacks, it is over 90. TFL was not the best term. Stops behind the line of scrimmage might have been a better way for me to say it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think if you consider sacks, it is over 90. TFL was not the best term. Stops behind the line of scrimmage might have been a better way for me to say it.

Yeah, that could be. Whatever the number, I think it's pretty clear that he's not just a pass rusher. He can also play against the run.

 

[Floatyworm]

After his Combine work, it suddenly was looking like Aaron Donald at pick 16 was less of a possibility. But look at the teams drafting around us and it doesn't seem like there are that many competitors.

Grey = pretty unlikely due to their scheme, current personnel, or stronger needs elsewhere.
Blue = low likelihood but possible
Red = high likelihood

01. HOU -- doesn't fit scheme and too high
02. STL -- already have M Brockers and K Langford, massive need on OL, and too high
03. JAX -- too high and big need at QB
04. CLE -- doesn't fit scheme and too high; could see Barr or Mack
05. OAK -- too high and needs at QB, WR, LB, CB as well
06. ATL -- scheme fit and DTs are meh; DE, OL, and OLB also in mix; could see Barr or Mack
07. TB -- scheme fit w. Lovie; could pair very well w. G McCoy; DE and OT on radar too
08. MIN -- drafted S Floyd last year but still thin at DT; scheme fit but heavy QB need = DT later on
09. BUF -- already have M Dareus and K Williams
10. DET -- already have N Suh and N Fairley
11. TEN --- already have J Casey
12. NYG -- could take J Tuck's DE/DT role but seems small for NYG DT prototype; see CJ Mosely here
13. STL -- already have M Brockers and K Langford, plus massive need on OL
14. CHI -- fits scheme; key is what they do with Melton
15. PIT -- doesn't fit scheme
16. DAL
17. BAL -- doesn't fit scheme
18. NYJ -- doesn't fit scheme and already have M Wilkerson and S Richardson at DE
19. MIA -- transitioning between 3-4 to 4-3 and need better interior rush; also OL need to fix bullying mess
20. ARI -- doesn't fit scheme
21. GB -- could take Donald as BPA at 21 but unlikely to trade up for him; already have identical M Daniels
22. PHI -- switched to 3-4 but want mobile rush threats at DE; could fit but price to move up likely too high

Thoughts? Disagree with any of these team needs?

My wildcard is the Rams @ 1/13. Can you imagine a line of...

LDE- C. Long
LDT- A. Donald
RDT- Brockers
RDE- R. Quinn

Sure would bring the heat......And that is the in vogue thing right now..

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah Minnesota is a great fit for Donald but that's way too high. People are losing their minds over this one dimensional player.

 

[AsthmaField]

I don't think Tampa would do it at that spot. One, I think McCoy plays more like a 3-tech for them and two, in such a deep draft they will likely have better choices at that spot.

Chicago, for all their posturing, I think they're looking for a different type of player. I think Nix or even Jernigan would be more likely for them if they go DT.

Minnesota is a possibility, but much like Tampa their pick is so high that I think they go in another direction (possibly QB). He would fit nicely though and I consider Donald a dark horse candidate for them.

The Giants I'm worried a little about. One they love to take the best available player despite needs. Two, they love to take defensive linemen and have two Lombardi trophy's as proof that a strong DL can win for you, and three, I hate them so much that they might just screw up my draft. However, they need OL so much and there should be so many good OL there that they can't pass up a blue chipper there.

Plus, while I absolutely love the guy, that is in large part because it is Dallas' biggest need and he fits what our system calls for to a Tee. If we weren't looking for quick-twitch over everything else, I would have legitimate concerns about his size and length. I think it is just enough of a wart to possibly get him to slide past the other teams straight to Dallas, where he is as perfect a fit as you're likely to find in the draft.

 

[rags747]

I kinda see the Giants going OL, their d lineman tend to br bigger, no? Watch this board do a crash and burn if he's available at 16 and we pull a Jackson and trade out.