49ersRus
04-18-2007, 09:12 AM
Article: http://www.patriots.com/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=24864&pcid=46
Overall Position Analysis
This is a thin crop of tackles. Branch and Okoye are studs. Both players should get selected high in the first round. After those two, Pitcock, Tyler and Justin Harrell (Tennessee) could all go in Round 2. Mebane, Ryan McBean (Oklahoma State), Marcus Thomas (Florida), Turk McBride (Tennessee) and Kareem Brown (Miami) are solid mid-round prospects, although they all fit into a particular type of defensive scheme. Jackson, Johnson, Jay Alford (Penn State), Joe Cohen (Florida), Paul Soliai (Utah) and Derek Landri (Notre Dame) are mid-to-late round players who have a chance to be successful in the NFL down the road. Normally this would be considered a terrible draft for tackles but with Branch and Okoye both possibly going in the top ten, it helps strengthen the group overall. However, there are usually four or five defensive tackles that go in Round 1 and this year there may only be two.
They are pretty up beat on Branch... Here is my favorite quote:
Weaknesses: Branch doesn’t record a lot of sacks but that number is a bit deceiving. Even when he doesn’t get credit for a sack, he’s usually bearing down on the quarterback. Branch has had problems keeping his weight in check and some have accused him of taking plays off. However, that’s common for 21-year old college kids who weigh 325 pounds. Sometimes guys that big take a breather every now and then when their team is beating the snot out of Indiana late in the third quarter. Ask Notre Dame and Wisconsin how many plays Branch takes off.
I still don't think he will drop out of the top 10. My concern is both Branch and Okoye will be gone, and then who we will pick is wide open IMO.
Overall Position Analysis
This is a thin crop of tackles. Branch and Okoye are studs. Both players should get selected high in the first round. After those two, Pitcock, Tyler and Justin Harrell (Tennessee) could all go in Round 2. Mebane, Ryan McBean (Oklahoma State), Marcus Thomas (Florida), Turk McBride (Tennessee) and Kareem Brown (Miami) are solid mid-round prospects, although they all fit into a particular type of defensive scheme. Jackson, Johnson, Jay Alford (Penn State), Joe Cohen (Florida), Paul Soliai (Utah) and Derek Landri (Notre Dame) are mid-to-late round players who have a chance to be successful in the NFL down the road. Normally this would be considered a terrible draft for tackles but with Branch and Okoye both possibly going in the top ten, it helps strengthen the group overall. However, there are usually four or five defensive tackles that go in Round 1 and this year there may only be two.
They are pretty up beat on Branch... Here is my favorite quote:
Weaknesses: Branch doesn’t record a lot of sacks but that number is a bit deceiving. Even when he doesn’t get credit for a sack, he’s usually bearing down on the quarterback. Branch has had problems keeping his weight in check and some have accused him of taking plays off. However, that’s common for 21-year old college kids who weigh 325 pounds. Sometimes guys that big take a breather every now and then when their team is beating the snot out of Indiana late in the third quarter. Ask Notre Dame and Wisconsin how many plays Branch takes off.
I still don't think he will drop out of the top 10. My concern is both Branch and Okoye will be gone, and then who we will pick is wide open IMO.