2 defensive prospects in this years draft

[Estro]

The following two players, haven't been discussed much if at all on this board, and I thought it was worth mentioning them.

 

The first is Donald Butler, LB, Washington. I've seen this guy going anywhere from round 1 to round 5 in recent mock drafts. I personally think he's one of the best ILB's in the draft.....right there with Spikes and McClain. This is just my opinion so flame away, but I think Butler is a better pro prospect than McClain. He's fluid, he has good speed for an ILB and he's a sure tackler. He fits into a 4-3 defense as an OLB or in a 3-4 as an ILB. Not a great pass rush specialist, but at 245 lbs. has enough bulk to play the run in the 3-4. As of now, I see him going in the 2nd round and I think whatever team takes him gets an instant starter with Pro Bowl potential. The Bills certainly have much more pressing needs than ILB, they need an OLB big time, so I don't see them going with Butler, but I wanted to put it out there that I really like the guy.

 

 

The second prospect is Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia. This is a guy that I've seen going anywhere from the 2nd-5th round and I personally think he'll be a 2nd round pick when it's all said and done. He's thick, well built and can play NT in a 3-4 defense. Owens blew out a knee in the season opener of the 2008 season, and has since fallen off the radar a bit. I think the more scouts go back and watch this guy prior to injury and once he checks out medically he will fly up draft boards. He played alongside Geno Atkins another draftable DT prospect from Geaorgia, but they played more on a rotational basis so one can't truly discount Owens ability based on the fact that he played on a good D-Line. I believe Owens is a much better pro prospect than Terrance Cody and Dan Williams, and would be thrilled to land him in the 3rd round although I don't see him lasting that long. I don't think he will last beyond SD's 2nd round pick, as Jamaal Williams replacement. 2nd round probably is a bit high, but big bodies with the ability to be NT's in the NFL are highly sought after, so it's not entirely impossible.

 

Donald Butler and Jeff Owens, two solid 3-4 defensive prospects. We'll see where they end up going.

[Astrobot]

You're right. Excellent post. Both will be excellent picks in the later rounds.

[Estro]

You're right. Excellent post. Both will be excellent picks in the later rounds.

 

A thumbs up from the mock draft wizard, I'll take it as a compliment!

 

I like both of these guys a lot. Owens is big and does not get pushed backwards, I'm really intrigued by him. I know a lot of people have been really high on Dan Williams as of late, and if you like Williams than you should definitely like Owens, he's actually better IMO.

 

BTW has anyone heard that there are some serious character concerns regarding Dan Williams? I was basically told this by Russ Lande, he said he can't confirm the incidents, but said he heard from several scouts this past week that there are serious character questions. Could be a team spreading rumors in hopes to land him in the back half of round 1, who knows.

[NewEra]

A thumbs up from the mock draft wizard, I'll take it as a compliment!

 

I like both of these guys a lot. Owens is big and does not get pushed backwards, I'm really intrigued by him. I know a lot of people have been really high on Dan Williams as of late, and if you like Williams than you should definitely like Owens, he's actually better IMO.

 

BTW has anyone heard that there are some serious character concerns regarding Dan Williams? I was basically told this by Russ Lande, he said he can't confirm the incidents, but said he heard from several scouts this past week that there are serious character questions. Could be a team spreading rumors in hopes to land him in the back half of round 1, who knows.

 

Dan Williams = a 4-3 DT trapped in a 304 DE's body. I'd MUCH rather have Owens or Cam Thomas later in the draft.

 

My worst nightmare is taking Dan Williams #9. Which means it's likely to happen /cry

[Estro]

Dan Williams = a 4-3 DT trapped in a 304 DE's body. I'd MUCH rather have Owens or Cam Thomas later in the draft.

 

My worst nightmare is taking Dan Williams #9. Which means it's likely to happen /cry

 

Agreed. Taking Dan Williams at #9 is just as bad as John McCargo at #26, and we all know how that turned out. Dan Williams is a 2nd-3rd round prospect who has propelled a solid Senior Bowl into people discussing him as a sure fire first rounder, I don't agree. He's a project, and you don't draft projects in the first round, unless you're the 2000-20009 Buffalo Bills (Aaron Maybin). Let's hope things have changed at One Bills Drive.

 

Good call on Cam Thomas, they are neck and neck for me as far as NT's are concerned, both are far better than Williams and Cody. Jared Odrick another DT would be a nice DE in our 3-4 system, but I don't see him lasting to our #2 pick.

[H2o]

The following two players, haven't been discussed much if at all on this board, and I thought it was worth mentioning them.

 

The first is Donald Butler, LB, Washington. I've seen this guy going anywhere from round 1 to round 5 in recent mock drafts. I personally think he's one of the best ILB's in the draft.....right there with Spikes and McClain. This is just my opinion so flame away, but I think Butler is a better pro prospect than McClain. He's fluid, he has good speed for an ILB and he's a sure tackler. He fits into a 4-3 defense as an OLB or in a 3-4 as an ILB. Not a great pass rush specialist, but at 245 lbs. has enough bulk to play the run in the 3-4. As of now, I see him going in the 2nd round and I think whatever team takes him gets an instant starter with Pro Bowl potential. The Bills certainly have much more pressing needs than ILB, they need an OLB big time, so I don't see them going with Butler, but I wanted to put it out there that I really like the guy.

 

 

The second prospect is Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia. This is a guy that I've seen going anywhere from the 2nd-5th round and I personally think he'll be a 2nd round pick when it's all said and done. He's thick, well built and can play NT in a 3-4 defense. Owens blew out a knee in the season opener of the 2008 season, and has since fallen off the radar a bit. I think the more scouts go back and watch this guy prior to injury and once he checks out medically he will fly up draft boards. He played alongside Geno Atkins another draftable DT prospect from Geaorgia, but they played more on a rotational basis so one can't truly discount Owens ability based on the fact that he played on a good D-Line. I believe Owens is a much better pro prospect than Terrance Cody and Dan Williams, and would be thrilled to land him in the 3rd round although I don't see him lasting that long. I don't think he will last beyond SD's 2nd round pick, as Jamaal Williams replacement. 2nd round probably is a bit high, but big bodies with the ability to be NT's in the NFL are highly sought after, so it's not entirely impossible.

 

Donald Butler and Jeff Owens, two solid 3-4 defensive prospects. We'll see where they end up going.

Actually, bandit was the one who told me about Butler about 3 weeks ago. I hadn't seen or heard much of the guy so I checked out what he had done. He seems like he could make a good ILB in the 3-4 and we could likely get him in the 3rd to 5th rounds of the draft. Owens, IMO, is better suited as a DT in a 4-3. He only wieghs in at about 300lb and would struggle to clog up the middle like Kris Jenkins, or Casey Hampton, or Jamaal Williams, or Vince Wilfork. He just doesn't have the size needed for a 3-4 NT. Cody, or Thomas, or a trade down for Dan Williams is a much better fit for our team.

[btchrllebtchz]

Dan Williams = a 4-3 DT trapped in a 304 DE's body. I'd MUCH rather have Owens or Cam Thomas later in the draft.

 

My worst nightmare is taking Dan Williams #9. Which means it's likely to happen /cry

 

 

owens is 6'1" 304 and projects the same way kyle williams does, a 3-4/4-3 tweener from a DE/NT standpoint, much the same way luis castilla does in SD, and will be a late second - late third round pick. he's a better 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE. Dan williams, is 6'2" 327 and projects as a true 3-4 NT, especially considering his massive trunk, a build similar to casey hampton. cam thomas does project as an early-mid second round NT, but owens will not be manning the 3-4 NT spot at 304 lbs. your comparison of Dan Williams = a 4-3 DT trapped in a 304 DE's body would actually be more accurate if you swapped dan williams for jeff owens.

 

dan williams will probably be reached for by somone, maybe our bills, but with half of the league now employing a 3-4, there is now a premium placed on guys that can play a true NT spot, and their value will continue to rise. dan williams and john mccargo are nothing alike, not from their position played to their strength/weakness, to their build, nothing.

 

i like cam thomas a lot, saw him dominate against mike iupati during senior bowl week, and iupati is supposed to be the best/nastiest guard (potential tackle) in the draft.

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

Dan Williams = a 4-3 DT trapped in a 304 DE's body. I'd MUCH rather have Owens or Cam Thomas later in the draft.

 

My worst nightmare is taking Dan Williams #9. Which means it's likely to happen /cry

Mine is drafting another DB!!!

[Green Lightning]

The following two players, haven't been discussed much if at all on this board, and I thought it was worth mentioning them.

 

 

 

 

The second prospect is Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia. This is a guy that I've seen going anywhere from the 2nd-5th round and I personally think he'll be a 2nd round pick when it's all said and done. He's thick, well built and can play NT in a 3-4 defense.

 

 

He's a nice player but not a NT. Too small and too light - Kyle Williams 2.0. We have enough tweeners. We need a wide body ala Ted Washington in that spot.

[thebandit27]

Actually, bandit was the one who told me about Butler about 3 weeks ago. I hadn't seen or heard much of the guy so I checked out what he had done. He seems like he could make a good ILB in the 3-4 and we could likely get him in the 3rd to 5th rounds of the draft. Owens, IMO, is better suited as a DT in a 4-3. He only wieghs in at about 300lb and would struggle to clog up the middle like Kris Jenkins, or Casey Hampton, or Jamaal Williams, or Vince Wilfork. He just doesn't have the size needed for a 3-4 NT. Cody, or Thomas, or a trade down for Dan Williams is a much better fit for our team.

 

Thanks for the nod H2o.

 

I am in total agreement with the OP on Butler. He's my #1 ILB in the draft. Let me again say that I do think McClain will be a good player, I just happen to like Butler better. He's got good size and is far more explosive. He tracks plays very well and does an excellent job of finishing; a great wrap-up tackler. He's an outstanding gap-penetrator in the run game; when he sees a gap, he shoots through quickly and makes plays in the backfield. He also has a good, fluid hip-turn and solid recovery speed that allows him to be a proficient coverage LB.

 

I also like that his productivity has been on-par with McClain's, which is saying something. He makes just as many big plays and forces turnovers. However, one thing I feel sets him apart from McClain, in terms of pure productivity, is that he's been more consistent. McClain has his off games (like most players), but you just didn't see that from Butler during his senior season. Every game, he lead the Huskies in tackling. He's always around the football.

 

Just about the only issue I've noticed with Butler is two-fold: (1) he tends to over-pursue on counters and draws and (2) he can get fooled by play action, getting overly aggressive on the play-fake. Both of those issues come down to his aggressive nature, which doesn't really bother me. That's the kind of thing that can be coached...his speed, athleticism, and tenacity cannot.

 

Just my 1 cent.

[dollars 2 donuts]

Sorry I am screwing it up a little by not adding anything, but I just wanted to post in here and say, "damn, this a good thread with some good information!"

 

Seriously, all of you, thank you for giving good info on guys that weren't on my radar before.

 

 

[Thoner7]

Mayock or Kiper has Butler as the 2nd best ILB ahead of spikes - I forget which one, but while he doesnt get much press from fans, I bet he is well known by the scouts.

 

My new wish list picks are - all in order of preference

1- BPA between Bulaga/Clausen/Dan Williams or Iupati/McClain

2- Tony Washington/Charles Davis/Mt. Cody/M. Pouncy

3- Spikes/Gronkowski (the Buffalo native TE from arizona)/Jarret Brown /John Jerry

[daveydanceswithwolves]

i would love to see us get jeff owens

[mob16151]

i would love to see us get jeff owens

 

 

Jeff Owens reminds me a lot of Myron Pryor from last years draft. The same Pryor who out played Ron Brace by a significant margin in the Patriot's defense. The same Pryor who did an excellent job filling in for Vince Wilfork. If Pryor can man the nose so can Owens. He's the perfect NT heigth, and while he needs to add a few pound's, he's plenty strong.

[Thurman#1]

Donald Butler and Jeff Owens, two solid 3-4 defensive prospects. We'll see where they end up going.

 

 

At 298, Owens doesn't have the size to be a nose tackle. He could possibly be a 1-technique if we use the Cowboys-style 3 - 4, where they use Ratliff, their small DT, not as a two-gap nose tackle, but as a one-gap defensive tackle.

 

I don't want to use that style. I believe that when you play in Buffalo, outside in the winter, you ideally want a big hefty nose tackle in your 3 - 4.

 

So as far as I'm concerned, no thanks to Owens.

 

An interesting guy, though.

[mob16151]

At 298, Owens doesn't have the size to be a nose tackle. He could possibly be a 1-technique if we use the Cowboys-style 3 - 4, where they use Ratliff, their small DT, not as a two-gap nose tackle, but as a one-gap defensive tackle.

 

I don't want to use that style. I believe that when you play in Buffalo, outside in the winter, you ideally want a big hefty nose tackle in your 3 - 4.

 

So as far as I'm concerned, no thanks to Owens.

 

An interesting guy, though.

 

 

Owens weighs in at 304 not 298. Sorry to nitpick, but that is his combine weight.

[Thurman#1]

Jeff Owens reminds me a lot of Myron Pryor from last years draft. The same Pryor who out played Ron Brace by a significant margin in the Patriot's defense. The same Pryor who did an excellent job filling in for Vince Wilfork. If Pryor can man the nose so can Owens. He's the perfect NT heigth, and while he needs to add a few pound's, he's plenty strong.

 

 

The Pats* defence is a whole different beast. They switch back and forth from play to play into and out of the 3 - 4 and 4 - 3. I know that at least early in the season, Pryor was being used when the Pats* used their 4 - 3 package.

[Thurman#1]

Owens weighs in at 304 not 298. Sorry to nitpick, but that is his combine weight.

 

 

It has him as 298 here:

 

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile...rospect_id=1708

 

Did he have a really big dinner? Or is it a legit weight gain?

 

In any case, 304 is still a sprite, a wait, a ballet dancer when it comes to nose tackle weights.

[mob16151]

It has him as 298 here:

 

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile...rospect_id=1708

 

Did he have a really big dinner? Or is it a legit weight gain?

 

In any case, 304 is still a sprite, a wait, a ballet dancer when it comes to nose tackle weights.

 

 

304 comes from here

 

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jeff-o...bs:tab-overview

 

And his scouting report there suggests a guy who can play NT. Maybe not aneverydown one, but he's definetly a guy who can anchor at the POA.

[Thoner7]

It has him as 298 here:

 

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile...rospect_id=1708

 

Did he have a really big dinner? Or is it a legit weight gain?

 

In any case, 304 is still a sprite, a wait, a ballet dancer when it comes to nose tackle weights.

 

 

304 comes from here

 

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jeff-o...bs:tab-overview

 

And his scouting report there suggests a guy who can play NT. Maybe not aneverydown one, but he's definetly a guy who can anchor at the POA.

 

 

Ill bet the farm if he stepped on a scale right now he wouldnt weigh either of those weights. Peoples weight fluxuates. The guys could go to bed at 304 and wake up at 298. That might be what drives me nuts most. "Maybin is 250!!!! just look at the roster, it posts his combine weight!!!!!!" And Big Pat Williams has been 317 lbs every year of his 14 yr career