Why are drafting a DT in the first round if we have Deone Walker?

[clearwater cadet]

So most mock I've seen have us taking a DT at 26?  I thought Deone Walker was really good last year, and became a starter year.  Can Walker not be the starting nose tackle in a 3-4 defense?  Seems like we has the size.  I'm not asking to stir the pot, I just really don't know.

[LEBills]

2 minutes ago, clearwater cadet said:

So most mock I've seen have us taking a DT at 26?  I thought Deone Walker was really good last year, and became a starter year.  Can Walker not be the starting nose tackle in a 3-4 defense?  Seems like we have the size.  I'm not asking to stir the pot, I just really don't know.

Having him be a nose won’t fit his skillset as best as possible. The reason you are seeing all those mocks though is because the Bills have met with more defensive tackles than any other position in the pre-draft process. So that tells you how the Bills feel about their DT situation.

[HIT BY SPIKES]

I have been asking myself this question for months.

 

Deone Walker could be whatever desire as a NT.

[billsfan89]

I think the new defensive scheme basically plays DT's more would be the most straight forward answer. The team could use a big body to flex Ed Oliver out more.

2 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

I have been asking myself this question for months.

 

Deone Walker could be whatever desire as a NT.

 

Walker from my understanding is better served as a DE in a 3-4 more like Richard Seymour.

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

I have been asking myself this question for months.

 

Deone Walker could be whatever desire as a NT.

 

He doesn't have the bend and anchor to do it.

[HIT BY SPIKES]

3 minutes ago, LEBills said:

Having him be a nose won’t fit his skillset as best as possible. The reason you are seeing all those mocks though is because the Bills have met with more defensive tackles than any other position in the pre-draft process. So that tells you how the Bills feel about their DT situation.

 

Once we made the decision to go to a 3-4, skillset fit went out the window.

 

Is he also NOT too big to be a DE in a 3 man DL?

 

I prefer my man Deone (who I pimped hard for the Bills to draft in the 2nd round last year let alone being thrilled we got him in the 4th) to be right there in the middle rather than trying to get out on the edge.

 

Let Oliver do that that.

[gonzo1105]

It really depends on what scheme of 3-4 Leonard is trying to implement. If he plans on having some old school 0 tech 3-4 which it appears he will, then they will need a run stuffing NT. While Walker is big , he is more of a penetration than a hold up NT that can occupy multiple blockers. 
 

If that’s the case look for Kayden McDonald or Christen Miller early or a guy like Dominique Orange or Brandon Cleveland later 

[harmonkillebrew]

From a pure capital invested and value standpoint, I agree. We drafted alot of DTs the last few years and have $$in Oliver. We need a NT, but not sure reaching for a guy in the 1st is best value. 

[Thrivefourfive]

If it’s national or NFL analysis, they probably look at the stats, see what the Bills are worst at (stopping the run) and think that makes the most sense for their draft pick. First round mocks can be just that—one round drafts. Biggest need based on season stats, without considering value of that position in later rounds, or whatever. Thats what I think. 

[DapperCam]

13 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

It really depends on what scheme of 3-4 Leonard is trying to implement. If he plans on having some old school 0 tech 3-4 which it appears he will, then they will need a run stuffing NT. While Walker is big , he is more of a penetration than a hold up NT that can occupy multiple blockers. 
 

If that’s the case look for Kayden McDonald or Christen Miller early or a guy like Dominique Orange or Brandon Cleveland later 

Those big fat anchor 3-4 NT usually don’t get drafted until the third round.

Edited April 22 by DapperCam

[Thrivefourfive]

12 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He doesn't have the bend and anchor to do it.

If he’s not an end, and he’s not a nose tackle, then there is no Walker in this scheme. I think. 
 

Walker and Rousseau on the left side would be a lot of length for a QB to be staring at. 

[GunnerBill]

3 minutes ago, Thrivefourfive said:

If he’s not an end, and he’s not a nose tackle, then there is no Walker in this scheme. I think. 
 

Walker and Rousseau on the left side would be a lot of length for a QB to be staring at. 

 

I think he can do some nose and he can do some 4i. He can't be the big nose that stuffs the run that people seem to want.

[13 Seconds to Mars]

I’m never against spending high picks building the trenches. 

[machine gun kelly]

I don’t see it in the 1st rd.  Walker can fill that role.  Just because he has been a penetrated doesn’t mean he can’t fit that role.  He’s 335 lbs..  besides, Leonard’s NTs are not necessarily as huge as the old Teddy Washington.

 

His last guy in Denver was 6’0” 3012 lbs.  Not a monster run stuffer.

[LEBills]

Just now, 13 Seconds to Mars said:

I’m never against spending high picks building the trenches. 

Avatar checks out

[clearwater cadet]

21 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

It really depends on what scheme of 3-4 Leonard is trying to implement. If he plans on having some old school 0 tech 3-4 which it appears he will, then they will need a run stuffing NT. While Walker is big , he is more of a penetration than a hold up NT that can occupy multiple blockers. 
 

If that’s the case look for Kayden McDonald or Christen Miller early or a guy like Dominique Orange or Brandon Cleveland later 

I would think a big guy who can penetrate into the back field and disrupt the play before it starts will by ideal

[MrEpsYtown]

Well you have a bunch of guys who are somewhat questionable fits, so it’s a lot of projection.

 

Right now you have 2/3 starters, Ed Oliver and Deone Walker. Ed was injured all year.

 

You have TJ Sanders, who should be fine, but is definitely not a sure thing. He was also injured.

Then pretty much nothing. Carter probably doesn’t make the team. Injured and has done nothing aside from that one splash play where no one blocked him. Landon Jackson has to show he is healthy and can hold up in a more run defending spot. Mathis can maybe help some, but is a scrapheap player. 
 

So the short answer is there are only two guarantees here, who are both being asked to shift into a new role, one who was injured all year. There are bodies here, but this is not a good group. If you the chance to add a guy like Woods or McDonald, they totally change the position group. 
 

McDonald allows you to let Walker move around. Woods is going to be very good, I think his floor is like a Christian Wilkins and his ceiling is like a Jeff Simmons. 

[AlBUNDY4TDS]

3 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

I don’t see it in the 1st rd.  Walker can fill that role.  Just because he has been a penetrated doesn’t mean he can’t fit that role.  He’s 335 lbs..  besides, Leonard’s NTs are not necessarily as huge as the old Teddy Washington.

 

His last guy in Denver was 6’0” 3012 lbs.  Not a monster run stuffer.

3000 lbs?

 

Holy beef!

[billsfan89]

45 minutes ago, HIT BY SPIKES said:

 

Once we made the decision to go to a 3-4, skillset fit went out the window.

 

Is he also NOT too big to be a DE in a 3 man DL?

 

I prefer my man Deone (who I pimped hard for the Bills to draft in the 2nd round last year let alone being thrilled we got him in the 4th) to be right there in the middle rather than trying to get out on the edge.

 

Let Oliver do that that.

 

Walker is close in size to Richard Seymour who was a game wrecker a 3-4 DE. Walker is an inch taller (6 foot 7 vs. 6 foot 6) and 20 pounds heavier (310 vs. 330). I think fans sometimes look at these big players and assume a big DT is a NT when that's not always the case.

[MJS]

Despite his size, he is better suited as a penetration style player, not a nose tackle. He'll be able to play at nose sometimes, but also at DE. If he is forced to only play at nose, that will take away from his effectiveness. He helps the defense more as a chess piece to move around on the line instead of being only at nose.

 

Plus, the Bills aren't going to be in base 3-4 defense all the time. Less than half of the time. There will still be plenty of nickel and dime. We still need someone to replace Daquon Jones.