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There was no more dynamic defensive player in college football last season than Donald, who took home the Bednarik, Lombardi, Nagurski and Outland trophies and awards as the game’s best defender in 2013. He led the nation with 28 1/2 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks. Donald is the most decorated defensive tackle to enter the NFL since Ndamukong Suh, who won the same four trophies as Donald for his own defensive prowess at Nebraska in 2009. He has since gone to three Pro Bowls with the Detroit Lions. But they are two different players. At 6-4, 307 pounds, Suh is physically dominant. He mauls blockers. At 6-0 1/2, 285, Donald relies on his speed. He embarrasses blockers with his quick penetration into backfields. Donald ran a 4.65 40 at the combine. That’s electric for a man his size. |
NFL Films' Greg Cosell compared Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald to Bengals DT Geno Atkins.
"He's a quick, penetrating, gap player," said Cosell, who cautioned that teams need to understand what Donald can and can't bring to the table before they draft him. "He's not a guy that's going to take on double teams," Cosell said. Although Donald's frame won't allow for that, he's a pocket collapsing DT. He is also NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock's top-ranked DT prospect.
I tried to find a podcast, no luck so far. If you check out Bucky Brooks at nfl.com, he's got a video up where he compares Donald and Atkins.
Having said that, I want no part of him on the Cowboys. No way. For that matter, I don't want him landing on any NFC East team other than the Giants.
Let him go to the Raiders or someone in the AFC please. The next Geno Atkins? Great, we don't see Atkins more than once every four years unless it's in the Super Bowl.
I'd be very happy with that description as Olines would open up a whole new can of worms if they double Donald on the Giants Dline.
1-11, maybe Tampa Bay? The bigger risk is that the Bears or the Cowboys trade up ahead of us to draft him.
Gosselin has tons of contacts in front offices, and I'd guess that some of his opinions are influenced by what he hears from those sources.
We are lucky in Dallas having Rick write featured sports articles in the DMN.
I don't want Donald, the guy is even smaller then Harris. The way our first rounders seem to get hurt, no thanks on Donald. Get a DT later in the draft or sign an undrafted FA.
Yeah but that's his only asset. For example, Evans relies on his height and hands. It's not like one can say if he gets older and loses 5 inches he will 6'0 and short. This guy's asset is mainly his speed mixed with his strength.
Our first rounders are like china dolls. They get hurt, and I don't want a guy that just relies on speed playing a position in the trenches where the fat people collide. Just look at Tommie Harris who was a damn good 3T who was bigger.
Like I said, I'd draft a DT later on and see if any undrafted FA make the team.
But, I have to admit in the modern NFL, this guy could be the wave of the future, he could be exactly what you need to become a dominant defense in the new pass happy NFL.
Despite my doubts, I would make Donald the pick at 12, you simply have to take a chance at some point, this guy could put the Giants at an entirely new level on defense. He may not be great against the run, but he should take up 2 blockers inside, that should allow the combination of Beason/McClain/Paysinger to make plenty of stops against the run. I think with the emergence of Paysinger in the run defense, and the addition of McClain, and with Beason coming in knowing the defense a lot better, I think that the Giants are set up perfectly to take the chance and make Donald an all pro tackle for us.
NFL.com - ( New Window )
think about it.. if he was 1 3/" of an inch taller and 15lbs heavier.. he would be a top ten pick.. EASY... hands down..
You need your legs and lower body for drive, quickness, and if that goes then you're a strong under sized DT, who lacks the one asset that helped make you who you are.
Yeah those are good intangibles too. You can have that but if you physical body is compromised then a 6'4-6'6 315-335 LB guard will drive your ass across the OL creating a gaping lane for the RB to hit.
as if we get guards somewhere else other than college
as if we get guards somewhere else other than college
That's not the point. It depends on the level of competition he played against. What scouts look for is who the player played against. So if he plays College X and dominates the game, you look back and see who the guards were.
Will those guards be in the NFL? If so, what round? Undrafted? 1st rounders? So if he went against undrafted guards, or who will be undrafted and kicked the ever living shit out of them, then scouts will notice that.
That's what they mean. You want to see the level of competition AND the specific players he went against. So if the player is feasting on average to above average guards, then people will say what you're saying. Will he do well against NFL guards, who were good enough to make it to the NFL AND start in the pros?
That's the way I was taught to scout.
so exactly where are we getting these guards from then ??
The question more relevant, is how many NFL caliber guards/centers did Donald face and how did he do against them.
Since 99% of the Guards and tackles at the college level will never sniiff the pros it is hard to judge just how good a player is. Just as teams can only beat the weak schedule in front of them players can only dominate what is put before them
"he looked like Adam Sandler in the Water Boy" - LMAO!
He is just so damn quick and strong, his lack of height will be made up by everything else he does so well.
I also think he'll be there at 12. It seems like not everyone views him as being the way he's described in the article or as being a sure thing. Plus with the QBs and whatnot that will be taken, guys like him will slide down to the 10-12 range. If he goes before 12, it just means someone like Barr will be slipping.
Another good comparison.... Tuck at that time was between 270-275
Exactly! They left that part out. Christ, if Donald was 6'5 and could do all that. Then adding on some weight and drafting him would be good. He'd be bigger than Tommie Harris. 6'5 290-300 DT with the strength and speed would be great.
Even like Dorgan said, you can't teach height. So even on 3 step drops, we'd have those arms in the air padding down balls.
I have concluded that those are just concerns based on size, just opinions based on a bias toward larger guards, not validated by anything seen on a football field. I just need to see this guy being pushed around to believe it.
Why? He's light for a DT, but only because he really doesn't carry any extra weight. He's basically a muscle hamster at his size - pretty much all muscle. He's not like the 330 lb fat DT, or even the 305 guy carrying 40 pounds or more of fat.
His technique is constantly praised and I've seen it and believe it to be true. Smaller guys consistently beat larger guys if their technique is great and they are strong enough to make it happen. Donald has all the techniques down. He uses his low center of gravity and his strength to his advantage.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Donald's biggest flaw due to his body type is that he will wear down by the end of games. He probably cannot do more than around 40 snaps a game. On a good team he wouldn't have to do that.
I have concluded that those are just concerns based on size, just opinions based on a bias toward larger guards, not validated by anything seen on a football field. I just need to see this guy being pushed around to believe it.
Why? He's light for a DT, but only because he really doesn't carry any extra weight. He's basically a muscle hamster at his size - pretty much all muscle. He's not like the 330 lb fat DT, or even the 305 guy carrying 40 pounds or more of fat.
His technique is constantly praised and I've seen it and believe it to be true. Smaller guys consistently beat larger guys if their technique is great and they are strong enough to make it happen. Donald has all the techniques down. He uses his low center of gravity and his strength to his advantage.
I have a sneaking suspicion that Donald's biggest flaw due to his body type is that he will wear down by the end of games. He probably cannot do more than around 40 snaps a game. On a good team he wouldn't have to do that.
Great analysis, him and Lee are my favorite two picks for the Gmen at 12. Get the OL at 43.