Aaron Donald

And Sapp had arguably better linemates than Donald did too

We've discussed Donald a lot over the past 3 weeks. I've never seen a draft pick over the last 20 years more than I want Aaron Donald on the Giants.

He won just about every defensive award out there for 2013. He can push back guys that have him by 50 lbs. His leverage is crazy good. He's the fastest DT ever clocked in the combine. Great at pass rush and running plays.

He's a student of the game and far from a 1 trick pony. IMO, he's a little better than Clowney and if he was 2" taller & 10 lbs heaver, he'd be the #1 pick in the draft.

I was born in 89. I'm too young to remember Sapp in college. I was talking about Sapp in the NFL. His style of play reminds me of Sapp while he was with the Bucs.

In comment 11618478 mrvax said:

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We've discussed Donald a lot over the past 3 weeks. I've never seen a draft pick over the last 20 years more than I want Aaron Donald on the Giants. He won just about every defensive award out there for 2013. He can push back guys that have him by 50 lbs. His leverage is crazy good. He's the fastest DT ever clocked in the combine. Great at pass rush and running plays. He's a student of the game and far from a 1 trick pony. IMO, he's a little better than Clowney and if he was 2" taller & 10 lbs heaver, he'd be the #1 pick in the draft.

Bingo. He is going to be a huge GM IQ test. We have to hope the teams picking before us get caught up in his lack of height. Because aside from that he has the most eye popping combination or prodection combine and character or anyone in this draft.

In comment 11618483 Big Rick in FL said:

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I was born in 89. I'm too young to remember Sapp in college. I was talking about Sapp in the NFL. His style of play reminds me of Sapp while he was with the Bucs.

As Boylehart tabbed him this guy is a category 4 hurricane. I love the anaology. He is all over the place and that is even more impressive for a DT than perhaps any other position on defense.

One of my favorite targets for the Giants in round 1 of the draft the last decade.

he's about 6 feet and under 300. Tape shows him to be one of the elite players in this class.

next to Hankins as a long term monster DT duo. Weight is a serious concern. Can he put on 15 pounds without losing speed? Really not so sure.

And what you said about him adding 15 pounds and not losing his speed is all but certain. I've heard some say that and I've heard others say that he's maxed out his frame. If he plays at his current size, you may need a top-tier MLB because RBs are going to run in his direction.
He'd be a top 5 pick if he wasn't so small, but because he is, he could be engulfed by bigger, stronger OGs and could be a liability against the run.

It's a shame though. He's an easy kid to root for and I'm sure he's going to have a hell of an NFL career

until after the draft. Otherwise the Giants would have 0 chance of landing him.

they could move him around and bring him off the edge. He's a strong guy for his size, too.

In comment 11618506 mrvax said:

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until after the draft. Otherwise the Giants would have 0 chance of landing him.

I don't know what you mean by that. He impressed at the Combine and at his Pro Day. There's nothing he could do from here until the draft that will improve his draft stock.

In comment 11618510 Anakim said:

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I don't know what you mean by that. He impressed at the Combine and at his Pro Day. There's nothing he could do from here until the draft that will improve his draft stock.

I was being facetious. So far during his career his weight has not been an issue. If he finds he needs to add 10-15 pounds to be great in the NFL, he'd do it. His dedication is terrific.

incredulity... I just can't see a guy like this lasting until the 12th pick when the real bullets start flying.

a lot of folks don't know this but Sapp was 1 pound lighter when he was drafted.

In comment 11618513 mrvax said:

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In comment 11618510 Anakim said: Quote: I don't know what you mean by that. He impressed at the Combine and at his Pro Day. There's nothing he could do from here until the draft that will improve his draft stock. I was being facetious. So far during his career his weight has not been an issue. If he finds he needs to add 10-15 pounds to be great in the NFL, he'd do it. His dedication is terrific.

Ah, sorry. Didn't pick up on it

Yeah, he's certainly a guy you want on your team from an intangibles standpoint

We have no idea if he can add the weight and not lose speed. He certainly looks like he has the frame to add some muscle. Even if he only adds 5-10 pounds he will be fine. Geno Atkins was 6'1 293 at the combine. Gerald McCoy was 6'4 and only 295. They are doing great for themselves in the NFL. Donald at 6'1 285 is a lot more stout then McCoy at 6'4 295.

.

Don't be a negative nancy!! We need only positive thoughts :)

Also Pro Bowlers Henry Melton and Kyle Williams were similar size coming out of college.

I'm just hoping that the rankings that these draft "experts" have on him are similar to what NFL teams have on him. I unfortunately think he is gonna go a lot higher then the draft sites have him ranked right now. With a guy that was dominate his whole college career then the Senior Bowl & combine being ranked so low by NFL teams, because of 10-15 pounds.

you run to the podium and take him.

How many of his highlights are vs double teams!

Crazy shit on that tape.
Donald 2013 season highlights - ( New Window )

...but if he is, and we pass on him, then I will have lost all faith in Reese.

has been discussed ad nauseam the past couple weeks. Its been pretty funny--threads that haven't necessarily been about Donald, but more about general Giants draft plans have drifted to Donald banter. He's a very polarizing player, and especially for the Giants, mainly because of the potential need/value that would exist if he is available at 12. He had an extremely productive college football career and had a great combine. The problem lies with his size in that he probably has maxed out his frame; I don't think an NFL weight training program will get him to 300 without sacrificing his great initial burst. Size is the big concern, that is why John Randle went undrafted and that is why a decorated college talent like Donald is being talked about at the latter half of round 1. I would love the pick...

Yeah it is unreal. The play vs Duke where he takes down both the QB and RB during a hand off had my jaw on the floor. He also doesn't seem to miss tackles. If a player is in his grasp then they are going to the ground.

Was just reading NFL.com scouting report of Hankins and it said he was a potential top 12 pick. If he can live up to the hype that he got last season and then have Donald next to him. Could be real bad for opposing QBs and RBs.

....Eli Will Get Pummeled Being "Protected" By The Likes Of Charlie Brown, A.J. Walton And John Jerry. That'll Be Great.

talked about a lot last 3 weeks. Its like he has himself a cult following here on BBI.

At his height, he's already stout and strong as a bull. "Little Hank" is big enough for both of them. Let some 330 lb OG try to catch this little mofo before he's halfway in the opponent's backfield.

anything short of the Hall of Fame will be a disappointment for this guy.

combo blocking and AD will be on roller skates heading towards the secondary.

In comment 11618508 Phil in LA said:

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they could move him around and bring him off the edge. He's a strong guy for his size, too.

He'd be likely better than all the guys we tried to do this with except for maybe an in the prime Tuck. Who was only about 270 lbs playing the hybrid DE/DT position (and doing it quite well).

He was an "undersized" DT long before John Randle. And how much did Alan Page weigh? 250 lbs?

I'll be a heckuva lot less upset we lost Linval Joseph if we can grab this kid.

Yes, because those rookie Olineman are always studs that don't get their QB hit. Just look at the first couple of tackles off the board last season. Luke Joeckel, Lane Johnson and Eric Fisher.

The Giants aren't giving up on a guy that they just paid 37.5 million dollars a little over a year ago. Also just drafted a RT. Which leaves interior lineman. We signed Schwartz who had a very good season last year and Walton who we paid good money and people think will be the starter. There are no interior lineman worth the 12th pick in this draft. I think we go for a G in the 2nd or 3rd.

...you don't draft him to fatten him up to try to make him Vince Wilfork.

In comment 11618540 Emlen'sGremlins said:

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....Eli Will Get Pummeled Being "Protected" By The Likes Of Charlie Brown, A.J. Walton And John Jerry. That'll Be Great.

I love how if we go non-OL at 12 some here blindly assume Eli is going to automatically be playing behind a crap line.

1. We have added alot of OL pieces this offseason
2.We can get an VERY VERY GOOD (likely immediate or almost immediate starter at 43)

Never heard of him.

then we probably didn't add a lot of good lineman this free agency.

Until they realized he was gonna be a great DT despite his size. BTW he was officially listed as 6'4" and 257 #, but the linked article says he was more like 6'1" or 6'2", and always smaller than the guys he lined up against...
Randy - ( New Window )

In comment 11618564 Jimmy Googs said:

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then we probably didn't add a lot of good lineman this free agency.

Immediate means a guy capable of starting and playing adequately or better . Doesn't mean he has to start but that he can do it if necessary at a decent level. Similar to Pugh, David Diehl ,Chris Snee all year one starters who played quite well.

That's only if Snee is cooked and we need him to start.

Neverthless, my point was actually that if a rookie OL taken at #43 can start immediately on our line then we probably didn't pick up a whole lot of valuable guys in free agency.

just sayin'...

Leaving one on one match-ups for JPP, Kiwi/Moore and Donald/Jenkins/Hankins.

It'd be pretty funny

IS still on the board at 43, at least an OG if not any of the 2nd tier OTs.

But Donald looks like an impact player. The JPP of DTs!

I am a "fix the OL" guy all the way, been bitchin about not drafting OL high enough for years, but I give a pass for Lewan and Martin to grab Donald. He'll prolly be gone though...

In comment 11618610 Jimmy Googs said:

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Neverthless, my point was actually that if a rookie OL taken at #43 can start immediately on our line then we probably didn't pick up a whole lot of valuable guys in free agency. just sayin'...

Well Googs we needed 2- 4 guys (depending on status of Beatty and Snee). We got 2 starters in the offseason in Schwartz, Walton (we paid him starter money with the belief he should fully recover from the ankle injury) with a couple backup/borderline starters in Jerry and Brown.

Is that enough? Don't even think Reese knows what to expect from Beatty/Snee. Therefore I think we WILL go OL in the first 2 rounds, latest third round.

In comment 11618628 BlueLou said:

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IS still on the board at 43, at least an OG if not any of the 2nd tier OTs. But Donald looks like an impact player. The JPP of DTs! I am a "fix the OL" guy all the way, been bitchin about not drafting OL high enough for years, but I give a pass for Lewan and Martin to grab Donald. He'll prolly be gone though...

Agreed. The other thing with Donald in addition to everything else, is he plays with that proverbial 'chip' on his shoulder. He has a non-stop motor. His desire to succeed is through the roof.

This kid has heard the non-stop comments about whether he is big enough /good enough to play DT. He really looks like he is on a mission to prove all the doubters wrong!

Was a better college player, and he is not dominating the NFL, you guys are nuts about Donald. You talk like he is a sure shot, and he is not.

anybody is a SURE THING at pick 12 but carry on!

Imagine they drafted Donald and he is the real thing.
Imagine Moore starts to play well as does Hankins.
Imagine JPP wasn't kidding and was back to his old self.

No QB in the league would stand a chance. The opponent would have no choice but to run it on almost every play.

DRC and Prince could take the game off.

In comment 11618681 PaulN said:

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Was a better college player, and he is not dominating the NFL, you guys are nuts about Donald. You talk like he is a sure shot, and he is not.

Suh is a bit of a headcase and on off with the motor. And he STILL has been a darned good player and disruptor at DT in the NFL.

Also ut can be argued that Donald had an even more impressive college career than Suh did.

In comment 11618699 mrvax said:

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Imagine they drafted Donald and he is the real thing. Imagine Moore starts to play well as does Hankins. Imagine JPP wasn't kidding and was back to his old self. No QB in the league would stand a chance. The opponent would have no choice but to run it on almost every play. DRC and Prince could take the game off.

Unless JR philosophical approach to Dline has changed he has been quoted saying we want to bring players in at waves at the Qb. Also weve heard the you can never have too many pass rushers mantra from this organization. We just lost Linjo and Tuck. Donald is probably the best pass rusher in this draft unless you believe Clowney will still have desire after a big contract. Barr who is close , but I question a 4-3 fit.

In comment 11618688 BlueLou said:

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anybody is a SURE THING at pick 12 but carry on!

maybe not, but I think it sounds silly when you try and compare him (Donald) to a guy (Randy White) who played 3 decades ago and was/is 3 inches taller.

I also hope that Donald ends up being as advertised in the NFL if we draft him. But, that does not change the FACT his height/weight combination at the DT position in the last 15 years has only produced one like player (John Randle).

One of the main reasons for that is the wear and tear on DT's in the NFL. Not many other positions require you to hold and press against 600+lbs of man (double teams) on a consistent bases.

I am very excited about what I see in Donald but it doesn't stop me from being skeptical.

If he does make it to 12....?

In comment 11618739 Boatie Warrant said:

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In comment 11618688 BlueLou said: Quote: anybody is a SURE THING at pick 12 but carry on! maybe not, but I think it sounds silly when you try and compare him (Donald) to a guy (Randy White) who played 3 decades ago and was/is 3 inches taller. I also hope that Donald ends up being as advertised in the NFL if we draft him. But, that does not change the FACT his height/weight combination at the DT position in the last 15 years has only produced one like player (John Randle). One of the main reasons for that is the wear and tear on DT's in the NFL. Not many other positions require you to hold and press against 600+lbs of man (double teams) on a consistent bases. I am very excited about what I see in Donald but it doesn't stop me from being skeptical.

Geno Atkins and Warren Sapp were close coming out of college.

Also its fine to be cautious but the production and every measurable is just too damn good to worry so much about the height.

Which is about the same that Donald will be "underweight" by. The height is far less an issue to my mind, and the article I linked claimed that the 6'4" listing for white is/was BS...

Frankly I don't recall White being that tall either, but he was way way way abnormally fast for a DT or even a DE.

That too is the case with Donald.

Whether Donald will be anywhere near as good as Randy White, who knows? But plenty of people back then though White was too small to play DL in the NFL, even the team that drafted him tried to move him to LB initially.