In preparing some research for the draft I came across some stats that were very surprising.
Some players while being great prospects did not record very impressive statistics, and conversely some players far exceeded my expectations.
If you were to guess of the top defensive line prospects who would you select to have the most sacks and the most total tackles?
How would you rate the following players?
Leonard Williams
Dante Fowler Jr
Danny Shelton
Alvin Dupree
Malcom Brown
Randy Gregory
Arik Armstead
Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Eddie Goldman
Carl Davis
Jordan Phillips
Preston Smith
Danielle Hunter
lorenzo Mauldin
Trey Flowers |
I think that you find the results very surprising and one player stands out from the others. Shane Ray and Beasely were not included as they are primarily thought of as linebackers.
TT S Players
80 7 Leonard Williams
60 9 Dante Fowler Jr
92 9 Danny Shelton
74 7.5 Alvin Dupree
69 7 Malcom Brown
54 7 Randy Gregory
47 2.5 Arik Armstead
59 6 Owamagbe Odighizuwa
35 4 Eddie Goldman
36 2 Carl Davis
37 2 Jordan Phillips
46 9 Preston Smith
80 6 Danielle Hunter
51 7 lorenzo Mauldin
68 6 Trey Flowers
For those who question if Shelton is a (2) down vs. (3) down player check out his stats. 9 sacks and 92 tackles is unbelievable production for an interior lineman. Some of his stats are padded as they came against a lower level of competition, but he did record (6) games with 8 or more tackles.
In addition to (9) sacks Shelton had (16.5) tackles for a loss , and he had (53) solo tackles.
The (53) solo tackles are the average of the total tackles for the top defensive linemen.
Likewise, facing two blockers makes it hard to get sacks, but shows how much the opposition fears him.
Shelton could be the equal- and be had far later in the 1st round.
True dat.
2003. William "The Zookeeper" Joseph.