3-4 Defenders in the 2007 NFL Draft
posted in Adam Carriker, 2007 NFL Draft, NFL |The increased prevalence of the 3-4 defense in the NFL has changed the draft process. NFL.com writer Pat Kirwan recently tackled the topic and highlighted several players who are good fits for the 3-4.
Kirwan makes a good point about the two styles of 3-4 used in the NFL. The Chargers 3-4, as he calls it, will be used in Dallas this season, with Wade Phillips running the team. Dom Capers is likely to expand his use of the 3-4 defense in Miami, especially after acquiring Joey Porter. The success of the Patriots and Steelers in recent years using variants of the 3-4 has help spread the system. Both team, interestingly enough, have first round picks up front. All three of the Pats starters (Wilfork, Warren, and Seymour) and one of the Steelers (Casey Hampton) were 1st rounders. This should help players like Adam Carriker (DE) and Alan Branch (NT) in the first round this year.
Other players the WRR feel fit the 3-4 system well include:
Nose Tackle is pretty bare outside of Alan Branch, Tank Tyler and Paul Solari, who Kirwan mentions. One outsider that could fit is:
Quinton Echols, Kansas State - Echols is a later round pick, but he has the size and strength to develop into a player in the middle, especially in a rotation. Echols’ collegiate production could have been better, but he was an outstanding high school player and is an intriguing pick late on Day 2 for a 3-4 team.
Defensive End has a few really interesting prospects for the 3-4. Adam Carriker, who Kirwan highlights is the best possible fit and really reminds me of Richard Seymour. Two others that could excel as 3-4 DEs are:
Ray McDonald, Florida - McDonald is sometimes called a “tweener”, but in reality, he is just a playmaker. McDonald moved inside for the National Champion Gators after Marcus Thomas was kicked off the team. He has the strength to hold his own at the point of attack as a 3-4 DE.
Turk McBride, Tennessee - The teammate of Justin Harrell, who Kirwan mentions, McBride is 277 lbs and has similar speed to some of the true defensive ends in the class. McBride played DT in college, but projects well as a 3-4 DE in the pros. McBride did not play much until 2006 at Tennessee, but he has a great deal of potential.
3-4 OLB is the glamor position of the defense, with speed rushers like Shawn Merriman and DeMarcus Ware getting recogintion for their high sack totals. The group of potential 3-4 OLB is a strong one, highlighted by Anthony Spencer and Lamar Woodley, two WRR favorites that Kirwan mentions. Interestingly, Kirwan neglects a few other high profile 3-4 OLBs.
Gaines Adams, Clemson - Adams is the #1 or #2 defensive end on most boards, but he could be an OLB in the pros. Adams is a bit undersized for a full time DE role and has the speed to attack the passer in the 3-4 system. He would be an interesting player for a team that runs a hybrid system like Miami, where he could play OLB in a 3-4 on early downs and rush the passer as a DE on obvious passing downs.
Jarvis Moss, Florida - Moss, like Adams, is a great natural pass rusher, who is just slightly undersized. At 6′6, he weighs only 260 lbs and did fewer bench reps than some of the secondary players. He is still recovering from a staph infection he suffered at Florida and could eventually put more weight on. Moss reminds the War Room Report of 3-4 OLBs like Ware and Merriman that could cause havoc on opposing QBs.
Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan - Bazuin is a great edge pass rusher as well, who had a terrific junior season, and a solid senior season playing in the MAC. Bazuin is slightly undersized at 266 to play every down DE for some teams, but he should be able to handle the switch to 3-4 OLB very well.
Brian Robison, Texas - One of the “workout warriors” of the 2007 NFL Scouting Combine, Robison displayed excellent agility and quickness. He played an undersized DE at Texas where he recorded 42 TFL during his career. Robison could project as an excellent OLB opposite of a pure speed rusher like Merriman or fit a versatile “New England Style” 3-4 very well.
Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas - Ford is one of the beset “under the radar” possible 3-4 OLBs. Ford has great speed for a player of his size and really could make a difference at the next level getting to the QB. Ford had tremendous splits in his 40 yard dash and has a lot of explosion. He is a Day two player but he could easily register 8+ sacks his rookie year in the right system.
There are several other 3-4 OLB projects like Antwan Barnes, Justin Hickman, Antwan Applewhite, and Quincy Black.
Inside linebackers in the 3-4 need to be better in shedding blocks than a MLB in the 4-3 system. As Kirwan mentions, probably the top 3-4 ILB candidate is David Harris of Michigan. Other possible players for the position include:
Kelvin Smith, Syracuse - One of the top tacklers in the country, Smith has the strength to shed blockers and the speed to chase down running backs. He started for 3.5 years at Syracuse and would be a perfect fit inside.
Jon Abbate, Wake Forest - Abbate led Wake Forest to a surprising ACC Crown, but disappointed at the Scouting Combine with a slow 40 time. The first player in Wake Forest history to leave school early, Abbate is undersized but is a great tackler. The 3-4 system would hide his speed deficiency.
Marvin Mitchell, Tennessee - Mitchell really excelled in his senior season, with over 100 tackles. He has the strength necessary for the middle linebacker spot and can handle the coverage responsibilities necessary.
The 3-4 system is really changing the defensive landscape of the game in recent years and this draft has several players, particularly at OLB, that fit the scheme very well.
