State Nittany Lions ~ 6036/322
Do you agree? I hope so, and propose to break them down into 2 simple Categories, so we know what we're taking about:
Grizzlies ~ Enormous and Powerful Defensive Tackles noted for taking up Multiple Blockers and dominating the Middle.
Wolves ~ Smaller and Athletic Defensive Tackles noted for penetrating the BackField and for their Range.
When evaluating all Defensive Tackles, these are the Attributes to which I pay most particular attention:
Power. Above all: Core Power. Upper body Strength is important, but Core Power, from the Knees to the Ribs, is absolutely crucial. All the upper body strength in the world still fails if you can't dig in your heels. But Core Power enables a Lineman to project Power in the Running Game and to reject Power in the Passing Game. And those Players who invest the time and effort to develop superior Core Power are far likelier to enjoy sustained good Health and stay on the Field.
Agility. Lateral Velocity, Acceleration, and above all: Fluidity or Core Agility. Core Agility is even more essential to sustained good Health ~ and to sustained good FootBall ~ than Core Power. The ability to react with Serpentine smoothness is a tremendous asset in all Aspects of the Game, and certainly in the Hand to Hand Combat that characterizes Trench Warfare. All the Power in the World goes only so far if you're stiff and lumbering out there.
Combat Skills. Mechanics. Launch Velocity, Paw Power, and Technique.
Intangibles. Diagnostic Capacity, Processing Speed, and Motor. How effectively he masters Spatial Diagnostics & Angles, how rapidly he recognizes and implements Blocking Schemes based on changing Defensive Tactics, and of course: Drive. How badly he wants it. These are of course difficult things to assess, but it's crucial to at least try to.
Agility. Moderate. Decent Launch Velocity. Excellent Fluidity. Mediocre Acceleration and Range.
Combat Skills. Impressive. Strong Paw Power and solid Mechanics.
Intangibles. Adept. Good Motor. Improving Stamina. Excellent Field Vision.
That is why I believe that Daquan Jones has a very good shot at carving out a long and successful Career as a Defensive Tackle at The Next Level: He is not overwhelming in any single Aspect of the Game, but brings together an impressive combination of Core Power, Fluidity, and Combat Skills which I believe will be difficult to deal with.
This is not a guy who I expect to take over Games and terrorize BackFields, mind you.
But I as a Nose Tackle in a 34 Formation or as a 1 Tech in a 43, I believe he'll provide consistently stout Run Defense, and enough Disruption against Pass Blocking to keep Offenses honest and allow his TeamMates to make Plays.
He looks like a Starter to me, and a good one.
Thanks, as always, to the extraordinary Work by the men of Draft BreakDown!!
Consensus Market Value 2nd/3rd Round | Yankee Grade 2nd/3rd Round |