Player Types, Part One: Potential Bills Defensive Ends

by Kurupt on Apr 4, 2008 1:06 PM EDT in 2008 NFL Draft

Is Bruce Davis the type of situational pass rusher the Bills will look at? (SI.com)

This is the start of a four-part series examining the types of players, rather than specific players, that the Buffalo Bills may target during the draft. The aim of these articles is to try to come to a consensus on what type of player the Bills should be looking to add to the roster. First up: Defensive End. Should the Bills add a future starter or a situational player at the position? That's what we'll examine right now; tight ends, fullbacks and cornerbacks, at the very least, will follow.

DEFENSIVE END: Do we need a future starter or a situational pass rusher?

We've debated numerous times about this position and where the Bills will address it. Many of us are on the future starter bandwagon, while others are thinking all we have to (and can) do is bring in a 4th DE who will provide the most value as a situational pass rusher and special teamer. I've been helping to captain the Derrick Harvey ship, but there is value in the situational rushers in this draft. Going after a situational DE, likely in the mid to late rounds, would allow us to address WR, TE and probably CB early on. We don't need an immediate starter at the position like we do at WR, but we do need an impact player. A DE who can develop into an every down player is something this franchise needs for the coming seasons when their currently over 30 DE's will likely be heading out of town. In the end, we need to find a guy who can get after the QB, whether that's a starting caliber player or a guy who will only see the field in obvious passing situations, it may not matter that much for this upcoming season.

Future Every Down DE's:

Early Rounds: Derrick Harvey (Florida), Phillip Merling (Clemson), Lawrence Jackson (USC), Chris Ellis (Virginia Tech), Jason Jones (Eastern Michigan), Jeremy Thompson (Wake Forest)

Mid/Late Rounds: Brian Johnston (Gardner-Webb), Tommy Blake (TCU), Kenny Iwebema (Iowa)

Situational Pass Rushers:

Early Rounds: Quentin Groves (Auburn), Cliff Avril (Purdue), Marcus Howard (Georgia)

Mid/Late Rounds: Bruce Davis (UCLA), Chase Ortiz (TCU), Titus Brown (Mississippi State), Curtis Johnson (Clark-Atlanta), Trevor Scott (Buffalo), Curtis Gatewood (Vanderbilt), Bryan Smith (McNeese State), Hilee Taylor (North Carolina), Jonal St. Dic (Michigan State), Anthony Hoke (Cincinnati)

All right folks, have at it. What type of Defensive End (and even who) do you think the Bills will fill their need with?

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Comments

Geez...so many choices...hmmm.....

I think I'll take, Jonal St. Dic (Michigan State), I think he could be the answer.

Do I even need to point out the sarcasm?

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Apr 4, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

I'd take him

(No sarcasm) Assuming we took a DE already. I could see us adding TWO pass rushers this draft, one from each of the "categories" above.

by Kurupt on Apr 4, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd take him

I didn't mean I wouldn't take him, hell I'd add all of those guys, (obviously not all in one draft)

Man do I miss #78

by sireric on Apr 4, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

DE

We need to take a front line future star DE with the 11th pick.Kelsey couldn't rush the QB if no one was blocking him. He is being paid a lot of money and doing very little. He has put no pressure on the QB. D. Harvey is needed right now and not to soon. Kelsey is in his 30's, let him be the third DE into the game. Then look for a good WR in the second and 4th rounds.
Bob

by copman40 on Apr 4, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

Kelsay

Kelsay is 28 years old. He turns 29 during the season.

He has enough athleticism and motor to get some sacks. He had 5.5 a couple years ago. I also think Kelsay will do better this year without Triplett standing next to him. I expect Kelsay to look solid against the run this year and get 4 or 5 sacks. Nothing spectacular, but not the weak link on the defense either.

by kaisertown on Apr 4, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Kelsay

He was pretty atrocious against the run last year. And we all know he'll never be much of a threat rushing the passer. To me, Kelsay is one of the weak links of our D and someone who really needs to pick up his game. I hate that he takes such a long route trying to get to the QB because not only can he not even get to the QB, he also takes himself out of many run plays that way. Schobel does the same thing, but has had some success in both areas. Kelsay does pretty much nothing out there.

by Kurupt on Apr 4, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

that he was pretty awful last year. But he was solid a couple seasons ago and was considered a potential break-out candidate by a lot of people last year. With Denney injured last season, the D-Line didn't get to rotate much. I think the D-Line in general was bad last year and a player like Kelsay, a leader and decent athlete who is still in his prime, deserves another year to prove himself.

by kaisertown on Apr 4, 2008 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

The long route

The big reason both Schobel and Kelsay have taken the long route to the outside of the tackle so often was because our DT's have been horrible, had they tried the inside of the tackle they would of been picked up by the gaurd. Now that we have Stroud in the mix and McCargo poised for a breakout year I dont think the guards will be able to focus on our DE's as much as they did last year. I wouldnt be upset if we draft a DE high, but im confident that our ends will be much better this year assuming we get better play from the DT's. Im thinking we get a DE with one of our 4th round picks, possibly third depending on wether OBD feels they can get a decent TE in the 4th. Our top 2 picks should be WR and CB.

by Baggz on Apr 4, 2008 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

With the depth at WR...

I think we should grab Harvey - then with the 2nd and maybe one of the 4th's grab a WR...

There is a lot of value at WR in this draft, why not get a Difference maker early - hell maybe even combine a few late picks and trade up into the late first round and grab either Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, or Limas Sweed

by DC Fan on Apr 4, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

and if we can't get one of them

grab a good vertical threat TE with pick #2. A TE is a new QBs best friend in the passing game.

by Joe P. on Apr 4, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

love Davis as a mid-to-late pick

I don't know many good DEs... but Davis is one that I've seen in UCLA games and has a ton of value as a speed DE... just ask Brady Quinn and Trent Edwards (he sacked each QB 3 times in their 06 games)...

He's going to be overlooked during the early rounds due to his build (6-3,240)... even at the D1 level, he doesn't look like a DE... (Vernon is more of your typical body type monster)... but he's always double teamed b/c he ends up near the QB on almost every single play...

Davis has great footwork and amazing speed around the end... he used to play LB so he also has amazing lateral speed... (in fact he may be drafted as a OLB)

If he's still there in the mid-to-late rounds, i think he's worth taking a chance on... I'm sure Trent will agree with me... he knows Davis well.

SOME STATS
In 07 he had 12 sacks (11th in NCAA), 45 tackles, including 15.5 for loss, 9 pass break ups, 3 QB hurries and 1 forced fumble. All Pac10 DE, second team All American.

In 06 he had 12.5 sacks (4th in NCAA), 47 tackles, including 17.5 for loss, xxx pass break ups, xxx QB hurries and 3 forced fumbles. Second team All Pac10 DE, first team All American.

by osmanBAE on Apr 4, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Addition - Jonal St. Dic (Michigan State)

I doubt St.Dic will end up a late round pick... but more of a mid-round pick...I've only seen him play 6 times or so, but he looks like a poor-man's Vernon...much smaller, but very, very effective.

by osmanBAE on Apr 4, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Bruce Davis

I put his picture there for a reason...I really like his potential. He checked in at the combine and his pro day weighing 252 lbs, which isn't that bad. He won't be an every down DE, but his pass rush ability makes him a VERY intriguing middle round option.

I think he'll end up drafted by a 3-4 team though.

St. Dic is less of a prospect for sure, but he does have some solid value. I can't see him going higher than the 6th or 7th round though. He's not as good of a rusher as Elvis Dumerville was coming out, and I believe he was a 4th or 5th round pick. I also don't know if St. Dic has quite the speed either.

by Kurupt on Apr 4, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

252 at combine

I hope he can maintain that weight during the season... b/c he looks more like a 240 guy to me... and the UCLA website has him listed at 229!

When i first saw him i thought he was a LB that blitzed all of the time... but then i realized this skinny guy is really lining up at DE...

A potential team has to overlook his size issues and realize that he's really good at disengaging from blocks.... and like you said, would be effective in certain situations... and a 3-4 team would be perfect for him!...good call.

by osmanBAE on Apr 4, 2008 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

All-In-One Solution?

What about Kellen Davis? He has the potential to become a good tight end and was also used as a situational pass rusher at Michigan State. He might be a good mid-round pick up. It certainly wouldn't fulfill all of our needs, but I would like the acquisition.

by michiganbillsfan on Apr 4, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply actions