Why not a DT in the 1st round?
 

IF, David becomes a Saint, and considering all the freakin linebackers we've signed this off season, isn't it worth considering? Let's face the facts guys, we got run all over by less than star potential backs last season. Putting a roadblock DT, in the middle of those ends, seems like the logical choice to me. Hollis is getting long in the tooth as well. We need depth at DT.

DT is also an area of need and I don't think anyone will mind if we took a solid DT there late in the first.

Okeye may be a top ten pick, so he's out. The only other guy on the board that wouldn't be a reach is Alan Branch, but he'd have to slide ten spots or more to be around at 27. If those two are gone as expected, I think we should wait until the later rounds and try to find a gem.

What's the current consensus on Tank Tyler?

Tank should be a 2nd rounder. Harrell late in the first would be okay with me. We do put them through private workouts and if he shows to be healthy, I woldn't have a problem with it.

I would be happy to see us draft a solid DT in the first round. The problem is that of the three DT's worthy of 1st round picks, Okoye and Branch should be long gone by 27 and with the way Justin Harrell has been flying up draft boards, he may be gone as well. After that, you are looking at mid to late 2nd round value in Turk McBride (Tennessee), Tank Tyler (NC State), and Ray McDonald (Florida). Guys who could possibly be had in the 3rd round include Paul Soliai (Utah), Quinn Pitcock (Ohio St), Ryan McBean (Oklahoma State), Brandon Mebane (California), and Marcus Thomas (former Florida). If Harrell is there at 27, then Im fine with us taking him, but if not then theres just not the value in round 1 for any of these other guys. I would not mind a trade down from 27 to get maybe an Eric Wright and acquire another pick to get one of these DTs later on though.

not a dt in the first round. I'd be happy to take one in the 3rd or 4th round. I think if marcus thomas falls due to his problems at Florida he'd be a steal in the 4th.

I still say first round is for impact. can he do it? i do not know. I hate players that rise after the season is done. They are hard to peg. At least we are not following for that Mario type of hype at 27.

The only reason is flying up boards now instead of earlier, is because he is finally healthy and teams are convinced his injury is fully recovered. Had he not torn his tricep, he would have been in the discussion all offseason.

Hagan the same can be said of a Chris Houston, Eric Weddle, Jon Beason, etc.

I will disagree to an extent about Weddle. He has always been a good athlete and he always made plays. But since no one really got to see him play, it took till the combine to really confirm how good of an athlete he is.

There are always guys that rise after the season ends but guys that weren't on the radar at the end of the season but then through workouts and the combine fly up into the first round worry me to. I think of the three Houston might be the best example of someone who went from the 6th or 7th rated CB at best to being rated the top CB by some people. I see Harrell as being a little different because he was talked about as being a potential first rounder coming into the season and missed alot of time during his senior campaign and is now rising because people see the athletic ability and power he can display when he is healthy. But i agree with hagan in that guys that come up from nowwhere scare me a bit.

Yes!!!!
 

I would be stoked to see us beef up the D line... In my opinion, our D Line was the reason we couldn't get off the field last year. Anyone remember how many 2nd or 3rd downs went for long runs.....?

If you are looking for true run stopping DTs, I think Harrell fits the bill if hes ther at 27. If not Pitcock, Tyler, and Soliai are all great run stoppers. Mebane is strong at the point of the attack but is a little on the short side and thus has trouble disengaging from blocks, but he was very productive in college. Knock on these guys for the most part is inability to rush the passer.

But...
 

is any one (besides Harrel) a first rounder?? if not, what do you think about the first round??

Okoye and Branch but they will probably be long gone when we pick. I dont think the value is there for any of the other guys and dont think that we should be reaching for them. Perhaps a trade down to get one of them and an additional mid round player or just sitting tight and hoping that you can pick one up in the 3rd or 4th round. Unless Harrell is there at 27, this isnt the year for DTs with first round value.