2013 NFL Draft - Saints Big Board

[dizzle88]

Originally Posted by lee909

Star Lotulelei

PositionTSchool:Utah
Height:6' 4"Weight:320 lbs
Class:Senior40 time:unk
All-Star Game:NoneTeam Captain:No
Overall Rank:5Position Rank:1
Draft Projection:



Initial Thoughts

Jimmy O’Brien: Lotulelei could have declared for the 2012 draft, and would likely have battled Dontari Poe to be the first nose tackle selected. Unlike Poe, who possesses rare movement skills for a player of his size, with the flexibility to play anywhere in the defensive front, Lotulelei is more a classic 3-4 space eating nose tackle, with the strength to anchor at the point of attack, and the power to absorb doubleteams. Make no mistake, Lotulelei also displays impressive short area burst and quickness, with the capability to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage, but he’s more a true blocker-eater inside, employing sound leverage and a strong lower core to keep defenders clean behind him. Limited pass rush ability (no speed rush), and he struggles to tackle outside his frame. Versatile enough to play one technique in a 4-3 undershifted front, but most natural fit is as a two gap zero technique, or nose shade, in position where he can control the flow of traffic around the ball. Will be attractive to NFL teams running multiple or hybrid schemes, and should push to be a top 10 pick come April.

Ahh right i understand

drafttek only had him listed as a 4-3

if he can play both then why not, if they think hes worth the pick

I'd rather address OLB and DE first though

[lee909]

The scouting department needs to be held accountable.Has there been many changes in personnel or are they living on the backs of the good mid round picks of a few years back?.

[hagan714]

ok i had repost this here

Cam and Short as DE with hicks rotating in at DE and NT

the reason is i am having dreams of Short and Hicks playing DE for us. either way i think we will need to depth to 34 DE position. have Hicks slide to NT on passing downs?

i am wondering how good Cam could be as olb? not sure how much i am kidding here.

ok nt is still an issue and i look to the early mid rounds of the draft to address it.

Brandon Williams, NT, Missouri Southern - saints would have do some moves to land him after the senior bowl performance. oh my god am i falling for hype here or what? i would not spend anything higher than a 4th here i think. 3rd? might be too high, then again i said that about Hicks last year and so far i am eating crow with a smile on my face

but to pass on my boy Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington who should go in round 1 now would be hard to do. trade down a bit, take him and get a pick would be sweet. i always thought the second round rating he got was tooo freaking low.

ok i need coffee some talk sense to me here

[FinSaint]

IDK, the thing that bothers me about Williams is that he is "only" 6-2, but then again Vince Wilfork is "only" 6-1 and one of the most effective NTs in the modern day of NFL.

Still, I would like them to get a big - like 6-5 - space-eater to be their NT and not another Bunkley with just more mass on him.

But then again, I didn't see the Senior Bowl performance you were referring to, so you probably have a much better understanding of what he might bring to the table.

[jeanpierre]

Jessie Williams, AL?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Jessie Williams, AL?

2-down DT at Alabama and it looked like he sure got tired easily.

Probably a good rotational DT.

[|Mitch|]

How about William Ghoston in the 3rd round? At 6'7" 275lbs. DE opposite Jordan

I like Dion Jordan in the first; 6'7" 240+lbs. for OLB

[jeanpierre]

Originally Posted by Danno

2-down DT at Alabama and it looked like he sure got tired easily.

Probably a good rotational DT.

Nose Tackle? Pass Rush would be your DE and OLBs...

He couldn't anchor point of attack?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Nose Tackle? Pass Rush would be your DE and OLBs...

He couldn't anchor point of attack?

Lots of DT's play 3-downs. Jessie ain't one of 'em.

Could just be by design in Saban's system though.

He'd probably be fine in a rotation though.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Jessie Williams, AL?

You may be on to something here JP. I read Rang's report on him (One of my favorites) and being that he compared JW's upside to Vince Wilfork damn sure got my attention...

Analysis
STRENGTHS: Has a naturally wide frame with relatively short limbs, giving him the low center of gravity conducive to holding up at the point of attack.


Possesses unbelievable weight-room strength (600 pound bench press) that translates well onto the football field due to his use of leverage and surprisingly good technique considering the fact that he's a relative neophyte who only took up the game at age 15 and has played just four seasons of football in the United States.

Has improved his use of hands over his two seasons at Alabama and has developed into a cognitive defender capable of reading the action, shedding the block with heavy, active hands and making the tackle in the hole.

Has the length to play outside as a five-technique defensive end, a role in which he initially played during his junior season with the Tide before sliding inside to the nose as a senior. Good phone-booth quickness and plays hard, competing to the whistle.

Also served as Alabama's short-yardage fullback in 2012, a testament to his power and aggression. An ascending talent with passion and work ethic to improve.

WEAKNESSES: Bit of a one-trick pony as Williams does not possess the quickness or the agility to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. Must do a better job of protecting his knees as he is susceptible to cut blocks. Too often raises his pad level at the snap, negating some of his power and making him all the more vulnerable to cuts, as he possesses only moderate flexibility.

Has to do a better job of getting his hands up in passing lanes as he rarely gets home as a pass rusher (just three passes broken up in 25 career starts at Alabama).

Plays with good effort but lacks lateral agility and struggles to knock down ballcarriers with any room to maneuver.

COMPARES TO: Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots -- Like the Patriots' run-stuffing nose guard, Williams isn't going to pressure the quarterback often but his size and strength will make him a force in the middle.

--Rob Rang