Phins' draft challenge: Finding a nose tackle

Here are two players that draw some interest. One we believe could play the nose. The other may surprise people initially:

http://universaldraft.com/Vance_Walker.html

http://universaldraft.com/Dorrell_Scott.html

I know some of you may say Vance Walker, but watch a game and see how well he does at the point of attack. There are gusy that are a little under the radar that can play.

Vance Walker is absolutely a sleeper. Great tackler.

I believe we are going to target Sen'Derrick Marks late in the 2nd round. In 2009 he'll rotate in on 3rd downs relieving Jason Ferguson when we go with four down linemen. Then after learning from a master like Ferguson he'll add some weight and play the nose for us in 2010.

"Big Red wrote:

Vance Walker is absolutely a sleeper. Great tackler.

I believe we are going to target Sen'Derrick Marks late in the 2nd round. In 2009 he'll rotate in on 3rd downs relieving Jason Ferguson when we go with four down linemen. Then after learning from a master like Ferguson he'll add some weight and play the nose for us in 2010.

http://universaldraft.com/Sen_Derrick_Marks.html

This is the man we need to get. One more year until he comes out. He is an absolute game changer. Mark it down this man will be a star

"Conuficus wrote:

http://universaldraft.com/Sen_Derrick_Marks.html

Nice write-up!

Here's what I like about Marks. His athleticism, motor, and work ethic. That's hard to find in a NT. His short and squatty build is perfect for the nose. He left a year early which means he's a little raw but that's okay because we've still got Ferguson for a year. Marks has shown flashes and I'm curious what a year or two in our strength and conditioning program would do for him.

Plus he probably would have been a 1st round pick if he stayed in school another year.

"Big Red wrote:

Nice write-up!

Here's what I like about Marks. His athleticism, motor, and work ethic. That's hard to find in a NT. His short and squatty build is perfect for the nose. He left a year early which means he's a little raw but that's okay because we've still got Ferguson for a year. Marks has shown flashes and I'm curious what a year or two in our strength and conditioning program would do for him.

Plus he probably would have been a 1st round pick if he stayed in school another year.

Thanks, hopefully it is accurate.

He could be, but my thing is that he is already strong, albeit primarily in his upper body. He can lose the ball, and seems to be more cognizant of just attack up field rather than showing some refinement, and allowing the play to come to him a bit.

He could be great, or he could plateau.....he has questions to answer though.

What do people think about Terrance Taylor as a potential 6-7th round pick?

The guy is strong as hell (37 reps at combine) and takes on double teams ferociously. His biggest drawbacks are a lack of ability to pursue laterally (beyond a couple steps he has zero pursuit), stamina issues (yeah, that's about 75% of the big NT types) and a little short at 6'"0 even.

Seems like a good "depth-player" value if we get him very late, since NT is such a key position for us.

In the 6 or 7 rd I would love to get Vaughn Martin from Western Ontario. Guy is 6-3 and 331. He was timed under 5 sec in 40, 31 inch vertical, and benched 225 33 times. I am really growing on this kid more and more all the time. I did not see anything in Universal Draft tho. I have also seen that he visited a 12 nfl teams. One of the twelve being the Miami Dolphins

agreed that we will take a flier on a DT/NT in the 6th or 7th rds as a developmental player ...

"Bpk wrote:

What do people think about Terrance Taylor as a potential 6-7th round pick?

With all the teams needing a 3-4 NT, I would be shocked if Taylor fell that late. I'd be thrilled with him that late..... but I dont know if thats realistic. I dont think you can really screw up 7th round picks...... if you take a project and he pans out, SWEET! If you miss on a guy, who really cares! I dont think there really are any BAD 7th round picks.

the question with Martin is does he last that long .... my guess is no -- i think the earliest we'd take him is in the 5th ... but 5th or 6th should he be there is a pretty good bet.

NT is not a primary need but is a need just the same. I would be surprised if they didn't take someone to try to develop into a future NT. I would think they would wait to pick one in the mid to late rounds but we may all be surprised if someone who caught Tuna's eye slides to the second or third round. I wish Solai would come around but it seems doubtfull right now. We can speculate all we want but it all depends on who the other teams pick and who may slide to us to decide who and what we pick in each round.

The Dolphins have shown interest in Dorell Scott and Vaughn Martin.I believe one those guys will be in our training camp this year.If I had to guess it would be Martin.

"Big Red wrote:

Vance Walker is absolutely a sleeper. Great tackler.

I believe we are going to target Sen'Derrick Marks late in the 2nd round. In 2009 he'll rotate in on 3rd downs relieving Jason Ferguson when we go with four down linemen. Then after learning from a master like Ferguson he'll add some weight and play the nose for us in 2010.

Mark's 16 reps hurt his stock, but he is a great prospect, last year when Auburn played in a bowl game Marks outshined Pat Sims and Q Groves.

outside of the fact that we need a better understudy for NT ... what historical data point do we have that suggests that Parcells will pick any sort of a DT/NT before say the 5th rd ?

additionally, i don't break down film or study techniques .... but what is there to say that we won't consider moving Starks, Merling, Lanford over to NT if Solai, McDaniel, or even Dotson or Wright don't show any promise this year.

i find it more realistic that we draft another DE with some pass rushing skills - and plan to migrate over one of our other DEs to NT ..... than to spend a day 1 pick on a NT. especially given Parcells draft history.