My hesitations with Donald at 14..

[mattb78]

At 6'0 and 285 pounds, that is pretty small for a DT. He is giving up alot of height and weight to the centers and guards in the NFL. That kind of leads into my second concern, injury. And this is a concern for taking any DT in the early rounds, especially those that are undersized, they are going to get beat up. Think of the Bears history at defensive tackle and the devastation caused by injury (Tommie Harris, Melton).

Lack of versatility. Everyone that is screaming 3-4, or hybrid, understand that Donald is likely a 3-tech in a 4-3 only. He doesn't have the size to slide over to NT, or to play NT or DE in a 3-4. We all know how Emery covets flexibility, we will see how that philosophy works out with Shea shifting to OLB this season. With Tucker on the hot seat, and the possibility of swiching the entire scheme in 2015 if Tucker fails, are the Bears going to lock themselves into a non-versatile player with their first pick?

I am also not sure that Emery is sold on him either. The Bears have made alot of signings on the D-line to create depth and to give them draft flexibility.

That being said, Donald has a ton of positives, and if he was 6-4 he would be gone in the top 10. He has the production at the college level plus the combine numbers to suggest he can be very effective in the NFL. So this isn't a post saying don't draft him, it is about concerns drafting him.

Would the bears be better suited if a great coverage athlete falls to them at 14? Someone who can play safety or corner? In today's NFL, a big corner who can play man coverage is needed in any scheme. With all the holes on defense, the Bears could also slide down in the 1st and get another 2nd round pick in the process.

If Donald is a "can't pass" type of talent, take him. But with all the holes on the Bears D, the need for help in the defensive backfield and the uncertainty of the future of the Bears D, I could certainly see the Bears opting to go a different direction.

 

[Treehorn]

Never even heard of this Donald player you speak of.

 

[modo]

oh shit you dun it now........Donald is Jesus Christ to some on this board

 

[botfly10]

The Bears are desperate for a dominant 3 tech. As far as the rest of the D, there is some flexibility. But they cannot come out of this draft without someone they think can be a long term starter at 3 tech.

And the next person that says "versatility" or "3-4" gets punched in the face.

 

[rawdawg]

oh shit you dun it now........Donald is Jesus Christ to some on this board

Don't you use Aaron Donald's name in vain!!!!!

 

[Raskolnikov]

oh shit you dun it now........Donald is Jesus Christ to some on this board

naturally, a demon will come to your defense.


I'll back you up on the "opinion" that you aren't sure. I am not "sure" either. I like the fit for us, partiucalry if we are still going to run some of the same Lovie fronts, however, I have not seen Tuckers ability to understand gap responsibity in the Lovie fronts, so I don't know if Donald fits Tuckers as much as he first he bears we have been used to.

People are talking about Donald gaining weight, but he is already a fat chodey pudge.

He ain't gaining nothing without losing something. Frame is very small, very short. He is the Rex Grossman of DT's.

We all love his highlights. But dangit I don't see any talent trying to stop him. That conference had a void on the o-line this year for some reason, I see jokes trying to block him.

He is damn athletic in the fat body type mold, pure endomorph which is why he is so strong.

Look.....there are things I love about him. And I am more than ok with the pick, but I am also ok with letting someone else take the risk while we take a safer pick at MLB in Mosely or take a safety. Or if Gilbert fell I like that too.

 

[Raskolnikov]

The Bears are desperate for a dominant 3 tech. As far as the rest of the D, there is some flexibility. But they cannot come out of this draft without someone they think can be a long term starter at 3 tech.

And the next person that says "versatility" or "3-4" gets punched in the face.

do we? Does Tucker even understand that defense? We were in the wrong gaps and not playing the tampa 2 at all last year.

If we need a 3-tech I am on board, if we don't I pass. simple

 

[Jack Lame]

When I hear versatile, I think "Jack of all trades, master of none". I kinda like that Donald is fitted to one position, amazingly well.

 

[Mpov22]

Didn't he abuse a 6'5 330lb guard at the senior bowl? Reality is 3 tech is a much greater need than anything else right now especially with Melton gone and Collins isn't exactly confidence inspiring

 

[Sentinel]

Anyone saying it's a knock against Donald because he was blocked by scrubs needs to re-evaluate Jadeveon Clowney as well.

He faced Taylor Lewan and Jake Matthews and was swallowed hole.

Against Lewan the only play he made was the big hit on Vincent Smith, which was a misread that allowed Clowney into the backfield without being touched.

 

[Jack Lame]

I'm so glad we took Shea over Chalndler Jones. Look how versatile Shea is! All Jones can do is play defensive end.

 

[Omeletpants]

Here is your answer to the problem.....40 years ago. Mr Alan Page!!!!!!!

 

[Raskolnikov]

Anyone saying it's a knock against Donald because he was blocked by scrubs needs to re-evaluate Jadeveon Clowney as well.

He faced Taylor Lewan and Jake Matthews and was swallowed hole.

Against Lewan the only play he made was the big hit on Vincent Smith, which was a misread that allowed Clowney into the backfield without being touched.

you mean in the SEC? Maybe it is a good evaluation though? And for one thing, Clowney is NOT STRONG ENOUGH. And he doesn't have to play outside where it matters as much.

Donald didn't rely on strength, and has a complete game and is the quickest DT since Warren Sapp. To me he has the most going for him.

But Hageman could end up begin the Watt type beast that is effective at the next level. Best upside in group. More of a Kyle Long pick

And for the record, the competition is ALWAYS a factor. Not the only factor. Not the biggest factor. But always a factor.

 

[Dejo]

He may very well be there in the second round. Where the Cowboys will grab him.

 

[MrOuija]

Speaking to his versatility for a moment, he is definitely a 3 tech, but why couldn't he play LE in a 4-3 if for some reason he didn't work out at the tackle position, say he was too small like people are worried about? If guys like Red Bryant or Idonije can do it I don't see why a much more athletic Donald couldn't.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Speaking to his versatility for a moment, he is definitely a 3 tech, but why couldn't he play LE in a 4-3 if for some reason he didn't work out at the tackle position, say he was too small like people are worried about? If guys like Red Bryant or Idonije can do it I don't see why a much more athletic Donald couldn't.

have you not seen him with pads off?

Total chode. Pure endomorph.


he is very tubby for 285, not in an unhealthy way, just like I said he is pure endo. He doesn't have the arm length or height for DE. Izzy is 7 inches taller, but Donald isn't built like Freeney he is built like Warren Sapp only less meso-muscle.

Endo's are freaky strong, don't mess with the fat kid.

 

[modo]

Speaking to his versatility for a moment, he is definitely a 3 tech, but why couldn't he play LE in a 4-3 if for some reason he didn't work out at the tackle position, say he was too small like people are worried about? If guys like Red Bryant or Idonije can do it I don't see why a much more athletic Donald couldn't.

He is no where tall enough to do that effectively.

 

[NCChiFan]

At 6'0 and 285 pounds, that is pretty small for a DT. He is giving up alot of height and weight to the centers and guards in the NFL. That kind of leads into my second concern, injury. And this is a concern for taking any DT in the early rounds, especially those that are undersized, they are going to get beat up. Think of the Bears history at defensive tackle and the devastation caused by injury (Tommie Harris, Melton).

Lack of versatility. Everyone that is screaming 3-4, or hybrid, understand that Donald is likely a 3-tech in a 4-3 only. He doesn't have the size to slide over to NT, or to play NT or DE in a 3-4. We all know how Emery covets flexibility, we will see how that philosophy works out with Shea shifting to OLB this season. With Tucker on the hot seat, and the possibility of swiching the entire scheme in 2015 if Tucker fails, are the Bears going to lock themselves into a non-versatile player with their first pick?

I am also not sure that Emery is sold on him either. The Bears have made alot of signings on the D-line to create depth and to give them draft flexibility.

That being said, Donald has a ton of positives, and if he was 6-4 he would be gone in the top 10. He has the production at the college level plus the combine numbers to suggest he can be very effective in the NFL. So this isn't a post saying don't draft him, it is about concerns drafting him.

Would the bears be better suited if a great coverage athlete falls to them at 14? Someone who can play safety or corner? In today's NFL, a big corner who can play man coverage is needed in any scheme. With all the holes on defense, the Bears could also slide down in the 1st and get another 2nd round pick in the process.

If Donald is a "can't pass" type of talent, take him. But with all the holes on the Bears D, the need for help in the defensive backfield and the uncertainty of the future of the Bears D, I could certainly see the Bears opting to go a different direction.

It's all good... We have a 6' NT in Paea, they will match, like book ends.

 

[MrOuija]

have you not seen him with pads off?

Total chode. Pure endomorph.


he is very tubby for 285, not in an unhealthy way, just like I said he is pure endo. He doesn't have the arm length or height for DE. Izzy is 7 inches taller, but Donald isn't built like Freeney he is built like Warren Sapp only less meso-muscle.

Endo's are freaky strong, don't mess with the fat kid.

That may be true but I feel like people get caught up too much looking for NFL prototypes, i.e you must be 6'4" and at least 260 but no more than 275 to play end in a 4-3, and forget to ask themselves if the guy can play. Seattle puts a 330lb Red Bryant at end and all of the sudden "hybrid defense" becomes the new catch phrase, when in actuality Carroll was just using the players on hand as he always has.

I just don't believe being 6'0 7/8 instead of 6-2 is a big detriment, or 285 instead of 295, if the guy is going to be a good player he'll be a good player regardless of how long his arms measure or any of this other stuff.

 

[mattb78]

No doubt we have a need for him, but I am thinking the BPA for the long term, and also worried about injury. DTs get injured alot, and their careers are never the same.

If you grab a cover corner, he is going to fit in any defense.

Another issue is draft depth. I have no idea how the 2-4 rounds stack up with talent at the DT, DE and CB position. This may very well dictate where we go at 14 or if we trade down.

I worry about an undersized player at a position that puts such high demands on a players body.