DT

Josh Chapman

Alabama SEC


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Combine Results

Grade

72.5 ?

• 6'1" Height
• 32" Arm Length
• 316LBS. Weight
• 11 7/8" Hands

<section> Overview

Chapman was a consistent two-down nose tackle at Alabama. His stats do not stand out, but he was the bowling ball that kept the defense rolling. He can stuff lanes inside and keep linebackers free to make plays. He doesn't flash anything special, but he will be a dependable inside presence on a 3-4 defense and will likely be selected in the second round.
</section> <section> Analysis

<article> Strengths

Chapman is an average athlete for his size, but he knows how to use his incredible strength and frame to clog lanes. He isn't going to do anything against the run or as a pass rusher, but he can make it possible for linebackers to play free and make plays on the ball. He is a secure tackler and very effective when double-teamed. He is a smart player who understands his role. His athletic ability, balance and size are what make him such an effective space-eating nose tackle. </article> <article> Weaknesses

Chapman rarely makes plays on the ball. Though he will make a tackle on a run play when given the opportunity, Chapman often looks as if doesn't strive to do much beyond clog lanes. He has issues when rushing the passer and has trouble squeezing the pocket; his production usually comes from his strength. While he can handle double teams, it is uncommon for him to beat them. Chapman will also move off the line of scrimmage slowly when tired. He will need to work on his overall conditioning to have value in the NFL. </article> </section>

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Here is Chapman playing against LSU after his knee injury.

Legit question here. To an extent no one here can answer this because we've never played the position but I'll pose it anyways.

This is why I have a problem with a 315 lb NT. Even if they're as strong as an ox. Yes, they can use that strength and not get pushed back. Basically eat up space. But what happens when a 315 NT is tired vs a 345 lb NT is tired? What happens in the 4th Qtr. The 345 lb NT can take a play off here or there or not to put it better "not have to exude his utmost strength" relying on his pure mass to help him out. 315 lb NT who isn't able to give you 100% because he is gassed is going to get taken for a ride backwards.

Impossible to go all out 100% every down.

Thoughts?

I'm not saying I'm against Chapman. I'm just saying if he comes here, feel free to hit up Oklahoma Joes any time you want big boy.

People are letting need obscure their view of how good a player actually is.

Not sure what you mean? I take it to mean you don't thnik he is very good. He looks pretty damn good to me in the LSU game... and that is on an injured leg.

Yea he did. The one thing that i saw that i liked the most was his hustle, he never gave up and kept hustling. Those are the type of players that RAC and Pioli like.

If we took him in the 2nd I'd have no problem with it. But the strengths are not overly impressive when you read them.

I would not be afraid to take him in the 2nd, as Pittsburgh is probably looking for a replacement at NT for Casey Hampton.

DT
Alameda Ta'Amu
Washington Pac-12
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Combine Results

Grade
77.0 ?

5.37 SEC
35 REPS
26.0 INCH
103.0 INCH

6'3" Height
32" Arm Length
348LBS. Weight
9 3/4" Hands

Overview
Ta'amu was a big-boned, powerful inside force for Washington who projects to play the nose tackle position in a 3-4 defense at the next level. He has the ability to hold up linemen and clog lanes to keep linebackers clean, which boosts his value. He has been so effective with the Huskies that there have been some arguably "less-talented" players at Washington who have been extremely productive because of his presence inside on the line.

Strengths
Ta'amu is a forceful player against the run who can quickly get off the ball and into a lineman's face. He can hold two blockers to create lanes for his linebackers. He is big-bodied and understands his role within the defense. He can engulf running backs by using his long, strong arms or by pushing the interior of an offensive line into the backfield.

Weaknesses
Ta'amu is a slow-mover who struggles to rush the passer and chase down ball carriers. He lacks pass-rush moves and doesn't use his feet or hands to get off blocks. He has little value in a 4-3 defense given his shortcomings.

From what I understand about Crennel's version of the 3-4, Ta'amu really sounds like the perfect NT for it - a big, strong guy to take up the middle of the offensive line. He doesn't really need pass rushing skills to do that

Josh Looney interview with Ta'amu from the Senior Bowl.

Seems like Chiefs always draft a fair number of guys from it every year.

http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center...a-d4081b26c97d

He's a big lane clogger. He doesn't seem to collapse the pocket very often, and it appears that LSU handled him without double teams most of the time.

If Powe had played some last year and showed even a little bit of promise, I don't think people would be talking about taking him the early/mid 2nd round.

Most big boards don't have him in the top 50.

Next year's nose tackle class is going to be loaded.

This is why I love both Chapman and Ta'amu... they do their job of taking up blocks and stuffing the run. We don't need them to be pass rushers considering most passing packages they will be coming out of the game.

This also leads to two points of why we shouldn't take NT at #11. First off most NT's, even the great ones only play two downs. Why commit such a high draft pick to a position you won't have on the field all the time?

Secondly it is the reason I don't want Poe as the pick. Sure he is a freak athletic for his position but what good does that athletic ability do us if we just want him to fill 2-Gaps and just be a primarily run stopper? We just need someone strong at the point of attack that takes up blockers. From watching Poe's vids, he doesn't always do the best of jobs against weaker competition in doing this. Keep the LB's clean/stuff the run and you done your job. We will bring someone in like Bailey or slide over Dorsey for known passing downs.

Also watching Chapman's vids, you noticed double team or single team, he held his ground majority of the time on a bad knee. His job is NOT to get up the field but hold the line of scrimmage to redirect the RB and to let the LB's run free. That is one major misconception people have about interior DL (namely NT's)... you don't want them to far up the field or they get washed out. QB's step up while they pass by or RB's run through their vacated gaps.

In passing situations you want the NT to drive OL back so the QB can't step up into a pocket.