Drafting a nose = bad idea this year.
 

Nose tackle prospects in the draft:

Dontari Poe, Memphis -- raw, from small school, inconsistent motor.
Alameda Ta'amu, Washington -- looks great one moment, notsogreat the next, more of a 1 gap
Josh Chapman, Alabama -- a little undersized, coming off ACL injury
Nick Jean-Baptiste, Baylor -- poor man's Phil Taylor
Henry Fangupo, BYU -- old rookie, completely raw from a goofy system, will needs a couple years

Everybody else is from a small school, or is a nobody getting attention for their size alone and is raw as red meat.

Now, check this out:

Nose tackle prospects in free agency:

Paul Soliai, Dolphins -- massive 2-gap hole-clogger, no longer fits Dolphins defense
Sione Pouha, Jets -- experienced 2-gapper, talented but past prime, could put in a solid season
Sammy Lee Hill, Lions -- huge, could be a decent value acquisition, not sure how he'd fit in a 2-gap
Antonio Garay, Chargers -- more of a 1-gapper
Kelly Gregg, Chiefs -- just sayin'
Shaun Rogers, Saints -- good one-year rental for the position
Aubrayu Franklin, Saints -- more of a 1-gapper
Casey Hampton, Steelers -- outside chance he lands on the market
Amon Gordon, Chiefs -- knows our system, Crennel likes him
Bryant McKinnie, Ravens -- could fill the role
Howard Green, Packers -- more of a 1-gapper but he did crack Cassel's ribs in the preseason, soooo...

My conclusion is that the draft is very shallow at the nose position.

It's not much better in free agency, but at least you've got guys that can play there.

I agree the NT class in this years draft is not impressive.

I really think we need to take a serious charge at Soliai. If we don't get him, get a stop-gap like Gregg, Franklin, etc. Maybe draft another late project and hope between him and Powe we aren't looking at the same need next year.


Gordon is a situational guy in my mind.

Go all out for Soliai, otherwise youre going to have to draft one. Just like QB, you need to take the plunge sooner or later..

I agree Soliai seems to be the best option. Gordon would seem like a good bet to be resigned for a couple of years. Maybe take a flyer on Chapman if he falls to the 4th round or later due to his injury.

I'd love for us to bring in Howard Green. The Packers play him at DE mostly because they were dry at the position this year. That's insane. The dude weighs 340.

One problem. He's 33. I don't want another Gregg.

Easier to said than done but I wouldn't mind trading down in the first and taking Poe.

To finally be done talking about NT would be nice for once. Seems like it's been an issue for years.

Sammie Lee Hill.

The Lions are DEEP on the defensive line. Trade a 3rd-4th round pick for this kid.

I was just coming in to say this. You've been clamoring for Hill for 2 years now.

Just sign Soliai. Best NT available for our D.

Likely going to be too expensive for this team after resigning Bowe and Carr with TJax getting a sizeable bonus from incentives for 2012.

Dude played something like the last 8 games of the season with the torn up knee! Pretty impressive IMO!

Yeah....now I wish the front office would ****ing listen.

Here's his scouting report.

You can nitpick any rookie. Almost anyone over 320 is not going to have a high motor, so that's a non-starter. This team has needed an NT since Pioli got here. I'd rather have a young one we can work with and have here for 8 years. If we were to get Poe or Ta'amu I would be thrilled. Ta-amu may be one gap now, but that doesn't mean he can't be coached up. You can't teach 330. Guy has the body for the position. I'd also be happy with Chapman in the 3rd. Dude has the right attitude and comes from a great system.

He probably will cost alot, but one could say NT is the last piece the defense needs.


Wonder what teams will be in the bidding for him?

I figure us, the Texans, Steelers, and the Redskins.

I heard the skins are switching to 4-3