2018 Draft Analysis, Part 5: Interior Defensive Line

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March 8, 2018

by Adam Taraschke

Welcome back to another edition of my draft preview for the Hog Sty.  This week I look at the interior defensive lineman.  Basically, I looked at every defensive line player who didn’t play on the edge or doesn’t project as an edge rusher.  Washington is in serious need of some help up front.  An interior DL seems to be a no brainer at some point in this draft.  There is some serious talent in the first round, but I like this group overall and think help can be found in the later rounds as well.

  1. Da’ron Payne (Alabama) 6’2 311
  2. Vita Vea (Washington) 6’4 347
  3. Maurice Hurst (Michigan) 6’2 282
  4. Taven Bryan (Florida) 6’4 291
  5. Nathan Shepard (Fort Hays State) 6’5 315
  6. Tim Settle (Virginia Tech) 6’3 335
  7. Harrison Phillips (Stanford) 6’4 307
  8. Da’shawn Hand (Alabama) 6’4 297
  9. Rasheem Green (Southern California) 6’5 275
  10. Trenton Thompson (Georgia) 6’4 295

Day 1 prospect: Vita Vea (Washington) 6’4 347

Strengths: Vea is an absolute powerhouse. He is one of the most naturally powerful players I’ve ever watched.  Surprising lateral agility for a player his size.  He has the strength to press O-Linemen off his body and disengage with ease.  He has a nasty hump move that can be devastating in the slant game.  Makes life hell for centers trying to block back on power plays, constantly driving them into the running lane. Plays with a strong base, easily stalemating multiple blockers.

Weaknesses: Although he flashes great potential he tends to disappear throughout a game.  Pass rush potential will be based off his technique.  He is not a twitchy athlete like Payne; his game is power.  His hand placement needs to improve.  His pad level was average most of the time.  He does not possess a great burst off the line.

Overall: Vea is a fascinating prospect.  He flashes dominance on the field, but he played with inconsistent pad level and get off due to his elite strength and balance.  He got away with sloppy technique in college due to his overwhelming talent.  If he finds a coach who can get him to play with consistent effort and disciplined fundamentals he will be a force in the NFL.  His pass rush potential is limited due to his speed, but he offers you an elite run defender day one.  He’s a top 20 prospect all day.  I would prefer to trade back and select him, but at 13 he would instantly improve the Redskins porous run defense.  Tomsula would love to get his hands on Vea. He is a grade “A” badass in the run game that has shown potential to be a threat as a pass rusher.  He would be the day one starting NT with potential to get on the field in passing situations.  He would be an excellent selection in the 1st round for Washington.

Day 2 prospect: Nathan Shepard (Fort Hays State) 6’5 315

Strengths: Shepard is a big body DT who started his career in Canada before moving to Fort Hays State where he dominated his low level of competition.  He plays with a tenacious motor.  Powerful, violent hands. He has great drive from his lower body.  Great get off for his size.  Good athlete with loose hips.  Has a decent array of pass rush moves.  He is a versatile lineman who can line up as a NT, 1tech, 3tech, or a 4i/5tech.  He’s shown the ability to close on the ball in space.  I love his attitude on the field, he is mean and wants to inflict pain on the opposing linemen.

Weaknesses: The level of competition is an obvious concern. Scouts will have to figure out if he can play against much greater talent in the NFL.  He is a raw athlete at this point.  He needs work on his hand placement and footwork.  He tries to use his brute strength over technique too much.  Tends to play too erraticly.  He needs to learn how to diagnose different blocking schemes.  He lacks elite length despite his tall frame.

Overall: Shepard is a prospect who flashed in the senior bowl when I watched him.  He’s shown the ability to dominate 1 on 1 match ups against guards and centers.  His athletic abilities make him a dangerous piece that could be deployed all over the Redskins defense.  He has work to do on his technique, but I trust Tomsula to coach him up and max out his disruptive potential.  A trade back scenario in the 2nd round would be a good move, although I think his value is in the 3rd.  If Washington could somehow add a 3rd round pick in this draft I would look to target Shepard. He would add, potentially, another dangerous pass rusher to the defense who could develop into an overall threat with great technique. He would be a rotational player who could make his name in nickel packages and work his way into a starter.

Day 3 prospect: Deadrin Senat (USF) 6’0 314

Strengths: Powerful run defender with short, stout frame.  He constantly gets his hands inside allowing him to control offensive linemen.  Plays with a strong base and great balance.  Plays with a high-level motor.  He gives up minimal yardage in the run game.  Anchors against double teams well.  Short stocky arms allow him to press lineman off him with ease and find the ball.

Weaknesses: Limited athlete who will be designated as a 1st and 2nd down specialist.  Offers very little pass rush ability.  Lacks great explosion off the ball.  Short frame allows him to get swallowed up by bigger OL.  Despite his strength he doesn’t have a good bull rush which really limits him on passing downs.

Overall: Senat is a short, stout, and powerful run defender.  He could come in day one and start for Washington at NT.  The catch is that he would absolutely need to be subbed out on passing downs.  However, a team that struggled to stop the run would gladly accept the help of this high-quality run stuffer.  He should be available somewhere between rounds 4-6 depending on how teams view him.  Tomsula would max out his potential and help him add to this teams run defense.  I like Senat’s value in the 5th round.  He offers little to no pass rush, but his help in the run game would be more than welcome in DC.

Favorite prospect: Da’ron Payne (Alabama) 6’2 311

Strengths: Great athlete for the position.  Plays with a high-level motor at all times.  He has a tenacious, aggressive attitude on the field.  Outstanding burst off the line.  A disruptive penetrator in the run game, but he can also anchor against double teams.  Great awareness and understanding of what the offense is trying to do.  Finds the ball quickly.

Weaknesses: He can get lost in the sauce if his initial pass rush move doesn’t hit. Struggles with pad level at times.  Hand placement and footwork have room to improve.

Overall: Payne is constantly the first guy off the ball and makes every play hard on opposing offenses.  He is a prototype 1tech and would be a match made in heaven with last year’s 1st    round pick and former Alabama teammate Jon Allen.  He has the power and mentality to be an excellent run defender.  Although he did not put up gaudy numbers at Alabama he possesses the traits to excel as a pass rusher at the next level.  After blowing up the combine he cemented himself as the best interior defender in this draft.  He would be a great pick for the Redskins at 13, but he may be available later in the draft should a trade come to fruition.  He would give that defense a dynamic duo on the inside who can do anything asked of them.  Adding a run stuffing NT and a pass rushing element to Washington’s defense should be a huge goal this offseason.  Payne would check both boxes and instantly make that defense better.  He may not constantly put up the numbers you’d expect, but I promise he is a player that makes life easier on everyone on the defense.

Highest Ceiling: Vita Vea

Highest Floor: Da’ron Payne

Best Pass Rusher: Maurice Hurst

Best Run Defender: Vita Vea

Most Versatile: Taven Bryan

Best Technician: Da’ron Payne

Best Room to Improve: Rasheem Green

Biggest Riser: Tim Settle

Biggest Sleeper: Nathan Shepard

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