And they didn't play across from Watt.

I’ll give you Clark but ford had Houston

Warren Sapp was a pretty good pass rusher from inside. The Tampa 2 benefits a quick strong DT. John Randle in Minn when Dungy was the DC

You have to wonder then if perhaps Ballard would build from the trenches again and go after strong DTs. There might be better talent available at DT when we draft than at DE....


Jeffery Simmons*, DT, Mississippi State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 301.
Projected 40 Time: 4.95.
Projected Round (2019): Top-25.


Ed Oliver*, DT, Houston
Height: 6-3. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2019): Top-25.


Dre'Mont Jones*, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2019): 1-2

Simmons is a guy I have my eye on. Ed Oliver was getting #1 overall talk this time last year, has he really fallen so far as to be available at 26? If so, maybe he becomes a Randle type of player for the Colts. Supposedly his playing weight is similar, which is low for a DT, even moreso today than back then.

My general feeling is that ballard will take best DT or DE available unless there is someone that really blows them away at another position, maybe someone that falls that wasnt supposed to.

ballard has talked about being strong upfront. he addressed OL heavily last year, I think it will be similar this year, especially with the draft being as deep at the DL as is being reported.

It's possible teams will see a run on DL and want to not miss out, so they'll reach on players that don't deserve it. And a good non-DL player will fall into our laps.

Then again NFL GMs love to be the smartest guy in the room so they may be looking away from DL thinking that's where the value will be.

I doubt Ballard is locking himself into anything, other than just taking the highest player in his binder. Depending on who you read there could be 10+ DL taken before we pick.

Jones is the only one I think will be available to us when we pick. I really like him. He is a little undersized, not like Dungy's old defense undersized, but he isn't 6'6 300. However, he is really technically sound and advanced for a player coming out. He can also move all over the line, like Lewis he could play end and then move inside on passing downs. I think he is going to be a very good pro and I'm hoping we grab him with one of our top two picks.

If Eberflus follows that Dallas defensive strategy with their linemen. He might like bigger, taller guys. I think Tillery is a guy they could target in the first or early second. Taller, also has had a good season and was very disruptive applying a lot of pressure from the interior.