Positional Breakdown: 5-Technique Defensive Ends

Draft History

Jeff Marriott (Rd 5, 2000), 6’4 300 lbs, Missouri: A 4-3 DT at Missouri, Marriott lacked the quickness and flexibility to transition to 3-4 DE in the NFL. Was released during training camp of 2000.

David Nugent (Rd6, 2000), 6’4 295 lbs, Purdue: Collegiate 4-3 DT with good weight room strength and effort but lacked the athletic ability to be more than a NFL backup. Spent two seasons as a backup and later spent time with Baltimore and Oakland.

Richard Seymour (Rd1(#6), 2001) 6’6 299 lbs, Georgia: Took over as a starter at DT midway through his rookie season and never looked back. Combined tremendous strength and length with uncommon athleticism for a man his size to become one of the best DLs of the era. Struggled with injuries from 2005-2007 but otherwise played at an All Pro level. Drafted when he was only 20 years old, he was thought to be a technically sound lineman with unlimited potential who needed to add strength and play with more consistency. Eventually played at 310-315 lbs. Is the prototype for a 3-4 DE. Played DT in a 4-3 front at Georgia. Was traded to Oakland for 2011 first round pick before the start of the 2009 season.

Jarvis Green (Rd4, 2002), 6’3 272 lbs, LSU: Was thought to be a ‘tweener who lacked the overall quickness to be a 4-3 DE and size to be a 3-4 DE. Played multiple positions along the defensive line under Nick Saban at LSU. However, added bulk and become a valuable sub-package player as an interior pass rusher during his time with the Patriots. Used active hands and good first step for an interior player to gain penetration. Played well in big games. Struggled holding up in the run game versus bigger tackles when asked to play as the 5-technique in the Patriots base defense. Signed with the Broncos during the 2010 offseason.

Ty Warren (Rd1(#13), 2003), 6’4 298 lbs, Texas A&M: Was considered to be a strong, explosive defensive lineman with the ability to take on double teams vs. the run and collapse the pocket against the pass who struggled with consistency, effort, and tackling. Played all 3 positions in a 3-4 defense in college. Played as a backup as a rookie but became a starter opposite Richard Seymour in 2004 and has played there since. Has excelled controlling his gap versus the run and can be disruptive collapsing the pocket when healthy. Tackling, effort, and consistency haven’t been issues. Has been one of the better 5-techniques in the league over the last 5 or 6 years.

Marquise Hill (Rd2, 2004), 6’6 305 lbs, LSU: Talented player with the prototypical size and athleticism for the position who played in a similar defense at LSU under Nick Saban. However, failed to earn playing time in 3 seasons with the Patriots behind a deep and talented DE group as he struggled mightily with effort and technique. Died prior to the 2007 season in a boating accident.

Kareem Brown (Rd4, 2007) 6’4 290 lbs, Miami: Athletic prospect with good size for the position but struggled with hand placement and footwork. Played DE and DT at Miami. Was cut midway through the 2007 season and signed with the Jets. Is currently with Tennessee.

Myron Pryor (Rd6, 2009), 6’0 319, Kentucky: Stout and athletic college 3-technique with a good first step was somewhat of a curious pick for the Patriots at first, because he lacks the length to be a traditional 5-technique and bulk to play NT. However, Pryor quickly earned his way into the defensive line rotation, earning time inside when the Patriots went to four-man fronts and various passing down sub-packages. Showed of flashes of being a productive penetrator and interior pass rusher. Seems destined to replace Green as a “super-sub” and situational interior pass rusher and could become more valuable if the Patriots continue to play more 4-3 and sub-package defenses as they did in 2009.

Darryl Richard (Rd7, 2009) 6’3 303 lbs, Georgia Tech: Highly intelligent and hard-working player with good strength and long arms. May lack quickness and overall athleticism. Many reports suggested he often played with his hands too low. Spent 2009 on the practice squad. Should compete for a roster spot as a backup in 2010.

Notable UDFA: Mike Wright (2005) 6’4 295 lbs., Cincinnati: Hard-working player has filled in valuably over the last five seasons as backup DE, NT, and special teams player. Plays with good intensity, pad level, and has quick hands. Shows some ability to collapse the pocket but lacks elite athleticism to be a star. Has held his own when given playing time, and may have been the Patriots best defender in a December 2009 win at Buffalo. Should compete for a starter’s spot opposite Ty Warren in 2010.

Trends

Because the vast majority of college programs run defenses with four-man fronts, the Patriots often select players who played inside as collegiates who can project to the 5-technique…However, they have targeted players with experience in 3-man fronts (Green, Warren, and Hill)…As with most positions, the Patriots value versatility. Seymour, Warren, Wright, and possibly Pryor all have the flexibility to fill in at nose tackle if needed…. Outside of Pryor, all the Patriots picks at this position have been 6’3 or taller…Nearly all of these prospects were regarded has having long arms for the position…It also appears that the Patriots will take on prospects who have good athletic ability and size for the position but need refinement in technique, believing that Patriots coaching can improve skills like hand use, pad level, and footwork.

They Said It

“I think they are all big – 300 pounds plus. I think [Darryl] Richard and

[Myron] Pryor are quick guys that run pretty well for their size. [Ron] Brace is a bigger player, very powerful and explosive, [with a] different playing style. [He’s] a little bit taller so I think there is some degree of flexibility between playing on the center, playing on the guard, and playing between the tackle and the guard, or on the tackle in varying degrees with all three players…I think there is some degree of versatility with all those players in doing that as there is with some of the other players we have on our roster. Vince [Redd] played end as a rookie. Mike Wright’s played inside and has played outside. Jarvis [Green] and Richard [Seymour] have played outside and moved inside in some sub situations. Ty [Warren] has also done that [and] actually played nose [tackle] his rookie year. I don’t think that’s uncommon. We’ve had players like Ted Washington who were exclusively interior players and then some other guys that were exclusively on the perimeter. Le Kevin [Smith] has played inside and outside… I think the big thing about all these guys are the techniques they used in college and the way they actually played is probably going to be a little different here than what they did in college. It’s going to be a learning curve. There is going to be some teaching, but from a physical standpoint and a talent standpoint they have the ability to do that, and they’ll have to adapt to the techniques we use.”-Bill Belichick on defensive linemen after the 2009 NFL Draft. This quote reinforces many of the factors the Patriots look at when evaluating defensive lineman. Belichick mentions how height is an important attribute in 5-technqiues, the premium the Patriots place on the versatility to play multiple positions in varying fronts, and how they have little problem taking physically talented DLs who may have played in a different system in college and/or displayed deficient technique, as they believe they can coach up players to fit their system.

The Typical Patriots Draft Prospect

The typical Patriots draft pick at DE will stand 6’3 or above and weigh around 300 lbs. He will most likely have played primarily DT in a 4-3 scheme or DE and NT in a 3-4 scheme. He will have enough flexibility, quickness, and the long arms to maintain the edge in the run game. He will have a thick enough lower body base and overall playing strength to maintain his gap, hold up against double teams, and shed blockers to tackle the ballcarrier. Finally, Patriots seem willing to take on players who possess the aforementioned traits but my lack good technique or experience in the Patriots two-gap 3-4 defense, believing that with Patriots coaching those players can develop the proper technique to succeed in the Patriots system.

On the Current Roster

Ty Warren, Mike Wright, Myron Pryor, Darryl Richard,

What’s Needed

A player who could immediately come in and compete for the RE job in the Patriots base 3-4 defense with Mike Wright and at the very least see time in the DL rotation. Wright has shown flashes of being a pretty good DE but the Patriots defense is in many ways based upon the ability of the front three to be elite two-gap players. As discussed above, Pryor is more of situational player and Richard is an unknown. Vince Wilfork played some at DE last year, but that weakens the NT position. Warren is no spring chicken either and has battled injuries over the last two years. Given their need at the position and their history of using high picks on the defensive line (Three 1^st round picks and two 2^nd round picks since 2001), it would be surprising if the Patriots didn’t invest a high pick on a 5-technique DE. 

2010 Draft Prospects that May Fit

Linval Joseph, East Carolina, 6’5 328 lbs: Has the ideal tall, powerful build for the position. Could play both 4-3 DT and even 3-4 NT but is height and length make his best fit as a 5-technique. Upper and lower-body girth allows him to be very strong at the point of attack. Has surprising agility and quickness for his size. Can extend the play to the outside and make the tackle. Good knee-bend for such a big DL. Also shows the agility to split gaps and penetrate when asked. Plays with his hands too low, which results in him being pushed back too often for a player with his size/strength. Needs to play with a lower pad level as well. Can take a little too long to disengage. May lack good instincts. Played almost exclusively as a 3-technique at ECU. Hustles in pursuit when he has the energy, but needs to improve his conditioning. Is reportedly a team leader and hard worker. Big-time upside but needs a lot of work. Could play NT as well.

Alex Carrington, Arkansas State, 6’5 285 lbs: Strong DL with good size and agility for the position. Has the strong hands to disengage blockers. Good burst off the snap for his size. “Country strong”. Upper and lower body strength allow him to hold up at the point of attack and disengage from blockers. Enough lateral agility to extend plays to the outside and make the tackle. Strength also allows him to bull rush versus the pass. Has a good closing burst once he disengages. Keeps contain well on the edge. Is flexible with good knee bend. Good, not great football instincts. However, he could play with better pad level and more intensity. Longer arms are preferred at the position. Should’ve have been more dominate in the Sun Belt conference. Should tip/knock down more passes considering his height and athletic ability. Could play DE in a 3-4 or 4-3. Doesn’t have the speed/quickness to be a pass rush threat. Was recruited by some SEC schools but chose to stay closer to his son. Raw player who has the talent to be an upper-echelon 5-technique with coaching and more consistent compete level.

Jared Odrick, Penn State, 6’5 304 lbs: Prospect with good frame but who may lack the lower-body strength to play as a two-gap DE. Long arms. Delivers good initial violent pop and uses his hands very well.. Plays hard and aggressively. Has a good upfield burst to split the gap but doesn’t move as well laterally. Could be more flexible. Can push the pocket as a pass-rusher. Solid tackler. Can be over-aggressive at times, as he guesses to often and shoots the wrong gap (may be a result of scheme). Has less than ideal lower body base. Is too often washed out of a play by single and double teams. Could play with better pad level. Is a bit of a 3-technique in 5-technique’s clothing.

Lamarr Houston, Texas, 6’3 305 lbs:

Al Woods, LSU, 6’3 309 lbs:

Arthur Jones, Syracuse, 6’3 301 lbs:

Corey Wootton, Northwestern, 6’6 270 lbs:

Corey Peters, Kentucky, 6’3, 300 lbs:

Doug Worthington, Ohio State, 6’5 292 lbs:

Vince Oghobaase, Duke, 6’5 303 lbs:

Brandon Deaderick, Alabama, 6’4 315 lbs:

Clifton Geathers, South Carolina, 6’7 299 lbs:

Steven Stone, Vanderbilt, 6’5 270 lbs:

Lorenzo Washington, Alabama, 6’4 291 lbs:

Blake Ferras, Oregon, 6’6 290 lbs:

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