Only Alternative DT to Liuget in the First?

**soulman** · 04-10-2011, 01:26 PM

Wilkerson has the size 6' 4" and 315lbs to play inside at he 3t although he's most often projected as a 5t DE. Both Wilkerson and Liuget are juniors declaring early and coming off of seasons where they dominated the competition.

Much like Ijalana, Wilkerson's small sckool background may push him back as a first round pick. If Carimi and/or Liuget are gone is this guy worth the #29 pick for the Bears?

April 9, 2011
Versatile Wilkerson a prototype NFL defensive lineman

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 4/9/2011 12:05 PM
ChicagoBears.com is profiling the top 30 prospects in the NFL Draft, according to NFL Network expert Mike Mayock. No. 18 is Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson.

Temple defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson runs a drill at the NFL Combine.
Temple’s Muhammad Wilkerson is a versatile and talented prospect who appears to be capable of playing both defensive tackle and defensive end at the next level.

The 6-4, 315-pounder bypassed his senior season to enter the NFL Draft after establishing career highs with 70 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss and 9½ sacks last year as a junior.

“He can play the 5-technique, and he can get kicked inside,” wrote NFL Network’s Mike Mayock. “He reminds of [New York Jets defensive lineman] Trevor Pryce.”

According to his profile on NFL.com, Wilkerson possesses “ideal size, excellent shedding ability and the athleticism to pursue from the backside and rush the passer.” He “jolts offensive linemen at the point of attack, can beat the double team, finds the football and makes plays against the run.”

The summary also states that Wilkerson “does not have rare first-step quickness but can take a direct line through blockers to pressure the quarterback and has range against the run. Despite size, is a three-down guy who plays with a high effort level for four quarters.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts that Wilkerson will be selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the draft.

“I really thought Wilkerson could be a top-10 pick if he stuck around Temple for another year, but he was dominant enough in 2010 that he may have felt there was little left to prove,” Kiper writes. “He can anchor, but Wilkerson is a guy who loves to pursue, and can cause problems for quarterbacks as a penetrator.”

Video Link: http://www.chicagobears.com/news/New...?story_id=7727

**Henry Burris** · 04-10-2011, 03:22 PM

pass. Christian Ballard....

**soulman** · 04-10-2011, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

pass. Christian Ballard....

Trouble is that no one projects him as a 3t DT but some do with Wilkerson. Nether of these guys rate as high as Liuget but the question asked was whether there was anyone besides the top three; Carimi, Pouncey, and Liuget, who could rate a look at #29. Beyond those three I'd say that only Wilkerson or Sherrod have a shot in my book and that's giving both a boost since they could just as easily be high second rounders.

I wouldn't take Ballard as a DT over any of the next tier of Wilkerson, Paea, and Austin. In fact both Casey and Nevis would be a better fit than Ballard for the Bears needs for a 3t DT.

**short faced bear** · 04-10-2011, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

pass. Christian Ballard....

Seen this guy quite a bit but I'll take Wilkerson. I can see us drafting Wilkerson.

**Henry Burris** · 04-11-2011, 04:18 PM

IDK, i've read a few reports saying dude could play 3 technique in a 4-3 or a 5 technique (don't know wtf that is) in a 3-4. The only thing is he had the fastest 40 time for a DT, so that may shoot him a little higher than i was hoping (that he'd go in the 2nd)..

**soulman** · 04-11-2011, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

IDK, i've read a few reports saying dude could play 3 technique in a 4-3 or a 5 technique (don't know wtf that is) in a 3-4. The only thing is he had the fastest 40 time for a DT, so that may shoot him a little higher than i was hoping (that he'd go in the 2nd)..

The 5t is a DE position playing on the outside shoulder on his opposite at OT. His run responsibility is the C gap outside of the tackle. In a 3-4 the DE may also play the 4t spot on the inside shoulder of the opposing OT. His run responsibility is then the B gap between OG and OT.

Wilkerson is a little taller 6'5" than you'd like at 3t UT and while he has speed and strength it's been noted that he doesn't have a great first step which is another thing you want to emphsize in a 3t UT. He's probably better suited to play DE but there have been some DT's who have done very well even though they're taller than you'd like. Trevor Price is one that comes to mind when he played in Denver.

I don't think he's a great pick at #29 but as a Dlineman he may be a notch above the others (Paea and Austin) also rated as high second rounders. It was just a question as to whether we take him at #29 in lieu of an OT or a trade down.

**motownbear** · 04-11-2011, 06:58 PM

he is a 3-4 player he wont be good in the 4-3. I think NE will take him if they dont trade out

**soulman** · 04-11-2011, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by motownbear

he is a 3-4 player he wont be good in the 4-3. I think NE will take him if they dont trade out

I see him more as a DE too and he could play either 3-4 or 4-3 but his size makes him ideal for a 3-4 team. The thing is that he also projects as a 3t UT. I don't think he has the penetration abilites to play that spot but he's about the only guy besides Liuget who rates a first round pick.

**short faced bear** · 04-11-2011, 07:09 PM

Was watching some other footage on Wilkerson, he reminds me of Gilbert lol.

**lklrlolnlilklsox** · 04-11-2011, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by motownbear

he is a 3-4 player he wont be good in the 4-3. I think NE will take him if they dont trade out

I beg to differ STRONGLY and so does his 09' tape where he played the 3-tech. He's a penetration d-lineman, and conforms well to the definition of 3-tech just as much as he does 5-tech. Some people get this crazy idea that just because the 3-4 teams are showing huge interest in guys like him for DE because he is a prototype there, that he is somehow inflexible as a player and can't do something he did most of his career before Temple switched to a 3-4. Simply put, he is getting into the backfield regardless of spot on the line because that is what he does.

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