2009 NFL Draft Watch: DE

by JasonM on Sep 29, 2008 11:11 AM CDT

After watching the first 4 games of the 2008 NFL season it's apparent that we need to add a pass rush in FA or the 2009 NFL Draft. The list of free agent DE's is impressive with Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, and Bertrand Berry being available. The draft will have more than a few capable players available to us with guys like Michael Johnson Georgia Tech, Tyson Jackson LSU, Will Johnson Michigan, and Matt Shaugnnessy Wisconsin. They are all seniors. Juniors to watch are George Selvie SFU, Auston English Oklahoma, Jan Jorgenson BYU, and Dexter Davis ASU.

Michael Johnson, George Selvie, and Matt Shaugnnessy are my top 3 choices in the draft next year. Johnson and Selvie will be top 10 picks, but Shaugnnessy will be available later.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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I'm not sure

we should draft a DE in the high rounds. We have a lot of other needs with our linebacker corp and offensive line. I mean McBride has been making plays and Hali will eventually come around on the right side. The thing to watch for is Glen Dorsey. It takes a lot of time for a defensive lineman to become comfortable in this league. If he can start pushing up the middle than our DEs will start getting more sacks guranteed. Simean Rice wasn’t Rice anymore after Sapp left Tampa Bay.

by chiefsfan1384 on Sep 29, 2008 12:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Hali

As much as I like him, we’ve been waiting for him to come around for awhile now. If we could get a dominant pass rushing DE, then our D would be that much better. This draft is loaded again with OL talent, and WR are always available in the 2nd and 3rd. Adding Michael Johnson and his 6-7 260 lb frame to our D Line would be to good to pass up in my eyes.

Go to Wide World of Roto for all your fantasy news!

by JasonM on Sep 29, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

He averaged

8 sacks the last two seasons. I like Michael Johnson and I guess we should take him if we are drafting that high. But, he will almost certainly go top 2. I hope we don’t finish that bad and end up in the 5 to 8 range. That would be good value for either Laurinautis or Maualuga. I say we pick up a DE in the 3rd round and get a RG in the 2nd.

by chiefsfan1384 on Sep 29, 2008 5:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think we need to address DE or LB in the 1st round '09

I’m still hoping that Hali will turn it around, but he looks too dinged up to make a difference in the pass rush. Turk on the other hand has made some improvement, alot of hustle plays. We do need a top notch DE, or a playmaking MLB, but our LB’s yesterday made some plays didn’t they? I say we take the best available player at those positions next year.

by aPacificChief on Sep 29, 2008 5:06 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm not too high

on Maualuga. Against oregon st he looked average in pass coverage against a less than impressive team, and he was not all over the field, something you look for in an impact LB. He will be a good LB in this league, but I don’t think that he will justify being picked as high as we probably will be picking. Not to mention, I don’t like drafting USC players because lately they have seemed to carry a high Bust-Rate, something I am not a big fan of.

by Ben S on Sep 29, 2008 7:55 PM CDT 0 recs

You're right on the bust rate

Haven’t seen Maualuga play much so I don’t want to rehash what all the pundits are saying. But I did hear is knee injury might be serious…

by primetime 07 on Sep 29, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Johnson is the one

I would want ,but it will probably take a top five pick to get him. Selvie is good, but he seems more like a situational pass rusher to me rather than an every down defensive end.

by TheQ on Sep 29, 2008 8:55 PM CDT 0 recs

I'm down with Michael Johnson

I think the DE drop off from round one to round two is bigger than the QB drop off from round one to round two.

by primetime 07 on Sep 29, 2008 9:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

With the way we are drafting gems like Brandon Carr and possibly Brian Johnston

we might as well wait till the late rounds and take a Division II DE.

by Vince D on Sep 29, 2008 9:51 PM CDT 0 recs

We need at least two

Starting o-lineman, but history shows we will address defensive needs first under this regime.

by Eric Allen on Sep 29, 2008 10:08 PM CDT 0 recs

DJ mentioned Richardson

earlier. That he just needs to learn more technique, but physically he is there. If the Chiefs think this also, they may surprise us all again next Draft and not go for O line until later in the draft hoping to find an upgrade at either Center or Guard. Nothing against Niswanger as he has looked good at times, but there is 2 quality Centers coming out next year. Mack from Cal and Luigs from Arkansas. Maybe draft one them and let Niswanger play Right Guard?

by TheQ on Sep 29, 2008 10:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah maybe

But, you would really want power on that right side. Someone coming in at about 325 330. Niswanger doesn’t get that push on the ball. However, he has been good in pass protection and we all know he is intelligent, which is the most important quality in a center in my opinion. I just really want that RG spot addressed in the early 2nd round. Those interior lineman have a low bust rate. Snee and Shawn Andrews from philly were both taken in the early second and they are the best in the league. I think RT might be able to be addressed in house like you said. Either Richardson or Taylor. (who knows maybe McIntosh might start getting the hang of that side).

by chiefsfan1384 on Sep 30, 2008 12:59 AM CDT up 0 recs