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Cincyfan78
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I don't think he's elite, but I do think he's pretty darn good...
He was the 3rd rated DE, has 18/20 sacks over 3 years (seen both numbers used)...has the length and motor that this defense looks for. Versatile, which is what this defense highly values across all positions. I think with how Lou uses his DE's, this is a great fit and when you have a player that fits a scheme well, you tend to get the higher end out of them. Put him in a pass-rush rotation with Hubbard, Ossai, Hendrickson and that's not too bad.
He also seems to have the length and strength to be a more every down DE, which is a big key because this team could lose Hendrickson after this year as he is a F/A. Can't re-sign everyone and other people looking at extensions just on defense: Reader, Awuzie, and Wilson.
I'm sure some of the angst is that Mayer was available at 28, and so was Porter - but both of those guys slipping just shows you how much the rest of the NFL values the depth in this draft at both TE and CB.
If all else fails...in Lou I trust. What he's been able to get out of guys, both scheme-wise and from a talent standpoint, should not go without some merit. At 28, it was going to be really hard pressed to find a guy that was just going to "wow" everyone - again, I'm sure many had Mayer down as a sure-fire lock if he fell - but this team did have a need for more pressure and sacks, after ranking just 29th last year in the latter category. I think that's likely a stat and an area of "need" that has flown quietly under the radar this off-season.
He was the 3rd rated DE, has 18/20 sacks over 3 years (seen both numbers used)...has the length and motor that this defense looks for. Versatile, which is what this defense highly values across all positions. I think with how Lou uses his DE's, this is a great fit and when you have a player that fits a scheme well, you tend to get the higher end out of them. Put him in a pass-rush rotation with Hubbard, Ossai, Hendrickson and that's not too bad.
He also seems to have the length and strength to be a more every down DE, which is a big key because this team could lose Hendrickson after this year as he is a F/A. Can't re-sign everyone and other people looking at extensions just on defense: Reader, Awuzie, and Wilson.
I'm sure some of the angst is that Mayer was available at 28, and so was Porter - but both of those guys slipping just shows you how much the rest of the NFL values the depth in this draft at both TE and CB.
If all else fails...in Lou I trust. What he's been able to get out of guys, both scheme-wise and from a talent standpoint, should not go without some merit. At 28, it was going to be really hard pressed to find a guy that was just going to "wow" everyone - again, I'm sure many had Mayer down as a sure-fire lock if he fell - but this team did have a need for more pressure and sacks, after ranking just 29th last year in the latter category. I think that's likely a stat and an area of "need" that has flown quietly under the radar this off-season.