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Courtney Cronin
After CHICAGO Bears In March, their initial movements of the agent agent managed, CEO Ryan Poles described in detail what motivated him to spend a large along the defensive line. Bears not only added a marginal Russher Dayo OdoyingboChicago also ripped out of defensive equipment Grady Jarrett Hours after Falcons were released.
“We all watched Super Bowl? You want to have waves of pass,” Pols said.
The Philadelphia Eagles released Patrick Mahomes six times on the way to 40-22 victories over Chiefs of the City of Kansas City In Super Bowl Lix. There was a defensive equipment in the middle of this fire Milton Williamswho registered two bags, forced quarrels and fumble recovery – all in a rotary role.
A month after Lombardi Trophy’s lifting Williams signed a four-year agreement by $ 104 million-$ 63 million in warranty-S New England Patriots as the highest defensive tools of the NFL without a free agent. He became the highest paid player in franchise history.
Williams’ storm from the rotary player to Star Super Bowl to set the Patriots record for the largest contract reflects a position that is rapidly evolving importance. And this development will continue next week, when it is assumed that more than 30 defensive pulleys will be developed. Michigan Mason Graham is designed to go no. 5 to Jacksonville Jaguars In the latest false design of Mel Kipera Jr., when he tries to continue the trend of defensive hoists that get off.
“I think the ability to destroy the game,” said Eliot Wolf’s Patriots Patriots for NFL Combine, describing the importance of position. “These guys who are elite forward are pushing in the middle of their pockets, making a quarterback movement, getting out of place. The boys are bonuses.
“Therefore, you can see how some of these boys get paid and are designed earlier because of the impact that they may have on all three falls.”
Despite the fact that last year he recorded only 2.5 bags in 17 games, 31 -year -old Jarrett signed a three -year contract for $ 42.75 million. Williams, who became the third highest paid defensive equipment in the history of NFL, played only 48% of defensive pictures in seven starts last season and had five bags.
As for the proposal, class 2019 created a history with six defensive pulleys selected in the first round: Quinnen Williams (New York Jets), Ed Oliver (Houston Texans), Christian Wilkins (Miami dolphins), Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans) a Jerry Tillery (Los Angeles Chargers). In the first round of last year, no DTS was developed, but in the second round seven were developed, most of the second rounds in the position in ten years.
It is assumed that this defensive class will be one of the deepest in recent years. The analyst ESPN Draft Mel Kiper lists 31 D-Tackle views with design signs.
“When you get 3-technology that can beat the guard very quickly, you put pressure on the Quarterback wheel as soon as it drops back,” said Houston Texans Demeco Ryans. “You feel that sometimes Quarterback affects much more than marginal rush, who must run a hoop to say so around the tools.
“So you see this year’s class design, you see much more explosive young defensive lines of interior, who will certainly affect the design.”
In the finals Game Super Bowl lions, former Los Angeles Rams Aaron Donald’s defensive tools invaded into Cincinnati Bengals Backfield with the remaining 43 seconds and fired Quarterback Joe Burrow on fourth down to ensure 23-20 victories. Two years later in Super Bowl Lviii, Kansas City Chris Jones pushed on San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy Except the ball away to the third down in the red zone to ensure the victory of 25-22 overtime.
Over the years, emphasis has been placed on the pass, which has the shortest path to Quarterback.
“It is a combo interior and an exterior guy that the type of sandwich quarterback in your pocket, but win two yards behind the center was the most critical space that you can really influence the football match,” Pols said. “(Defensive tools) Create a shorter edge. So if you can win that two yards, they can win the marginal rush more consistently than if you don’t push it, the ability to get up, start running.
“I really think the kind of punching pocket from the inside, a faster way to Quarterback has become an emphasis.”
The players stood along the interior defensive line last season recorded the most combined overall bags and pressures (2,595) in the season since the beginning of 2017, although the season expanded from 16 games to 17 last season.
Dolphins’ Sieler Last season he led all defensive pros in a bag with 10. Terershawn Wharton He had 6.5 for chiefs and then signed three -year agreements by $ 45.05 million with Panthers. This Agreement is third between free agent DTS This cycle behind Williams and Jonathan Allenwho signed a three -year contract with $ 51 million with Minnesota Vikings.
Jones leads all defensive pros on average per year to $ 31.7 million, followed by Las Vegas Raiders ‘Christian Wilkins for $ 28 million and Detroit Lions’ Alim McNeill to $ 24 million.
These free agents’ offers took some NFL management surprises due to the number of defensive solutions available in the proposal. But sometimes the quality does not correspond to the amount.
“There is a lot of demand, but there are very few offers,” Kiper said. “And even if they come out, some of these boys (not designed high). Chris Jones goes in the second round. Aaron Donald didn’t go in the top 10.
“They produce defensive equipment, but they are not elite boys. And there are very few.”
In Kiper’s recent Graham is Graham overall selected overall fifth Derick harmon He headed for Pittsburgh at No. 21.
Four defensive hoists were received 1. Day in 2023.
“I don’t see it as the best (class) ever,” said one veteran defensive coach ESPN. “In the first round I see only three to four, but the class is deep. You can still get a good player in the third to the first fourth, unless there is a run in the second round. It wasn’t that long.”
One of the reasons for increased depth is the number of older players entering the concept. Nebraska You Robinson Among the older players on defensive equipment at 23 years after injury and his position in the deep chart Huskers encouraged him to stay in college for six seasons. The same can be said of Texas Alfred Collins (also 23) who had to wait for his fifth university for a significant opportunity after sitting behind the former Longhorn DT Byron Murphy IIwhich was selected in the first round of 2024 Seattle.
According to ESPN analyst Matt Miller, there is a part why some players stay in college longer.
Regardless of age or experience, the role of a defensive solution changes.
“We see even if you’re a good linebacker at college (teams), can you rush Quarterback?” Miller said. “I with (Penn State) Abdul Carter and (Georgia) Jalon WalkerThere are so many examples – ok, have you shown some instincts and some speed, can you go to get a quarterback?
“Rather now, it is just on the edge just because there are not enough offensive tools that would keep up with any type of speed Russians. But I think we will see this movement more where it will become a priority.”
It is a big change since the defensive tools were mostly running pads to occupy blockers to release lines.
“You do not see more larger nose tools that simply have to hold one gap,” Ryans said. “You have to be athletic enough to start quarterbacks down because Quarterbacks move and run much more, so you can’t have D-Tackles who are just playing.
“You must be able to do more things.”
