I'm not that concerned on passing on a NT for a chance on Mills upside for a couple of reasons. 1) Byron Murphy's stats were solid and reassuring while playing NT. 2) Mike Mac's D looks to provide more flexibility and doesn't look to highlight the traditional NT role. Murphy's ability to flex into DT/NT keeps him on the field with Reed and Williams. 3) The reason why Haskins was still available in late May at a reasonable price tells you everything you need to know about traditional NTs in today's NFL.
In short, Rylie Mill's upside, even if only as specialized pass rushing DT, in the 5th round is worth the risk. You referenced Braden Fiske and he at season's end was being more judiciously used in pure running situations because of his limitations in the run game. You never know until the whistle blows how this will play out, but this is a calculated gamble I can get behind!
When asked about players fitting schemes last year, Mike MacDonald said (paraphrasing) "If you have good football players, you make them fit it." Rylie Mills is a good football player. If the only club in your bag is the ability to get to the quarterback, that's about as good a club as you could ask for. Though I had never considered that beefing up could actually cost him.
On an entirely different topic, I read an excerpt from an interview with J-Read this morning where he talked about noticing a difference in how the o-line is coming off the ball. Lower and with more intent is basically what he said. Made a big smile come to my face. John Benton is doing his thing.
Rotation player in the 5th? Sure! Especially, if he can create some impact plays in 3rd down pass rush.
Now, would I have rather had a NT? If he was also a rotation player who can impact run defense on 1st or 2nd down, possibly. But, I won't be upset with spending a 5th on whomever they liked best.
Durde wanted Mills bad enough that he must have a real spicy role for him. Will be fun to find out. Mills sure seems to have the motor that can be very exciting.
JS and Durde are boosting the new guys into realizing they all could have easily been 1st round selections. 'Forget the Naysayers, you are here now. The opportunities you now hold are rare for just being here, so show us what you've got. Then double it'. JS is telling Mills what his drill sergeant really thinks, true or not. 11 talented athletes with Attitude. Good coaching. Good management. Leadership.
Yeah. I popped back this morning to type just that. And if it doesn't work...he's a 5th round choice. Some of this year's 11 draft choices won't make the team. Cruel world.
I see him as a decent 3 or 5 and not profiling well as an outside edge rusher due to his lack of bend. String with a good push. More of the M Bennett/ J Reed type vs Bruce Irvin.
Add some good bulk to him and he can work well in the rotation.
I am not one of those that believes we need a single blue chip , all pro DT. Just a good rotation that stays fresh.
I had my hopes and expectations for a Nose Tackle to relieve Murphy of those duties. Hankins is a band aid for another year and will be used on first and 10 usually. It will be interesting to see how Murphy is used this year.
Rylie Mills could be tried as an OLB on early downs against the run to give him another chance to find a full time spot. As you so correctly pointed out, a pass rush specialist with potential versus long time vets playing at a high level will be hard to displace. When a guy is vulnerable to the run, opponents will exploit that. We learned that with what's his name we traded for a bag of peanuts. But a guy who is 290 ought to be able to set the edge. But even at OLB we have plenty ahead of him on the depth chart. So, really, a guy like him needs to get healthy and wait for a flood of injuries for any real hope. Other than tearing it up in the few practices they get. And even then, coaches tend to go with the proven vets until they get hurt.
He’ll be stronger when he comes back, and I think if Mike lines him up wide (5-tech or wider) he’ll have no issue setting the edge and holding up against the run. There are 100 ways to use a player like him. Overall though, he’s a captain, leader, and has the attitude you want on defence. He’s a football player. I have no issue with investing a 5th rounder on that type of high upside player. If all he ever does is rush the passer well, well hell, that’s plenty good enough. Let him close out games in the 4th quarter when we’re ahead.
11 picks with it hard for every rookie to make the team. I don’t see it as a wasted pick but one of those red shirt sit seasons. And by going on IR, that allows for the 53rd player to be rotated. Hopefully it works out but a lost 5th isn’t costly. Turns into a fantastic rusher, then we have another RS or Kam. He was a depth with occasional rusher to spell the big 3 anyway.
Thanks for the article Ken!
I'm not that concerned on passing on a NT for a chance on Mills upside for a couple of reasons. 1) Byron Murphy's stats were solid and reassuring while playing NT. 2) Mike Mac's D looks to provide more flexibility and doesn't look to highlight the traditional NT role. Murphy's ability to flex into DT/NT keeps him on the field with Reed and Williams. 3) The reason why Haskins was still available in late May at a reasonable price tells you everything you need to know about traditional NTs in today's NFL.
In short, Rylie Mill's upside, even if only as specialized pass rushing DT, in the 5th round is worth the risk. You referenced Braden Fiske and he at season's end was being more judiciously used in pure running situations because of his limitations in the run game. You never know until the whistle blows how this will play out, but this is a calculated gamble I can get behind!
When asked about players fitting schemes last year, Mike MacDonald said (paraphrasing) "If you have good football players, you make them fit it." Rylie Mills is a good football player. If the only club in your bag is the ability to get to the quarterback, that's about as good a club as you could ask for. Though I had never considered that beefing up could actually cost him.
On an entirely different topic, I read an excerpt from an interview with J-Read this morning where he talked about noticing a difference in how the o-line is coming off the ball. Lower and with more intent is basically what he said. Made a big smile come to my face. John Benton is doing his thing.
Same vibes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZodRUNTqpuw
Rotation player in the 5th? Sure! Especially, if he can create some impact plays in 3rd down pass rush.
Now, would I have rather had a NT? If he was also a rotation player who can impact run defense on 1st or 2nd down, possibly. But, I won't be upset with spending a 5th on whomever they liked best.
As it’s not possible to have enough pass rushers, I have no issue with this pick.
Durde wanted Mills bad enough that he must have a real spicy role for him. Will be fun to find out. Mills sure seems to have the motor that can be very exciting.
JS and Durde are boosting the new guys into realizing they all could have easily been 1st round selections. 'Forget the Naysayers, you are here now. The opportunities you now hold are rare for just being here, so show us what you've got. Then double it'. JS is telling Mills what his drill sergeant really thinks, true or not. 11 talented athletes with Attitude. Good coaching. Good management. Leadership.
Yeah. I popped back this morning to type just that. And if it doesn't work...he's a 5th round choice. Some of this year's 11 draft choices won't make the team. Cruel world.
I see him as a decent 3 or 5 and not profiling well as an outside edge rusher due to his lack of bend. String with a good push. More of the M Bennett/ J Reed type vs Bruce Irvin.
Add some good bulk to him and he can work well in the rotation.
I am not one of those that believes we need a single blue chip , all pro DT. Just a good rotation that stays fresh.
Sounds like a new locker room is taking hold.
💯 . Can’t be stressed enough.
I had my hopes and expectations for a Nose Tackle to relieve Murphy of those duties. Hankins is a band aid for another year and will be used on first and 10 usually. It will be interesting to see how Murphy is used this year.
Rylie Mills could be tried as an OLB on early downs against the run to give him another chance to find a full time spot. As you so correctly pointed out, a pass rush specialist with potential versus long time vets playing at a high level will be hard to displace. When a guy is vulnerable to the run, opponents will exploit that. We learned that with what's his name we traded for a bag of peanuts. But a guy who is 290 ought to be able to set the edge. But even at OLB we have plenty ahead of him on the depth chart. So, really, a guy like him needs to get healthy and wait for a flood of injuries for any real hope. Other than tearing it up in the few practices they get. And even then, coaches tend to go with the proven vets until they get hurt.
He’ll be stronger when he comes back, and I think if Mike lines him up wide (5-tech or wider) he’ll have no issue setting the edge and holding up against the run. There are 100 ways to use a player like him. Overall though, he’s a captain, leader, and has the attitude you want on defence. He’s a football player. I have no issue with investing a 5th rounder on that type of high upside player. If all he ever does is rush the passer well, well hell, that’s plenty good enough. Let him close out games in the 4th quarter when we’re ahead.
11 picks with it hard for every rookie to make the team. I don’t see it as a wasted pick but one of those red shirt sit seasons. And by going on IR, that allows for the 53rd player to be rotated. Hopefully it works out but a lost 5th isn’t costly. Turns into a fantastic rusher, then we have another RS or Kam. He was a depth with occasional rusher to spell the big 3 anyway.