The trenches are where games are won, I'm not disputing that. I believe defenses should be built from the inside out, too. However, I do not condone selecting defensive tackles are rarely defensive ends (Peppers) in the top 10. The bust rate is super high and can cost a franchise. There are other ways to build a defensive line and fortify the trenches and I don't feel that spending a high draft pick is one of them. That's why I was excited to see Von Miller as our selection at #2. I want to get into the numbers for run defense for two teams. Kansas City has recently spent some very high draft picks attempting (and failing) to shore up their lines. Tennessee hasn't spent a lot of high draft picks on DL and has been doing great against the run. This is an example of when keeping it real goes wrong....
2007 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (Chiefs)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
28 KC 2089 130.6 11
Starting Defensive Line
Tamba Hali (Chiefs, 1st round - 20th overall, 2006)
Ron Edwards (Bills, 3rd round - 76th overall, 2001)
Alfonso Boone (Lions, 7th round – 253 overall, 2000)
Jared Allen (Chiefs, 4th round – 126 overall, 2004) *2007 Pro Bowl
2008 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (Chiefs)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
30 KC 2543 158.9 25
Starting Defensive Line
Turk McBride (Chiefs, 2nd round – 54th overall, 2007)
Tank Tyler (Chiefs, 3rd round – 87th overall, 2007)
Glenn Dorsey (Chiefs, 1st round – 5th overall, 2008)
Tamba Hali (Chiefs, 1st round – 20th overall, 2006)
2009 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (3-4 System) (Chiefs)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
31 KC 2504 156.5 18
Starting Defensive Line
Tyson Jackson (Chiefs, 1st round – 3rd overall, 2009)
Ron Edwards (Bills, 3rd round - 76th overall, 2001)
Glenn Dorsey (Chiefs, 1st round – 5th overall, 2008)
Tamba Hali (Chiefs, 1st round – 20th overall, 2006) *Primary 3-4 rush LB
2007 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (Titans)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
5 TEN 1478 92.4 11
Starting Defensive Line
Antwan Odom (Titans, 2nd round – 57th overall, 2004)
Tony Brown (UDFA)
Albert Haynesworth (Titans, 1st round – 15th overall, 2002) *2007 Pro Bowl
Kyle Vanden Bosch (Cardinals, 2nd round – 34th overall, 2001) *2007 Pro Bowl
2008 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (Titans)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
6 TEN 1502 93.9 12
Starting Defensive Line
Jevon Kearse (Titans, 1st round - 16th overall, 1999)
Tony Brown (UDFA)
Albert Haynesworth (Titans, 1st round – 15th overall, 2002) *2008 Pro Bowl
Kyle Vanden Bosch (Cardinals, 2nd round – 34th overall, 2001)
2009 Regular Season – Rushing Defense (Titans)
RANK TEAM YARDS YPG TD
11 TEN 1711 106.9 16
Starting Defensive Line
William Hayes (Titans, 4th round – 103rd overall, 2008)
Jovan Haye (Panthers 6th round – 189th overall, 2005)
Tony Brown (UDFA)
Kyle Vanden Bosch (Cardinals, 2nd round – 34th overall, 2001) *2009 Pro Bowl
Notable late round/undrafted DL:
Pat Williams - UDFA – *3 time Pro Bowl selection
John Randle - UDFA – *7 time Pro Bowl selection *Hall of Famer
Jay Ratliff (Cowboys, 7th round – 244th overall, 2005) *3 time Pro Bowl selection
Kyle Williams (Bills, 5th round – 134th overall, 2006) *2010 Pro Bowl
La’Roi Glover (Raiders, 5th round – 166th overall, 1996) *6 time Pro Bowl selection
Robert Mathis (Colts, 5th round – 138th overall, 2003) *3 time Pro Bowl selection
Adewale Ogunleye – UDFA *2003 Pro Bowl
Aaron Kampman (Packers, 5th round – 156th overall, 2002) *2 time Pro Bowl selection
Cullen Jenkins - UDFA
Bottom Line:
You don’t need to spend your ultra-high draft picks on DL because a lot of them bust and a ton of Pro Bowlers have been drafted in the later rounds (I know that can be said for multiple positions but the bust rate is alarmingly high). To me, the future still looks bright in Denver. I see us bringing Thomas and Bannan back and hopefully we can go after Mebane or Cofield. I’d even like to see EFX bring in another pass rusher or solid DE. I’m a fan of Ray Edwards put I think he’s going to come with a high price and wouldn’t want to split time (not to mention I’m super excited for Ayers to be back at his natural position).
I didn’t want to take a turn to negative town by putting up the entire early round draft busts on the defensive line (believe me there are plenty). I just wanted to show that there is a ton of talent to be had in the late round and undrafted guys we can get. Hopefully when we get some of these kids they’ll be eager to be coached up and have a chip on their shoulder to help them succeed. EFX saw selecting Von Miller as the right move and I’m going to trust them. I’m sure they have a plan to address the DL (especially the DT position). Until then, let’s continue to be frustrated by the labor dispute.
GO BRONCOS!
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