2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: DT

purplefaithful wrote:

Yah but...

What this staff could do with him???!

True, but I always approach the draft with the knowledge that half of the guys we're talking about will be busts in the NFL. I like Harmon a little bit more because he's just a little safer IMO.

Former Georgia DT Nazir Stackhouse is visiting the Vikings' facility today, am told. Lot of prospects in town, and Stackhouse is very experienced interior player who was great at stopping run.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) April 7, 2025

Watched him specifically several times over the last two years. Early 2024 projections had him in the first. Just a guy.

supafreak84 wrote:
Field Yates Draft Notes: Everybody sees a different level of value in pro days, but it's important to remember these workouts might be the only live exposure evaluators get with top prospects. Coaches and general managers simply can't go to as many (or any) games during the season, while more and more prospects opt out of on-field work at the combine. One pro day that was incredible, per multiple scouts in attendance, was the one for Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. He did not work out at the combine, but he showed how special he is in Oxford. I had him going to the 49ers at No. 11 in my most recent mock draft

But this is why you have a scouting department with regional scouts: they see them live when it matters. The rest is dress up.

Wildcat NT JJ Peguse

Stackhouse has the perfect name for a nose tackle. And Pegues would be shit tons of fun. I hope we do take a flier on a nose to compete with Taimani later in the draft. With the Vikings extending Phillips, I don't see us taking one early, unless it's a player who figures in at both DE and NT. A guy like Harmon.

Stackhouse is a premier run blocker at the NFL level I feel. Played on a top program. Really struggles with the ability to pass rush. I have liked him, but his lack of pass rush makes me nervous.

Canthony wrote:
Stackhouse is a premier run blocker at the NFL level I feel. Played on a top program. Really struggles with the ability to pass rush. I have liked him, but his lack of pass rush makes me nervous.

There aren't a lot of DTs in this draft who are big enough to play nose and can stay on the field on 3rd downs.

MaroonBells wrote:

There aren't a lot of DTs in this draft who are big enough to play nose and can stay on the field on 3rd downs.

I see that point. Just reading up on him, it feels like he just isn't capable. Hand placement, movement. Be nice to at least somewhat do it lol

First round DT prospects career totals pic.twitter.com/r8kCNf0RdH

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) April 12, 2025

StickierBuns wrote:
I know some aren't sure about Kenneth Grant, but I love him. He's a huge athletic dude that would benefit greatly from playing with Allen and Hargrave in every sense of the word. I think I'm settling in on either interior OG or DT if they stick and pick.

Same here. I also really like Grant and would be happy with any of the three big DT's projected to possibly be available when we pick (Grant, Harmon, Nolen). The guys we signed in free agency are good players, but older and coming off injuries where they both missed a lot of games. Drafting one of these guys gives you a starter if needed and at worst gives you quality depth who can come in and spell the older players. The more waves you can bring in to get after the quarterback and keep the pass rush fresh, the better you will be defensively. It's what the Eagles have been doing for years now. You turn that interior defensive line into a strength along with AVG, Greenard, and Dalles Turner getting after it on the outside and this could be a really special defense. Sign me up

StickierBuns wrote:
I know some aren't sure about Kenneth Grant, but I love him. He's a huge athletic dude that would benefit greatly from playing with Allen and Hargrave in every sense of the word. I think I'm settling in on either interior OG or DT if they stick and pick.

I’ve been trying to put a large NT on this team for the last several years. BFlo had Godseaux in Miami and a couple in NE under Bellicheck. I’m not sure that Flores wants one which is weird because past history would indicate he would. If Grant, Harmon, and Nolen were all on the board I think I’d bet on Harmon then Nolen with Grant probably not being considered. 

Nolen seems to be sliding due to character concerns. The only solid thing I’m seeing is he’s been on 6 different teams since HS. Already excellent vs the run but underdeveloped vs the pass. Harmon is more of a finished product. Only concern I have is will he balloon up to 340 again. Both guys seem to fit the size parameters we’re looking for.

StickierBuns wrote:

Yeah, I've heard the narrative that BFlo doesn't want a big NT, I think MB mentioned he thought that, but I don't agree: the right one just hasn't come available except for Wilkins which Minnesota made a big effort to sign last year. I wouldn't necessarily disagree that maybe Harmon would top Grant in desirability, but the more I read about Nolen, the more I don't like. Grant's measurables/upside are in the freakish territory. He played at Michigan, so he's played in big games. Kicked ass against Ohio State's formidable O-line. I think once the Viking's coaching staff gets him to use his hands and length more, watch out.

But Wilkins is 6-4 and 310 which is in line with what we have had under BFlo and more of a 4i or 5T. 

Nolen started off solidly in the top 10 and is sliding. My guess is he’s blowing interviews and a deeper look into off field stuff is coming to light. 

MB and I have had several conversations about Grant and we’re definitely not in agreement on who he is at this level. He sees Jordan Davis I’m seeing Vea or possibly Lawrence. Davis wasn’t not getting the snaps in college Grant did. 

But what I don’t see is BFlo having an appetite for a 340 guy. We’d have one by now. I will say I’d definitely like to infuse some youth into that unit.

Here’s how Vegas deployed him. He’s got 4 more snaps at NT than me but I’m more of a Wide 9. :D

I know some aren't sure about Kenneth Grant, but I love him. He's a huge athletic dude that would benefit greatly from playing with Allen and Hargrave in every sense of the word. I think I'm settling in on either interior OG or DT if they stick and pick.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/fball_insights/status/1910864907878154432?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

Interesting. Fair to say Kenneth Grant is not Dexter Lawrence or Vita Vea.

JustInTime wrote:


I’ve been trying to put a large NT on this team for the last several years. BFlo had Godseaux in Miami and a couple in NE under Bellicheck. I’m not sure that Flores wants one which is weird because past history would indicate he would. If Grant, Harmon, and Nolen were all on the board I think I’d bet on Harmon then Nolen with Grant probably not being considered. 

Nolen seems to be sliding due to character concerns. The only solid thing I’m seeing is he’s been on 6 different teams since HS. Already excellent vs the run but underdeveloped vs the pass. Harmon is more of a finished product. Only concern I have is will he balloon up to 340 again. Both guys seem to fit the size parameters we’re looking for.

Yeah, I've heard the narrative that BFlo doesn't want a big NT, I think MB mentioned he thought that, but I don't agree: the right one just hasn't come available except for Wilkins which Minnesota made a big effort to sign last year. I wouldn't necessarily disagree that maybe Harmon would top Grant in desirability, but the more I read about Nolen, the more I don't like. Grant's measurables/upside are in the freakish territory. He played at Michigan, so he's played in big games. Kicked ass against Ohio State's formidable O-line. I think once the Viking's coaching staff gets him to use his hands and length more, watch out.

JustInTime wrote:


But Wilkins is 6-4 and 310 which is in line with what we have had under BFlo and more of a 4i or 5T. 

Nolen started off solidly in the top 10 and is sliding. My guess is he’s blowing interviews and a deeper look into off field stuff is coming to light. 

MB and I have had several conversations about Grant and we’re definitely not in agreement on who he is at this level. He sees Jordan Davis I’m seeing Vea or possibly Lawrence. Davis wasn’t not getting the snaps in college Grant did. 

But what I don’t see is BFlo having an appetite for a 340 guy. We’d have one by now. I will say I’d definitely like to infuse some youth into that unit.

Yeah, had this discussion before too about Wilkins weight: if he's 310 lbs, I'm the man on the moon. You look at Wilkins body and look at Harmon's body and they 'supposedly' weigh the same.....but Harmon is noticeably slimmer. I think Grant is much more than a 2-down NT. This is just an example, I believe we've all seen this:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX6kR7qHqSU[/video]

Grant is 21 yrs old, won’t be 22 ‘til October 27th… that would certainly make our DL room younger!  :P Harmon is about the same age as well.

MaroonBells wrote:

Interesting. Fair to say Kenneth Grant is not Dexter Lawrence or Vita Vea.

Graham was holding him back. 

Traits. The traits are similar.

Darius Alexander was a game-wrecker at Toledo, now regarded as one of the best all-around DTs in the NFL Draft

🔗: https://t.co/WEq2wgGifu pic.twitter.com/C9e5rQC8tl

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 13, 2025