Vita Vea DT Washington

[Formula 21]

The thing is no one is talking about how his actual play on the field is.

I know everyone starts to drools when they think 40's and all that, but Poe ran the 4.8 40 a few years ago, and in 6 seasons, he flashed potential his rookie year, had 2 good seasons, and then hasn't done anything since (and cost Atlanta $8 mill last year and didn't fix their run D).

While Vea has the athletic measurables that Ngata had, his technique is more similar to Danny Shelton (12th pick overall in 2015) or Poe (11th pick 2012). Again Poe had better technique but has gotten sloppy about it lately (along with a bad back), and Shelton has developed (somewhat slowly) into a good run down guy. Vea has more upside than what Poe has become or what Shelton has done, because the guy can run and be somewhat of a pass rusher. You just have to ask yourself if he has to reinvent himself to develop NFL technique.

Again, I know this weekend is going to be all about measureables and how impressive guys look in spandex, but there is nothing that Vea can do that would impress me. Honestly, who cares what he runs? Everyone knows he runs really well for a big man. What difference do the digits on watch actually make? The only question I have about Vea is if he can learn to take a first step and go forward at the snap like an NFL DL. That question is not going to be answered at the combine.

Yeah, but would you kick him out of bed? Is our DL coach good enough to fix him? Is Mebane good enough to mentor him?

Is it a wasted #1?

and this is a very difficult question.

[blueman]

We can do better than a project at 17.

[Steve]

I am hoping some other team jumps on him early and relieves us of the problem.

A big part of the reason there are so many high 1st round busts on DL is because of the type of thinking above. Everyone drools over the potential and doesn't worry enough about the important parts.

PFF keeps rattling off the stats, and talking about how similar Ngata and Vea are. If you watched Ngata and you watch Vea, they are completely different styles of play. Ngata was a get up the field, used his hands and looks like an NFL style player. Then you look at Vea and he uses this funky HS/college style of play, where he just sits there and catches the blocker and waits. So far, as much far as I can remember, no player who I have seen that plays like that has ever gone on to be successful in the NFL. There probably are some, but I can think of a lot of players who played some variation of waiting and none that I can think of were even average NFL guys.

As far as Giff Smith and Mebane go, they are the only reason I would ever have considered it (or have considered it so far).

The thing that keeps sticking in my head is on a review of Vea, someone mentioned a quote a scout gave that was something to the effect of he had a whole offseason to fix his get off and 1st step and he didn't make any progress from last year.

To answer your question, I am not sure Vea is even on my draft board anymore. I think it might be a (potentially) wasted #1.

[bonehead]

[Steve]

Even as a head case, with his play really falling off, he was more productive than our DT, and by quite a margin.

Some guys play better once they are knocked of their pedestal. He is not going to get anywhere near the $17 million he was getting with the Jets. He probably isn't going to get anywhere near what Liuget gets, even though he is more productive. The only catch is that we don't have a ton of cap space to work with.

[richpjr]

Latest NFL network mock draft has us taking Vea.

[Formula 21]

First post combine mock. Big guys falling, little fast guys rising.

Jeremiah mock draft 2.0: Broncos, Ravens among 5 to take QB

Print

• 
• By Daniel Jeremiah
• NFL Media analyst
• Published: March 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
• Updated: March 6, 2018 at 11:41 a.m.
• 0 Likes | 0 Comments

The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. The event plays an important role in the draft process, and some prospects helped or hurt themselves this past week in Indianapolis. However, it's only one piece to the puzzle. Keep in mind that free agency, which begins next week, will have a big impact on the draft outlook for teams. Here's the latest iteration of how I think the first round could play itself out.

PICK
1

Sam Darnold - QB, USC



I know he chose not to throw at the combine, but Darnold is still the choice here.




PICK
2

Saquon Barkley - RB, Penn State



A QB could be picked here, but Barkley is a rare talent.




PICK
3

Bradley Chubb - DE, N.C. State



The Colts must address the pass rush.




PICK
4

Minkah Fitzpatrick - DB, Alabama



I wouldn't be surprised if the Browns traded back instead of selecting here.




PICK
5

Josh Allen - QB, Wyoming



If the Broncos fail to land Kirk Cousins, they could opt for a full rebuild.




PICK
6

Josh Rosen - QB, UCLA



Rosen would be a good centerpiece for the Jets' offense.




PICK
7

Derwin James - S, Florida State



James is a special talent capable of starting at multiple positions.




PICK
8

Denzel Ward - CB, Ohio State



Ward is the top cover man in the draft.




PICK
9

Quenton Nelson - OG, Notre Dame



The Niners opt for the best available player.




PICK
10

Jaire Alexander - CB, Louisville



Alexander is coming off a phenomenal combine performance and Oakland needs an upgrade in the secondary.




PICK
11

Roquan Smith - LB, Georgia



Smith is an outstanding player and arguably the best leader in the draft.




PICK
12

Tremaine Edmunds - LB, Virginia Tech



Edmunds is a freakish athlete and the Bengals need more difference makers on defense.




PICK
13

Marcus Davenport - OLB, UTSA



Davenport has solidified his spot as the No. 2 pass rusher in the draft behind Bradley Chubb.




PICK
14

Mike Hughes - CB, UCF



The Packers have a need at cornerback and Hughes is excellent on tape.




PICK
15

Connor Williams - OT, Texas



Williams can play tackle or guard and the Cardinals need to improve up front to compete in the NFC West.




PICK
16

Baker Mayfield - QB, Oklahoma



The Ravens should be in rebuild mode and that starts with a new signal-caller. Mayfield can sit behind Joe Flacco until he's ready to take over.




PICK
17

Vita Vea - DT, Washington



Vea is a top-10 talent and he would be too good for the Chargers to pass up.




PICK
18

Will Hernandez - OG, UTEP



Hernandez is flying up the board after an outstanding Senior bowl and NFL Combine. He's a stud.




PICK
19

Da'Ron Payne - DT, Alabama



Payne showed off his athleticism at the combine and he'd be a good fit for the Cowboys.




PICK
20

Taven Bryan - DT, Florida



Bryan can play any position on the defensive line and he'd be a fun toy for new head coach Matt Patricia.




PICK
21

Rashaan Evans - LB, Alabama



Evans is an explosive, playmaking linebacker capable of covering backs and tight ends.




PICK
22

Lamar Jackson - QB, Louisville



I wouldn't be surprised if the Bills packaged some picks to move up for one of the other quarterbacks, but if they sit still, I could see them building an offense around Jackson's skill set.




PICK
23

Josh Jackson - CB, Iowa



Jackson will probably slide a little bit after a so-so combine performance, but his ball skills are outstanding on tape.




PICK
24

Calvin Ridley - WR, Alabama



The Panthers need to give Cam Newton more weapons and Ridley is a dynamic player.




PICK
25

James Daniels - C/OG, Iowa



Daniels has the ability to play all three interior OL spots and he's ready to play right away.




PICK
26

Jessie Bates - S, Wake Forest



Bates is one of my favorite players in the draft. He's a true center fielder with tremendous upside.




PICK
27

Dallas Goedert - TE, South Dakota State



Goedert would post monster numbers in the Saints' offense.




PICK
28

Leighton Vander Esch - LB, Boise State



The Steelers love big, athletic linebackers and Vander Esch has the tools to match up with elite tight ends.




PICK
29

Hayden Hurst - TE, South Carolina



Hurst, who'll turn 25 before the start of the 2018 season, is a little older than you'd like, but he has Pro Bowl potential and I love the physicality/toughness he brings to the table.




PICK
30

Billy Price - C/OG, Ohio State



Price reunites with college teammate Pat Elflein and slides right in at guard. He can play all three interior spots.




PICK
31

Harold Landry - OLB, Boston College



Landry is a gifted edge rusher and that is an area the Patriots need to address.




PICK
32

Isaiah Oliver - CB, Colorado



The Eagles have the luxury of simply taking the best player available, and Oliver would be a perfect scheme fit.



Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.

[blueman]

Payne over Vea is a no-brainer.

[Panamamike]

Agreed.

[Formula 21]

Hurst is gone, Bryan stock is up, and James is a no-brainer if available, as are the two LBs if available.

[blueman]

Like this mock, I think James and the two LBs are long gone by 17. Payne maybe too. Gotta put Evans in my cluster at this point, maybe Harrison.