Walter Nolen vs Kenneth Grant - PFF grade comparison

[Whatever]

(02-18-2025, 03:29 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I see both Nolen and Grant as 3-down guys at their respective positions.

However, I think it's easier to have/find a 2-down 1T who rotates out with a pass rush specialist like Bengals used to do with Peko and Rucker/Fanene.

Either way, Bengals could use another 3T who can rush the passer and 1T who can rotate with Jackson.
In my eyes, Jenkins isn't much of a pass rusher and can/should be subbed on passing downs anyway.
Jackson I like more as a potential starting NT rather than Jenkins being a starting 3T.

I could see something like this:
Grant drafted in Rd 1 to rotate with Jackson at 1T
Someone like Riley Mills or Darius Alexander drafted around Rd 4 to rotate with Jenkins at 3T.

or

Nolen drafted in Rd 1 to rotate with Jenkins at 3T
A 1T or versatile DT drafted in the mid-rounds (Jordan Phillips, Darius Alexander) who could rotate with McKinnley Jackson at 1T. Or a pure run-stuffing NT like Nazir Stackhouse taken Rd 5 or later to pair with Jackson to cover 1T.

For me, it comes down to a few things....

First, it's a lot better draft class for 3 techs than for 1/0 techs.  I have a lot more confidence in getting a quality 3 tech that can at least rotate as a pass rusher later in the draft.

Second, unless the character concerns get alleviated, Nolen is pretty much off my board in Round 1.  Tremendous talent, no question, but to me, he isn't so head and shoulders above the other top 3 techs in this class that I'd be willing to gamble on him.  

Finally, Grant is a ridiculous freak.  Everyone drooled over Sweat last year, but Grant literally ran a sub 5 second 40 his freshman year at 360 pounds.  That is re-goddamn-diculous.  His ceiling is prime Suh/Haynesworth level.  DJ Reader may be his floor, barring injury.  He's just a guy that IMO will make the other 10 guys better.