2022 First Round Pick. #28, Devonte Wyatt Discussion Thread.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Watched 3 games from him. Initial thoughts

1.Needs to be better at pass/run recognition - causes him to get high and he gets pushed back when its run, or neutralized in the pass game - he is strong enough to bull rush, or uses his hands to eventually get through blocks.

2. Good Stunter whether that is a straight gap penetrator or stunting multiple gaps over. When he doesn't have to initially read blocks and goes the direction he is told he is usually causing disruption in the backfield.

3. Good motor on him, always involved in the chase.

4. Probably the 3rd or 4th best lineman on the Bulldogs defense in 2021.

5. I would say that he is 1st round talent, but he will be a bit of a project during his first year or so in the NFL.

Next year, I'm going to make my NFL draft scouting spreadsheet public, and I'm going to make you do the OL and DL.

[Deputy Nutz]

Next year, I'm going to make my NFL draft scouting spreadsheet public, and I'm going to make you do the OL and DL.

We should start a podcast

[HarveyWallbangers]

We should start a podcast

People are making money. Some are decent. Most are awful.

[HarveyWallbangers]

@Peter_Bukowski
Devante Wyatt was the highest graded iDL in the Power five last year by @PFF. He was also the only guy in that group to have an 80+ grade as a pass rusher and run defender.

Also led the iDL in rush wins in Senior Bowl 1v1s.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The biggest question: after years of spelling Davante Adams name "Devante", will Bretsky get it right with Wyatt? Or will he spell it wrong?

[RashanGary]

2. DEVONTE WYATT, Georgia (6-3, 309, 4.79, 1): Operated as a 3-technique, which figures to be his NFL position. “I’d take Davis,” said one scout. “Wyatt has quickness and agility. He’ll show you an explosive first step to engage and penetrate. He improved his hand use as a pass rusher as the 2021 season progressed. He has a knack for getting his hands up in passing lanes and batting the ball down. Potential starting DT. Can he continue to develop as an interior rusher?” Another scout said no DT in this draft was as good as the Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, adding that Wyatt was the closest. “He’s a f----- so he may slide,” said a third scout. “But he is talented enough. He’s not as big as Gerald McCoy. He’s got more movement than Kenny Clark. He’s a little bigger than Tommie Harris but he’s got lateral movement and explosiveness like that.” Arrested and charged after a domestic incident involving a woman at her dwelling in 2020; charges later were dropped. “He’s not a wow but he’s really good at everything,” a fourth scout said. “He’s strong and athletic. He can bend. Good with his hands. You want him to finish better but there were times he was almost unblockable, and he wasn’t playing against The Little Sisters of the Poor.” Finished with 113 tackles (12 for loss) and five sacks as a two-year starter. “He’s a little bit of a turd but he’s got more upside than (Davis),” a fifth scout said. “He’s good, but the really good one is still there. Jalen Carter. He’s the best player on their team.” Arms measured just 32 5/8. Wonderlic of 8. “Little bit of a screwup but he loves football,” said a sixth scout. “He’s got some strength at the point of attack and interior gap quickness. He will hustle to the ball. He’s a 3-technique penetrator.” From Decatur, Ga.

[RashanGary]

Fact/stat: Fifth-year senior… After one season of junior college, he played off the bench in 2018-’19 before starting at 3-technique in 2020-’21 … Had 12 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in his career.

AFC scout: “He’s a 3-technique penetrator. He’s a really good player. I see him as a late one, early two. He’s an athletic 3-technique. He’s got some strength at the point of attack and interior gap quickness. He will hustle to the ball. He’s a little bit of a screw-up but he loves football. He’s a better fit for a 4-3 team than a 3-4.”

NFC scout: “He’s a twitched-up guy. He’s a guy that got overshadowed for the most part at Georgia. What you saw at the combine, he moves like that for real. You saw flashes in college. He has huge upside as a pass rusher, and you know he can play the run because that’s what they do (at Georgia).”

AFC scout: “I think he’s got a chance to do that (be an outstanding pass rusher).”

NFC scout: “He makes a mess in there. Doesn’t have much talent but guy plays his ass off. He’s smart. Got technique. He’ll get crushed but he keeps coming. The scheme helps him. Not a pass rusher by any stretch. Energy tough guy. Second round.”

AFC scout: “He’s pretty well-rounded. He can rush and is a great athlete.”

NFC scout: “He has the potential to be a three-down guy. He really tested well even though his production numbers didn’t (match). I don’t know if he the potential to be the next Danielle Hunter of the world in that he didn’t have a lot of production coming out but was so unique athletically. He has some in-line pass rush ability. Three-technique.”

AFC scout: “I’d take (Jordan) Davis. They lined (Wyatt) up all over the line. Has quickness, agility. He’ll show you an explosive first step to engage and penetrate. He improved his hand use as a pass rusher as the 2021 season progressed. He has a knack for getting his hands up in passing lanes and batting the ball down. Potential starting defensive tackle. Three-technique projection. Can he continue to develop as an interior rusher?”

NFC scout: “He’s a f---up so he may slide but he is talented. He’s not as big as Gerald McCoy. He’s got more movement than Kenny Clark. A little bigger than Tommie Harris but he’s got lateral movement and explosiveness like that. Good player. I’m still working through his off-the-field. Domestic violence. (Wyatt was charged with three misdemeanors in a domestic incident in 2020 but charges were dropped) … Holy f---, is he talented. He can do whatever he wants. I rated him higher than (Jordan) Davis. He’s not as stout. More athletic.”

AFC scout: “Struggles to learn. Aptitude concerns are real. Surprised the staff with knowledge of the defense. Accountable, on time, shows some leadership. Best fit is as a 4-3 3-technique where he can use his athletic ability and hide his small frame more. Not a fit for 3-4 teams. Wasn’t in the shape he needed to be in (2020). Got his weight back down (in 2021).”

AFC scout: “He’s the closest in the draft to Jeffery Simmons.”

NFC scout: “He is a better player than Davis.”

AFC scout: “He’d be good for a team that features a 3-technique playing in the gaps. That would be close to ideal for his system fit. It would allow him to play upfield, get off the ball. That’s who he is.”

AFC scout: “He’s not a wow like (DeMarvin) Leal but he’s really good at everything. He’s really stout, very strong, can hold a double, dominate a single. There has been some underachiever to him over the course of his career. May have had a senior epiphany … He could play both interior spots. He’s strong, athletic. He can bend. Good with his hands. You want him to finish better but there were times he was almost unblockable, and he wasn’t playing against The Little Sisters of the Poor.”

AFC scout: “He’s a little bit of a turd but he’s got more upside than Davis. He’s good; the really good one there is still there. Jalen Carter. He’s the best player on their team.”

NFC scout: “Explosive, powerful. He can easily handle single blocks and block-backs by offensive linemen. Good instincts to shock and shed. Good plant and change direction. Has acceleration in chase. Not as big or explosive as Davis but much more twitch. Strong at the point. He can run.”

[Bretsky]

The biggest question: after years of spelling Davante Adams name "Devante", will Bretsky get it right with Wyatt? Or will he spell it wrong?

I'm spelling it wrong; ditto if we pick that TE you like ....Kosar.....lol

[run pMc]

I liked him until the domestic stuff came to light, then I figured he was off the board... then they bring him in for a visit. They generally don't have tolerance for guys like that, but they did employ LeTroy Guion and a few others at times. I wonder about him AND Jarren Reed on the team. I do think he's a fuckup and probably surrounds himself with a bad group, but I don't doubt he like football. He's athletic and seems like he'll play the 3T and occasionally the 1. He struck me as a more athletic Kenny Clark, although I think Kenny was a 0/1T and thicker built coming out of UCLA. I think he can be disruptive enough rushing the passer and if teams double Kenny that will give him opportunities.

How Slaton fits in will be interesting. He's a nose, but maybe they think he can play the 5T? Or does Reed play there? I could see Wyatt and Kenny playing the 3T, but maybe Reed gets snaps there too?
Either way, that's a pretty good front, and it's a big step up from Tyler Lancaster, Heflin, and Abdullah Anderson. You have to have good players up front to send in waves or else your run D gets gashed because your line sucks or is dead-legged by the 4Q.

[bobblehead]

@Peter_Bukowski
Devante Wyatt was the highest graded iDL in the Power five last year by @PFF. He was also the only guy in that group to have an 80+ grade as a pass rusher and run defender.

Also led the iDL in rush wins in Senior Bowl 1v1s.

There is a pattern that has emerged since fat mike left. Gone are the days of "this TE is for blocking, that one for passing. This LB for the run, that for the pass". ect. Gutes and MiLF are drafting guys who can do whatever is givwn them. TEs have to block and catch. ILB have to cover and run fit. OL have to run/pass block. And on it goes. Wyatt has such value (like Campbell) because you can't exploit his weakness.

[HarveyWallbangers]

ESPN

Pre-Draft Analysis
Wyatt is an explosive defensive tackle who quickly locates the ball and slips blocks rushing the passer and defending the run. He chases with good effort, has good range and always seems to be around the ball. Wyatt is not a massive space eater -- and he can give too much ground to double teams -- but he plays with good leverage and is stout in one-on-one situations. -- Steve Muench

Matt Miller's NFL comp: Christian Wilkins

Post-Draft Analysis
Green Bay hasn't drafted a receiver in the first round since 2002, and barring a trade, that streak continues tonight. Wyatt is a good value at this point in the draft, and he has the potential to quickly develop into a three down player in defensive coordinator Joe Barry's scheme. -- Muench

Projected Year 1 impact: Day 1 starter. Wyatt can step in right away and become an explosive running mate alongside Kenny Clark -- Jordan Reid

[RashanGary]

Were gonna play mostly 2-4 nickel. Watson is the perfect fit next to Clark.

Clark is a complete player with a lean toward run stopping.

Wyatt is a complete player with a lean toward pass rusher.

Together they can do everything. Clark will eat doubles and Wyatt can destroy singles.

Lowry and Reed become top backups. Both can play in a rotation.

And whoever wins out will be good as our 5th and 6th.

Now we have a good DL and its not just Clark anymore.

[Fritz]

I liked him until the domestic stuff came to light, then I figured he was off the board... then they bring him in for a visit. They generally don't have tolerance for guys like that, but they did employ LeTroy Guion and a few others at times. I wonder about him AND Jarren Reed on the team. I do think he's a fuckup and probably surrounds himself with a bad group, but I don't doubt he like football. He's athletic and seems like he'll play the 3T and occasionally the 1. He struck me as a more athletic Kenny Clark, although I think Kenny was a 0/1T and thicker built coming out of UCLA. I think he can be disruptive enough rushing the passer and if teams double Kenny that will give him opportunities.

How Slaton fits in will be interesting. He's a nose, but maybe they think he can play the 5T? Or does Reed play there? I could see Wyatt and Kenny playing the 3T, but maybe Reed gets snaps there too?
Either way, that's a pretty good front, and it's a big step up from Tyler Lancaster, Heflin, and Abdullah Anderson. You have to have good players up front to send in waves or else your run D gets gashed because your line sucks or is dead-legged by the 4Q.

This is something I've been thinking. Is Reed a nose or a 3 or both? Be interesting to see if Ford can earn a spot. He's strictly nose, so if he makes it, do they move Slaton around a bit? Do they move Clark around a bit? And can Wyatt play the 5? I'm assuming Lowry is a 5?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think Reed is a nose. I think pass rushing is supposed to be his strength. He has 24 1/2 sacks in the equivalent of 5 season's worth of starts.

[Joemailman]

Larry McCarren did some film breakdown of Reed earlier this year. Played a lot of 3 and some 5. I don't think he showed any 1 at all.