Margus Hunt, DE, SMU

[SolidGold]

Hunt will probably be a 2nd/3rd round guy - his ability to block field goals and extra points is pretty intriguing and he can be a guy a team brings in on passing downs to defend the pass ala JJ Watt with the pass deflections at the LOS.

[bucfan12]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

Hunt will probably be a 2nd/3rd round guy - his ability to block field goals and extra points is pretty intriguing and he can be a guy a team brings in on passing downs to defend the pass ala JJ Watt with the pass deflections at the LOS.

This guy does not belong with the same sentence to compare to Watt. Hunt looks the part, but he plays soft. He was overpowered all year and was on full display at the senior bowl.

[Attyla the Hawk]

Something I saw that was interesting, is that he generally plays with poor leverage outside/in space. He has a strong tendency to stand up when he takes his first step on the edge.

Yet when he slid inside, he seemed to focus more on his pad level. Hunt does seem to get handled easily most of the time on the edge. But I'm just left to wonder if maybe he's not naturally an end.

At 280, he's lean as a situational pass rusher. But I could see him carve out a successful niche similar to Jason Jones for Titans/Seahawks. His leverage appears much better inside.

Seems he's probably a 3rd through 5th round guy now.

[Caulibflower]

Originally Posted by Attyla the Hawk

Something I saw that was interesting, is that he generally plays with poor leverage outside/in space. He has a strong tendency to stand up when he takes his first step on the edge.

Yet when he slid inside, he seemed to focus more on his pad level. Hunt does seem to get handled easily most of the time on the edge. But I'm just left to wonder if maybe he's not naturally an end.

At 280, he's lean as a situational pass rusher. But I could see him carve out a successful niche similar to Jason Jones for Titans/Seahawks. His leverage appears much better inside.

Seems he's probably a 3rd through 5th round guy now.

This is what I noticed, too. Watching Senior Bowl footage you see him pretty much standing upright and frequently looking like he doesn't know what to do. I think when he's inside he's more instinctive, but he doesn't really look comfortable with the contain responsibilities of a defensive end. But that can be taught. The game of his which initially caught my eye, and I'm sure many others, was last year against Pittsburgh when he totally dominated their lineman. He was bullish about it. What was so amazing to watch was how he physically dominated the man across from him, but in game situations against players who are technically sound as well as elite athletes, his inexperience really shows. He's a promising prospect who compares well physically to JJ Watt, and his kick-blocking prowess is relevant to that, but he's so raw that you have to expect it to take some time, which becomes more concerning when you factor in his age. At least in the beginning of his career, a rotational role where he can rush the passer from a defensive tackle spot, such as the aforementioned Jason Jones, is probably a reasonable expectation.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by bucfan12

This guy does not belong with the same sentence to compare to Watt. Hunt looks the part, but he plays soft. He was overpowered all year and was on full display at the senior bowl.

The point is if Hunt plays a 3-4 end he could use his height to knock down passes. It's a plus, whether you bring Watt's name up or not.

The thing with Margus Hunt is he's new to the game of football. He has plenty of opportunity to get coached up at the next level. Personally with his age I see him as a 3rd round type but he could be a good catch for someone.

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by bucfan12

This guy does not belong with the same sentence to compare to Watt. Hunt looks the part, but he plays soft. He was overpowered all year and was on full display at the senior bowl.

To add on to what Babylon said - I am not comparing them as prospects - Watt was elite - Hunt is a good prospect but I can see him coming in on passing downs and being able to play the pass - that sounds weird to say as a 3-4 d-lineman but I can see him having some success playing a niche role like that. He also displayed a knack for blocking FGs and XPs in college as well.

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

To add on to what Babylon said - I am not comparing them as prospects - Watt was elite - Hunt is a good prospect but I can see him coming in on passing downs and being able to play the pass - that sounds weird to say as a 3-4 d-lineman but I can see him having some success playing a niche role like that. He also displayed a knack for blocking FGs and XPs in college as well.

Do you really want to bring in a player just in the hope he'll swat the ball from his defensive line spot? It's a good talent to have, but I don't think it's one that makes up for Hunt's complete lack of a pass rush ability(which was described as Scott as being in "slow-motion").

[brasho]

Originally Posted by Cigaro

Do you really want to bring in a player just in the hope he'll swat the ball from his defensive line spot? It's a good talent to have, but I don't think it's one that makes up for Hunt's complete lack of a pass rush ability(which was described as Scott as being in "slow-motion").

Seriously, it would make little sense to bring in a guy simply because he COULD conceivably knock down a pass if the QB attempted to throw the ball through that particular lane. If this were the case I would think NFL scouts would be watching basketball tape to find out the tallest players in college that won't be making the NBA and install them as nickel pass rushers... which is a bit of an oxymoron when a guy can't rush the passer.

When the guy's greatest talent is height and he doesn't offer much else, it makes it hard to put him on the field. Maybe it isn't too late to make him a TE? Didn't Fendi Ondwum.. .or whatever his name is come out of SMU too? Or was it another guy that wsa projected as a TE and was drafted as a DE or vice versa... ? I can't remember.

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by Cigaro

Do you really want to bring in a player just in the hope he'll swat the ball from his defensive line spot? It's a good talent to have, but I don't think it's one that makes up for Hunt's complete lack of a pass rush ability(which was described as Scott as being in "slow-motion").

No not at all but everyone is talking about him like he won't amount to anything in the NFL without him playing a down. People seem to think he cannot improve at all with NFL coaching. He is a very raw player with the type of body frame and measurables teams are looking for. It's funny that this Ansah guy is getting a ton of hype while Hunt is being written off. For having no pass rush ability he was still able to rack up a good number of sacks and TFLs over his career and blocking field goals and XPs.

[K Train]

i think he could be a big time stud, gotta love his measurables.

Steelers definitely have people that know SMU guys, would not mind brining in Hunt at all

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

No not at all but everyone is talking about him like he won't amount to anything in the NFL without him playing a down. People seem to think he cannot improve at all with NFL coaching. He is a very raw player with the type of body frame and measurables teams are looking for. It's funny that this Ansah guy is getting a ton of hype while Hunt is being written off. For having no pass rush ability he was still able to rack up a good number of sacks and TFLs over his career and blocking field goals and XPs.

The reason Ansah is getting the hype is he actually put it together in the Senior Bowl game. His practices were disappointing, but he was perhaps the best player on the field during the game. Whereas Hunt played horribly in both the practices and the game.

Also, good number of sacks? He had fifteen for his four year career. Jarvis Jones had 14.5 sacks this season alone against infinitely better competition. Hunt had one decent sack season this past year, before that basically nothing. 15 sacks over four years doesn't even average 4 a year, nothing to write home about.

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by Cigaro

The reason Ansah is getting the hype is he actually put it together in the Senior Bowl game. His practices were disappointing, but he was perhaps the best player on the field during the game. Whereas Hunt played horribly in both the practices and the game.

Also, good number of sacks? He had fifteen for his four year career. Jarvis Jones had 14.5 sacks this season alone against infinitely better competition. Hunt had one decent sack season this past year, before that basically nothing. 15 sacks over four years doesn't even average 4 a year, nothing to write home about.

So Ansah deserves hype for playing well in the senior bowl and that discounts his mediocre senior season? Ok.

Hunt had a pretty good career considering he was new to the sport in college just like Ansah is. He only started playing football in college. You are also forgetting that Hunt played 3-4 DE so its not like he was able to rush the QB all the time and his ability to block FGs and XPs. Just funny you are writing him completely off while giving Ansah all this hype.

[TACKLE]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

So Ansah deserves hype for playing well in the senior bowl and that discounts his mediocre senior season? Ok.

I think it's safe to assume that you barely watched him, looked up his stats, saw 4.5 sacks, and somehow felt comfortable calling him mediocre because of that.

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

So Ansah deserves hype for playing well in the senior bowl and that discounts his mediocre senior season? Ok.

Hunt had a pretty good career considering he was new to the sport in college just like Ansah is. He only started playing football in college. You are also forgetting that Hunt played 3-4 DE so its not like he was able to rush the QB all the time and his ability to block FGs and XPs. Just funny you are writing him completely off while giving Ansah all this hype.

Where I have given Ansah hype? I don't think I've commented much at all about him anywhere (in fact, looking it up, exactly three of my 6,000+ posts mention Ansah). But I'd love for you to show me where I gave my personal rating of him. Either that, or stop assuming and creating straw man arguments.

As for playing 3-4 DE and not being able to rush the QB, it seems you don't understand how that position works. 3-4 DEs rush the quarterback just as often as 4-3 DEs do. The reason they aren't regarded as pass rushers is simply because usually they are less adept at it, not because they don't do it. Playing in a 3-4 allows defensive lineman who aren't as good at rushing the passer stay on the field and still make an impact. It does not prevent good pass rushing defensive lineman from getting to the quarterback. Just look at J.J. Watt.

[FUNBUNCHER]

BYU didn't use Ansah as an edge rusher, or much of a designated pass rusher in general. They played him lined up inside the OT a lot.

I've seen very few Oline players who can handle Ansah one on one.

I still like Margus Hunt, but he's a project. He's going to need to be under the right DC playing in the right system, and right now I don't know if that's a 43 or 34 base defense.

[K Train]

with how good of an athlete he is how would you guys feel of him as an OLB? he would be a nightmare coming off the edge in a 34, especially if he really can run in the 4.6s

hes so raw for a dlineman, but someone so long and fast with long arms could be an asset as a gigantic OLB....was just thinking that mario williams played a little giant OLB and peppers has stated that he would like to, i get hes not that caliber of player but hes certainly that kind of athlete.

havent seen too much of him, but if fatass woodley can play OLB im sure hunt could possibly make the switch..he came in 277, maybe even have him drop a few pounds, because if he were to play 34DE i would have wanted him to show up in the 300 pound range at his size. A 6-8 270 pound OLB could be pretty intriguing to some teams looking for someone to rush the passer from the outside

my thought it even if he only ever gets straight line sacks hes gotta be better than jason ******* worilds

[bigbuc]

This guy is a 3rd rounder. He got owned at senior bowl. Yes is he big, but he's also like 26 years old. Maybe a 4th rounder

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by K Train

with how good of an athlete he is how would you guys feel of him as an OLB? he would be a nightmare coming off the edge in a 34, especially if he really can run in the 4.6s

hes so raw for a dlineman, but someone so long and fast with long arms could be an asset as a gigantic OLB....was just thinking that mario williams played a little giant OLB and peppers has stated that he would like to, i get hes not that caliber of player but hes certainly that kind of athlete.

havent seen too much of him, but if fatass woodley can play OLB im sure hunt could possibly make the switch..he came in 277, maybe even have him drop a few pounds, because if he were to play 34DE i would have wanted him to show up in the 300 pound range at his size. A 6-8 270 pound OLB could be pretty intriguing to some teams looking for someone to rush the passer from the outside

my thought it even if he only ever gets straight line sacks hes gotta be better than jason ******* worilds

I think 3-4 OLB would be even worse for him than 3-4 DE. He may be athletic, but he's not a speed rusher, and his pass rush skills are completely non-existent. I don't think a single offensive tackle would ever consider him as "nightmare" off of the edge.

[gpngc]

I liked him on tape. I didn't read any reports about him doing poorly at the Senior Bowl, but his size/skillset is extremely rare. I don't see how Dontari Poe, whose tape was no where near as good as Hunt's good go No. 12 and Hunt could fall out of the first.

[brasho]

Originally Posted by SolidGold

So Ansah deserves hype for playing well in the senior bowl and that discounts his mediocre senior season? Ok.

Hunt had a pretty good career considering he was new to the sport in college just like Ansah is. He only started playing football in college. You are also forgetting that Hunt played 3-4 DE so its not like he was able to rush the QB all the time and his ability to block FGs and XPs. Just funny you are writing him completely off while giving Ansah all this hype.

Well, it doesn't hurt that Ansah is also 4-5 years younger. Those of you that discount the advantage of being an overaged prospect need to do a little research on overaged OL and DL.

[brasho]

Originally Posted by gpngc

I liked him on tape. I didn't read any reports about him doing poorly at the Senior Bowl, but his size/skillset is extremely rare. I don't see how Dontari Poe, whose tape was no where near as good as Hunt's good go No. 12 and Hunt could fall out of the first.

I don't think you had to read any reports about him doing poorly at the Senior Bowl, everybody and their mothers could plainly see that Hunt didn't even belong there. I was excited to see him there, I really wanted to see him do well, but he was a complete failure and didn't show that he could 1) be an edge rusher 2) hold inside and rush with power or 3) not get rag dolled against the run.

I don't care how big. fast. and supposedly strong he is, the only thing that shows up on tape for him is that he is tall. He has a tremendous amount of skills he needs to work on to come close to getting into an NFL DL rotation, and he has very little time to do it.

[niel89]

Originally Posted by bigbuc

This guy is a 3rd rounder. He got owned at senior bowl. Yes is he big, but he's also like 26 years old. Maybe a 4th rounder

I agree. My positive opinion of him died at the Senior Bowl. As a player he just isn't the sum of his parts. I don't care how big/fast/strong a guy is if he can't rush the passer or hold up in the run game. There is too much talk about what he could be, and not enough on what he is.

I don't like him in a 34 at DE or OLB at all. Not functionally strong enough or fluid enough for it. I would put him at 43 DE and hope he can refine his technique to be a solid run defender and then kick him inside to pass rush on 3rd downs.