2022 NFL Draft Preview - Defensive Line with Keith Sanchez and Carmen Vitali

rolls right along. I believe we're a little bit over halfway done as we welcome and Keith Sanchez from the Draft Network to preview this year's edge class and also talk about Emmanuel Ogba, Andrew van Ginkel, Jalen Phillips and the rest of that Dolphin's edge position. Can they bolter some depth and add some bodies at the spot this upcoming draft? If they can, We'll tell you which players

can possibly fit. That script with Keith Sanchez and a special two part edition of the Drivetime Podcast previewing this year's draft, We're also gonna welcome and fellow the Draft Network employee Carmen and Vitally to talk about the defensive tackle so all across the d line. On this edition of the Draft Time Podcast from somewhere in South Florida. This is the Drive Time podcast. You guys know the drill by. Now, let's not waste any more time and

get to my guest today. Draft Networks own Keith Sanchez and joining me now is a senior NFL draft analyst for the Draft Network. He was part of the twenty nineteen l s U Tigers national championship team and spent some time in the personnel department there in Baton Rouge as well. Keith Sanchez, Keith, thank you so much for being here, my friend, oh man, thank you. How's everything going. It's going good. You know, I was gonna ask you so down here in South Florida. I I'm new to

the area a couple of years in. But when the seasons start to kind of change, and it's funny saying seasons in South Florida, but when it gets from cold to kind of hot and back and forth, my allergies kick up really bad. I didn't expect that. I was curious. Is it the same way in Louisiana? Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's the same as that we but I'll probably say you you might enjoy a whole lot better in Miami. Just you know, you got the palm trees, you got

South Beach, so it's definitely worth the allergy and take right. Yeah, of course, I mean I'm complaining about eighty degree weather in April, which back home where I'm from in Washington State at snowing today, so we can't complain it all there. But uh, this this is a draft preview podcast. But we've also been looking at the roster first with the Dolphins here, since you know, a lot of the roster building has been done so far, the draft kind of

was used to upgrade with some veterans. And I want to start with a guy on our roster here that got a nice extension this offseason after two really good years so far with the Miami Dolphins, two career years. Really, what have you seen when you watch the tape of Emmanuel Ogba Keith? Yeah, man, I think he's exactly how you draw him up right as far as being an edge rusher. He has really good left um. He he has strength at the point of attack to be able

to set set the edge. I think he's a versatile defender and and and then his defense it's right and you know, more than me, they like to move the friends defenders along the front, and I think he has that capability, but just his ability to put bank the back season off, I believe it was nine to ten sacks um each years has really shown his sad production. And we know in the NFL that that's huge, right, just the ability to get to the quarterbacks, to be

able to affect the quarterback. And you know, in your division, obviously you have Mac Jones, who's who's an up and coming quarterback, but not exactly show he's gonna be. And

then you also have Josh Hallen. You have to be able to get to that guy, and you need somebody that's athletic enough to run him down when he decides to escape the pocket, and uh, you know, really make those plays that you know, just just really get to the defense, especially those instances where you have to go just four man rush and you can't send the extra rush. Are good to have a guy like Emmanuel Agba who

can deconstruct and beat one on ones. Now on the other side, you know, and he might play the same side of times, they might kick Aga inside and they kind of rush on the same side of the field, and this guy can kick inside too. But from the veterans of the rookie last year at Jalen Phillips. You want to talk about a guy that can beat one on one blocks, How did his rookie season stack up to the scouting report you had on him pre draft

last year? Man, it was it was really cool, um, seeing jill and phillips season from beginning to end, because his scouting report kind of for me, told the picture of the player. And then every year when I go through this process, right, we we write the story of the player. Like I hate to say what a player can't do, you know, and just say that he can't

do it and put limitations on him. But you had question marks about jill and Phillips, and a lot of it was developmental things, right, And so it was cool seeing him enter into the NFL and you knew this guy had the athletic ability to do it. And then by the back end of the season, I believe he had six seven sacks in the last in the back

half for the season. And it was cool because that's what I had in my draft report, right, that this guy has high upside and if he gets really good coaching, Um, he'll be able to really develop and turn into a premier edge rusher. So not only was I excited about the back end of last last year, but I'm really excited about him going into this season because he has an opportunity to be a did you said guy if he's able to um take what he has from this

past year and put it towards this year. And then he also he has you know, possibly on the other side, so they won't be able to command neither. You know, he won't be able to command double teams because people be worried about too. So it's like you you're really excited about the edge rusher position for the Miami Dolphins

moving forward. Absolutely, man, I mean it kind of feels like that's how the whole roster shaping up at this point with you know, Tyreek and Jalen you got almost ever shot, Xavian and by Ron on the back end, Javon holland Brandon Jones, you got you got a bunch of two, you know, pairs of guys that can kind of help offset the way offenses and defense approach you in that way. And yeah, you know you mentioned the

Philip sacks. He had six and three games or six and over a two game span last year, so he was definitely heating up down the back half. And another guy that really got hot the last half of both the last couple of seasons, and I don't think his stats matched up with his with what he actually provided the Dolphins on the field. And a guy and Andrew Van Ginkle. Now I remember there was an L s U Wisconsin game. I think it was played at lambeau Field. I think he was in that game. Did you play

that game as well, Keith, Yeah, yeah, yeah yea. Um, and he showed to be a pretty good player. And what I see on the film for four Winkle was that he's a versatile player, right, and then this defense we've seen in the past, um, you know obviously had some some versatility with the linebackers that the linebackers don't necessarily have to be the most athletic guys, but like when he's a very instinctive guy, right, and they're able to move him around and put him in different positions.

And I think that he's just a guy that makes place like he never makes the splashy please, but they seem to always be just on time and just the correct place. And a guy that went from you know, fifth round rookie to a six hundred, seven hundred snap guy plays on special teams. Really been a nice boon for us. Here, Really good depth on this Dolphins edge position. Really good depth in the edge position in the draft

this year. But I want to turn to that draft here just a second, Keith, But first let's go ahead and take our first break Travis Wingfield Drift Time Podcast, Mike Us Today Keith Sanchez, brought to you by Auto Nation. All right back here on this edge position preview for

the NFL Draft. I've got Keith Sanchez from the Draft Network, and Keith, I've been asking this question to all my guests here on the draft preview series, and I'm loving the variety of answers I get, and I'm really curious to hear yours because you played, you know, at such a high level for such a long time. And you know, I've asked you your coworkers, Joe Marino, I've asked Kyle Crabs, I've asked Damien Parson, and they were all pretty different

in their approaches. What does it look like for you when you sit down to watch film, like, how do you how do you digest the film? Are you digesting food like you're eating something listening to music. What does your film watching process look like? Keith and so so?

First off, as far as just evaluation purposes, um, I always start with athletic ability because you have to understand the NFL is it's the level where you have the highest calible aesthetes, right like like baseline wise is the best calible athletes on the game is as fast as is it going as it is going to be. So I always started if the guy is a good as you always try to start with that. And then my my my second qualifier would be does this guy make

plays that's specific to that position? And just to kind of further explain that, every year when we go through the draft process, there's always guys that that test athletically well, right they they they're off the charts, but the film doesn't match. And then we always see these guys shoot up the draft charts and then somebody takes this guy early in the second round. But truly his film play is a fourth round grade, right, so I try to make sure that this guy, like if it's a fast

wide receiver Robberts even may running four too. But if he can't, you know, necessarily catch the football. He's not a really you know, defined route runner. Then it becomes an issue for me and we see this year after year where these guys run these fast forward is that they may you know, jump or for the four in vertical, but if that athletic ability doesn't translate to the film, then you know, I always rely on the film, so

that that's my two step process. Or first they have to qualify as being a good athlete, and then second, I need you to make plays that's specific to that position.

And we see that every year with linebackers we just finished talking about weekle right Winkle may not have tested well throughout the draft process, I'm not sure, but he makes plays that's specific to his position, and I think that's where you kind of getting that gray area of possibly having draft us when you draft these guys that are really good athletes, but they're not good football players. One of my sayings that every good athlete is not a great football player. So I always try to use

those two qualifies when I'm approaching the player. That really sounds like a discussion that goes on, I'd imagine in most most NFL draft rooms. I'm certain it happens in the TDN war room, but you guys get together for your content. I can just see you and Kyle going back and forth on that type of stuff, and it's it kind of speaks, I think a lot to the to the misrate that we see in the NFL Draft every single year. It's a tough, tough business to figure out.

And I think a lot of that has to do with what you just talked about, with how you balance what matters versus what matters less. I guess that's what I'm i'd to say. So that's really fascinating stuff. Keith. Again, I get different answers in that question every time, and I'm loving it so appreciate you you're contributing to that as well. But I want to now ask you a question about kind of some more draft philosophy here because it sounds like it's right your alley. But uh, you

know this this two class compared to three class. And I asked Joe Marino and he talked about the quarterback position being the one where he thinks teams look ahead a couple of years. But I was curious to get your take about, you know, teams that have taken their draft capital this year in a lot of ways and kind of moved it to next year. And we saw the Dolphins do it. We've seen the Philadelphia Eagles do it,

that big trip to the New Orleans Saints. What do you make of teams like the Dolphins and Eagles kind of pushing their resources into next year's draft. So I think that's exactly what it is. So for this I will speak about this draft class. First. This is a very good draft class. I mean, it has good depth. The issue is that it's just not at the really marketable position. Right when we talked about quarterbacks. Everybody wants to the draft class to be similar to last years

draft class. That's what they were. What I think four or five quarterbacks taken in the top thirteen picks. So it's just not as marketed. But there there's really good depth. Right, So fans, when you think of this draft class, you need to think of like the pillars of your offensive line or your defensive line. Because you can find really good um offensive lineman, you can find really good edge rushers.

That it's a really deep linebacker class. That there are some pretty good safeties, and it's a really deep quarterback class. So it may not be just the you know, the quintessential quote unquote you know, sexy positions like the quarterbacks or the running backs and things of that nature, but it is a really good draft class. And then we talked about draft class and teams like the Eagles, um trading trading, you know, basically moving back to next year.

I think that's exactly what it is. I think they're trying to guard a more draft picks and like, you know what, Um, you know, if we're going to swim for a quarterback, let's do it in the next year's draft class. Because obviously they have Rice Young FCJ Strow Um, there's no telling in DJ with Google really would turn it around. And then all the the bag from Kentucky Will Levice, Um, he's a possible guy too. So I think there's just more quarterback depth in next year's draft class.

And that's why you're probably seeing some of those teams who may not feel a hundred percent about their quarterback um situation moving those pieces to next year's draft class. But I do like this draft class. Like I said, it may not be you know, marketable, but I promise you some of these players that come out of here, these are gonna be parential Pro bowlers, Um, you know,

all pro type of football players. Yeah, it's perfectly said, man that the quarterback position is always what gets the marquis. And if you don't have the top of the line guys, and again, like you can see five guys go in the first round, just might be picks ten through thirty two at the quarterback spot this year. So fascinating stuff. And you talk about you know, I think one position that does get people pretty excited is the edge group. And that's what we have you talking about here on

this edition of the Drivetime podcast. My guest Keith Sanchez from the Draft Network. This edge class, Keith, to me, it's good up top, it's good in the depth. It checks all the boxes. So just off the top right here, how many edge defenders do you think, you know, defense events outside linebackers. I don't know how they classify those these days. Guys play so many posessions, it's hard to do. But how many how many do you think of that distinction will go off the board before the Dolphins make

their first pick at one oh two. You can ball parkers, of course, but ten edge defenders before the first hundred picks Yeah, I was looking at it, and I was I was trying to find a good spot for you guys. You know, just as far as just with the draft pick at one oh two, man, it is it's probably close to fifteen obviously because it's a it's a premier position, and also this is a really deep position for this for this draft class man, they got some really good

football players. So I'm looking at probably close to fifteen guys. So obviously, if you're the Dolphins and you're looking for edge rushers, um, you know, you just have to have that big bank of guys and you know they just have to do their research because it's gonna be kind of tough just sitting at one o two, um, and seeing how edge rushers always get moved up to draft boards.

I'm always curious, see or I should I should say, I am curiously where the Dolphins going And it just might be one of those best player available spots right there when you're picking that late. But you know, with that number of players off the board, fifteen of them, is there a guy that you would really like number sixteen at that kind of line of demarcation right outside the top one hundred, is there one guy in that spot that you think might be there, you like a lot, Yeah,

there there is actually this this guy. He's flown under the radar for majority of the draft process. UM. And that's defensive end edge rusher UM from Texas A and them, Michael Clemens. This is a guy that he's built very similar to you, Manual, I be honestly, I mean six four six five, two hundred and sixty pounds UM. They use them. He's very versatile and the A and M defense, So that should translate well to the Miami Dolphins front. This is a guy that can be a hand in

the ground edge rusher. He can stand up and rush the quarterback as an outside linebacker. UM. But he's show really good promised last year. I believe he had eight to nine sexs. Three of them came in his last game against LSU. And you're talking about a guy that showed the ability to convert convert speed, the power, will really work their long arm, set the edge against the run. UM really showed it to be a really good athlete.

So I believe that he's a guy that's kind of sliding under the radar and he may be able to fall right into the sweet spot for the Miami Dolphins. I'm glad you've pointed out the analog there with Emmanuel Ogball, because that does seem to be kind of a theme

there for this Dolphin's edge position. And you know, whether it's whether it's the guy that that starts as the d ND and kicks out wide, you know, goes from that five to the nine technique or the guy that plays you know, from the five inside to the zero. They've got so many different versatile pieces up there, So just thinking about guys that you know start off the

edge and can kick either inside or outside. You know, Emmanuel Ogball Jalen Phillips are both big, long guys strong can set the edge, be anchors in the running game, and rush the passer. I guess what I'm asking you as a couple more names, because you know, I love the name from A and M clemens. But if you have a couple more guys in that kind of that feature, that could be day it could be Day two, Day three,

or whatever the case may be. But some guys that fit that mold later on in the draft class that might be on Miami's radar. Yeah, I would also go with the defensive vent from Stanford timeless booker. Um, I think this is a really good football player. He's he's a little bit heavier, he's he's six for two eighty pounds, but he shows to be a really good athlete too, and that versatility. I know, the Dolphins, like you know, they like to get penetration at times, and this is

a guy that can't get penetration. But he also showed text book ability to be able to you know, lock peek and shed against the run. So I think he's a verst of defender. You can't kick him outside, you know, from time to time if you're playing heavy against the run, he can really sit on that tackle and set the edge. So this is another guy that if I was the Miami Dolphins, I would definitely have on my radar because he's also a guy that's kind of been flown under

the radar a little bit. Then obviously, like he said, if y'all picking that pick one or two, I believe, um, you know, this is kind of a spot where I believe some of those guys will go because they just haven't you know, jumped out a jumped off the screen throughout the drafts. Yeah, definitely, I'm curious see where they go. It could be a position group they feel good about. I mean, Brendan Scarlett also is back, so they've got

depth there and that's kind of the entire roster. But I want to take our last break here and come back on the other side and get even deeper into Day three and pick one guy that you think can be the next either Max Crosby Andrew Van Ginkle. We'll see about that. That's coming up here next on the Drivetime Podcast with Keith Sanchez Travis Wingfield. The Drivetime Podcast

brought to you by Auto Nation. Alright, Keith gave me a couple of names there at pick one oh two, but I want to go even deeper and go back into that. You know, Max Crosby led the NFL last year and quarterback pressures off the edge from Pro Football Focus, we saw Andrew Van Ginkle, a fifth round draft pick here, talked about him a little bit as a guy that came in and made a big production or made a

big impact right away. I should say, just a couple of guys do you think, you know, fifth round, sixth round in that range that you think have a good shot and maybe getting into a program starting off on special teams early on, but eventually developing and carving out roles in the National Football League. Who are a couple of guys late in day three and we we're getting deep into the week. But I'm gonna I'm gonna stay with my thing, right, I'm gonna stable with going with

another Texas and airge rushing. That's gonna be Tyree Robinson. Um, this guy is a really good technician with his hands. I'm showed the ability to the sact the quarterback. This is the guy that just doesn't and we talked about this earlier. Right, he doesn't have the athletic traits because I believe he's probably six to six and fifty pounds maybe, um, so he's not a very big guy. But thinking about it with yeah, Tyree Robinson just showed the ability to

get to the quarterback. He just didn't test really well, but he seemed to be really instinctual. And like I said, I always I rely on the film, and on film, he showed that he can be a productive edge rushing sounds like Texas A and M tape is the place for Dolphins fans and start with that's all the ed drushers are coming from right now. So I appreciate you

getting into the weeds Keith. And you know, the last couple of years, these podcasts or these draft preview podcasts have been a lot of fun for the up top part of the draft, for for our guests and for the Dolphins, because we had eleven picks in the top one hundred the last two years. Zero this year, five more next year. So we'll circle back next year and get some more top of the draft insight from you. But let's go ahead and play a fun game here

to close things up. If if there was one guy and you talked about the fifteen guys that could go off the board before pick one hundred, just at the edge position alone, and let's say this guy is available in that fifties, sixties, seventy five range, and you're sitting there pick one oh one O two for Miami and this guy slides down a little bit and you think, this is my guy. I have to go up and get him. Who is that guy for you? Keith? Oh? Wow, Okay, I like this game. I like this game. I like

this game. Um, I'm gonna go with st edge Rusher. Um, yeah, that's really good man. This guy is two hundred and forty pounds, but he has an elite first step right like he and he showed positional versatility of Pence State. Also, Um, he's kind of like but you know what I told to the guys that Draft network, and we all came up to the inclusion too. But he he's a battler, right like, he really gets after it in a run game. So he's not a guy that really sides away from

holding a point of tech. But he offers you elat edge Russian potential and I think this is another guy that can develop into being a double digit sack guy. That's great stuff right there. So that's that's your your second mid second round all the way through. I guess we went like six seven rounds deep here with key stances at the Draft Network. Keith, I would be remiss if I didn't ask you. This is kind of a bonus question. This is away from the draft and away

from the edge position. But you were on that twenty nineteen l s U Tigers team. Did you play in that crazy, crazy game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Yeah, I was there that that Alabama game. We went to Alabama and we upset them. Yes, I was there. Um, that's probably gonna go down as one of the you know, best college football games in history. But man, it was.

It was really exciting. Okay, So what I'm curious about is, you know, we have our quarterback and one of our top receivers was on that team in two a tongue of Blowa and Jalen Waddle. I was just curious, Uh, if you wouldn't mind telling us about how you guys approached those two guys and just want you kind of like how you coached the defense in a way and saying like, hey, we have to watch out for this guy, this guy because of X, X, Y and Z. Can

you tell us a little bit about that? Yeah, So starting starting with with with two, I mean, we knew that tour was special, right, um, and I think we had the perfect game plan. We we had to just try to get on top of him early. I mean, you know, he had a you know, an unfortunate play and I think it was a couple of turnovers in the first half. But in the second half you really seen who Tour could be. And that's what was like, Okay, this was the tour that we were you know expecting. Um,

So really what we just tried to do. Man, we was trying to pressure him as much as possible. But we also knew that were Burns too, because I mean they had a BeVier weapons. Are you talking about the Vonte Smith Like you said, Jail and Wilder, They had Nagy Harris coming out of the backfield. So man, it was really one of those situations where you you you you dropped a game plan and you said, you know what,

let's go into it and let's figure it out. But the biggest thing you just have to be willing to adjust. So and I thought that that was a really good talented offense and we were just a taln went to defense and it just became a shootout um on both sides of the football. So, man, I have a lot of respect for to attacking below as a quarterback. That was my favorite college game I ever watched. It was so much fun. There was so much NFL talent on the field that day. And you know, you talk about

the second half to I had. There was a play where he had a dummy call and it got it got Derek Stinguly sleeping on the outside. They got a deep ball on him. That was one of the times where I was like, Wow, two was this This is impressive stuff for the for the mental side of it. But you guys fought back and got that win, So congrats on that. In the National Championship again so too. I had a big game there unfortunately in the loss there for the Crimson Tide, but also Jillen Waddle I

think had a big play on special teams. But what did you guys see from Waddle and how did you kind of prepare for him going into that week? Yeah? Man, Jen, and he was who he thought he was right, just an explosive, dynamic playmaker. Um. And if you give this guy any crease, he's gonna take it and then he's gonna make you pay for it. So yeah, I believe it was a punt return um and and that kind of started the momentum for them coming back because you believe we were on top of him, had of me,

and then this guy returned that point. And I'll tell you that just being in person on the sideline watching it, that guy just moves at a different speed and and you know it, like when he when he braced that first wave with the defenders, like he knows it too, right, Like in in real time and he just turns on

the Jets and and that's a rap. So, man, I when a Dolphins got him last year, I'm like, man, they got a special dynamic playmaker and he defies the hype limit right because this is a guy that plays big and he knows how to use his height and bury his different situations. So this is a true playmaker that I had much respect for, Keith and on video. But I have the biggest smile on my face right now because he's my favorite player. I just you talk about the way he moves. It's it's so different than

what I'm used to seeing. And now I get a chance this year at training camp to watch him and Tyreek Hill do it together. Oh man, I'm so pumped up. And I'm just I love that you mentioned that because I say it to anybody that will hear me say it. This guy moves differently than anybody else I've ever seen.

So good stuff, Keith. I appreciate him man at the Talent code on Twitter as his name, senior NFL Draft analysts for the Draft Network, Keith, I appreciate your time so much today, Man, love what you guys doing at the Draft Network. Keep it up. We'll talk to you soon. Man. All right, thanks man, And there he goes. How about

a little bit of bonus. They're talking about that legendary Alabama L s U game, and I'll have to get Keith back on talk more about some of his experiences against some of the players here on this Dolphins roster back in those college days and kind of revisit how they've gotten to this point of their National Football League career.

So more good stuff there from the Draft Network. Appreciate his time, and let's go ahead and keep this thing rolling along the defensive line with another Draft Network draft expert, Carmen Vitality and joining me now is senior NFL reporter and managing editor for the Draft Network. Her second appearance here on the Drivetime podcast, Carmen Vitally, Carmen, are you feeling better? Yes? Mostly? And hopefully I look I can look the part, even if I'm not quite feeling the part.

But now I'm good. I whatever this is that's going around, it's not fine. It's like the like, yeah, exactly, because a couple of weeks ago, and if you go back to a couple of my podcasts, you can tell that I was really really Jordan's games sixing it giving myself some credit there, but I was definitely fighting through it trying to get get the damn podcast out. But I appreciate you healing up and getting back here. So you were questionable, but now you're you're you're ready to go

for game time. So I wanted to start here because your Twitter bio, Carmen really interests me for two reasons. Number one, NFL reporter and managing editor at t d N. And then two, I love that you referenced the XS and o's in your bio. Can you tell me why they haunt you? And then also I was curious about your role as an NFL reporter for a draft site that just keeps growing and getting bigger every single year. Well, so the first part of my bio the Axes and

as they haunt Me. It's actually a tribute to an l King song and she's talking about her and and all of that kind of stuff. And I because it's one of my favorite songs, she's one of my favorite artists, um, and so I just brought it into We love a wordplay. We love a word play. As writers, we love wordplay. UM.

So that's that's the answer on that one. I'm not sure how many people end up getting it, but for those that do, I've gotten called out on Twitter a couple of times, like I love the l Kaning reference, love it, but no, it is You're right, there's a there's a different kind of dichotomy about being an NFL reporter for a site that's called the Draft Network. Um, but that is a indicative of where this company is going, and that's why I was so excited to join and

kind of get in at this stage. Um, there's just so many good things coming up at the Draft Network. But we are expanding our NFL coverage in general. So I mean, I think it's all complimentary, right. You know, you're talking about the draft because you want to know

how these guys are going to do in the league. Well, if you if you want to know how they're gonna do in the league, you want to keep up with them in the league, and you want to keep up with league trends and news and all that kind of stuff. So I have a pretty much exclusively NFL background working with the Buccaneers for six years I was I did work in UH when I was an undergraded airs in the state. I worked with the football team there, so

that was my college experience. But I've always been very NFL oriented, and so it's really cool to be able to now kind of push t dn's content into more and I felt coverage on top of draft coverage. We're just we're giving you all the things, all the things. We love, all the things. And you know, I'm good friends with Kyle, so he kind of he clues me

on some things without giving out too much information. But I'm excited for you guys because it looks like a lot of fun and some of the video content we captured at the combine, kind of watching you guys do your thing there was really cool to see too, So I'm excited to see that all come out here eventually in the future. But you also mentioned your time with the Buccaneers, and you've got yourself a championship ring Carmen working. They're good for you. That's gotta be awesome and cool

to show off to your friends and family. But that was a team that you know, Tom Brady obviously had a big part of that, without question. Rob Bronkowski the offense, but defensively, you know, they drafted so well in the secondary. They loaded up up front, and that's where I want to talk today with you about the defensive tackles and just looking back at that team, Vita Vea and donmin Con, Sue,

Steve McClendon, uh Nunez Roachez as well. How important do you think that is for a championship team to have four guys on your defensive interior that can kind of take over a game and really just solidify that part of the football field. Well, that's what was so important, and actually we saw it kind of firsthand because of the fact that Vito was out for fifteen games that season. He returned in the NFC Championship, played of the team's defensive snaps in that game, and then was taken off

the injury report entirely for the Super Bowl. So the thing about that defense, and the thing about Todd Bowls is defenses in general, they start up front. Everything starts up front, Everything starts with stopping the run. And that year the box were the best, had the best run defense in the country pretty much because of those four guys that you're talking about, And also there was a constant rotation because you know, Todd runs a base three, four and there. You even left out Will Galston, who

is just which I mean everyone does. It's not even you,

it's like literally everyone does. And I made it a mission of mine while I was there to make sure that like Will was getting his due, because not only was he kind of known for being this run stuffer, he led the team in quarterback hits that year, even on top of the Dominican sue, uh, and on top of the guys on the outside, on top of the linebackers, everybody, So everything ran through that defensive front and the fact that they were able to have this rotation and kept

all these guys fresh, and that's what really helped them. And I think that that's just such a good mentality to have, um and especially when you have a guy like Vita who's like one of those certified nose tackles that just eats up so much space and so many blockers. Uh, you have no choice was double him. But then it's like you're left within Dominican sue. You're left with Will goals and your left with Roach a super clindent Like you can't win as an offensive line against these guys.

And and that was what that defense was so good at is just forcing you into these situations that were no win for you exactly, and they've been doing it for a couple of years now. Remember last of the Dolphins went into that game and we we talked about it on the preview podcast about how like, I mean, you need to run the football to keep keep the defense honest, but you're probably not going to have success doing it. And that was certainly the case in that

game and all year long for that Buccaneers defense. And the reason I bring it up here on Dolphins podcast is because I think that, you know, not necessarily a player for player comparison, but I think it is translatable. Here's what the Dolphins have on their defensive interior. And I would probably say the way you talk about William Golson's way I talk about Zack Seelert does not get

nearly enough credit, but he's a great football player. But between him, Christian Wilkins, Ray Kwon Davis, Adam Butler, they're just they're loaded, they're deep. They brought back John Jenkins and Benito Jones up there, and I think for this defense, it really helps them win the early downs to then create those opportunities to rush the quarterback on those thirdin longs and that's how the Dolphins defense has been so

good for the last couple of years. But with that in mind, you're always looking to improve your football team. And I wanted to ask you about some of the draft draftball players here at this defensive tackle position and just looking at t d n's big board, Travis Jones is fifty one. Then we go all the way to until your next into your defensive lineman. But then there are six defensive tackles in those next sixties spots, and I was curious, is there a guy in that position

that you're partial to that we should know about? Who do you like in that range of the rap for the ideal? Yeah, I and that right. I really like John Ridgeway. He's a guy out of Arkansas. Um. He was a transfer from Illinois State. And I'm actually from Chicago brother went to Illinois State, so that kind of

was why I noticed him. I think, Um, but you know, he is like he's that true kind of nose guy like we were just we were just talking about UM and I think that that's so important because the just to relate it back to what I was talking about with the Bucks and BAA like Vita was missing for a good chunk of that season, and the difference that the Bucks like gave up as far as one like rushing yards per play all that other stuff. It was incredible the impact that just one man could make, one

man in that position in particular. So I think that that's really important to solidify. So I really like, I really like him. Um, I really do like Federia, But I mean, Faria Mathis is a guy from Alabama, and like I know, he's he's kind of ranked farther farther to but I do also think that you have to take into account the sample size of you know, his body of work and then what like what he's going against on a consistent basis, and the fact that he was able to hold up. I don't think that that's

not you know, that's not for nothing. Um. And I think that we're, you know, we're used to just kind of these like flashy impact Alabama players. But he's a good player, and he played on a good team and he played against good teams. So you know, he's not really getting a lot of buzz, and I get it, he's got some things to work on in some concerns, But yeah, I think those two guys down kind of in that in that range, I would I wouldn't mind

on my football team. I think if you put for dairy mathis next to ray Kwon Davis, that would be the equivalent of having like a ptero dactyls wingspan you're on your defensive line, because both of those guys are to the longest players that I've ever seen come out of the college program. And of course they both come out of Alabama, so a good company there, and like you mentioned, Albam was always a good place to go to to get your pros from there. There there prepared

as well as anybody. But so we have that pick one or two and then pick then a bit of a break to our next pick, all the way into the seventh round. So I wanted to kind of get into the weeds here as you've been doing these draft preview podcasts and talk about some Day three guys, and you know, this is a position that I think maybe gears more towards a potential Day three or U d

f A edition if you go in that direction. So who do you have in that Day three gems list on the interior defensive line if you've got them I'm not sure if Thomas Booker will slide from from Stanford. I don't know if he's gonna end up being the Day two or Day three guy. He probably will be top of the Day three guy. Um, but he was he ran about a four night five forty at the Combine. Guys just extremely athletic and you know that he's smart

if you went to Stanford. But I think that that's really important though, And I don't think that these guys up don't get enough credit for how just you know, the football like you that they need to have UM and especially with you know, figuring out how to play um on these offensive lines and when they're doing so many more different things now and diagnosing what's about to

happen UM. I think that that's kind of fallen, not only on the linebackers at the second level, but now you've got these guys up front that that are on that having to be on the same page. So I like him. Christopher Hinton out of Michigan, as much as that pains me. UM not a huge Michigan But that being said, Michigan defense is usually you know, they're they're pretty solid, you guys. I like defensive linement out of the Midwest. I think any alignment out of the Midwest

between offensive line and defensive line. I'm kind of partial too as well. UM yeah, yeah, yeah, so I I will I will overcome my Michigan um bias because I do think he's he's a great player too. That that makes a lot of sense. I I I there's always a guy from the Midwest who's a defensive tackle, who was like a five A state champion, who just comes in and whips asked right away. In the NFL, it happens every single year, So I'll probably see the again this year. But you give us the day three gems.

They're conversely and you know I mentioned Travis Jones, and you get into you know, whether or not you want to call like a Perry On Winfree, a defensive tackle, defensive end. You know, this Dolphins defense is so multiple that guys play kind of both those spots. One of the questions I've asked everybody on this on these podcasts, because the Dolphins don't pay the top one, if there was a player in this position group that you were going to pound the table four. Let's say he falls

into the fifties sixty range. And you're like, we have to go up and get this defensive tackle. Is there a guy on the board that you would pound a table for to go up and use future draft capital to trade up for and go get Yeah, I mean I think that I'm still trying to figure out you said him, he said his name, but Erry on Wind for if he if he ends up falling, I'm I'm

still just not sure who he is. Right. We saw one body of work of him at Oklahoma, and you watch his tape and like it's a little bit inconsistent. There are some current concerns there, and then he comes to the Senior Bowl against top talent and then just shreds it like he was. He was the game m

v P. He was great all week in practice. Um, you know, I was there in mobile and I feel like every other time I was looking up, I was like, oh you kid, you know, And I'm like you when you noticed him right away and he just so I'm you have to figure out which guy he is. Um. I'm usually more inclined to believe the tape because of the fact that that's you know, more like you've got

a bigger sample size there. But I mean, there's something to be said about just hit like his performance and just how big and wonderful it was UM at the Senior Bowl. So I think that he's got a lot of good tools. He's very athletic. UM. We got to talk to him at the combine at the podium sessions, and despite the fact that he actually ended up putting me in my place about some Chicago greats. Uh, he's

from the West side of Chicago. And he was wearing twenty three on his combine that was his combine number, and I was like, Hey, is that extra special to you? And he goes, yeah, Lebron's my favorite player. And I'm like, it's not where I was going, but where different, different generation and old. But despite that, he was great, and you know he he gets it from a pro perspective. And I've talked I've actually talked to some of his coaches at Oklahoma and they said, you know, he's a

great kid. He works hard, he studies. You know, he can translate at the next level. UM, if he is put in the right situation, think he would make a bunch of sense. For the simple fact that he he did play all over the defensive line there, and he talked a little bit about his favorite position, but that versatility goes so far in this league, but also with the Miami Dolphins as well. Carmen, it's a it's a deep position for us, and you know, only four draft picks.

That's all I got for you. Senior NFL reporter and managing editor at the Draft Network at KRMI V on Twitter, Carmen Vitality, thank you again so much for your time. And I hope you feel better and know you're you're getting better, but I hope you get even better than what you are right now. Thanks so much. Good to be here. I hope to see against soon. And there

she goes Carmen Vitality. The Draft Network well represented on this edition of the Drivetime Podcast, giving us the skinny on the defensive tackle and defensive edge position uh in this upcoming draft class. They covered as well as anybody, and they gave us all kinds of names to look for on Day two and Day three and even into U d f A as well. So that's gonna be my time on this edition of the Drivetime Podcast. We're

gonna have a busy week next week. Shows every single day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then I believe our draft recaps on Saturday and Sunday, So busy busy week here on the Drivetime podcast. In the meantime, you all please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Leave us a rating, leave us a review. You can follow me on Twitter at Wingfield NFL, follow the team at Miami Dolphins. Check out the fish Tank podcast with Seth and o J and our weekly Twitter Spaces show

every Wednesday at eight o'clock pm. You can check out the YouTube channel for Dolphins Today and all of our media availabilities, and last but not least, Miami Dolphins dot com. Until next time finds up Caroline Daddy's Coming Home