Baltimore’s defensive line is so deep that who is on the field varies a lot for specific packages, a rarity in today’s NFL with three-down nickel-heavy linemen. When you think of the Ravens’ nickel front, Brandon Williams, one of the league’s best nose tackles, and Michael Pierce, the rare splash undrafted free agent signing, likely come to mind.
In reality, Willie Henry, who plays a 3-technique role for Baltimore, played more snaps for the Ravens than any other defensive lineman in 2017. Henry found himself on the field for 55 percent of Baltimore’s nfl jerseys cheap china defensive snaps even though he only “started” three games last year.
Henry’s penetration-specific role, compared to Williams and Pierce who are mostly run-stuffers, is valuable enough to fit into a lot of sub-packages. Considering Baltimore’s depth at other defensive line roles, he may be missed more than any of the team’s other defensive linemen if he were to miss games for injury.
It’s difficult to find a hidden gem in Buffalo. Their top players are either paid to be top players or were high draft picks. There isn’t a Day 3 pick who emerged as a homegrown rookie contract stud nfl jersey on this Bills roster.
A player who is underappreciated, though, is safety Jordan Poyer. Like fellow safety Micah Hyde, Poyer signed a free-agent contract with Buffalo last offseason. After he posted just 10 starts, two interceptions and six pass deflections in four seasons in Cleveland, Poyer’s first year in Buffalo included career highs of 15 starts, five authentic nfl jerseys interceptions and 13 pass deflections.nfl jerseys
Poyer, Hyde and Tre’Davious White, a first-round rookie cornerback, gave the Bills secondary a facelift in 2017. Poyer’s contribution to that trio should not be overlooked.
Despite playing just 63 offensive snaps in his rookie season, sophomore offensive lineman Taylor Moton is in position to be a major factor for the Carolina Panthers moving forward. Andrew Norwell, a guard who played every offensive snap for Carolina last year, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, opening up a competition for a starting guard slot.
Moton and Amini Silatolu, who played 23 percent of the Panthers’ offensive snaps last year, should be the two top candidates for the opening. Long-term, Moton could push Matt Kalil out of the left tackle slot. Kalil struggled in his first year with Carolina after signing a $55.5 million deal. According to Spotrac, Kalil’s dead cap will be higher than his cap hit until 2020, cheap nfl jerseys china meaning the Panthers have their hands tied until then.
In two years, maybe after seeing some playing time at guard, Moton could kick out to tackle to replace Kalil. We’ve seen the college tackle to starting guard to starting tackle plan in action before in the NFL. Look for Moton to follow a La’el Collins-like path to offensive tackle.
