Dont'a Hightower: What's the story?

[RugbyMuffin]

6'4" 260 lbs

Runs about a 4.7, in the 40.

Can play inside or outside in a 3-4.

I cannot see why the Cardinals would not have him on the radar at #13. Yes, I know the Cardinals NEED a OT, and NEED a WR.

But, talking about fit, and BPA, he should be in the discussion in my opinion. 6'4" 260 lb linebackers that have experience, and the ability to play ILB or OLB in a 3-4 don't grow on trees.

The thought of having Washington and Hightower as you ILB is a nice balance, IMO.

Just a thought after watching him play last night.

Also, Nick Johnson, OLB, looked very good last night (as did the whole defense of course) and he could be had in the later rounds.

 

[WarnerHOF]

Because one must also question about how much his success can attributed to his scheme and dominant defensive line.

Also, there is no way Hightower runs a 4.7, he is as slow as most offensive lineman from what I've seen and that is going to be exposed in the NFL especially with how passing orientated it has become.

LBs have become dime a dozen too, look at some of the best LBs in the league and you'll see the majority have been drafted after the first round which puts even less value on the position in the draft.

So yeah, Hightower doesn't deserve much hype since he will only be two down ILB at best in the NFL and you don't pick two down ILBs in the first round.

 

[MoeIsBetter]

Also, there is no way Hightower runs a 4.7, he is as slow as most offensive lineman from what I've seen and that is going to be exposed in the NFL especially with how passing orientated it has become.

I'm not advocating drafting him at 13, but many people said the same about Brandon Spikes and he's been as solid as it comes for the Pats. Great run stuffer. The difference in the two is Hightower is way bigger.

My issue is the major knee surgery he's had. If everyone else we wanted was gone, I'd be ok with this pick. But I highly doubt everyone else on our board will be gone at that point.

 

[az jam]

He sure helped his draft value if he comes out. He is a redshirt junior while Courtney Upshaw is a senior. Upshaw will most likely go in the top 15 picks while the draft analysts show Hightower in the early 2nd round. That can change.

 

[Russ Smith]

Don't like Upshaw, overrated plays too upright and doesn't seem explosive.

 

[az jam]

Don't like Upshaw, overrated plays too upright and doesn't seem explosive.

I was more impressed with Hightower in the game than Upshaw but my track record on successful draft picks is pathetic.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Don't like Upshaw, overrated plays too upright and doesn't seem explosive.

Well, I noted a guy who is stout against the run and pursues well towards the sideline. Having one of those at SOLB is OK by me.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Because one must also question about how much his success can attributed to his scheme and dominant defensive line.

Also, there is no way Hightower runs a 4.7, he is as slow as most offensive lineman from what I've seen and that is going to be exposed in the NFL especially with how passing orientated it has become.

LBs have become dime a dozen too, look at some of the best LBs in the league and you'll see the majority have been drafted after the first round which puts even less value on the position in the draft.

So yeah, Hightower doesn't deserve much hype since he will only be two down ILB at best in the NFL and you don't pick two down ILBs in the first round.

Given that there are only 32 slots in the first round, it goes almost without saying that some of the best would come from later rounds.

 

[Bodha]

We dont remotely need an ILB. Behind Dline and RB, its one of our least needs.

We have a major need at almost every other position, why dont we focus on those.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

We dont remotely need an ILB. Behind Dline and RB, its one of our least needs.

We have a major need at almost every other position, why dont we focus on those.

Drafting for need ? Why don't we focus on it ?

Levi Brown
Antrel Rolle
Alan Branch
etc.
etc.

I am not a fan of drafting for need. You usually get a sub-par players, and continue to have the need you tried to fill with it.

 

[PoolBoy]

in what world do we NOT need an ILB? yes. draft hightower. he's been my favorite player in NCAA since his freshman year. dudes a beast.

 

[Buckybird]

Drafting for need ? Why don't we focus on it ?

Levi Brown
Antrel Rolle
Alan Branch
etc.
etc.

I am not a fan of drafting for need. You usually get a sub-par players, and continue to have the need you tried to fill with it.

Rudgby, you left out the great Wendall Bryant, Cody Brown, Tommy Knight, Levar Fisher & Ray Thompson

 

[Goldfield]

Drafting for need ? Why don't we focus on it ?

Levi Brown
Antrel Rolle
Alan Branch
etc.
etc.

I am not a fan of drafting for need. You usually get a sub-par players, and continue to have the need you tried to fill with it.

Yup, freeagency is for need. The draft is a crapshoot, the best approach is BPA in order to improve the overall talent on the team. If you do this than there will be less holes to fill in the future.

 

[Stout]

in what world do we NOT need an ILB?

Seriously! We have D. Wash at one starting slot, a really aging Lenon at the other one, a probably-bust Bradley as one backup, and Sturdivant on the practice squad that may, someday, hopefully, if God is good, develop into a roster spot holder, and...squat else.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Also, there is no way Hightower runs a 4.7, he is as slow as most offensive lineman from what I've seen and that is going to be exposed in the NFL especially with how passing orientated it has become.

At this point I can name 13 players I would rather see drafted by the Cardinals, but this guy is going to be a very good player in NFL, IMHO. And.......

Officially ran a 4.68.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dont'a-hightower?id=2533057

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[joeshmo]

My favorite LB in the draft. He is a team leader and leader of one of the best collegiate D’s of all time. His D line while would have been good without him made them even more dominate because he was the one putting them in place during pre-snap reads to be their most successful. Same goes for his LB’s around him. I like guys that make their teammates around them better. He made guys around him better because of his pre-snap instincts and leadership. Comes out of the box already knowing how to play in a 3-4 D and how others around him will play in a 3-4 D. It’s something that will take a normal rookie a few years to learn. An inside LB thumper that can also rush the passer, second on the team in Sacks plus QB Hurries. Not a guy that gets by in coverage because of his athletic ability but because of his smarts and technique. Watch him on tape and the while the pass rush sure did help him in coverage, coaches were still comfortable with having him cover slot receivers, of which did a pretty good job of manning up on them and playing in zone. Because of this kid’s ability to rush the passer from inside or out and his smart play in dropping off into coverage he is definitely more than just a 2 down LB IMO.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

My favorite LB in the draft. He is a team leader and leader of one of the best collegiate D’s of all time. His D line while would have been good without him made them even more dominate because he was the one putting them in place during pre-snap reads to be their most successful. Same goes for his LB’s around him. I like guys that make their teammates around them better. He made guys around him better because of his pre-snap instincts and leadership. Comes out of the box already knowing how to play in a 3-4 D and how others around him will play in a 3-4 D. It’s something that will take a normal rookie a few years to learn. An inside LB thumper that can also rush the passer, second on the team in Sacks plus QB Hurries. Not a guy that gets by in coverage because of his athletic ability but because of his smarts and technique. Watch him on tape and the while the pass rush sure did help him in coverage, coaches were still comfortable with having him cover slot receivers, of which did a pretty good job of manning up on them and playing in zone. Because of this kid’s ability to rush the passer from inside or out and his smart play in dropping off into coverage he is definitely more than just a 2 down LB IMO.

Obviously, I very much agree with you. The guy is not only a 3 down player but can switch between ILB, and OLB at the drop of a hat.

Between

Acho - OLB
Schofield - OLB

Bradley - ILB/OLB
Hightower - ILB/OLB

Washington - ILB
Lenon - ILB

Walker - Special teams

You have a pretty solid, and versitile linebacking core.

But, the current question is, Is Hightower the #13 BPA in the draft at that time ?

I don't know. I am trying to get a top 20 players together, and it has been rough.

 

[joeshmo]

But, the current question is, Is Hightower the #13 BPA in the draft at that time ?

Even though I love the kid, I got to say no.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Simple solution is hope a high value player in a position we don't need falls to 13, and we get to pick up a 2nd rounder.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Simple solution is hope a high value player in a position we don't need falls to 13, and we get to pick up a 2nd rounder.

He will not make it past the Ravens, Pats, or Giants in the first round. IMHO, of course.

 

[kerouac9]

Given that there are only 32 slots in the first round, it goes almost without saying that some of the best would come from later rounds.

You might say this about the quarterback position as well, but nearly all the best quarterbacks in the NFL were chosen among the top 35 picks, and most of them in the top 10.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

You might say this about the quarterback position as well, but nearly all the best quarterbacks in the NFL were chosen among the top 35 picks, and most of them in the top 10.

I wouldn't... simply because the pool of true talent for QB's is much smaller than any other position.

 

[cardsfanmd]

He will not make it past the Ravens

this.

 

[Pariah]

I'm not sure we have a huge need at OLB anymore--and I'm not sure that's where the draft value will be at 13. Could we get better? Hell yes. But, I think the draft projects for better intersections of need and value than OLB.

Acho and Scho look to be growing into at least servicable starters and I think Haggans will be back as an effective spot player.

I think there's a very good chance that our selection at 13 is one of these guys:

OG -DeCastro
OT - Martin, Reiff
ILB - Keuchly

 

[Monty]

I've been a big fan of D. Hightower since his injury shortened freshman year (see post below about my thoughts of him back in 2010).

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2213588&postcount=54

This kid is a stud right now but I wouldnt take him at #13 since I think there are going to be more valuable players available at that spot. If we traded back to around the 20th pick I wouldnt hesitate to take him though.