I am with you on Brad looking hard at CB. By the looks of things, we almost drafted a CB in the 1st round twice last year. And we traded up to grab one in the 2nd round. I think Cooper DeJean will be one of our top rated prospects at any position. So if Brad see’s a reasonable price to pay to go get him, he will probably do it. Kamari Lassiter (Georgia) reminds me of Witherspoon, who we wanted last year. He is a middle class man’s version of him, not a clone. I think both will be in Brad’s head while he is forming his draft strategy.
You guys could be right… Alim was a linebacker in high school. He claims he played at 305 last year… 295 might just unleash the beast with Reader beside him.
Playing him at nose tackle never made sense to me with his background at FB and linebacker. Also Alim TD catch coming soon in the goalline package.
Being a NT goes back to how easily he puts on weight and still remains athletic. That allows him to get into the 340 to 350 range and still move like a legit athlete. He definitely didn’t play at 305 last year, not matter what was claimed. I believe he was around 320-325. He started lower and gained weight during the season.
I think he needs to play in that 305 range. I think the ship has sailed on him playing at 295 due to the amount of muscle mass he has gained while playing significantly heavier.
Seriously though the difference between 295 and 305 is a massive dump and some extra salt water or depletion. Smashing carbs and water works very well. Never weighed a pound over 230 in college until I needed to make weight… hit 240 with ease every time.
Could lose close to 15 using the sauna… problem is dying. So trend lightly.
Vita Vea is getting 17 a year.
Arik Armstead is 14.5 a year.
Cameron Hayward is 16.5 a year.
I realize the cost of IDL is on a drastic rise but I do not think McNeil is consistent enough to be anywhere near the top.
Everyone is expecting a huge jump in his production because of Reader. Obviously playing next to Reader will make him a better player. But …. I think that shows McNeil isn’t in the same category as Reader.
I hope to see Holmes play money ball here just like he did at OG and Jackson.
He was 23 last year, couldn’t it be that he simply was a young player improving?
It’s not like he’s a 27-28 year old who finally broke out after years of mediocrity. He’s a very young 3rd year player, it could very well just be natural progression. Maybe he regresses back to being just a run stuffer next season but his arrows have been nothing but pointing up.
With that said, it’s probably too early to give him the big extension. It’s always difficult to project players that can easily put on a lot of weight if he they have even a slight slip up in their training regiment so I think it’s prudent to let him prove it before paying him and if he breaks out even further so he it and pay him or make a decision on what to do with him if he’s too pricey. Personally, I err on the side of identifying young core players early and paying them before the breakout but right now, they have bigger fish to fry.
I think it’s pretty close to his value. OTC projected $10M/1yr, Spielberger had him at $45M/3yr, another had him at $26M/2yr . . . $22M/2yr is in the ball park with those. I’m not sure how much, if any, discount he took.
I don’t think it is team friendly. That’s my point. There’s a lot of solid DT’s playing at the 10-15 mil range and I don’t think McNeil has been consistent enough to garner wages higher than Reader. He’s streaky.
Fans, media and so-called experts are saying McNeil should be better next to Reader not that Reader should be better next to McNeil. That tells you Reader is a better DT (which everyone knows). So why do Lions fans think he will garner 20+ mil?
McNeil will need to make some big strides this year to warrant a contract like that next year.
The best DT McNeil has played alongside was a washed up Michael Brockers. That’s why people are saying McNeil will be better. Reader is a true NT that will require two bodies on him more often than not because of his size/strength.
Reader is currently the better DT as well and if he wasn’t coming off injury and going on 30, he probably would’ve got 20mil+ AAV.
McNeil has been on a steady upward trajectory. I remember an interview last year with either Campbell or Glenn where they mentioned
McNeil was playing at a pro bowl level prior to his injury.
Before going down, McNeill was having one of the better seasons by a defensive tackle. McNeill’s run defense grade of 77.9 ranks fifth among all defensive tackles, per Pro Football Focus. He was on pace for roughly 47 pressures, which, to put into context, would’ve ranked 10th among defensive tackles a year ago. He’s taken a step forward in both aspects of his responsibilities, leading to an all-around game and a breakout year
McNeill’s was one of the best DT’s in football pressuring the QB on a per game basis. He changed his body composition with the plan to move to 3T but he still played a lot of NT because the other NT’ just weren’t that good. McNeill was dominant in the NFC Championship game.
With Reader he can play more 3T.
As for pay take a look at Justin Madubuike. He figured it out in year 3 and blew up in year 4 and got paid.
McNeill is on a similar career arch. He probably won’t get 13 sacks but I could see him getting 10 with Reader next to him, better CB play and overall defense.
It’s hard to find pass rushing DT’s. They are far more rare, impactful, and difficult to find than edge rushers so all get paid very well.
Exactly what I was gonna say. Alim has played beside Benito Jones, Buggs and washed up old man Brockers in his career. Reader could make a huge difference for him. The whole front 7 will benefit greatly if Reader gets healthy. He’s a problem in the middle.
If we dont pay McNeill now we will regret it in December for sure. Huge games upcoming - if Davenport could stay healthy (doubtful) we dont need any coverage.
McNeil is on an upward trajectory (I Agree) but I wouldn’t call it steady. He’s inconsistent. He has large stretches where he disappears too. He has some nice highlights but to get 20+ mil he would need to show a lot more high level consistency.
