2012 NFL Draft: Dontari Poe

As the season ends and the NFL Draft nears, we are going to see an enormous amount of mock drafts going out online. None of them are ever completely right, but it’s intriguing to see how experts (and ordinary people) feel about certain players and determine what each teams’ needs are.

Rotoworld senior editor Evan Silva and draft expert Josh Norris have combined to put out their first mock draft of the draft season. In this rendition, they have our beloved Tennessee Titans taking Dontari Poe, defensive tackle from Memphis. As they point out, while Poe’s stats won’t attract those who are number-centric, he is a huge clogger in the middle of the defensive line. At 6’5 and 350 pounds, Poe might help the Titans fill the spot that Albert Haynesworth left so lonely, three years ago.

While defensive tackle isn’t the Titans’ biggest need, building on one of our best units from a year ago may benefit the team in the long term, and even in the short term. Pressure up the middle leads to opportunities for the Defensive Ends, and in turn for the Defensive Backs. Not to mention clogging up the running game, which makes it easier for the Linebackers. Pair Poe with standout rookies Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug from a year ago, and that may form one of the best DT units in the NFL.

Wes Bunting, who is the director of college scouting for the National Football Post (NFP), had some tidbits today on Poe.

"“One of the toughest prospects to evaluate this year is #Memphis DT Dontari Poe, elite physical specimen, want to see him play harder tho”“#Memphis DT Dontari Poe is a first round talent with mid round type play too often, but the upside is tremendous in both 34 and 43 front”"

The inconsistency issues and motor questions might scare some away, and rightfully so. Haynesworth was the epitome of a guy who didn’t give it his all because he just didn’t want to. But if Poe has the ability to become what Haynesworth was in that 2008 season, then taking a chance on him should be welcomed.

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