Wes Bunting: Immaturity Could Keep Nick Fairley Out Of The Top-Five

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 20, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in NFL Draft

AUBURN AL - OCTOBER 23: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers sacks quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23 2010 in Auburn Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If you look at the team's roster of defensive tackles, you'll note that while there is a positive youth movement with guys like Geno Atkins and Pat Sims, there seems to be a declining impression with veterans Tank Johnson and Domata Peko; both constantly rated by Pro Football Focus as two of the team's worst rush defenders. Additionally, Peko and Johnson will make a combined $5.15 million in 2011, $5.425 million in 2012 and $5.55 million in 2013. Sims is entering the final year of his rookie contract with $555,000 in base salary due in 2011.

Based on cost against production alone, one has to suspect that Johnson or Peko won't be on the opening day roster in 2011 (whenever that is).

The team looking at Auburn's Nick Fairley or Alabama's Marcell Dareus could just be a matter of due-diligence. Or it could be an indication that the team is seriously considering both defensive tackles. Who knows.

However, Fairley appears to be falling out of the top-five while Dareus is consistently listed as the best defensive tackle prospect.

According to National Football Post's Wes Bunting, Fairley could be kept out of the top five, mostly because of immaturity issues.

Immaturity issues are the one real negative that keep popping up on his front, potentially keeping him out of the top five.

The team taking a defensive tackle in this year's draft shouldn't be surprising, especially if they view that the cost for Tank Johnson and Domata Peko is worth more than their production. In our view, Johnson would be the victim of a cost-savings cut while Peko sticks around.

That also brings another discussion. With Peko, Sims and Atkins, wouldn't drafting a defensive tackle with their fourth overall selection seem very unlikely? Rookie wage scale or not, the fourth overall selection will command money. And unless the team drafts a defensive tackle fourth overall with the intention of starting him, drafting Dareus or Fairley doesn't seem logical.

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Can I also say that too Wes Buntings credit he:

- Says Ponder is the #1 QB
- Julio Jones is the # 1 WR
- His own latest mock draft has Fairley #1 overall.

I like most of Wes’s analysis but he seems like he will just write some things just to stir the pot.

1st round draft wishes.
Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, Nick Fairley or AJ Green!
Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes!

by C Byers on Mar 20, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Wes is a good guy.

I agree with him. Unless Fairley goes to us at 4, he’s not going top 5. I thought this was a common thought by now?

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by Joe Goodberry on Mar 20, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

It is true

I typically do, his mocks I question at time

1st round draft wishes.
Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, Nick Fairley or AJ Green!
Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes!

by C Byers on Mar 20, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

i would take fairly

I think he will bring the swagger and meanness. Him sims and geno would be great on the inside. I want someone on d that will play a little dirty and talk a little smack. I want the james harrison, or ray lewis presence in that sense and think fairly can bring that.

by JCompton41 on Mar 20, 2011 1:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I think Peko and Tank both stay.

Peko because he’s always been a Mike Brown favorite and Tank because he’s still a relatively cheap veteran presence for one more season.

I know all the metrics seem to show Peko as being a weak link on the line, but he doesn’t come across that way when I see him play. His tackle numbers and sacks/pressures aren’t that high, but he consistently draws a double team and he’s still got one of the biggest motors of any DT out there. Atkins isn’t a 3-down player and probably never will be with his size. Hopefully Sims can take start to take a larger role, but I’m still happy with a rotation of Peko/Sims/Tank/Atkins for another year. I think Fairley is overrated and undersized to be the presence everyone is talking about wanting in a star DT. It’s not a position of great need THIS year, so I still say go offense with Green and look for a big man in the early rounds next year – a Terrence Cody type who can chew up a lot of space and free up our speed guys around him.

by eric nyc on Mar 20, 2011 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

I've been hearing a lot lately

that Wes Bunting also has some immaturity issues. What issues? Well, I can’t say, really, just immaturity issues. Oh, and character issues, yeah, character issues, too. I think this is gonna have some effect on his credibility, his falling credibility!

Seriously, the kid is 23 years-old and suddenly his entire life is an open book. Immaturity issues? Gee, ya think? I’d be freaking ecstatic if we managed to draft Fairley at #4.

Actually, I do like Wes Bunting. The criticism is meant towards the media in general and not him specifically.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 20, 2011 10:25 PM EDT reply actions