Whether it’s the NFL, American-Russian international diplomacy or simply bonding with your family, it often comes down to one thing: food.
Food is great. I eat some pretty much every day. I highly recommend you try some out.
It just so happens that members of the Los Angeles Rams’ scouting staff are having some food tonight in what is called “dinner” with a 2018 NFL Draft prospect: Virginia Tech NT Tim Settle per Ricky LaBlue of Tech Sideline, an independent website covering the Hokies:
I’ve been told former #Hokies DT Tim Settle is having dinner with the Los Angeles #Rams tonight. Coming off a resurgent Pro Day today.
— Ricky LaBlue (@RickyLaBlue) March 14, 2018
A D.C.-area high school recruit, Settle chose the Hokies over several strong programs including USC. After redshirting his first year in Blacksburg, Virginia, he featured prominently in his RS freshman campaign before breaking out in a big way last season as a redshirt sophomore with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks.
His NFL.com draft profile reads:
STRENGTHS: Accepted his coaches challenge to lose weight and improve conditioning and has done just that. Thick and broad across lower body. Rare agility for a man his size. Plays with infectious energy. Built low to the ground. Blasts out of his stance to capture the neutral zone. Able to play under and through the edge of blockers. Can be destructive along the interior when he has his wind. Power in upper body for quick punch and shed at point of attack. Good pursuit motor around the field. Locates ball early in the snap and plays off blocks to make tackles. Pad level is good. Has ability to penetrate and two-gap. Arm over can get early wins. Legitimate pocket pusher who can force quarterback to throw from unbalanced platform.
WEAKNESSES: Wears bad weight around his midsection. Maintaining weight loss and conditioning could be a concern when he has to become a self-motivator on next level. Playing style is frenetic and leads to balance issues. Over-extends and finds himself on the ground too often. Played in just 23 college games. Can be inconsistent with hand usage. Will need additional technique work to better take on double teams. Moved by down blocks when he doesn’t stay square.
DRAFT PROJECTION: Rounds 1-2
SOURCES TELL US: ”I need to watch him more but Bud (Foster) moved him around and I saw a guy who can play both nose spots, 3 (technique), 4i, and maybe 5. Reminds me of when (Dontari) Poe came out. He ain’t Poe, but he can play all over the line like Poe could.” — AFC defensive line coach
NFL COMPARISON: Vince Wilfork
BOTTOM LINE: Settle has rare gifts for a big man with good mass, play strength, quickness, and agility. His substantial jump in production in 2017 was due to weight loss and additional conditioning that allowed him to play more snaps and play faster. He’s a disruptive, versatile defensive lineman who offers enough pass rush potential to warrant reps on passing downs. Settle is a natural 4-3 fit but can play in a 3-4 as well. He has the potential to become a very good starter with a Pro Bowl ceiling if he controls his weight and maintains his conditioning.
Any time you’re getting compared to Vince Wilfork…yeah, that’s a good thing.
Our own Sosa Kremenjas offered a couple of thoughts on Twitter that never made it to the site here at TST:
If the Rams are looking for a NT (they should be), they should take a look at NT Tim Settle from VT on day 2 or early day 3.
Look at #4. pic.twitter.com/ROMOJu9H18
— Lester P. Snead Jr. (@SosaKre) February 6, 2018