2011 NFL Draft: Rounds 4-7

[Hail to the Redskins]

NT Neild...

When a 3-4 nose tackle is doing his job correctly, few people will notice because they tend to spend time eating up blocks instead of chasing the ball. But Big East coaches noticed Neild's ability to eat up blocks to free up linebackers in the WVU 3-3-5 defense during his senior season, naming him first-team all-conference despite making only 35 tackles, four for loss and 3.0 sacks.

It was the second consecutive year Neild received accolades with paltry statistics; his second-team all-conference junior season saw him make only 35 tackles, two for loss. His most productive season statistically was his sophomore year (45 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks), the first season he was the starting nose tackle after contributing as a redshirt freshman (13 tackles, 0.5 sack).


Most people associate the 3-4 nose tackle with a wide body like Ted Washington or Vince Wilfork. But Pittsburgh and Baltimore have relied on somewhat smaller pluggers like Chris Hoke and Kelly Gregg in the middle of their defenses. Neild fits that mold to a tee, making him a likely late-round pick who expects to play for a long time.