WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Tim Settle, NT, Virginia Tech

Ed “Pi Double i” Henderson

WorldWide Rams

Who is the 6-foot-4-335 pound, Tim Settle?
The 6-foot-3 Settle of Virginia Tech declared for the NFL Draft forgoing his final two years of eligibility. In his lone year as a starter, the red-shirt sophomore led the ACC with 12.5 tackles for loss. A bit raw at the position, but has the potential in becoming one of the games most notorious defensive lineman.

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Tim Settle’s Highlights

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Strengths
With such a huge body, he has the athletic ability of a defensive edge rusher. He can hold his point of attack and complete the process of stuffing the run. He fights through double teams and has the ability to split the blockers to make tackles. Has cat-like reflexes and has the ability to get up the field, and able to chase down the ball carrier, or make sacks from the interior of the defensive line. Superb with low penetration that allows him to get underneath the blocker to stuff short yardage runs.

Just a red-shirt sophomore, Settle recorded 36 tackles, impressively recorded 12.5 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks in his only season as a starter. That was good enough to earn him a second-team All-ACC honor as an interior defensive lineman. Capable of playing in both the 3-4 or 4-3 defensive schemes. Has the size to play at the zero to three-technique, and the versatility to line up as a three to five-technique. 
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Weakness
Red-shirted his freshman year, and only have one full season as a starter. Tends to rely on his strength to outmaneuver blockers which may cause him at times to over pursue the ball carrier. Probably could have used one additional season as a starter to have solidified a first-round selection.

Is he a fit for the Rams?
Absolutely! Settle has the size, strength, and flexibility to play all over the defensive line. At 335 pounds, he’s a great run stopper and has the ability to put pressure on quarterbacks. In goal line or short yardage situations, he can disappoint many runners with negative yardage on carries. Settle can help shore up an already great defensive front, but however, with the recent great play of Ethan Westbrook, they can lose him at the end of the season.

Westbrook could be seeking for more playing time as well as money, after ending the season on a high note. Rams are uncertain about the status of defensive lineman Dominique Easley who tore his ACL last season. Last season the Rams placed a first-round tenure on Easley but didn’t find any buyers. Easley is eligible to sign with any team of his choice now that he’s unrestricted free-agent. Definitely look for the Rams to add another defensive lineman, and Settle can be that guy that can play right away.

Imagine Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, and Tim Settle lining up all over the defensive line, teams will have to be concerned of Brockers and Settle while trying to provide double-team blocking schemes on Donald. They will definitely have to account for the three and which side the edge rusher is pursuing.

Rams agreed to terms with All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, now this changes the entire complexity of the defense now with a Settle rotating in the mix. In addition, the Rams and Dominque Easily agreed to terms and will be back on the defensive front to help anchor a great defensive line.

Draft Prediction
2nd - 3rd Round

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NFL Comparison
Chester McGlockton

McGlockton was one of the most difficult defensive tackles to block, in his time, while playing the game. Being matched up with a center or guard one-on-one was like asking the linemen to commit suicide! McGlockton was notorious for barreling through double-team blocks to stuff the run, or had enough speed to get after the quarterbacks. You can see the same exact similarity in Settle, because of his size and strength and his fitness across the O-line.  

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