DE ? to WLB? Thoughts?

[bbriders]

I have a defensive end in a MP league and was wanting some thoughts from more experienced players. He is short at 5'11" and 266 lbs. He is just entering his 5th season. He is rated at an overall of 70 with good bars all the way across. 74 PR Tech. and 78 PR Strength. With the other bars all just under those numbers. He has been creaping since drafted.

I just haven't had the production out of him that I was expecting from a player of this caliber. Is it because he is short? I run a 4-3 but have thought about switching to a 3-4 and moving him to WLB (He would have to lose some weight). His production last year was 6.5 sacks with 19 hurries and the year before 8.5 sacks with 9 hurries. His PR Pct over the last 4 seasons is 5.7. Again I thought he would have more production.

At WLB he looks like he should be 64 PR Tech, and 78 PR Strength. So the big question I am debating is to leave him at DE and stick with the 4-3 or move him to WLB and move to the 3-4 or just trade him? Where would he be of most use? Thoughts? What would y'all do?

[scorp]

PRT is really the more important bar for a WLB although those numbers look good for a WLB.

[lastcat3]

Most people on here have often said that the height and weight matters little and it is the bars that count. Though I'm not sure anyone truly knows for certain.

In anycase how good are your surrounding players on defense? If your other players aren't up to the same caliber it is much easier for opponents to stop him.

[Julio Riddols]

I'd be wary of moving him. My thought is that you would likely get more out of him as a DE, but probably do even better to try and get something good for him in a trade, then use that on a WLB or a DE with better size.

[Julio Riddols]

Successful moves I have seen:

FB->RB
WLB->DE
CB->S
DT->DE
DE->DT
RB->WR
S->SLB
T->C
G->C
C->G
G->T

[lastcat3]

seven to nine sacks a season isn't really that bad and will be on par with most of the good D-linemen in the league . I seldom pay attention to the hurries stat line so don't know what is considered good in that regard.

[Southpaw330]

I regularly move DEs to LB - both inside and outside - and proper weight is the most important factor but bars also play a role. I wouldn't do it after a player's rookie season and I wouldn't do it with a player who has a high PRT bar without a high RD bar. I'm not sure what stage of the season you're currently in but if you're moving him to OLB, try and get his weight down before making the move. That said, given that he's in his fifth year, I really wouldn't try it.

[bbriders]

The surrounding D-Front is okay. The DTs are good to very good with the other DE being just avg. The LBs are all just above avg and the low end of good.
We are at the beginning of FA 1. The draft doesn't have anybody that I feel could replace him. If I was going to move him I would just have him lose some weight in TC and then move him.

So no one has really determined that a Short player doesn't have the production as the avg. player given the same abilities?
I guess 7-9 sacks is on par. I was just hopping for a little more. Guess I really should upgrade my other DE.

Thanks for the input guys.

[tej2101]

I've tried for years to get an "LT" this way and I'm always disappointed. I'd keep him at DE. The only positions that I can consistently change with good results seem to be corner and safety.

For that WLB pass rusher in a 3-4, I've been very successful moving MLB/ILBs to the outside though.

[cuervo72]

seven to nine sacks a season isn't really that bad and will be on par with most of the good D-linemen in the league . I seldom pay attention to the hurries stat line so don't know what is considered good in that regard.

I'd say these days, anything 30+ is really good (from a DE - WLB can put up absolutely silly (http://www.thefofl.com/players/player.php?player=32128) numbers, of course).

I actually really like studly DE; have a couple in FOFL (we're an odd team that still runs a 4-3), and have lead the league in PA the last couple of seasons (250 and 220, of course that 220 was tied with the aforementioned silly LB's team)