2018 NFL Draft: Tim Settle Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Virginia Tech’s Tim Settle is a 2018 NFL Draft defensive tackle prospect who has the ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Tim Settle features a thick build and low center of gravity. He’s one of the more intriguing 2018 NFL Draft defensive line prospects in that his style of play doesn’t really matchup with his measurables. Settle is more of a penetrator than a space-eater.
He has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage which helps him initiate contact. Settle also features good snap awareness. This short-area quickness also gives him the ability to shoot the gap.
Settle does a good job work his way into the backfield and using his frame to shorten his route. He flashes the ability to utilize a bull rush and push the pocket. However, he is more of a gap shooter and someone who can penetrate the pocket.
His non-stop motor also plays a major role in his ability to make impact plays.
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This makes Settle a surprising strong pass rusher from the defensive tackle spot. Based on his build, he looks more like someone who would occupy blockers but that just isn’t the case. The truth is that he struggles holding at the point of attack.
Settle has shorter arms and doesn’t typically look to gain inside hands. This allows the blocker to seal him from the play. Settle’s preference to attack the gap also tends to take him from the play on occasion.
In fact, there are plenty of situations where Settle creates running room by working up field. It’s tough to tell whether this is how Virginia Tech wanted him to attack or if it was a case of this being Settle’s best attribute.
Settle is in solid position to hear his name called in the middle of the 2018 NFL Draft. Defensive coordinators are always looking for disruptive defensive linemen. However, he’ll need to improve his ability to anchor against the run if he wants to earn snaps on early downs.