While analysts lament the dearth of quality offensive lineman in the NFL, there is an embarrassment of riches just inches away on the other side of the trenches. There are too many good defensive lineman in the NFL. A year ago, known commodities in Dontari Poe and Johnathan Hankins sat on the market past the first wave of free agency simply because the supply at their position was greater than the demand.

Bennie Logan fell victim to that problem, declining a big-money extension with the Eagles a year ago to cash in during free agency. He was met with a one-year, prove-it deal withhis former coach, Andy Reid, in Kansas City. He’s set to hit the market again after an underwhelming year with the Chiefs. Logan played the majority of snaps in Kansas City as both nose-shade and true nose tackle in a 3-4 front. He played some snaps at 3-tech, although he was less effective there. He has a heavy body with a thick frame and below average athletic ability with adequate explosion, balance, and quickness.

Positives

Logan plays with good pad level that allows him to stack in the A-gap and stalemate double teams when he’s in position. He possesses good upper and lower body strength and flashes the ability to get underneath average lineman’s pads and bench press them to hold extension as a two-gap defender. He can occasionally lower his pad level to slip past down blocks and through double teams. He knows how to get through cleanly against cut blocks.

When he’s in position, Logan has shown solid ability to collapse the pocket. When he wins the chest, he can press the pocket against lesser offensive lineman with feet that never stop. He has the explosion and wherewithal to get his hand into the throwing lanes when he can’t get to the quarterback. His motor never stops and he has the pursuit ability to chase backs to the sideline on screens and blow up outside runs from the backside when he gets penetration.

Negatives

Logan is heavy footed off the ball and lacks the lateral and upfield quickness to be a consistent penetrator. He’s consistently crossed by centers from nose-shade or tackles from 3-tech on reach blocks. He shoots his hands wide and often late to frequently lose the chest against most lineman. When he loses his chest, he is easily moved off the ball by stronger guards on all blocks and loses ground against doubles. When he’s lost the matchup, he’ll often give up on the play and stop his feet.

As a pass rusher, Logan fails to knock aside a guard’s punch with his hands due to inconsistent placement with his swats and swipes. He doesn’t rush with a consistent plan and is limited to strictly winning by converting to power. His attempts at finesse moves are dangerously ineffective.

Projection

You can never have enough serviceable defensive lineman.  Everyone has to come off the field at some point, so the Lions would be wise to continue to seek depth for their front. Logan projects as a rotational nose shade that can hold up against the run against solid lineman and is a capable two-gap player. He would be a nice low-money addition on a short term contract.

Grade: 4.00 (Role Player You Can Win WIth)