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Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
One thing Steelers fans coast to coast can all agree on this offseason is WE NEED ILBs.
I'm just going to start putting players names out there. Hopefully over the next couple weeks we can match those names with insights, stats, and some form of ranking system for draftabilty. Highlights and actual game tape would be awesome too. What else do we have to do from now until April? Football-wise that is.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
I'll start the list off with the 10 most well known names.
Roquan Smith, GA. 6'1" - 225lbs
Career stats at Ga:
28 games played. 232 total tackles. 19 tackles for loss. 3 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 3 fumbles recovered. 6.5 sacks
Rashaan Evans, Bama. 6'3" - 234lbs
Career stats at Bama:
42 games played. 150 total tackles. 23.5 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 2 forced fumbles. 2 fumbles recovered. 15 sacks.
Tremaine Edmunds, VT. 6'5" - 250lbs
Career stats at VT:
32 games played. 213 total tackles. 33 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 10 sacks.
Malik Jefferson, TX. 6'3" - 240lbs
Career stats at Tx:
34 games played. 231 total tackles. 26 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 2 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 13 sacks.
Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State. 6'4" - 240lbs
Career stats at Boise State:
28 games played. 188 total tackles. 13 tackles for loss. 6 passes defensed. 4 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 5 sacks.
Micah Kiser, UVA. 6'2" - 240lbs
Career stats at Virginia:
47 games played. 408 tackles. 33.5 tackles for loss. 12 passes defensed. 8 forced fumbles. 6 fumbles recovered. 19 sacks
Josey Jewell, Iowa. 6'2" - 236lbs
Career stats at Iowa:
49 games played. 433 total tackles. 28 tackles for loss. 26 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 2 fumbles recovered. 10 sacks.
Jerome Baker, Ohio State. 6'1" - 225lbs
Career stats at Ohio State:
29 games played. 159 total tackles. 17.5 tackles for loss. 4 passes defensed. 1 forced fumble. 3 fumbles recovered. 7 sacks.
Christian Sam, Arizone State. 6'2" - 237lbs
Career stats at AZ State:
35 games played. 240 total tackles. 17 tackles for loss. 4 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 7 sacks.
Kendall Joseph, Clemson. 6'0" - 230lbs
Career stats at Clemson:
30 games played. 206 total tackles. 16.5 tackles for loss. 1 pass defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 4 sacks.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
I know we have an Iowa fan or 2 on this forum. Need some eye witness accounts on Josey Jewell and his ability to fit what the Steelers do at ILB. Very impressive numbers, IMO. Not projected to be as fast as some of the other LBs at comparable size. Highlights look like what highlights are supposed to look like. Need some honest input whether or not to put Jewell on the draft watch-list.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Edmunds 6’5
Jefferson 6’3
Vander Esch 6’4
Seems like some height for LBs. I like it maybe something the Steelers could use.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Daniel Jeremiah posted his top 50 prospect for the draft and has Roquan Smith ranked 19th. Colbert/Tomlin needs to be all over him and trade up if he slips. Reason why he could fall? lack of size, but Tomlin does not shy away from that(Timmons & Shazier)
Tremaine Edmunds is rated #3. He is a top 10 pick for sure. Too talented.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Just to put another guy on the radar.
Genard Avery 6'1" - 250lbs Listed as an ILB on most draft sheets, but plays more like a OLB. Late round guy, maybe UDFA. Reminds me of VW/Harrison.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Tremaine Edmunds, VT. 6'5" - 250lbs
Career stats at VT:
32 games played. 213 total tackles. 33 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 10 sacks.
Maybe the highest ceiling of any in this draft. Still very raw as far as his potential.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/tremaine-edmunds?id=2560062
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_alNNzT1n0
https://www.hogshaven.com/2018/1/13/...2018-nfl-draft
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Jerome Baker, Ohio State. 6'1" - 225lbs
Career stats at Ohio State:
29 games played. 159 total tackles. 17.5 tackles for loss. 4 passes defensed. 1 forced fumble. 3 fumbles recovered. 7 sacks.
If you watched any OSU football this past season, surely Jerome Baker popped off the screen to you. A prospect I expect to quickly rise up draft boards.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jerome_baker_972168.html
http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2017/1...draft-profile/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeCFpFWovTw
https://www.landof10.com/ohio-state/...eat-linebacker
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Christian Sam, Arizone State. 6'2" - 237lbs
Career stats at AZ State:
35 games played. 240 total tackles. 17 tackles for loss. 4 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 7 sacks.
One of my favorite "Work Horse ILBs". Sam is one of those high motor, fly to the ball LBs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R301CpSTP0
http://thesundevils.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4000
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2017/1...-for-nfl-draft
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Malik Jefferson, TX. 6'3" - 240lbs
Career stats at Tx:
34 games played. 231 total tackles. 26 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 2 forced fumbles. 1 fumble recovered. 13 sacks.
Maybe the hardest hitting LB in this draft. A run stuffing, get after the QB beast they call "The Predator"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oFi9Xn8Pdk
https://www.burntorangenation.com/20...exas-longhorns
http://texassports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7224
This is game footage vs OK State. MJ had a very good game and you get to see him in on a lot of plays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obR85cBvDK8
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Rashaan Evans, Bama. 6'3" - 234lbs
Career stats at Bama:
42 games played. 150 total tackles. 23.5 tackles for loss. 5 passes defensed. 2 forced fumbles. 2 fumbles recovered. 15 sacks.
Just a hard hitting, run stuffer every defense needs. Made the move inside from OLB, which looks like the right move. Compares to Lawrence Timmons.
http://www.rolltide.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3898
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWryYBBAylE
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profil...ans?id=2560073
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Darius Leonard, SC State. 6'3" - 235lbs
2017 stats at SC State:
10 games played. 114 tackles. 12 tackles for loss. 8.5 sacks.
Highest ranked FCS ILB in 2018 draft.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profil...ard?id=2559818
https://www.flofootball.com/articles...caliber-talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AWMn2kZ3r0
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Here is one of my many questions for the ILB class in this year's draft. Actually, I lied it is a series of related questions and I am not certain there is a "right" answer.
1. Which player is the best ILB in 3 years?
2. Which player is the best ILB right now?
3. If the answers to #1 and #2 are different players, how big is the gap now and how big is the gap in 3 years? Does that difference matter?
4. What are the most important criteria for making the evaluation (for the Steelers specifically)?
I have no idea about 1-3, but I think I have a few thoughts on 4. I would be looking for speed, range, and the ability to make impact plays when an offense tries to pull the defense open horizontally. So on a spectrum from Vince Williams to Larry Foote to James Farrior to Lawrence Timmons to Ryan Shazier -- I would be focused on the Timmons to Shazier end of the spectrum.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Born2Steel
I really like Leonard. If Evans is gone at 28 and Leonard is there at 60, they should definitely take him
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mojouw
Here is one of my many questions for the ILB class in this year's draft. Actually, I lied it is a series of related questions and I am not certain there is a "right" answer.
1. Which player is the best ILB in 3 years?
2. Which player is the best ILB right now?
3. If the answers to #1 and #2 are different players, how big is the gap now and how big is the gap in 3 years? Does that difference matter?
4. What are the most important criteria for making the evaluation (for the Steelers specifically)?
I have no idea about 1-3, but I think I have a few thoughts on 4. I would be looking for speed, range, and the ability to make impact plays when an offense tries to pull the defense open horizontally. So on a spectrum from Vince Williams to Larry Foote to James Farrior to Lawrence Timmons to Ryan Shazier -- I would be focused on the Timmons to Shazier end of the spectrum.
I find it's too early to answer 1 and 3. I see 2 and 4 as the same question. The best ILB right now may be different for different teams. Personally, I really like this Josey Jewell guy, but all I have to go on at the moment is stats. And stats alone do not tell the complete tale. Jerome Baker is smaller, faster, and maybe the best in coverage so far that I've looked at. What I cannot find on Baker is him breaking down and making a tackle on a RB in the open field. Edmunds, Jefferson, and Kiser probably have the bigger upside and higher ceiling, the rest I think are what they are. Jewell, Kiser, Sam, and Evans are probably the most NFL ready right now just based on number of snaps in college. Vander Esch had a great 2017, but that's his production in college.
If I had to take one of these guys at #28 overall today, I would narrow it down to 1 of 4. Roquan Smith, Rashaad Evans, Tremaine Edmunds, or Malik Jefferson. I put an asterisk next to Josey Jewell, only because he has 4 years of consistent production on the stat sheet, but I haven't looked at any film on him yet. He could be Matakevich or Urlacher. Just don't know yet.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
For an ILB, speed and football instincts. There are other intangibles, but I believe those two are the most important today. It would be nice if Matakevich could run a 4.6.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steeldude
For an ILB, speed and football instincts. There are other intangibles, but I believe those two are the most important today. It would be nice if Matakevich could run a 4.6.
Agreed. That is why I hesitate on Jewell. I don't know how fast he is. If he's a slow runner, he's another Matakevich. If he does have good speed he could be another Urlacher. He has all the production you could want for stats, plus 4 years doing it means consistency. Vander Esch, Baker, and Sam both have speed and good instincts, just not the consistency of doing it over time.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steeldude
For an ILB, speed and football instincts. There are other intangibles, but I believe those two are the most important today. It would be nice if Matakevich could run a 4.6.
As far as pure speed, outside of Roquan Smith who will probably go top 10, Jerome Baker is probably the next quickest @ 4.62 - 40 and similar height/weight measures at 6-2" 225lb
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SteelMember
As far as pure speed, outside of Roquan Smith who will probably go top 10, Jerome Baker is probably the next quickest @ 4.62 - 40 and similar height/weight measures at 6-2" 225lb
Smith, Baker, and Evans are probably the only 3 sideline to sideline ILBs worthy of 1st round picks. There are some really good tackle to tackle ILBs that will be 1st round candidates as well. But even last year's crop only saw 3 go in the 1st round, and Foster dropped to 31.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Micah Kiser, UVA. 6'2" - 240lbs
Career stats at Virginia:
47 games played. 408 tackles. 33.5 tackles for loss. 12 passes defensed. 8 forced fumbles. 6 fumbles recovered. 19 sacks
Led the ACC in tackles 3 straight years. I don't think he needs to learn fundamentals.
http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/micah_kiser_853656.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bs-sp-military-bowl-micah-kiser-20171221-story.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL0myY0x42E
This one against Boise you can see Kiser pretty much owns between the tackles. He doesn't show much in coverage, but works hard in the middle. Gets off blocks well, sure tackler, maintains gap responsibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUpc36AF0Ck
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Josey Jewell, Iowa. 6'2" - 236lbs
Career stats at Iowa:
49 games played. 433 total tackles. 28 tackles for loss. 26 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 2 fumbles recovered. 10 sacks.
I cannot find a flaw in this guy's game.
http://hawkeyesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6934
https://dearoldgold.com/2017/11/22/p...ey-jewell-nfl/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1-TwOZ1Uzg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zpgb-zak8w
https://twitter.com/DBurnScout/statu...47907114782720
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
I love how this site breaks down the skill set for ILBs from a college to NFL comparison. They give their top 10 ILBs of this draft with bios, and strengths and weaknesses as well. A very helpful page, IMO.
http://www.draftblaster.com/2018-nfl...de-linebacker/
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Okay, a obvious long shot, but here's the first Mock I've seen that Smith falls all the way to 28th... Dare to dream.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...with-top-pick/
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SteelMember
That'd work! The funniest thing about that draft is that it falls into the "Flacco needs weapons" trap. You're telling me that a guy who has Wallace, Perriman, Maclin, and whatever else has no downfield weapons? At what point are people going to realize that the problem is Joe Flacco not the weapons? I mean I hope the Ravens never realize it and keep tying their offense to one expensive Flacco shaped check-down anchor, but still...
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SteelMember
Doubtful he would fall that far but teams could dislike his lack of size. Listed at 6'1" 225 lbs so he'll probably come in at 6'0".
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mojouw
That'd work! The funniest thing about that draft is that it falls into the "Flacco needs weapons" trap. You're telling me that a guy who has Wallace, Perriman, Maclin, and whatever else has no downfield weapons? At what point are people going to realize that the problem is Joe Flacco not the weapons? I mean I hope the Ravens never realize it and keep tying their offense to one expensive Flacco shaped check-down anchor, but still...
Maclin's good, but what has Perriman done in the league and Mike Wallace has been a disappointment for years now
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
st33lersguy
Maclin's good, but what has Perriman done in the league and Mike Wallace has been a disappointment for years now
While you're not completely wrong here, I think what Mojouw is saying is that the talking heads still see Flacco as a star QB, and he really isn't. What the Ravens need to do is upgrade at the QB spot and their weapons get better by default. I'm fairly certain Wallace has peaked and is on his last ride. Perriman is a guy nobody knows yet due to injuries, a lot like That guy, went to Clemson, came out same year as MB, drafted by Buffalo??? Yes I know it is Sammy Watkins, just making a point. If the ravens upgrade Flacco, get a running game, they got an offense again. They still play tough defense.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Roquan Smith, GA. 6'1" - 225lbs
Career stats at Ga:
28 games played. 232 total tackles. 19 tackles for loss. 3 passes defensed. 3 forced fumbles. 3 fumbles recovered. 6.5 sacks
If you're saying there's a chance...
Smith is an under-sized, athletically elite ILB that can be that sideline to sideline chaser, or a cover ILB in the middle. Guys with this potential are rare.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/roquan-smith?id=2559899
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcC9QHx1954
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qasFqTytkG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtqI3BQMtl0
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
I expect Tomlin to be very aggressive when it comes to fixing the ILB position. If they can sign a safety via free agency I can see him trying to move up and grab someone like Smith if he was starting to fall. He values that position.
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Re: Inside Linebackers Draft Reference Thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Born2Steel
While you're not completely wrong here, I think what Mojouw is saying is that the talking heads still see Flacco as a star QB, and he really isn't. What the Ravens need to do is upgrade at the QB spot and their weapons get better by default. I'm fairly certain Wallace has peaked and is on his last ride. Perriman is a guy nobody knows yet due to injuries, a lot like That guy, went to Clemson, came out same year as MB, drafted by Buffalo??? Yes I know it is Sammy Watkins, just making a point. If the ravens upgrade Flacco, get a running game, they got an offense again. They still play tough defense.
You and mojouw are not wrong, I never thought flacco was more than an average qb, and overrated when his supporting cast was carrying him the 1st part of his career. Flacco is one part of the problem, but I think his receivers are also part of the problem.