Need late round linebacker help

[Irish Hooligan]

Just wanted to turn to you smarter folks for some information. In doing our mock as the Pats I think things have gone well even though overall our mock is insane and unrealistic. My point is I need to still draft an OLB in the worst way and in researching I've found I know very little about the second teir and third teir types. So for anyone who is interested could you tell me the best fit / best players for the Patriots and why. I would really like to know also for the real deal next weekend. Thanks!

OLB
Tyrone Mckenzie South Florida
Marcus Freeman Ohio State
Paul Kruger Utah (DE/LB)

ILB
Frantz Joseph Florida Atlantic
Darry Beckwith LSU
Scott Mckillop Pitt

These are the 6 I have been researching but I need the patsfan prospective. Of the group Kruger seems to me on film to be the best overall, with possibly McKenzie having the highest ceiling........is that accurate?

 

[bakes781]

Don't forget Lawrence Sidbury of the Richmond Spiders!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Just wanted to turn to you smarter folks for some information. In doing our mock as the Pats I think things have gone well even though overall our mock is insane and unrealistic. My point is I need to still draft an OLB in the worst way and in researching I've found I know very little about the second teir and third teir types. So for anyone who is interested could you tell me the best fit / best players for the Patriots and why. I would really like to know also for the real deal next weekend. Thanks!

OLB
Tyrone Mckenzie South Florida
Marcus Freeman Ohio State
Paul Kruger Utah (DE/LB)

ILB
Frantz Joseph Florida Atlantic
Darry Beckwith LSU
Scott Mckillop Pitt

These are the 6 I have been researching but I need the patsfan prospective. Of the group Kruger seems to me on film to be the best overall, with possibly McKenzie having the highest ceiling........is that accurate?

McKenzie would be an ILB for the NE 3-4, he's only an OLB for a 4-3 defense. The same with Freeman, except he's not physical enough for NE. Kruger would have to move inside, he's not athletic enough to stay at OLB for a 3-4. Frantz Joseph is slow, but like McKenzie he's physical and a tackling machine. Beckwith is slooooowwwww, look elsewhere. McKillop has a fantastic nose for the ball, but he's another who isn't physical enough to excell in NE.

If Cody Brown and Lawrence Sidbury aren't drafted yet, both look like good late 2nd/early third picks for OLB. Later in the draft you might try Henry Melton as a raw prospect with potential. David Veikune is a good edge rusher. Nick Reed is worth a flyer as is Stryker Sulak and Phillip Hunt.

My recommendation, if you've missed on Cody Brown and only have Lawrence Sidbury left, look at ILB with Jason Williams or Tyrone McKenzie. NE can leave Adalius outside and work one of these kids into the mix alongside Guyton and Mayo.

 

[DW Toys]

McKenzie would be an ILB for the NE 3-4, he's only an OLB for a 4-3 defense. The same with Freeman, except he's not physical enough for NE. Kruger would have to move inside, he's not athletic enough to stay at OLB for a 3-4. Frantz Joseph is slow, but like McKenzie he's physical and a tackling machine. Beckwith is slooooowwwww, look elsewhere. McKillop has a fantastic nose for the ball, but he's another who isn't physical enough to excell in NE.

If Cody Brown and Lawrence Sidbury aren't drafted yet, both look like good late 2nd/early third picks for OLB. Later in the draft you might try Henry Melton as a raw prospect with potential. David Veikune is a good edge rusher. Nick Reed is worth a flyer as is Stryker Sulak and Phillip Hunt.

My recommendation, if you've missed on Cody Brown and only have Lawrence Sidbury left, look at ILB with Jason Williams or Tyrone McKenzie. NE can leave Adalius outside and work one of these kids into the mix alongside Guyton and Mayo.

Agree with your observations Cousin. Two potentials I would like to discuss further. Paul Kruger could be a great ILB. He has experience taking a pounding from 300lb tackles and has a non-stop motor. He is an athlete and could be Teddy II from DE to ILB. He might not be quick enough to be an OLB but at 6' 4" 262lbs, no one is going to run up the middle on him. He is a diamond in the rough ILB who is smart (recruited as a QB). He covers better than you think. 16.5 TFL, 7.5 Sacks, 7 PDef.

Nick Reed is the other ILB to consider. Smart 3.39 GPA, 13 Sacks, 9 TFL 6' 2" 245. 4.71 40. 23 Reps. 29.5 sacks and 51.5 tackles for losses in his career.

Finally a sleeper, Slade Norris Oregon State. 6' 2" and 232. 4.65 40. OSU coach rated him as one of the best he has ever seen at his posituion. Another DE to ILB deal as are all three of these. Top five in Pack Ten in TFL.

DW Toys

 

[Metaphors]

Robert Francois from BC.

<binkie>
Translates to ILB for the Pats. Raw but has the skill set needed to grow into an every down player. While he is learning from Bruschi and Mayo, he is a killa on special teams.
</binkie>

 

[dryheat44]

Robert Francois from BC.

<binkie>
Translates to ILB for the Pats. Raw but has the skill set needed to grow into an every down player. While he is learning from Bruschi and Mayo, he is a killa on special teams.
</binkie>

good call.

I'll dutifully submit Antonio Appleby of Virginia and Josh Mauga of Nevada for ILB consideration. My intriguing conversion is Wisconsin DE Matt Shaughnessy

For OLBs, I'd be happy with Michigan State's Brandon Long, Eastern Illinois's Pierre Waters, or Texas's Henry Melton late.

 

[MetalBleachers]

good call.

I'll dutifully submit Antonio Appleby of Virginia and Josh Mauga of Nevada for ILB consideration. My intriguing conversion is Wisconsin DE Matt Shaughnessy

For OLBs, I'd be happy with Michigan State's Brandon Long, Eastern Illinois's Pierre Waters, or Texas's Henry Melton late.

Nice call on Brandon Long: Brandon Long | Michigan State, DE : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Also, Julius Williams, UConn, would make a solid OLB conversion project.

Please allow me to toot my own horn here a bit: http://www.patriotsdaily.com/2009/04/stacking-the-board-–-second-day-linebackers/

 

[Mike the Brit]

Nice call on Brandon Long: Brandon Long*|*Michigan State,*DE*:*2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Also, Julius Williams, UConn, would make a solid OLB conversion project.

Please allow me to toot my own horn here a bit: http://www.patriotsdaily.com/2009/04/stacking-the-board-–-second-day-linebackers/

Good article -- only missing the Frantz Joseph love to be perfect.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

For ILB help if we grab one late in the later rounds i say go for Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic. He is Ranked 3rd for 3-4 ILB! Behind Cushing.

 

[jays52]

Jason Phillips deserves a spot on this list as well. While I don't necessarily think that he is a "late round" guy, I think that he would be a solid 4th or 5th rounder. In my eyes, he is probably the best fit to play inside on running downs. Beastly at the POA, shows decent suddenness and doesn't seem like much of a liability in the hook to flat. He also played in a persuit and penetration based defense at TCU, so he will likely be versed in blitzing and gap penetration.

 

[MetalBleachers]

For ILB help if we grab one late in the later rounds i say go for Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic. He is Ranked 3rd for 3-4 ILB! Behind Cushing.

Draft Guys always oversell their prospects, but I like how he takes on blockers: YouTube - Frantz Joseph - Draft Video Profile

His so-so pro day numbers should keep him until mid Day Two:
Frantz Joseph | Florida Atlantic, ILB : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Interesting that Pats were not present at his pro day. Lying low?