Woodley at ILB?

[sebman2112]

LaMarr Woodley

DE | (6'1", 269, 4.67) | MICHIGAN

Scouts Grade: 87


Can LaMarr Woodley play ILB? Read at least three scouting reports:
Here are some options (feel free to use others):
1
2
3
4
5


Watch this Youtube video (if you want. Mostly for those who don't have film)

Then tell me if you believe he could play inside, or be a versatile LB who plays both positions. According to recent reports Woodley could fall into the third round.

 

[BelichickFan]

I am intrigued about this - I've been thinking about it all day so your post is an amazing coincidence. Not sure we'd get him at the end of the third round, if we could move up a bit I'd be all for it but most mocks I see have him in the first half of round two.

 

[sebman2112]

I am intrigued about this - I've been thinking about it all day so your post is an amazing coincidence. Not sure we'd get him at the end of the third round, if we could move up a bit I'd be all for it but most mocks I see have him in the first half of round two.

I've been thinking about this ever since NE signed AD, LOL! He has more size than Harris, and is around the same speed, while also being stout against the run. Plus, NE often converts DE's to LB's, and he has played LB in 3-4 schemes.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

I've been thinking about this ever since NE signed AD, LOL! He has more size than Harris, and is around the same speed, while also being stout against the run. Plus, NE often converts DE's to LB's, and he has played LB in 3-4 schemes.

And most of the Pats (ie. Bruschi and Vrabel) were both college DE's and then made the transition to NFL OLB's and to their current Pats ILB's (just guessing on Vrabel as that is going to be his most likely position this year - I don't see AD being an ILB on a full time basis)

 

[BelichickFan]

The problem with someone like this is how high can you spend a pick on a guy who you're changing position. I think that's why Belichick always ends up passing on DE moving to LB, the good ones are gone earlier than he wants to spend a pick no such a high risk project.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Since this is an ILB thread: I'm watching NFL Network's Path To The Draft, Mayock has Stewart Bradley as his #4 OLB and is showing him being nice and instinctive on tape. I continue to love these Nebraska kids; Bradley's biggest issue from what I can see is improving his strength, I really like this kid to be an ILB in the Pats' system and develop into another inside/outside Vrabel.

Harris looks good on tape too, I wouldn't be too sad if he was a Patriot. Willis, Timmons, Posluszney did not show as well in terms of what they would need to do in a Patriot 3-4. Beason looked to have a little more potential, but not as much as Harris..Bradley remains the best overall ILB pick.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

While like most of you, I would love to see Patrick Willis in a Patriots uniform. Unfortunately that looks to be a long shot now. Woodley intrigues me the more I read up on him and watch the tape I can of him. I think he would be a nice fit for the Patriots at ILB and I think he could be potentially taken at #28 if the Patriots cannot trade back. He is a high to mid second round pick so I would not have a problem taking him there.

 

[BelichickFan]

While like most of you, I would love to see Patrick Willis in a Patriots uniform. Unfortunately that looks to be a long shot now. Woodley intrigues me the more I read up on him and watch the tape I can of him. I think he would be a nice fit for the Patriots at ILB and I think he could be potentially taken at #28 if the Patriots cannot trade back. He is a high to mid second round pick so I would not have a problem taking him there.

Woodley has ungodly size for a ILB and good enough athleticism. He's also a great guy and intrigues me when I read that he's very good with his hands and at getting off blocks.

The only problem I have, again, is do you want to spend a #1 on a guy switching positions. College to pro is difficult enough to evaluate, college DE to pro ILB is even higher risk. And do you want to risk a (low) #1 ?

If we took him at #28, though, I wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[Warren94]

I would prefer David Harris ILB from Michigan.

 

[Warren94]

STRENGTHS

LaMarr is a pass-rushing machine and he might be the best form tackler in this draft. He shows more quickness than speed, but never stops moving towards the QB until the whistle blows. He does an excellent job using his hands to keep the O-lineman away from his body. LaMarr forces his defender into making mistakes in technique and then explodes and takes advantage of those mistakes. He has very powerful legs and gets most of his push and explosion from his legs. This allows him to use leverage along with great hand-fighting techniques to beat his man and make the sack. LaMarr is just waiting to be drafted by the right team that knows how to use his talents.



NEEDS TO IMPROVE

LaMarr does not have the perfect size that most scouts like in a defensive end. He will have to work on his height. (Maybe he needs to wear lifts to the combine to make himself taller!) LaMarr also has those long arms, so he needs to continue to work on his upper body strength. My advice is, “Don’t worry about any of this stuff. Just draft him and set him loose; he is a pass–rushing machine.”



TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1

LaMarr is not your perfect-looking DE. He is a bit short and is not the best against the run, but there is way too much production in this player’s past to suggest that he is not going to find away to be successful at the next level. Some will suggest that he fits a 3-4 defensive scheme as an OLB, but I’m not sure he has that type of athleticism. However, I’m sure that will be discovered at the combine. I believe he is a pure DE for a 4-3 defense and will get bigger and stronger as he learns more tricks of the trade. He is a smart kid. He knows how to set up his defender and understands situational football. He knows just when to pull the string at the most important part of a game to make big plays. LaMarr will help the team that drafts him right away. He will make his presence known and will surprise a lot of people who think he will struggle because he plays now with some pretty good defensive linemen that free him up. For those of you who think that, I have this to say: look at this kid’s yearly production first and then look to see if those big, strong, young defensive linemen have been on the field while LaMarr was producing all of those years. Maybe it was LaMarr that made those other defensive linemen look good and not the other way around! LaMarr’s production has improved every year and his sacks have gone up this year over last year, so all I can say is “Won’t he be playing with good D-linemen at the next level?” The interesting issue for me is whether or not LaMarr has the ability to be moved to the MLB position at the next level. He is such a good tackler and is so smart that you have to wonder if he can be another Jeremiah Trotter? Either way, you got yourself a hell of a player in LaMarr Woodley so just draft him and worry about the other stuff later.

Nice write up on him.

 

[sebman2112]

Woodley has ungodly size for a ILB and good enough athleticism. He's also a great guy and intrigues me when I read that he's very good with his hands and at getting off blocks.

The only problem I have, again, is do you want to spend a #1 on a guy switching positions. College to pro is difficult enough to evaluate, college DE to pro ILB is even higher risk. And do you want to risk a (low) #1 ?

If we took him at #28, though, I wouldn't be disappointed.

I agree with everything you just said. His hand work was the first thing that made me think he could play ILB. After watching him move, and looking at his size it made it seem even more of an option. He is as fast, if not faster than David Harris who is something like 238lbs, has better hand work, and weighs 269lbs. He is stout against the run, and is a better pass rusher. His versatility makes him stand out when it comes to early- mid second round Backers. One or two of those scouting reports even say he could make a good 3-4 ILB. This was my own idea though, so I just mention this to point out I am not the only one who feels this way.

Now what if they pull the trade with GB, take a Safety or CB with 16, then take Woodley with 47 (if he is there, and he very well could be)? I think this would be very good. If they take a Safety in the first round take a CB in the third, or reverse it if they take a CB in the first. Then take either a LB, CB, S, RB, or O-Linemen in the fourth, then take BPA in the fifth (comp expected), sixth, and seventh(comp).

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Woodley ran a 4.8 at 266 and harris ran a 4.5 at 245, I don't see how you could say woodley is almost as fast if not faster

 

[sebman2112]

STRENGTHS

LaMarr is a pass-rushing machine and he might be the best form tackler in this draft. He shows more quickness than speed, but never stops moving towards the QB until the whistle blows. He does an excellent job using his hands to keep the O-lineman away from his body. LaMarr forces his defender into making mistakes in technique and then explodes and takes advantage of those mistakes. He has very powerful legs and gets most of his push and explosion from his legs. This allows him to use leverage along with great hand-fighting techniques to beat his man and make the sack. LaMarr is just waiting to be drafted by the right team that knows how to use his talents.



NEEDS TO IMPROVE

LaMarr does not have the perfect size that most scouts like in a defensive end. He will have to work on his height. (Maybe he needs to wear lifts to the combine to make himself taller!) LaMarr also has those long arms, so he needs to continue to work on his upper body strength. My advice is, “Don’t worry about any of this stuff. Just draft him and set him loose; he is a pass–rushing machine.”



TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1

LaMarr is not your perfect-looking DE. He is a bit short and is not the best against the run, but there is way too much production in this player’s past to suggest that he is not going to find away to be successful at the next level. Some will suggest that he fits a 3-4 defensive scheme as an OLB, but I’m not sure he has that type of athleticism. However, I’m sure that will be discovered at the combine. I believe he is a pure DE for a 4-3 defense and will get bigger and stronger as he learns more tricks of the trade. He is a smart kid. He knows how to set up his defender and understands situational football. He knows just when to pull the string at the most important part of a game to make big plays. LaMarr will help the team that drafts him right away. He will make his presence known and will surprise a lot of people who think he will struggle because he plays now with some pretty good defensive linemen that free him up. For those of you who think that, I have this to say: look at this kid’s yearly production first and then look to see if those big, strong, young defensive linemen have been on the field while LaMarr was producing all of those years. Maybe it was LaMarr that made those other defensive linemen look good and not the other way around! LaMarr’s production has improved every year and his sacks have gone up this year over last year, so all I can say is “Won’t he be playing with good D-linemen at the next level?” The interesting issue for me is whether or not LaMarr has the ability to be moved to the MLB position at the next level. He is such a good tackler and is so smart that you have to wonder if he can be another Jeremiah Trotter? Either way, you got yourself a hell of a player in LaMarr Woodley so just draft him and worry about the other stuff later.

Nice write up on him.

Great hand work, intellect, gets off blocks well, makes big plays, and is a machine....Yea I will take this guy. Also, people need to realize when he talks about him not being big enough right now, he means at DE, but his size would be perfect at ILB. Bruschi is 6'1 240+ this guy is 6'2 269lbs

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree with everything you just said. His hand work was the first thing that made me think he could play ILB. After watching him move, and looking at his size it made it seem even more of an option. He is as fast, if not faster than David Harris who is something like 238lbs, has better hand work, and weighs 269lbs. He is stout against the run, and is a better pass rusher. His versatility makes him stand out when it comes to early- mid second round Backers. One or two of those scouting reports even say he could make a good 3-4 ILB. This was my own idea though, so I just mention this to point out I am not the only one who feels this way.

Now what if they pull the trade with GB, take a Safety or CB with 16, then take Woodley with 47 (if he is there, and he very well could be)? I think this would be very good. If they take a Safety in the first round take a CB in the third, or reverse it if they take a CB in the first. Then take either a LB, CB, S, RB, or O-Linemen in the fourth, then take BPA in the fifth (comp expected), sixth, and seventh(comp).

Agreed on the hand work, I came away with the impression of longer arms than you normally see on a 6'1'" player, which is why I could see him learning the ILB role in a 3-4. But I also agree with BBF's point on the price tag for a developmental transition player, which is why Woods who brings much the same talent to the table was a good bargain as a UDFA.

 

[sebman2112]

Woodley ran a 4.8 at 266 and harris ran a 4.5 at 245, I don't see how you could say woodley is almost as fast if not faster

Game speed, and he has run faster. Not every time is the same. Harris must be working on his 40 time because he was not that fast prior to the combine. I've seen him listed at 4.75, and Woodley listed at 4.67....Harris must have gained weight because he was 239lbs.

 

[sebman2112]

Agreed on the hand work, I came away with the impression of longer arms than you normally see on a 6'1'" player, which is why I could see him learning the ILB role in a 3-4. But I also agree with BBF's point on the price tag for a developmental transition player, which is why Woods who brings much the same talent to the table was a good bargain as a UDFA.

Woods might bring SOME of those talents, but he doesn't bring all of the talents Woodley brings, and he isn't the same type of Backer. I like Woods, but he is not as fast, and I can't see him playing ILB. he is strictly an OLB.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

Game speed, and he has run faster. Not every time is the same. Harris must be working on his 40 time because he was not that fast prior to the draft. I've seen him listed at 4.75, and Woodley listed at 4.67....Harris must have gained weight because he was 239lbs.

You're probably looking at pre combine listing because Harris ran a 4.53 and woodley ran a 4.79 at the combine. I don't know if they've had their pro day yet or not though

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You're probably looking at pre combine listing because Harris ran a 4.53 and woodley ran a 4.79 at the combine. I don't know if they've had their pro day yet or not though

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/individual_workouts

 

[sebman2112]

As I said combine speed is differen't than game speed, and Harris didn't play faster than Woodley last year, I watched the games.

Here is what they did at their Pro Day:
Lamarr Woodley DE: Woodley (265 pounds) was invited to the Combine but did not run in Indy. He ran two 40s in 4.74 and 4.84 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.42. Claiming to have a tight hamstring, he skipped the three-cone drill. He also had a 38½-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-9 broad jump and 29 bench presses.

So, with a tight hamstring (as he claims) he ran the 40 in 4.74, with a 38½-inch vert, had a 9'9" broad, and lifted 29 reps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Harris LB: All Harris (245 pounds) did besides the position drills was the broad jump (9 feet 2 inches).

So, Woodley can jump farther than Harris.....does that tell me he is the better prospect? No! The game film does.

 

[hobbsownscoles]

As I said combine speed is differen't than game speed, and Harris didn't play faster than Woodley last year, I watched the games.

Here is what they did at their Pro Day:
Lamarr Woodley DE: Woodley (265 pounds) was invited to the Combine but did not run in Indy. He ran two 40s in 4.74 and 4.84 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.42. Claiming to have a tight hamstring, he skipped the three-cone drill. He also had a 38½-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-9 broad jump and 29 bench presses.

So, with a tight hamstring (as he claims) he ran the 40 in 4.74, with a 38½-inch vert, had a 9'9" broad, and lifted 29 reps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Harris LB: All Harris (245 pounds) did besides the position drills was the broad jump (9 feet 2 inches).

So, Woodley can jump farther than Harris.....does that tell me he is the better prospect? No! The game film does.

What tells you Woodley would ever develop good coverage skills?