Outside LB
Anthony Spencer OLB Purdue
He might be a second rounder.
Quentin Moses OLB Georgia
Questions about his ability to hold the edge in a 3-4.
Lamarr Woodley OLB Michigan
Tweener DE/OLB could be a nice fit.
Jarvis Moss OLB Florida
Tweener DE/OLB could be a nice fit.
Victor Abiamiri OLB Notre Dame
Charlie connection....
Gaines Adams OLB Clemson
Probably requires a trade up.
Lawrence Timmons OLB Florida State
Probably requires a trade up.
DEDan Bazuin OLB Central Michigan
I know nothing about him.
- Spencer (6'3" 266, 4.67/40) - prolific pass rusher, he is also good against the run and does well stacking and shedding blocks, though his size is expected to be a handicap at the pro-level. He was not required to participate in LB drills at the Senior Bowl which means we will be waiting for the Purdue Pro-Day and the Combine to see if he is willing to test for a transition to OLB, and how well he does. At this point, his value within the Patriot system is up in the air, even if he was doing well in OLB drills, the transition time is unlikely to be much faster than TBC's. I would not consider him a good value in round one for the Pats.
- Moses (6'5" 249, 4.75/40)
Negatives: Still looks more like a basketball player than defensive end. The more physical the game gets, the more likely Moses will be ineffective. Still relies too much on his athletic ability off the edge. Struggles to disengage from quality blocks and lacks pass rush moves. Lacks the bulk and strength to hold up against double-teams in the running game. Effective pass rusher, but a bit one dimensional.
You would need to build up his strength and develop his technique, both for rushing the passer, stacking and shedding in the run game, and dropping into coverage. In essence, Georgia did a poor job of preparing this young man for the next level. His stock is dropping, but it seems unlikely he will drop to the second day where he might be worth a flyer for the Pats.
- Woodley (6'2" 269, 4.68/40) Productive player as a DE and a rush OLB, limited coverage skills. Does not have an exceptional first step, so has developed his pass rush technique to be productive. There is a question about how much the talent at Michigan affected his opportunity to make plays - I think this is a smoke screen argument, if he was a rush OLB working alongside Sey or Ty or Jarvis he'd be surrounded by adequate talent at this level. Getting reps at both OLB and DE at Michigan is a plus, the coverage concern won't start being answered until we see how he shows in LB agility drills. No mention of Special Teams play after his Freshman year, lettered 3 years in basketball in High School, was a linebacker in HS with some pass coverage skills. Could he drop 10-15 pounds to improve his coverage agility/speed/quickness, while remaining affective as an OLB? Pierre Woods seemed to make a good start on the transition in pre-season, I suspect Woodley would be similarly productive, the question is if he would be worth expending a first round or even first day pick, as compared to Woods who was a UDFA.
- Moss (6'6" 252, 4.63/40) - took LB reps as a Sophomore in Spring drills. draftscout does not have an analysis of his performance due to his early departure as a Junior. He was suspended for one game due to a violation of team and University rules, but obviously learned a little something from that error by not doing anything that prevented his playing the rest of the season under a fairly strict Urban Meyer. His reported measurables and his performance in the National Championship game against Ohio State suggest he would do well as an OLB. There should be some maturity awareness for a junior leaving early, but other than the one suspension mentioned there is nothing specific. The primary question is the value of using a first round pick on a developmental player - I expect he will be too high a price for BB.
- Abiamiri (6'5" 271, 4.75/40) - Character, pass rush, strength at the point of attack, and four years of production are all pluses. Reliance on athleticism vice technique and no experience at LB are negatives. Transition time and a high first day grade work against him.
- Adams (6'5" 260, 4.72/40) draftscout's #1 ranked DE. Played 8 man ball in HS. Has all the measurables but there are concerns he is peaking in time for his payday. He also disappears during long stretches and gets frustrated when held in check, making him easier to hold in check. Let's just be happy he will be gone early and not a Patriot problem.
- Timmons (6'3" 232, 4.62/40) Too small for a 3-4 LB, look how reported 240 lb. Eric Alexander struggled against the run.
- Bazuin (6'3" 265, 4.69/40)
Not fluid enough to be a candidate for moving back to outside linebacker despite impressive straight-line speed.
His stock is rising for draftscout, but they don't currently have him rated higher than late 2nd/early third. He's not off my board yet, I don't see him at OLB, but I haven't ruled out ILB given...
Cerebral player who recognizes the action from his defensive end position and is rarely out of position. Isn't an all-or-nothing pass rusher who loops wide and creates openings for the ball carrier to run through...Good strength and toughness at the point of attack versus the run. Excellent pursuit. Surprising speed to the flanks and down the field. Can be an explosive hitter, with nine forced fumbles over the past two seasons. Never takes a snap off.
I expect TBC to be re-signed. Despite the posts complaining about his alleged inability to stop the run, I once again note he started against the Charger's strong running game and Alexander started against the strong passing game of the Colts. Woods had a head start on TBC with his OLB experience at Michigan, I expect him to develop a little faster if he applies himself, though I wouldn't expect to see him competing for game reps before 2008.
Free Agency or Trade seems to be the best option for bringing in another LB candidate, for example:
Antwan Peek LB 6'3" 250 Houston
Mason Unck LB 6'3" 245 Cleveburgh
Donnie Spragan LB 6'3" 242 Miami
Keith Newman LB 6'2" 248 Miami
Jarret Johnson DE 6'3" 285 Baltimore
Adalius Thomas OLB 6'2" 270 Baltimore
Troy Evans LB 6'2" 240 Houston
Ndukwe Kalu DE 6'4" 265 Houston
Shantee Orr LB 6'0" 250 Houston
DaShon Polk LB 6'2" 242 Houston
Wali Rainer LB 6'2" 247 Houston
E.J. Henderson LB 6'1" 245 Minnesota
Peter Sirmon OLB 6'2" 246 Tennessee
D.D. Lewis LB 6'1" 240 Seattle
Kemp Rasmussen DE 6'3" 255 Seattle
Joe Tafoya DE 6'4" 265 Seattle
James Allen FS 6'2" 245 New Orleans
Danny Clark LB 6'2" 245 New Orleans
Tommy Polley LB 6'3" 240 New Orleans
Scott Shanle LB 6'2" 245 New Orleans
Jeff Posey OLB 6'4" 241 Washington
Isaiah Kacyvenski LB 6'1" 252 St. Louis
Raonall Smith OLB 6'2" 241 St. Louis
Corey Smith DE 6'2" 250 Detroit
Tony Gilbert OLB 6'1" 244 Jacksonville
Chris Claiborne MLB 6'3" 255 NYG
Brandon Short LB 6'3" 253 NYG
Shawn Barber LB 6'2" 240 Philadelphia
Juqua Thomas DE 6'2" 250 Philadelphia
Rob Morris LB 6'2" 243 Indianapolis
Kawika Mitchell LB 6'1" 253 Kansas City
James Darling OLB 6'1" 247 Arizona
Orlando Huff OLB 6'3" 250 Arizona
Patrick Chukwurah LB 6'1"250 Denver
London Fletcher MLB 5'10" 240 Buffalo
Chris Kelsay DE 6'4" 273 Buffalo
Lance Briggs LB 6'0" 242 Chicago