I think some of this talk about conversions is garbage.
Okay, that's what you think. Remind me when BB drafts and starts a rookie at OLB.
for so many years we wait for a LB then they finally draft mayo, so maybe he's a first rounder, but what about guyton?
Guyton wasn't starting ahead of Tedy. If he had been ready to play OLB Rosie would still be attending Open House's for his kids. Guyton is a blessing who has done wonderfully, but he was also brought on at a slower pace focusing first on coverage where his speed could be used - additionally, ILB isn't a conversion for him, it's a position he played in college as a WLB.
we need to draft a guy like suggs who was known for sacking the quarterback in college.
Orakpo: "he lacks great explosion and pass rush off the edge. Can be easily pushed around the pocket if he tries to use an outside speed move. Gets sacks from hustle and effort." And he's NFL Draft Scout's #1 DE; the other top sack masters in this draft are similar, they're effort guys who did well in their systems. Orakpo reportedly has played up in a two-point stance, but how often has he dropped in coverage? You may choose to disagree, but BB doesn't favor one-trick ponies unless they are studs at that one trick.
There are a number of DE/OLB types in this draft whom I like and would love to see in Training Camp for NE, but off the top of my head, only Curry, Sintim, Barwin, Cushing, and Matthews strike me as quicker conversions to a NE 3-4 OLB. Curry I'd rather play inside, Barwin has only one season as a DE, Cushing has a significant injury history and was taken out in Nickel situations, Matthews appears to be in the same boat as Crable and would need to bulk-up; which leaves Sintim who currently plays OLB in a 3-4 - he has good sack numbers, but I don't expect him to bust loose with 10 sacks in his first year as a pro.
I see no "stud" pass rusher in this draft class, I do see a decent number of good kids who will come in to the pros and work hard to be productive. Guys who can be the next Bruschi or Vrabel, both of whom were noted for sacks while in college, but took a few years to find starting niches in the NFL.
We've now disagreed with each other in general, though I did list some specific prospects for you, please feel free to propose prospects whom you feel meet your critieria and we'll bat their potential around.