Wesley Woodyard has been my Binkie

[jeffbiologist]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33152

I saw this guy play this season and he was just everywhere! He was 2nd in the SEC in tackles, had 15 tackles in his bowl game BY HALFTIME! He was one of the coaches favorites at the Senior Bowl and had about the best workout of any LB at the combine......He is small, but has put on 10# of muscle without losing any speed(4.49)in a month. His frame says SS, but he is limited with hip movement. To me, he is a Ian Gold type. I like him in round 3-4 as a pass rush specialist off the edge and let him grow into the position. Bottom line is he is a PLAYMAKER. We can have alot of guys like Sanders......but few like Rodney. This guy is a football player, reminds me of Don Davis(our LB/SS from a few years ago)too. But if you are going to develop a linebacker start with one who already has that intangible.....playmaker.

 

[cstjohn17]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33152

I saw this guy play this season and he was just everywhere! He was 2nd in the SEC in tackles, had 15 tackles in his bowl game BY HALFTIME! He was one of the coaches favorites at the Senior Bowl and had about the best workout of any LB at the combine......He is small, but has put on 10# of muscle without losing any speed(4.49)in a month. His frame says SS, but he is limited with hip movement. To me, he is a Ian Gold type. I like him in round 3-4 as a pass rush specialist off the edge and let him grow into the position. Bottom line is he is a PLAYMAKER. We can have alot of guys like Sanders......but few like Rodney. This guy is a football player, reminds me of Don Davis(our LB/SS from a few years ago)too. But if you are going to develop a linebacker start with one who already has that intangible.....playmaker.

The biggest issue with Woodyard is he is 220 pounds, way to small to play LB for the Pats. He looks like he could be a special teams demon, if he is available in rounds 5-7 I would take a shot.

 

[jeffbiologist]

He was 219 for the Senior bowl, but is up to 229 now and still ran a 4.49. Maybe he could put on another 10-15# of muscle by opening day? Bruschi was more of an edge rusher, but wasnt much bigger when he was drafted. He was a 4th rounder but I think with everyone knowing what a player he is someone will take him in the 3rd....Hoping we can get him because he is so different compared to our other LB/SSs. And he could be that ST demon til his body fills out to be a every down LB. Best thing is...as a tackler he just doesnt miss! Worst case he is a younger/faster Woods,best case he is Ian Gold/Colvin type but much faster!

 

[cstjohn17]

He was 219 for the Senior bowl, but is up to 229 now and still ran a 4.49. Maybe he could put on another 10-15# of muscle by opening day? Bruschi was more of an edge rusher, but wasnt much bigger when he was drafted. He was a 4th rounder but I think with everyone knowing what a player he is someone will take him in the 3rd....Hoping we can get him because he is so different compared to our other LB/SSs. And he could be that ST demon til his body fills out to be a every down LB. Best thing is...as a tackler he just doesnt miss! Worst case he is a younger/faster Woods,best case he is Ian Gold/Colvin type but much faster!

Bruschi was a little bigger 6'1, 245 but he was also one of the best passrushers in the history of the NCAA (people conveniently forget how good he was in college). http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=153
"Bruschi tied the NCAA Division I-A career sack record with 52.0 quarterback sacks, equaling the mark set by former Alabama All-American, the late Derrick Thomas…"
"Earned Second-Team All-America honors after setting an all-time school record with 19 sacks (143 yards) as a sophomore, breaking the previous record of 15 (Steve Boadway in 1984)"

Woodyard's best case is Ian Gold, in a system where he is protected. I just think he is too small to play LB for the Pats, special team yes, some nickel packages maybe, LB on a regular basis, no.

 

[DaBruinz]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=33152

I saw this guy play this season and he was just everywhere! He was 2nd in the SEC in tackles, had 15 tackles in his bowl game BY HALFTIME! He was one of the coaches favorites at the Senior Bowl and had about the best workout of any LB at the combine......He is small, but has put on 10# of muscle without losing any speed(4.49)in a month. His frame says SS, but he is limited with hip movement. To me, he is a Ian Gold type. I like him in round 3-4 as a pass rush specialist off the edge and let him grow into the position. Bottom line is he is a PLAYMAKER. We can have alot of guys like Sanders......but few like Rodney. This guy is a football player, reminds me of Don Davis(our LB/SS from a few years ago)too. But if you are going to develop a linebacker start with one who already has that intangible.....playmaker.

Woodyard would be a good safety project to develop, but I don't see him being a LB in the Pats defense unless it was like Rodney moving up in the box or unless he's a Larry Izzo type LB (special teams only). Also, lets see what his 3 cone and shuttle numbers are before we judge him to not be able to play at strong safety. If he's got good numbers there, his hip snap may not be that bad.

 

[DW Toys]

Woodyard would be a good safety project to develop, but I don't see him being a LB in the Pats defense unless it was like Rodney moving up in the box or unless he's a Larry Izzo type LB (special teams only). Also, lets see what his 3 cone and shuttle numbers are before we judge him to not be able to play at strong safety. If he's got good numbers there, his hip snap may not be that bad.

Good point!
SS might be a great fit.
DW Toys