3 down MLB - finding the elusive beast

[cstjohn17]

Like many I see a need for some speed and play making on defense. I will start a thread for each position starting with MLB. The list doesn't contain top 15 players that won't be available at 31, the MLB list contains players who theoretically could play all 3 downs and offer support for both the pass and run. Taller more pass rush oriented players are not on this list, this group is more run and hit.

In general it is one of the most athletic group of linebackers in a while, the athletes are slowly catching up to the offensive freaks they are forced to cover.



Let me know if there are others to add

 

[manxman2601]

Avery is one of My guys but he is more of a downhill ‘backer rather than a cover guy. He was used a pass rusher at Memphis. To be honest, I’m not sure there are too many 240-250lb linebackers that can cover sufficiently to qualify as a coverage linebacker and that seems to be the ideal weight for a B.B. linebacker. It’s one of those elusive dreams we fans have. I’ll believe it when I see it.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Nwosu, Warner, and Jacobs aren't really MLBs. Nwosu and Jacobs played almost exclusively on the edge. Warner played off the ball and covered a lot, but he was more of a WILL than anything. I could see them projecting inside, I suppose. I'll update later with more details.

 

[JerseyShore99]

Jack Cichy is a MLB Caserio saw

LVE seems most like an NE LB but i think someone more like Jefferson is what NE needs

 

[Kontradiction]

Vander Esch is probably my favorite of all of them right now. Very fluid in coverage and wouldn't have to come off the field on third downs. If he's available at 31, I'm very tempted.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Vander Esch is probably my favorite of all of them right now. Very fluid in coverage and wouldn't have to come off the field on third downs. If he's available at 31, I'm very tempted.

Good luck getting past the Steelers. I don't think we have a shot, but I agree that he's a great fit. The problem was his historically good workout. Regardless of the metric, he's a rare breed for that size and speed.

Off-LOS Linebacker

2018 NFL Draft Class RAS

 

[captain stone]

Rashaan Evans of Alabama could also project inside here, and might (or, more than likely, might not) be available at 31.

Vander Esche is easily my #1 target at 31, but unfortunately I don't see him escaping PitsDirt (or Tennessee) either.

 

[Kontradiction]

Good luck getting past the Steelers. I don't think we have a shot, but I agree that he's a great fit. The problem was his historically good workout. Regardless of the metric, he's a rare breed for that size and speed.

Off-LOS Linebacker

2018 NFL Draft Class RAS

He would be worth of a trade up to get past the Steelers.

Rashaan Evans of Alabama could also project inside here, and might (or, more than likely, might not) be available at 31.

Vander Esche is easily my #1 target at 31, but unfortunately I don't see him escaping PitsDirt (or Tennessee) either.

Evans likely needs to add some weight to his frame in order to project inside and that may hamper how fluid he is in coverage. I think he'd be perfect as the WILL here, though.

 

[IllegalContact]

Jack Cichy is a MLB Caserio saw

LVE seems most like an NE LB but i think someone more like Jefferson is what NE needs

Jefferson struggles in coverage......lack of instincts, I believe

 

[patsfaninpa]

Rashaan Evans of Alabama could also project inside here, and might (or, more than likely, might not) be available at 31.

Vander Esche is easily my #1 target at 31, but unfortunately I don't see him escaping PitsDirt (or Tennessee) either.

We are allowed to trade up. Don'ta Hightower was acquired that way along with Chandler Jones.

 

[JerseyShore99]

We are allowed to trade up. Don'ta Hightower was acquired that way along with Chandler Jones.

Only 6 picks this year however including 2 on Day 3 and next year's comp haven't been given out yet, thus limiting ammo

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Only 6 picks this year however including 2 on Day 3 and next year's comp haven't been given out yet, thus limiting ammo

7 picks this year; there have been several trades in the last two weeks that have changed things:

1, 31
2, 43
2, 63
3, 95
4, 136 (compensatory)
6, 210
7, 219

The recent changes account for the Danny Shelton, Jason McCourty, and Cordarrele Patterson trades. In the 2019 draft, the Patriots are currently down a 3rd rounder (Shelton trade) and a 6th rounder (Bademosi acquisition at end of 2017 camp) but are positioned to receive a 3rd round compensatory pick for Solder and possibly Butler (he's on cusp of 3rd and 4th rounds), and they could possibly get additional picks depending on how the rest of free agency plays out (what happens with M. Flowers, Waddle, Fleming, Slater and any UFAs the Pats sign).

 

[patsfaninpa]

Those easy little swing passed that Jax and Philly burned us with have to be improved upon.
I love Hightower. But, that ain't his forte. We made Corey Clement and Ryan Grant look
like Marshall "Milkdud" Faulk. I'm hoping for a slight trade up for Evans.

BB had a long talk with kid from South Carolina yesterday. Skai Moore. Might be a name to keep on our radar. Doesn't sound great. But, I can see us picking him in 4-5 range

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - SKAI MOORE | NFL.com

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Those easy little swing passed that Jax and Philly burned us with have to be improved upon.
I love Hightower. But, that ain't his forte. We made Corey Clement and Ryan Grant look
like Marshall "Milkdud" Faulk. I'm hoping for a slight trade up for Evans.

BB had a long talk with kid from South Carolina yesterday. Skai Moore. Might be a name to keep on our radar. Doesn't sound great. But, I can see us picking him in 4-5 range

NFL Draft & Combine Profile - SKAI MOORE | NFL.com

Moore is the best zone coverage guy in the draft. He's not the fastest, but he's really crafty and good at understanding coverage principles. His 14 career interceptions are no fluke. Watch just one or two, and it looks like luck; watch him drop into the throwing lane over and over again, and a pattern emerges. He's a talented player. I don't care about his 40 time at all. Within 20 yards, which is where 99% of all linebacking play happens, he's as fast as anyone, and his instincts and study habits let him take a step in the right direction before a faster player even knows what's going on. Really nice subpackage guy.

 

[maineman209]

We are allowed to trade up. Don'ta Hightower was acquired that way along with Chandler Jones.

Trading up to get ahead of Snitsburg would cost the #31 + #95. Might get a 4th back in change, but the Pats would be left with only the #43 & #63 in the top 100 picks.

 

[IllegalContact]

an ILB/MLB who can cover automatically qualifies you as a to 20 pick

your chances are better finding an OLB who is willing to take on an OG once in a while

 

[Ochmed Jones]

When it comes to sideline to sideline speed, Darius Leonard of sc state or Edmunds of va tech are the guys in this draft.

As for Leonard is bb interested in a 220 lb. linebacker that can’t tackle well?

As for Edmunds, he will be long off the board by 31.

The good news is there are other linebackers bb should be able to get on day two or three. They all come with various warts, but so did van noy and McClellan and bb made them into serviceable players.

 

[captain stone]

I agree with those thoughts about Leonard/Edmunds & the rest of the LB class, though I don't think that McClellin was my definition of a "serviceable" player here, unless we count his occasional blocks of FG/XP attempts, in a manner that is no longer allowed, as "serviceable." I would propose replacing him with Marquis Flowers.

 

[Boomer B]

Josey Jewell is a name I’ve seen pop up. Anybody have any thoughts on him and if he’d be a fit here? NFL.com has him as a 3-4 rounder. Great instincts, not the best athlete. Compared him to Sean Lee.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Josey Jewell is a name I’ve seen pop up. Anybody have any thoughts on him and if he’d be a fit here? NFL.com has him as a 3-4 rounder. Great instincts, not the best athlete. Compared him to Sean Lee.

I'm absolutely in the minority on this one, so it's possible I'm really wrong, but I can't stand his tape. People tout his instincts, but he regularly crashes the wrong gap, or gets sucked in by play action. I only see good plays when he's unlocked and can shoot into the backfield. He's Elandon Roberts with less athleticism and fewer high notes.

Okay, fire away. I'm sure this isn't a popular take.