3 down MLB - finding the elusive beast

[VJCPatriot]

Like the awareness of where the ball is, the bend around the edge, and the head up form-tackling.

That Jacobs kid has a real nose for the football. We need more players like that on our Defense! Wouldn't mind seeing how he would turn out in a Patriots uni. If he ever developed, watch out!

 

[maineman209]

That Jacobs kid has a real nose for the football. We need more players like that on our Defense! Wouldn't mind seeing how he would turn out in a Patriots uni. If he ever developed, watch out!

I've been checking a few big boards and haven't seen Jacobs on anyone's radar yet.

 

[patchick]

d%#*!@t, guys! I've been totally swamped with work and family crises for months, and I pledged to sit this draft cycle out. But now I stop by just once, just for a minute, just to see what you're all talking about. And now you have me on the verge of staying up all night to watch clips of MLB conversion projects.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

d%#*!@t, guys! I've been totally swamped with work and family crises for months, and I pledged to sit this draft cycle out. But now I stop by just once, just for a minute, just to see what you're all talking about. And now you have me on the verge of staying up all night to watch clips of MLB conversion projects.

You know you love it. Let me know if you want a short list for review.

 

[captain stone]

Saw a Su’a Cravens comp for Warner and we remember the interest the Pats showed in him. And it’s not like BB is averse to BYU linebackers.

Something like this perhaps?

1. Mike McGlinchey
1. Dallas Goedert/Hayden Hurst
2. Justin Reid (if he’s there)
2. Fred Warner
3. Lauletta/Ejiofor

Where's the pass rush?

And there's no way that Warner's the first LB I take.

 

[manxman2601]

Where's the pass rush?

And there's no way that Warner's the first LB I take.

That’s up to you. As for the pass rush, Flowers, Hightower, Wise, Rivers and maybe Ejiofor.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Interesting. Titans cancelled a visit with LVE because they told him that he wasn't going to make it to their pick, and they didn't want to waste his time.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Great pieces of information from Pauline about the linebackers. I can't remember a time when there was a legitimate chance for 4 linebackers to go in the first round (not DE --> OLB converts, but true linebackers), let alone 3 in the top 20.

Linebacker Boards in Flux | Draft Analyst

 

[Ochmed Jones]

That’s up to you. As for the pass rush, Flowers, Hightower, Wise, Rivers and maybe Ejiofor.

I am a huge fan of Ejiofor, not a twitchy or bendy guy, but a guy that can give us what we lost when ninkovich retired. Set the edge and rush the passer.

I think bb needs to use #63 on this kid. Flowers, wise, Clayborn and ejoifor and we are set at de.

 

[manxman2601]

I am a huge fan of Ejiofor, not a twitchy or bendy guy, but a guy that can give us what we lost when ninkovich retired. Set the edge and rush the passer.

I think bb needs to use #63 on this kid. Flowers, wise, Clayborn and ejoifor and we are set at de.

With Rivers providing additional pass rush. I like it (and James Harrison as a possibility too).

 

[long distance]

Late to the LVE party . just to discover I didn't miss much. Can't understand all the 1st rd love. Captain's ecstasy feels very masochistic remembering hardship he had to endure with McClellin.

While he does look a dominant backing beast (still very raw) vs Oregon (playing left handed wo Freeman) his problems are pouring out of other tapes. He does look good in space and unblocked but a huge liability in the box and that's where most of his job will be at the next level (since he doesn't look like he can rush from the edge). And in the RZ he's basically a spectator. I can understand infatuation with Combine numbers that are indeed impressive but not with the player. Maybe he can significantly improve over time being a one yr starter but I don't understand how you give up a 1st round pick for such a raw and uncertain prospect (also lacking in strength, toughness @ LOS). And especially don't understand the Pats fit. Did BB ever drafted LB or any prospect this raw, inexperienced and with this kind of tape in the 1st round?

Here a film session on him discussing some of the above (bads and goods):



For quick comparison - Rashaan's tape. This is how 1st round LB looks like - tough, athletic, skilled, versatile (ILB/OLB/edge/star/ST ace)

 

[Love The Drake]

Late to the LVE party . just to discover I didn't miss much. Can't understand all the 1st rd love. Captain's ecstasy feels very masochistic remembering hardship he had to endure with McClellin.

While he does look a dominant backing beast (still very raw) vs Oregon (playing left handed wo Freeman) his problems are pouring out of other tapes. He does look good in space and unblocked but a huge liability in the box and that's where most of his job will be at the next level (since he doesn't look like he can rush from the edge). And in the RZ he's basically a spectator. I can understand infatuation with Combine numbers that are indeed impressive but not with the player. Maybe he can significantly improve over time being a one yr starter but I don't understand how you give up a 1st round pick for such a raw and uncertain prospect (also lacking in strength, toughness @ LOS). And especially don't understand the Pats fit. Did BB ever drafted LB or any prospect this raw, inexperienced and with this kind of tape in the 1st round?

Here a film session on him discussing some of the above (bads and goods):

Agree im not ok trading up for him at 31 it be tempting for me

 

[long distance]

Agree im not ok trading up for him at 31 it be tempting for me

If you want to trade up for a LB than this is much better gamble (depending on intangibles unknown to us) . same size, athletics . much more accomplished prospect with upside, versatility etc.
(a bit annoying commentary at times but gives the idea):

 

[WaterfallJumper]

What's funny is that I argued against LVE for quite some time, and then I came around on his trajectory (which I've mentioned elsewhere in this thread). Essentially, he's a bit of a late bloomer, but the progress he showed over the course of the season leads me to believe that he's a few technique issues away from becoming a superstar at LB. If he fulfills his promise, he's a rare, rare player. Even if he doesn't, though, he could still be useful in a rotation. Is that kind of gamble worth a 1st? Normally, I would say no, but we have two 1sts, and we have a clear need to build a linebacking corp for the future.

Edmunds will be gone top 12 most likely. Too much required in a trade up. I absolutely loved watching Smith at Georgia, but I'm not sure he would be protected enough in our scheme. We seem to like bigger, more physical players. So that leaves 1) Evans, who is not that big, either, but has the skills to take on blockers but also some questions about durability; 2) LVE, who needs technique work and time to develop, but has the potential for the most complete game at LB of anyone in the draft; and 3) Jefferson, who faces rumors about his commitment to the game, but is a scintillating talent whose closing speed is unparalleled when he has a free lane.

My guess is that we'll pass on all of them in the 1st, because we wouldn't project any of them to be instant starters. We'll probably trade down and take someone like Kalambayi in the 4th or 5th, and be happy enough with the end results. But what do I know? The Patriots are inscrutable.

 

[captain stone]

Late to the LVE party . just to discover I didn't miss much. Can't understand all the 1st rd love. Captain's ecstasy feels very masochistic remembering hardship he had to endure with McClellin...

To be fair, I would have little objection were Bill to take Evans ahead of LVE, though I also feel that LVE is much more fluid laterally than McClellin was, the latter of whom I considered a First Dynasty-type of 3-4 OLB when he was drafted in 2012.

 

[ATippett56]

What's funny is that I argued against LVE for quite some time, and then I came around on his trajectory (which I've mentioned elsewhere in this thread). Essentially, he's a bit of a late bloomer, but the progress he showed over the course of the season leads me to believe that he's a few technique issues away from becoming a superstar at LB. If he fulfills his promise, he's a rare, rare player. Even if he doesn't, though, he could still be useful in a rotation. Is that kind of gamble worth a 1st? Normally, I would say no, but we have two 1sts, and we have a clear need to build a linebacking corp for the future.

Edmunds will be gone top 12 most likely. Too much required in a trade up. I absolutely loved watching Smith at Georgia, but I'm not sure he would be protected enough in our scheme. We seem to like bigger, more physical players. So that leaves 1) Evans, who is not that big, either, but has the skills to take on blockers but also some questions about durability; 2) LVE, who needs technique work and time to develop, but has the potential for the most complete game at LB of anyone in the draft; and 3) Jefferson, who faces rumors about his commitment to the game, but is a scintillating talent whose closing speed is unparalleled when he has a free lane.

My guess is that we'll pass on all of them in the 1st, because we wouldn't project any of them to be instant starters. We'll probably trade down and take someone like Kalambayi in the 4th or 5th, and be happy enough with the end results. But what do I know? The Patriots are inscrutable.

Some Teams Have Medically Flunked Vander Esch
Updated April 16, 2018
By Charlie Campbell

WalterFootball.com: NFL Hot Press

 

[long distance]

Some Teams Have Medically Flunked Vander Esch
Updated April 16, 2018
By Charlie Campbell

WalterFootball.com: NFL Hot Press

yep

"To me, he's a third-round talent, but probably will go higher," said an AFC general manager. "He has gotten a lot of hype, but he plays soft. He's a good player and will have a lot of tackles, but most of them will come four yards downfield. He's not an impact-at-the-line guy ..."

or

potential starter that has to prove he can play the line

very intriguing athlete that might have hard time finding (starting) position on the next level. maybe he could offer some 4-3 OLB versatility but his lack of strength and outside rush are a problem as is the fact that base D is a rare occasion now making players lacking in versatility situational players esp. if they can't be effective @ ST

 

[ATippett56]

yep

"To me, he's a third-round talent, but probably will go higher," said an AFC general manager. "He has gotten a lot of hype, but he plays soft. He's a good player and will have a lot of tackles, but most of them will come four yards downfield. He's not an impact-at-the-line guy ..."

or

potential starter that has to prove he can play the line

very intriguing athlete that might have hard time finding (starting) position on the next level. maybe he could offer some 4-3 OLB versatility but his lack of strength and outside rush are a problem as is the fact that base D is a rare occasion now making players lacking in versatility situational players esp. if they can't be effective @ ST

Caveat Emptor

 

[manxman2601]

Not a 3 down linebacker but I still think Kiser is a good Roberts replacement/Hightower backup.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Some Teams Have Medically Flunked Vander Esch
Updated April 16, 2018
By Charlie Campbell

WalterFootball.com: NFL Hot Press

Pauline pretty strongly refutes that report. Will be interesting to see who is right. Scroll down past the cornerback discussion for more information:

Cornerback Boards: Few Surprises | Draft Analyst

In a way, LVE reminds me of JJ Watt: Walk ons with little football experience or hype who seemingly came out of nowhere to turn in monster seasons, dominate at the Combine with an all time performance, and see their stock skyrocket into the 1st round. I'm not saying that LVE will be a superstar like Watt, but I do think there are parallels between their draft projections.