Is Mack Wilson our starter at Linebacker in 2022?

[Tunescribe]

What's the word on possibly bringing Jamie Collins back, anyone hear anything?

 

[mgteich]

I see Wilson as a first string special teamer. We usually have one ST specialist among the backup linebackers.

Wilson is also a solid backup ILB, a true bonus that can save us a roster spot.

I see Bentley and McMillan as the starters inside, with McGrone as the other backup. And, sure, while unlikely, someone else COULD step up: Jennings, Langi or Tavai.
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I see Judon, Uche and Perkins as EDGE/OLB's.
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I expect an addition or two at LB (ILB and/or OLB).

 

[doesntmatter1]

Wilson seems okay, but he isn't the unknown guy I am rooting for. I'm convinced Terez Hall is a quality linebacker and then I found this youtube clip that only reinforced that belief for me. Just watch this clip and tell me he isn't significantly better than Bentley especially when it comes to open field tackling.

 

[Uptown]

Many seem to overlook the fact that outside of a select few LBs (Wagner, Leonard, Warner, D.Davis, White, Smith, Jones, David, Jack & Kendricks) damn near anybody would be a question mark in our defense; and even some of them may not “get it.” How about we stop judging players who haven’t/barely played in our system before we see them on the field..?..But then again, this is PF.com.

 

[Zuma]

Many seem to overlook the fact that outside of a select few LBs (Wagner, Leonard, Warner, D.Davis, White, Smith, Jones, David, Jack & Kendricks) damn near anybody would be a question mark in our defense; and even some of them may not “get it.” How about we stop judging players who haven’t/barely played in our system before we see them on the field..?..But then again, this is PF.com.

We have a bunch of young / fast LB's that I'm looking forward to finally see play. Our problem will be the guys with their hands in the dirt...not the LB's...IMO.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I can't see Perkins doing much. He's not athletic enough to play LB, he's not strong or powerful enough to play DE. I just don't see it, he might have some innate football IQ or knowledge and I could be wrong but think he was a bad draft pick. He's just not a good athlete.

Jennings had a serious injury in college but stayed healthy his final year at Alabama and led them in sacks and Tackle's For a Loss. He is talented, he had a year off (redshirt year) last season to get his body right... now he either shows up or he's doesn't, but the potential is there. The Pats could have stolen a player there if he can stay healthy. If not for injury he would have been a first round pick out of Alabama. He's an athletic stud with injury concerns.

I don't see Mitchell making it, he's more 3/4 DE than LB for sure but he's weak and not very athletic. If we want a potential player to make it at DE next to Wise or Cowart, the guy I potentially see making it is Sam Roberts. Even though he didn't workout fully he had a nice vertical jump, his 25 bench reps don't make him strong but he's not weak either and has good length at 6'5". Bottom line is he won the award for the best defensive player in division two. What you want to see at that level of competition is dominance and this kid jumps off the TV screen, he destroys the competition... plays in the opponent's backfield. Also he was a scholar, worked with the elderly off the field... he's a character guy. He might be a diamond in the rough.

I hear you on Perkins, but when have we cut a second year third-rounder? Traded someone, maybe, but I think he'll get this year to see what he has to offer before they write him off.

 

[NormZauchin]

What's the word on possibly bringing Jamie Collins back, anyone hear anything?

We don't bring him back until he signs with and plays for another team.

 

[Boomer B]

Wilson looked good on the video going around after the trade. He covers a lot of ground and I didn't realize he's 240. He's the key guy to fixing our LB group, but there's also Peppers and then the promising group of Uche, McGrone, Perkins, and McMillan who all could be very good. We're actually pretty loaded at LB.

Loaded? Not even close. How can we say Wilson, Uche, Perkins, McGrone, and McMillan are even promising? McMillan is on his 3rd team in 5 years. 2 teams have deemed he wasn't worth keeping. McGrone is a 5th round pick as is Wilson who Cleveland just gave up on. Uche has been a disappointment. Perkins draft profile on NFL.com says backup who could potentially become starter and he missed all of last year.

If this were the JETE LB core we would be laughing at it. Like everyone else I hope it pans out and a few of these guys shine, but the reality of it is we have a bunch of later round guys or cast offs who haven't done much in the league.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

I can't see Perkins doing much. He's not athletic enough to play LB, he's not strong or powerful enough to play DE. I just don't see it, he might have some innate football IQ or knowledge and I could be wrong but think he was a bad draft pick. He's just not a good athlete.

Jennings had a serious injury in college but stayed healthy his final year at Alabama and led them in sacks and Tackle's For a Loss. He is talented, he had a year off (redshirt year) last season to get his body right... now he either shows up or he's doesn't, but the potential is there. The Pats could have stolen a player there if he can stay healthy. If not for injury he would have been a first round pick out of Alabama. He's an athletic stud with injury concerns.

Jennings an athletic stud ? Ouch
His biggest weakness is his complete lack of athletic , he is a closer to a statue in space , which is one of the reasons he did not went as high, he would not have been a first round pick even without injury concerns

I don't see Mitchell making it, he's more 3/4 DE than LB for sure but he's weak and not very athletic. If we want a potential player to make it at DE next to Wise or Cowart, the guy I potentially see making it is Sam Roberts. Even though he didn't workout fully he had a nice vertical jump, his 25 bench reps don't make him strong but he's not weak either and has good length at 6'5". Bottom line is he won the award for the best defensive player in division two. What you want to see at that level of competition is dominance and this kid jumps off the TV screen, he destroys the competition... plays in the opponent's backfield. Also he was a scholar, worked with the elderly off the field... he's a character guy. He might be a diamond in the rough.

Agree ,good pick ,never heard his name before we picked him

 

[Brotherblues]

I can't see Perkins doing much. He's not athletic enough to play LB, he's not strong or powerful enough to play DE. I just don't see it, he might have some innate football IQ or knowledge and I could be wrong but think he was a bad draft pick. He's just not a good athlete.

Jennings had a serious injury in college but stayed healthy his final year at Alabama and led them in sacks and Tackle's For a Loss. He is talented, he had a year off (redshirt year) last season to get his body right... now he either shows up or he's doesn't, but the potential is there. The Pats could have stolen a player there if he can stay healthy. If not for injury he would have been a first round pick out of Alabama. He's an athletic stud with injury concerns.

I don't see Mitchell making it, he's more 3/4 DE than LB for sure but he's weak and not very athletic. If we want a potential player to make it at DE next to Wise or Cowart, the guy I potentially see making it is Sam Roberts. Even though he didn't workout fully he had a nice vertical jump, his 25 bench reps don't make him strong but he's not weak either and has good length at 6'5". Bottom line is he won the award for the best defensive player in division two. What you want to see at that level of competition is dominance and this kid jumps off the TV screen, he destroys the competition... plays in the opponent's backfield. Also he was a scholar, worked with the elderly off the field... he's a character guy. He might be a diamond in the rough.

Nitpick on Jennings, he's been mostly redshirting for 2 years now, playing a bit as a rookie and sitting out last year. And the scouting reports after we drafted him didn't exactly praise his athleticism and speed (though my memory is foggy on that).

 

[TheRainMaker]

We're actually pretty loaded at LB.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Wilson, McGrone, McMillan, and Bentley will compete for the early downs.

Judan is obviously the starter on the outside, but Uche will compete with Jennings, and Perkins for the other side.

And then they’ll have the dreaded S as the 4th LB.

 

[Wozzy]

I hear you on Perkins, but when have we cut a second year third-rounder? Traded someone, maybe, but I think he'll get this year to see what he has to offer before they write him off.

They'll try...

 

[Wozzy]

Jennings an athletic stud ? Ouch
His biggest weakness is his complete lack of athletic , he is a closer to a statue in space , which is one of the reasons he did not went as high, he would not have been a first round pick even without injury concerns

He was one of their best defenders before serious injury, Jennings suffered what was initially diagnosed to be a PCL injury in the final minutes of the 2018 Sugar Bowl against Clemson causing him to miss the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The injury was re-evaluated and Jennings was found to have also damaged an artery and developed a blood clot in his leg... it was career threatening. He still came back to play his senior year to prove he was healthy, leading Alabama in sacks and tackles for a loss.

 

[Wozzy]

Nitpick on Jennings, he's been mostly redshirting for 2 years now, playing a bit as a rookie and sitting out last year. And the scouting reports after we drafted him didn't exactly praise his athleticism and speed (though my memory is foggy on that).

He played a little in the lost season of 2020, 4 starts and a couple other games where he played real snaps. He was on a bad team, a bad defense and was an overmatched rookie. They also moved him around, inside/outside to see what he could do. Much like Uche and McGrone he deserves a real shot to contribute if he's healthy.

 

[Wozzy]

And then they’ll have the dreaded S as the 4th LB.

I don't see why this is "dreaded," a talented Strong Safety is the same as a talented but small weak-side LB.