Versatility Could Mean Buckner
March 17th, 2016
An inside/outside threat.
When defensive coordinator Mike Smith met with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club in January, in so many words, he suggested it would be wise not to pigeonhole his defense.
Will he run a 43 defense or a 34? Yes, Smith said. At times a 43 defense, depending on alignment, will morph into a 34 and vice versa.
He also noted he would strive to put players in positions to get the most of their talents — what a refreshing concept!
That’s why, indirectly, “The Commish,” Justin Pawlowski, who runs Bucs Blitz, believes Oregon defensive end DeForest Bucker would be a good fit for Tampa Bay at No. 9.
There is a chance Buckner goes before the Bucs’ pick, but if he’s available, I think he’d be a great selection. Buckner’s size and strength can be used inside or outside, in a 4-3 defense or in a 3-4 defense. Buckner is the type of physical specimen Bucs DL coach Jay Hayes would be excellent with.
Versatility gives Smith more options to either confuse an offense or set up a play to expose it.
It wouldn’t shock Joe if the Bucs drafted a cornerback at No. 9 because the draft is so deep with defensive ends. Still, it would shock Joe if the Bucs did not draft a defensive end during the first two days of the draft. Heck, Joe could easily see the Bucs select a second defensive end on the third day.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I believe this draft is deep at defensive tackle but it’s actually a very poor defensive end class Joe. The mid rounds is where I hope we attack DB.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
This team has too many holes; you draft the best available player at 9, you don’t draft by position. I agree, draft DBs in middle rounds with high upsides (obviously).
March 17th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I bet the Joes are so happy they have you draft and talent experts commenting on their posts…
March 17th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
No to Buckner… Leonard “The Freak” Floyd
March 17th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
This is an interior DL draft, kinda poor at DE. Biggest NEEDS DL, S, LB, OT
March 17th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Yes to Buckner!
March 17th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Oh s#!@ if thats so i can see us taking leonard floyd. I can see him in a 3-4 more than a 4-3!! A 4-3 with him at de? Run to his side alllll day (he’s 6’6 236 lbs) but in a 3-4 floyd has potential to be a huge impact at olb. Grimes is a great man to man josh robinson has potential so does verner and banks. We are in store for a new defense just leading up to next season. Also i want to point out shaq lawson plays against the read option beautifully. Watch some game tapes of him his pursuit angles are the best i have seen out of the draft class. 270 lbs runs a 4.70 he completely crushes players where he takes as little as 3 steps. If im taking a true de im taking lawson. (Despite the common law of dont draft a de from clemson in the first round). Bosa is a beast to watch also. He increased all his numbers from the combine up to his pro day. His extra work could put him above all des.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
There is no CB worthy of #9.
Buckner, Rankins, Stanley or trade down is what I see. Not too much to get excited about in the top 10 this year. I really hope Buckner makes it to 9.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I also say no to buckner. Not on my list of des to draft. Id rather take mackenzie alxander at 9 if lawson ramsey bosa floyd are gone. After that give me an offensive tackle.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
I think you go DE in the 1st with a pick that high – you can seemingly find corners all the time in the 2nd and 3rd, but quality DE’s tend to go early and often. Unless there is an unexpected run on DE’s you should take the best available. If the draft really is super rich in DE’s then try trading down and picking up a later 1st and a 2nd and get your DE (or 2) then. But I like the idea of picking the best of the bunch at 9 where you should be able to get a day 1 starter.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:37 pm
What no “—— Watch” this off-season Joe?
March 17th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
kinda skeptical because Arik Armstead is trash ijs
March 17th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Buckner is the only DE that excites me as a top 10 pick, and he may not be there. The only DB to be excited about is Ramsey. There are 2 OTs worthy. We don’t need a QB or a RB. There are no WRs worthy of that high a pick. I think the best way for them to get value in this draft is to trade down unless Buckner falls to them.
March 17th, 2016 at 12:52 pm
What’s up my long lost JBF posters! Took a little break from posting cause things were getting too negative and hostile, but it’s good to see signs of optimism on the site again…
I’m not too excited about this draft as it seems filled with so so talent. A lot of decent defenders who have question marks as to what system they’ll truly fit. That being said I like Buckner but I’m higher on Leonard Floyd. I like VH3, I believe he’s every bit as good as janoris jenkins was coming out of UF.
I love how Licht has brought in dependable vets in free agency, giving us more options come draft day. I think he realizes there aren’t many instant impact guys on the board so hell blend youth and experience, while also creating depth on D.
WR is a concern if mine, but Tyler Boyd is my favorite player in this draft. The arrow is pointing up for our Bucs, for sure!
March 17th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
As a Gators fan I love VGIII but I agree at #9, I’d rather have a D-Lineman. Im hoping for one of the DT’s though instead of the DEs. Not to high on any of them but love the DT players. Only exception to this is if Ramsey is there at #9, which I dont see happening.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
As a high school football coach I know a little bit about technique and scheme. I’m nobody special just saying I have a little bit of an understanding of what’s going on, on the field. I took my time and watched game film on 4 defensive end prospects. Shaq Lawson, Deforest Buckner, Noah Spence, and
Joey Bosa.
I’d have to say my initial view is disappointed. I think there is a lot of talent there but not much on the pass rush side outside of Spence but he’s pretty undersized. Not saying he wont be good just saying if a prospect is a top 10 prospect you should expect them to have elite measurable’s. After the top 15 is for guys that are great college players but missing something (size, speed, etc.). Many of those players overcome those defaults but in the top 10 to 15 you should expect to get it all.
I don’t think any of the players have elite level prospect status. All are pretty good but missing something.
Joey Bosa – Not sure if everyone knows but Bosa played mostly Left DE in college going up against most teams 2nd best offensive tackle and wasn’t that great of a pass rusher over there. He is however outstanding at playing the run. I think he will be a plug and play defensive end and be a starter for 10 years, I just doubt he’ll ever have double digit sacks and if your drafting a DE in the top 10, you expect that. Now you have a report of the MDMA use in college with Ezkeil Elliot and now you have another issue. I don’t think he’s a top 10 prospect.
Player Comparison: Chris Long
Deforest Buckner – When you watch his tape his power stands out. His intial burst at the LOS is impressive, his guy goes back a yard at every snap. After that he plays a little too high for me and gets molly-whopped on down blocks because of it. He isn’t at all from the outside. He plays inside the tackle a lot more than outside the tackle. That’s a DT, not a DE. Do I think he could be an outstand 4-tech and all-pro caliber Defensive tackle one day and lead the league in sacks by defensive tackles? I do! However, that doesn’t make him a Defensive End and/or a pass rusher. He’s doesn’t fill a position of need for us.
Player Comparison: William Gholston but better.
Shaq Lawson – Probably the most disappointing prospect I watched. I saw his combine measurable and thought wow this guy has a physical skillset. Well… That’s about all he has. I watched him versus the run get kick blocked time and time again, where he was diving at the ankles of the opposite guard pulling out. Not taking on the block and squeezing down like your suppose to but diving on the ground. His pass rush was nowhere to be found and his backside pursuit was some of the laziest of all 4 of the prospects by far. I find it hard to believe his stiff hips will allow him to play OLB in space, he’s fast strait line but not smooth as an athlete. He doesn’t bend well coming off the edge either, so could he play 4-3 end? I really think he’s a bit of a tweener. Best spot I see him is as a Strongside DE playing overtop of a Tight End and jamming him at the LOS and playing the run, I think he could find a good role doing that, but is that worth a top 10 pick? Heck, is that worth a 1st round pick? Not in my opinion.
Player Comparsion: A poor man’s James Harrison
Noah Spence – By far the best pass rusher in the draft. In the Kentucky film he was accounted for by 2 guys on every play and still made noise. He plays good, not great against the run like Buckner and Bosa. He does take plays away off somewhat but anything that comes to his side he is after, from run to WR Screen. You literally get the feel that he’s playing against air at times the way he comes off the edge and doesn’t seem to get touched. He’s extremely disruptive and bends really well off the edge. The knock against him is his playing weight is around 250. That’s pretty light in the a$$ for a Defensive end in any scheme. Is he a 3-4 OLB… Maybe. Is he a 4-3 Situational rusher… Maybe. By his physical traits you would think that’s all he could do but I really think some guys can just ball regardless. He’s got a lot of Von Miller in him. He’s the only player I would consider a top 10 draft pick but he’s still lacking elite size.
In my opinion, you take best player available or trade back and take Spence. At #9 there is no reason to reach on any of the prospects above. Just my opinion and thoughts.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Dont forget Spence has a drug history too and was kicked out of Ohio State
March 17th, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Good stuff Seth thanks!
March 17th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Shawn Oakman round 6. Yea the guy is an Ahole, but in rd6..beggars can’t be choosers
March 17th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Can I throw out a name here? Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Cyrus Jones?
Of the DBs, he played arguably the toughest competition AND he can return kicks.
Does anybody remember when we used to return kicks?! Ah, those were the days!
I’m just throwing that out to see what you think.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
Tyler boyd in round 2 plz
March 17th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
I’m smarter now that I read Seth’s post.
Thanks, bro.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Nice write up sethb22.
March 17th, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Who is our #3 receiver again?
March 17th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
@seth..I enjoyed your post…I don’t think there’s a de worthy of a #9 pick except for bosa…I watched some tape on him and saw that osu moved bosa around quite a bit…he went from right de to left de and also played inside…he reminds me of Michael strahan…someone who began their career at right end and was decent but dominated at the left end and became a HOFer…if I had a pick I would prefer bosa over Hargreaves at #9 and try to get William Jackson in the second round…but if bosa is gone the best player available would be Hargreaves imo…plus we have banks entering FA after this year, who knows about verner, and grimes is long in the tooth…the draft is deep with de and dt so we could find some quality players to fill those positions in rounds 3-5….GO BUCS!!!!
March 17th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
@Joe Theu bucs need to bring in Greg Hardy! Give him a incentive based contract let him come in here and rush the passer! he is 27, the guy is gonna get a job, why not here, we need it and i think with hayes as the DL coach, i think we could get the most out of him and keep him in line!
March 17th, 2016 at 2:22 pm
At Seth: nice take. Kudos.
However, I’d take Rankin over Spence. Rankin = OL havoc. Rankin & McCoy together? Gives ANY DE’s a chance for great pressure because every team would have to double both. Recall the Bucs greatest success—and Rice’s success—came from a very strong inside presence on the DL. The Sapp/Darby/McFarland combo up the middle was the key.
March 17th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
BPA, BPA, BPA! I don’t care if its a OT or DT. This draft is littered with busts and average talent. To reach and pick players on need would be a huge mistake. Let your scouts do their job, get a board put together and stick to it.
March 17th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
@ 813bucboi
I agree with you that Bosa will be good at Left End. That’s where all of his sacks came too. Is that really what we are looking for though… Don’t we need a Right End Speed rusher? I think Bosa would be like trying to ram a square peg into a round whole… Would he be an upgrade… Absolutely! Would he live up to the expectations of being the #9 pick, probably not. Kind of like Chris Long career has gone… Very good, but not what you would expect sack wise. My main concern for Bosa is the drugs… The report that came out yesterday scares me… Probably scares our GM too. To draft a guy who underproduces from a sack standpoint for a top 10 pick and gets fails a drug test and gets suspended equals doom for our GM. I wouldn’t bet my career on that scenario.
In my opinion the bucs should trade down to 16 with the Rams… Carson Wentz should be there for them at 9 and would allow them to jump the bears and saints who are looking for there next signal caller. That would be a good move for LA. They would have to give up a 2nd rounder to get that though.
That would put bucs with the following picks, along with who I would pick
1-15 : Noah Spence, DE-Eastern Kentucky (Pass rush)
2-8: Mackensie Alexander, CB –Clemson (2017 replacement for Verner)
2-15: Braxton Miller, WR- Ohio State (Slot Speed & return help)
3-11: Deion Jones, LB –LSU (Starter at OLB)
4-10 :Christain Westerman, G-Arizona State (STEAL! Becomes a starter at some point)
5-9: K.J Dillon, S – West Virginia (Depth for 2017)
6-8: Kevin Hogan, QB – Stanford (replacement for Glennon)
6-22: Mike Thomas, WR – Southern Miss (OC’s best college player)
March 17th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Trade Glennon
and package that pick with our Number One
Move up to Draft Ramsey (CB)
DE in Second Round
March 17th, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Neckid – I can’t really see San Diego – which is where he will probably go, swapping picks. First they don’t need Glennon, second to jump from 9 to 3 you’re talking about probably this year’s 1st, a 3rd and probably next years 1st – I doubt they’d even go with a 2nd for next year. That’s a ton to give up.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Seth, Bosa at 9 is fine by me… at LDE.
An effective RDE needs a special cocktail of burst, bend and speed to chase and finish. Everything Sim and nothing Adrian Clayborn.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Trade Glennon to move up to take Ramsey.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Yeah like a safety is worth trading up for and losing a good pick. #crazy.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:21 pm
@seth…we do need a speed rusher but I think that’s why we got ayers on that band aid contract…he isn’t the type of speed rusher i think everybody was looking for but he’s a good player…also the drugs are an issue and im a little worried about that because Tampa is the wrong place to come if you cant stop smoking weed, popping pills or partying…I think people are overblowing the whole living up to the #9 pick…gmc was #3 pick and had 2years of injury and 2 solid years of production that landed him a fat contract and “best dt in the game label”…one could argue that he isn’t the best dt in the game and he hasn’t lived up to the #3 pick in terms of overall production and leadership..make no mistake about it gmc is a great player and top 5 at dt in my book…i think regardless of the # if you draft a player in the first round, that player should be ready to come in right away and make an consistently positive impact and should increase his production every year…aside from the drugs, I think bosa can be that type of player…same with Hargreaves…GO BUCS!!!
March 17th, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Sethb22 that’d be an amazing draft.
Not sure Alexander gets out of the 1st though. But even if he’s gone there should be some great DTs there and some of the higher rated safeties
March 17th, 2016 at 3:38 pm
Make no mistake if we get Bosa… I’ll trust licht did his due diligence and trust the pick. So I will trust it. Bosa wouldn’t be a bad pick at all. I just liked spence more on film.
Full game tapes are on YouTube of both players. Check it out.
March 17th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
The bengals have had success with large tall defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and even Michael Johnson. I would assume that Jay Hayes prefers coaching up these types. I do believe that Licht will pick the best player on the board but Buckner is high on it.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
At the combine when WR’s were asked who was the best defensive back you came up against it wasn’t Hargreaves or Ramsey, it was Cyrus Jones Alabama. They say he can ball, the downside is his size at 5-10. He is an excellent punt returner taking four to the house.
Seths Says – Thanks for your review. I would like to hear your opinion on Leonard Floyd? Walters football has linked his name to the Bucs. My take on him is when he is rushing he is more explosive than Spence and has the best counter move in the draft. At the combine he measured 6-6 244. His playing weight is lower than this so his weight is a concern. My question to you is do you agree with what I said and could he fit in with the Bucs playing strong side linebacker then DE on passing situations? I hear he is excellent in coverage too. His combine times of 4.60, 1.60, 39.5, 10.7.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:07 pm
I’ll check him out tomorrow at work and post my thoughts on this thread. Got green beer and basketball clouding my mind right now.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
I WOULD be pretty pissed if we took a corner at 9….why in the hell is moore not getting any interest from the bucs or other teams. I dont understand someone please tell me. He was arguably the best corner on our team in a flawed system Joe can you dig up anything on why moore is not wanted anywhere. Is it just his asking price????He is young and passionate why the hell wont they work something out to keep him I liked the signing last year
March 17th, 2016 at 4:26 pm
BPA, it’s that simple, why, because he will fill a need because we got plenty. I’m not overly concerned if we pick someone that everyone considers not worthy of the pick, why, because, who would’ve been upset after the season if Kwon would’ve bee picked in the 2nd round, yeah we would’ve screamed because we needed o linemen, but that worked out too. If the draftniks or us don’t think that player worthy, long as they produce. I’m sure people in Seattle screamed when Russel Wilson got picked in the 3rd when Seattle had just signed a QB or when Tampa Bay picked Josh Freeman after they just signed Byron Leftwich (ok, that was just a joke), but you get the point.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Our Bucs have so many holes to fill.Sure I want a DE at no 9. But we probably should just go with the best player available. Our Defense needs lotasa lotsa help. So much in fact, we may be better of just going with best talent available.
Sure would be nice though if we could somehow get another 2nd or 3rd rounder from somewhere.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Thanks Sethb! Great posts
March 17th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
@kevin…why would you be pissed? if bosa, buckner and Stanley are all gone(which is very possible) who would you prefer?…Treadwell is another possession wr and we basically have 3 already…with banks entering FA, verner up in the air and grimes serving as a band aid picking Hargreaves(BPA) would be a smart decision…a wild card out there that would fit perfectly in Miles Jack…i wouldnt mind him at all….GO BUCS!!!!
March 17th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
They had film on ESPN late night spotlighting Sheldon Rankins. WOWZER!!! This guy is a beast! He’s the real deal. Know a lot of people say we don’t need a DT. But this guy is a..can’t miss. If he’s there at 9..I say the Bucs should grab him up.
March 17th, 2016 at 4:50 pm
@Joe Let me get this right the Bucs have signed two corners if those two corners get a roll on Bucs and they end up drafting a corner does that make Lovie assessment of these corners true?
March 17th, 2016 at 5:12 pm
I just dont feel our need at corner iis as bad as it looked the last two seasons. Banks needs to be re sigbed next season verner has his old dbs coach and in my opinion I thought moore played well. Add grimes in the mix and I just dont see the need to draft a corner unless he truley is the bpa. I just want to know why moore is not an option at this point. What do we not know???
March 17th, 2016 at 6:35 pm
Lovie abused the entire DB’s last season.
I doubt either Banks or Verner suddenly lost their mojo. It was Lovies insistence that No Man Is Better Than The System that caused problems.
By nature DB’s are aggressive. It take special non-aggressive DB’s to play in Lovies baby-soft Tampa 2.
I predict an incredible turn-around for the Buc DB’s on 2016…
March 17th, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Floyd would be a big disappointment to me if we draft him.
A great athlete with marginal production.
Those have a high propensity to be a bust
I’d take Buckner, Heargraves, Rankins or Stanley way before I’d consider Leonard Floyd.
March 17th, 2016 at 7:26 pm
I say no to Buckner. The guy runs a 4.9. What besides his height and weight makes him a great DE. I prefer a true DE or pass rushing DE. Not a DT.
March 17th, 2016 at 7:43 pm
No DE depth??? WTF are some of you talking about? These are guys all in the possibly in the first 2 rounds in no particular order.
Ogbah
Dodd
Spence
Buckner
Lawson
Bosa
Bullard
Day
nassib
They HAVE to take a DE in round one.
They can get a CB in Rd 2
And a LB possibly in Rd 3
March 17th, 2016 at 7:51 pm
sethb22
Thank you for the time and effort – you point into your post.#RESPECT
March 17th, 2016 at 7:54 pm
After reading Seth’s comprehensive analysis…..I am now thoroughly convinced that we should go Oline at # 9 unless Ramsey is there.
March 17th, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Bucs sign Daryl Smith
March 17th, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Yep, we have a new Sam lb
March 17th, 2016 at 8:28 pm
Thanks Seth, lots of good DEs in this draft but no elite ones. I’m all for taking Rankins in the first then look for a WR or a guy like Bullard in the 2d. If pass rushing from the outside isn’t the stregth of this team lets build our rush on the inside, prevents qbs from stepping up and using the pocket to their advantage.
March 17th, 2016 at 8:30 pm
When you have CLASS, you keep your mouth closed, and prove everyone wrong on the field with your skills!Zzzzzzzz
March 17th, 2016 at 8:30 pm
No to Buckner. VH3, Ronnie Stanley, and Miles Jack are all better players. DE is deep through the first 4 rounds. CB is not nearly as deep. Nor is OT. There isn’t a DE that deserves a top 10 pick IMO. Bosa could drop since more issues keep coming up. On and off the field. And Buckner hasn’t done enough to deserve a high pick.
March 17th, 2016 at 9:22 pm
Buckner vs stanford 2015 buckner made no impact. Didnt set the edge to his side. He made maybe 3 successful bull rushes 2 were qb hurries and 1 led to half a sack. Please dont take buckner.
March 17th, 2016 at 9:40 pm
So more the reason to draft Leonard Floyd
March 17th, 2016 at 10:21 pm
Ogbah reminds me of Simeon Rice….
March 17th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Lawson vs notre dame 2015 lawson beasts that oline so bad. Its hard to not notice him collapsing his side or push through the lines on stretch runs. I respect your analysis seth but i am seeing a huge difference in lawson. He has violent hands on swim moves powerful spins and explosive closing bursts. He isnt fooled on read option based plays. (Who likes to run read option? Thats right the super bowl contenders the carolina panthers.) He doesnt explode at the snap off the line because he doesnt have to he has the speed and power to read and react rather than react to the snap. The opposing tackle has to respect both. Noah spence is undersized and doesnt have the power in my opinion to push the bigger tackles in the nfl. Take lawson pick 9 IF he’s there. He has the same relentless attitude as spence but in a bigger and more powerful frame.
March 17th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Bout to watch some ogbah
March 17th, 2016 at 11:43 pm
The question we need to ask ourselves is if Noah Spence did not have all the off-field issues would he be a top ten pick? The answer is.. yes. If we don’t go DE in the first round the only ones who look like they could have an impact that are left are – Carl Nassib, Shawn Oakman and Shilique Calhoun.
Leonard Floyd production was not that bad. Last year he had 74 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries and 3 PD. Over a three year span Floyd had 184 tackles, 28.5 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, 38 QB hurries, 5 FF and 4 PD. Floyd was in coverage on many plays as an OLB. He is lot more disruptive than those stats say. He gets a lot of holding penalties. It feels like forever since we had a dynamic edge rusher that can get to the QB quickly. It also doesn’t hurt that he can play the run, and drop into coverage as well. He will put weight on and get stronger at the next level. His speed, athletic ability and potential are what sets him apart. He turns 24 in his first week of the NFL season which turns some people off.
Deforest Buckner’s pass-rush is probably his strength, but he’s a problem in the run game for offenses too. He recorded 36 stops against the run last year His 67 QB pressures this season were among the most in college football. More NFL teams are changing the way they match up with pass-oriented offenses, with the use of players like Buckner as a moveable weapons across the defensive line. The Houston Texans have transitioned JJ Watt – similar in stature – from an interior player to an edge rusher, and the New York Jets have employed Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson as edge rushers this season despite both being natural interior players. I can see the Bucs utilizing a front four of all DT who have pass rush skills. Sheldon Rankins, Deforest Buckner, Noah Spence or Leonard Floyd will all help our defense no matter who we pick.
March 18th, 2016 at 7:34 am
Leonard Floyd – WOW! Glad you guys put me on to this guy. I haven’t watched him before checking out the film. He’s a monster rushing the QB. Before I get into his poisitive’s though let me go over his weaknesses as they are glaring. His play weight last season was 220, at 6’4 he has a WR body. He did put on 25 pounds for the combine and still ran a 4.6, so it shows he can get bigger… which he will need to do.
In watching the film he spent the majority of his snaps as an inside LB (olb shifted over), probably about a 60:40 split with rushing the passer off the edge. I want to evaluate him there first. As an inside Linebacker, his instincts leave a lot to be desired, If he even got near a tackle it was typically 5 yards down field… That is from the linebacker position. His coverage ability from the Linebacker position is some of the best I’ve ever seen… He is always on his guy in man coverage and always in the lanes in zone. He has elite ability in coverage.
As a pass rusher… I counted 9 rushes in the film I watched… he got pressure on 6, 1 sack, forced a bad throw that led to an interception. He showed an amazing first step on his speed rush, had a great swim move to the inside, a nice spin, and a manly bull rush… Showed what people like to call a nice repertoire. He has an elite pass rushing skill set, better than even Noah Spence, who I love. He’s going to have to put on weight but if he does I see no reason he couldn’t be a great 4-3 Defensive End. His size will hurt him on first and second down though. May have to play as a situational rusher his first year until he fills out and learns to play with the weight. That drops him somewhat down the board because he’s not plug and play ready. I think if he was to be put in a 3-4 Outside Linebacker role he would be ready immediately. His coverage skills along with his rushing skills in that system would make him an ideal fit for that system. However, Mike Smith has shown the ability to find fits for guys and maybe he can move him around based on situation… But as a linebacker in the run game he showed terrible ability to read and react to where the ball is… so how much does he really help you there? I think you could put him as a strongside linebacker on run downs and slide him to an outside rush position in pass situations. He’d be a fun weapon to have as a Defensive Coordinator. He just has to get his weight up…
All in All… I’d take a shot on him at 9. He probably never plays over 250lbs but is a weapon, Elite in coverage and Elite as a pass rusher… If responsible for an outside gap as a Sam (strongside LB) he could probably do better in run defense. He’s an elite prospect. Best Pass Rusher in the draft that I’ve seen to date.
Player Comparison: Jevon Kearse