Patriot Killa Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 https://www.ganggreennation.com/2018/2/21/17033390/were-the-scouting-reports-right-darron-lee-new-york-jets Were the Scouting Reports Right? - Darron Lee Previously, I looked back at the predraft scouting reports of all 2017 Jets rookies to earn significant playing time. With that class in the books, let’s rewind the clock one year and start looking back at the scouting reports of the 2016 Jets draft class. We’ll start with the 20th pick of the 2016 draft, Darron Lee. Here is a look at the positives of his scouting report, as seen on NFL.com: Quick to diagnose and flow to the ball. Has unusual ability to find the most efficient routes to the ball. Has athleticism and flexibility to contort his body and succeed through difficult tackle angles. Plays with loose hips, quick feet and desired agility of an NFL weak-side linebacker. Former high school quarterback with the change of direction and speed to be a rangy playmaker. Comfortable in space and excels there. Has plus man cover talent. Willing to stand in and take on blockers with a leveraged strike if his gap is being threatened. Capable gap blitzer with ability to get skinny through the holes. What seems right? Yikes. I don’t want to be overly harsh, but there is little from this section I saw from Lee on a weekly basis over the past two years. Is he athletic? Sure, I guess. He doesn’t look like a slug out there, but would any NFL athlete look like one at that raw age? Because, I don’t think he’s a speed demon either. Really, the only part of this I can agree with is that he looks to have somewhat above-average athleticism, but I can’t agree on elite. What seems off? “Quick to diagnose and flow to the ball. Has unusual ability to find the most efficient routes to the ball” - In year one, Lee could not do these things. He had more moments of smart play in year two, but he still struggles to consistently do exactly what this scouting report says he was good at doing; finding quick, efficient routes to the football. “Comfortable in space and excels there. Has plus man cover talent.” No and no, in my opinion. His man coverage ability, though the Jets have thrown him a lot of difficult cover assignments over David Harris and Demario Davis, has not yielded positive results. In space, he takes poor angles and isn’t a great finisher. “Willing to stand in and take on blockers with a leveraged strike if his gap is being threatened.” I’m not sure about this either. Lee doesn’t seem like a very physical linebacker, and he too often is responsible for leaving gaping holes up the middle. His weaknesses: Quick to diagnose and flow to the ball. Has unusual ability to find the most efficient routes to the ball. Has athleticism and flexibility to contort his body and succeed through difficult tackle angles. Plays with loose hips, quick feet and desired agility of an NFL weak-side linebacker. Former high school quarterback with the change of direction and speed to be a rangy playmaker. Comfortable in space and excels there. Has plus man cover talent. Willing to stand in and take on blockers with a leveraged strike if his gap is being threatened. Capable gap blitzer with ability to get skinny through the holes. What seems right? All of these weaknesses seemed to still plague Lee in 2017. He is absolutely small for the position. I would agree he is less physical than ideal. “Tape shows few authoritative tackles. Involved in too many arm and shoestring tackles.” - I definitely think his ratio of crushing tackles to whiffs is bad. Really, this entire section can still apply if you were writing a report on Lee’s NFL profile. What seems off? I can’t disagree with anything in this section. All of the question marks surrounding Lee on draft day have been issues throughout his NFL career, and they have held him back from utilizing his best traits to their fullest potential. He is definitely the kind of player I thought the Jets were getting; an athletic, but undersized linebacker who takes on a lot of coverage responsibilities. He just hasn’t developed as quickly as hoped. I will say that I thought Darron Lee took a step forward this year. Specifically in the middle of the year, he had a stretch of games where he really seemed to be putting it together. His 2017 was overall better than his 2016, but it was a case of moving from awful to less awful. He still needs to get better with his recognition, coverage, and tackling. He has solid athleticism for the position and has showcased the ability to string some solid games together. Can he overcome his size deficiency and become a disciplined enough player to complete a full season of quality play? Still only 23 years old, Lee was a very young prospect who has had a lot on his plate early in his career. He’s entering year three, though. It’s time for him to learn from all of those early experiences and start producing like a first-round pick, since that title alone isn’t going to buy him playing time much longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-Rex Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 He cannot take on the point of attack because of his size and he doesn't seem able to hold the edge either. As far as coverage Lee is almost as bad as Calvin Pryor was. Bad angles and he is not as fast as Jets scouts thought he was. OK player, but draft wayyyy to high. Could have been had in late second maybe early third round. Mac has to do a better job identifying the round a player needs to be taken in and put a muzzle on Todd Bowles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 If he is kept totally clean he can make tackles from side to side. He will get blown up by anyone if he tries to make a head up stop. Bad coverage instincts, does not make many impactful plays, also appears to be a bit of a nut case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusher Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 This one was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot Killa Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 1 minute ago, The Crusher said: This one was. Those wingz are sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Why are you posting pictures of Mike Glennon next to a dragon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varjet Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 People are too kind to this draft pick. It was an awful draft, but also an awful pick. Better off taking a chance on Paxton Lynch, Artie Burns, or a receiver. When the Jets decline Lee’s 5th year option, the mistake that this pick was will be confirmed. I am looking forward to Mac showing us he knows how to draft. He has not done so yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Lee was a bad pick when it was made, and it’s borne out to be a bad pick to this very day. If he wasn’t a first round pick, we’d be talking about the need to upgrade at the position right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Lee is going to wind up like farrior, go to another team and flourish He should be in space chasing the QB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 2 minutes ago, Larz said: Lee is going to wind up like farrior, go to another team and flourish He should be in space chasing the QB Besides the fact that he has no instincts for the position, he also appears to be a whack job off the field, as well. He’s going to end up like Coples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 6 minutes ago, Larz said: Lee is going to wind up like farrior, go to another team and flourish He should be in space chasing the QB He is in no way shape or form a pass rusher, he does not have long arms, he is not a bender he does not take good angles. People keep trying to stick him in spots because the one he is in he is not a factor. Decent enough player moving from, side to side making tackles and that is about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 7 minutes ago, T0mShane said: Besides the fact that he has no instincts for the position, he also appears to be a whack job off the field, as well. He’s going to end up like Coples. Mets, jets and nets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Mostro Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Lee is nothing short of a massive whiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HessStation Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 4 hours ago, Larz said: Lee is going to wind up like farrior, go to another team and flourish He should be in space chasing the QB In a reverse sense, that, he needs to be a WLB in a Tampa 2. I would try and trade him to the Colts right now and hope I could a mid rounder for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 1 hour ago, Il Mostro said: Lee is nothing short of a massive whiff. He is too light to be a massive anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 6 hours ago, Ex-Rex said: He cannot take on the point of attack because of his size and he doesn't seem able to hold the edge either. As far as coverage Lee is almost as bad as Calvin Pryor was. Bad angles and he is not as fast as Jets scouts thought he was. OK player, but draft wayyyy to high. Could have been had in late second maybe early third round. Mac has to do a better job identifying the round a player needs to be taken in and put a muzzle on Todd Bowles. You can't say "he could have been had in late second". You have no idea where he was slotted on other teams pre draft lists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen X Jet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Better suited for the Montreal Alouettes and will probably be up there for the 2020 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lupz27 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 4 hours ago, Larz said: Mets, jets and nets? Damn I thought I was the only one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet Life Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Horrible pick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kleckineau Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Spoiler Darron Lee stinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugg Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 He got blown up by a 40-year old man who avoids contact at all costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiFtheOracle Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 16 hours ago, T0mShane said: Lee was a bad pick when it was made, and it’s borne out to be a bad pick to this very day. If he wasn’t a first round pick, we’d be talking about the need to upgrade at the position right now. They traded for Demario Davis and tried to sign Donte Hightower by baking him cup cakes and drafted 2 safeties that play the exact same role as Lee. They also benched him for something sh*tty veterans do every week and get away with by being late to practice (at least he showed up). I think they know fully well that Lee sucks, is a basket case and they were sold a bill of goods. Everything about his pre-draft write up is completely wrong. He's the least instinctual players I've ever seen. He takes terrible angles. Cant diagnose sh*t. He's the LB'er equivalent of a QB who cant read a D presnap, cant throw a WR open or lead a WR but can occasionally hit a WR once they're wide open with nobody around and they've completely finished the route and are just waiting for the ball. Rookie season, he was a straight spectator. At least this year he looked like a decent depth guy you could play after your first 3 LB'ers get injured and need a somewhat decent starter because you have nothing left other than moving a DE/DT to LB'er or S to play his position...see what I did there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcat Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 1 minute ago, JiF said: They traded for Demario Davis and tried to sign Donte Hightower by baking him cup cakes and drafted 2 safeties that play the exact same role as Lee. They also benched him for something sh*tty veterans do every week and get away with by being late to practice (at least he showed up). I think they know fully well that Lee sucks, is a basket case and they were sold a bill of goods. Everything about his pre-draft write up is completely wrong. He's the least instinctual players I've ever seen. He takes terrible angles. Cant diagnose sh*t. He's the LB'er equivalent of a QB who cant read a D presnap, cant throw a WR open or lead a WR but can occasionally hit a WR once they're wide open with nobody around and they've completely finished the route and are just waiting for the ball. Rookie season, he was a straight spectator. At least this year he looked like a decent depth guy you could player after your first 3 LB'ers get injured and need a somewhat decent starter because you have nothing left other than moving a DE/DT to LB'er or S to play his position...see what I did there? How true (the bolded). Pinky Lee as LB is the equivalent of Mark Sanchez as QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varjet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 11 hours ago, HessStation said: In a reverse sense, that, he needs to be a WLB in a Tampa 2. I would try and trade him to the Colts right now and hope I could a mid rounder for him. Through him in as the extra for a trade up to 3. 11 hours ago, Thai Jet said: You can't say "he could have been had in late second". You have no idea where he was slotted on other teams pre draft lists. In defense to Mac, the 2016 Draft was terrible. Lee was projected as a solid first round pick at or around (or even higher than) where the Jets picked him. Ironically, he was mocked by many to the Falcons, who instead took Deion Jones in the 2nd round. But as a player and a person, he is very unlikeable. For all Mac's BPA reputation, it did appear to me that he was a "try to replicate Deion Buchanan" pick driven in large part by Bowles. I of course could be wrong. The Jets really have no depth there, so replacing him would be a challenge, but taking a page out of the Bills/Ragland handbook, the Jets would be best served at this point to unload him for whatever someone will pay and replacing him with someone cheaper who can actually play the position he is asked to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoTownsell1 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Darron Lee is still only 23, which is about the same age as seniors coming out in this year's draft.. Lee is also pretty much the exact same size as Ryan shazier. Shaziers career started off slow.. Lee's has been a little slower but he got better from year 1 to year 2 making more big plays. No, he'll never be a David Harris type run stuffer. He was never drafted to be that type of player. It's comical to see the usual SOJF crew give up on a 23 year old kid because if his size when there are similar sized linebackers succeeding in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Island Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Darron Lee is a poor man's Kyle Wilson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcat Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 1 hour ago, JoJoTownsell1 said: Darron Lee is still only 23, which is about the same age as seniors coming out in this year's draft.. Lee is also pretty much the exact same size as Ryan shazier. Shaziers career started off slow.. Lee's has been a little slower but he got better from year 1 to year 2 making more big plays. No, he'll never be a David Harris type run stuffer. He was never drafted to be that type of player. It's comical to see the usual SOJF crew give up on a 23 year old kid because if his size when there are similar sized linebackers succeeding in the NFL. But he hasn't even looked decent or mediocre. He's been flat out atrocious. 2 more years. More of this terrible play and they won't be giving him a 5th year. He's basically got one more season to prove himself or the writing will be on the wall. So far, he has S-U-C-K-E-D. No way to excuse it or defend it. A terrible pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc1 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Lee is too small for the 3-4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UntouchableCrew Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 20 hours ago, Beerfish said: If he is kept totally clean he can make tackles from side to side. He will get blown up by anyone if he tries to make a head up stop. Bad coverage instincts, does not make many impactful plays, also appears to be a bit of a nut case. This pretty much sums it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philc1 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 21 minutes ago, Fantasy Island said: Darron Lee is a poor man's Kyle Wilson. More like a poor man’s Vilma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varjet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Yes, Darron Lee is a poor man's Ryan Shazier. Mac should know that you can't just draft a player from the same school that succeeds a current NFL player and expect the same results. Ryan Shazier was a great football player. "Was" being the operative world. Playing LB at that size basically got him paralyzed. We are 2 years into the Darron Lee experiment. If Mac is smart, he would be signing DD and looking for Lee's replacement in the 3rd round and below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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