Linebackers - A review

[clayton163v]

Linebackers – A quick review of the club.  Mosely plays well but is not the 20 million dollar man.  Oh well.  Quincy Williams looked good against the run at times.  Overruns the play and does not stack and shed blocks well.  He was not a factor in our zone defense.  He gets the attacking part Saleh wants but offers little for our zone.  Sherwood had a lost season with the Achilles.  Who knows?  Nasirildeen had his chance and did little.  Plenty of room for new personnel.  Truly.  I would draft two whenever my well laid plans go a cropper.  They can be had throughout the draft.  The whole league knows it too so there will be bargain shopping.   Let’s take two from this huge pile.  Bargains only, no rich picks.  Remember, there are no WRs, Edges or OTs worth having after the 100th pick.  That is just the truth. 

Dean – Ourlads loves him and he fits us perfectly.  But there is no way I draft him unless he is sitting there at 35 which is just not going to happen.

Lloyd – He is a big thumper who is an ideal MIKE for any scheme.  No way unless he is there at 35.  Look, I like him too but this is a deep class and there are other priorities.

Quay Walker – Georgia.  6’ 3.5” 240 lbs.  4.5 speed.  Underrated by most internet draftniks.  Ourlads has him rated near the top of the 2d.  He is an ideal fit for the Jets and was born to play in our matchup zone.  Not only does he have a ton of experience, he can also mirror backs and tight ends in man to man or blitz.  Good size, length and speed.  I covet him.  I have dreams of getting him in the 70-80 range after some trades back but think I am dreaming.  I am afraid it is 69 or bust.  Whether I would even pull the trigger there depends on what we have done earlier.  I am not against it he is such a good fit - but we have to have our WRs, Edges and OT to consider first. 

Chad Muma – Has the tools of an every down linebacker and had a fine senior bowl.  Good tackler who strength is in coverage.  It is all there.  Length, size speed, experience in zone, etc.  I like him plenty but balk at the cost of a 2d (Ourlads rates him in the top 1/3 of the 2d.  Sigh.  Like Walker, it is 69 or bust.  I do not have my hopes up. 

Christian Harris – Even better tools than Muma.  The guy can fly (4.4 speed) and is “willing to stick his face in the fan”.   Not as good in zone as man to man.  I suspect Salah loves him.  Me too.  Again, I cannot spend those 2ds on a linebacker in this draft.  It is too high.  Like Muma and Walker, I suspect he is gone in the 2d.  Sigh.

Chanel – Two down run smasher.  He tested off the charts at 260 lbs.  I suspect the Pats want him.  Nope.

Tindall – The tools rich teammate of Quay Walker.  Lacks awareness in zone and is not ready.  Will develop nicely over time.  A luxury pick.  Nope. 

Damone Clark – LSU.   6’ 2.5” 240 lbs 4.57 speed.  Good length and has a ton of experience in zone.  Another good fit for the Jets matchup zone.  I grab him at 111 or 117.  Ourlads rates him at the end of the 2d.  My point?  Some of these linebackers are going to drop.  Not because of talent but because there are too many of them.     

Malcolm Rodriguez – Oklahoma St.  5’ 11” 232.  Four year starter with a ton of experience.  A converted safety.  He lacks length and size but was productive and put up some fine film.  Can flip his hips in man to man on backs and tight ends and redirects throws in zone.  Plays well in space and is a solid tackler.  Real good instincts.  I covet him and think we can get him in the 5th.  Underrated by the internet draftniks imo.   Ourlads gives him a 3d round grade.  Gulp.  From what I have seen, they are outliers on him.  I sure hope so. 

Asamoah – Small and quick, he is overrated by many.   He projects as a will.  Only if he is cheap in the 5th.   PFF ranks him 39th.  They are nuts. 

Troy Anderson – A fine fit for the Jets but inexperienced.  He is not ready.  He has size, speed, length and athleticism.  Everything but experience as he is a two year starter at LB.  Former RB and QB before moving to linebacker for the last two years.  He can play H-back too.  I think he is overrated but can be had at 69.  I cannot see it but love the player.  A 5th.   I know, I know.  He will be gone.  Perhaps, but not all of them will be gone.    

Brandon Smith – Like Anderson above, he has elite traits and would fit nicely on the Jets.  Truly tools rich but needs seasoning.  He can be had at 69 but I cannot see it.  A 5th. 

Terrell Bernard – Baylor.  6’ 225 lbs.  4.6 speed.  A classic run and chase linebacker who is a great fit for us.  Like Rodriguez he is a converted safety with great ball skills and is an experienced zone defender.  Reminds me of Sherwood’s review from last season.  Gritty tough guy who lacks ideal size.  A good candidate for the WILL in our scheme.  A 5th.

Aaron Hansford – Texas A&M  6’ 2” 240.  A coverted WR.  He is good at zone and is a rugged run defender.  Not ready but has the tools of an every down LB.  5th or 6th.

Beavers – Two down LB.  Nope.  Overrated too.

JoJo Domann – Nebraska.  6’ 1” 230.  4.6 speed.  Another converted Safety.  Ideal fit for the Jets and a likely new arrival.  Born to play zone and start as a run and chase WILL.  Why is he a likely Jet?  He is CHEAP.  A 5th.   If he goes early I will dub it the PFF mock draft simulator effect. 

Zacoby McClain – Auburn.  5’ 11” 230.  Another run and chase candidate for the WILL.  Another solid zone defender.  I prefer Domann but McClain will do nicely if he arrives in the 6th.   

Jesse Luketa –Penn State.  6’ 2” 250.  A 4-3 SAM.  He has all the tools and the price is right.  He is not ready but is CHEAP.  Underrated too.  Real good in underneath zone coverage.  We could really use him.  A 6th.

Jeremiah Gemmel – North Carolina.  Another WILL.  A bit slow.  I prefer others.  Nope. 

Jackson – Needs to develop as a WILL.  Not ready and I prefer others.

Rose – A limited two down run stuffer.  A poor fit imo.

Jack Sanborn – Wisconsin.  6’ 1” 230.  4.7 40.  I like everything about this guy, especially the price.  Due to this year’s draft this three year starter will be a bargain pick.  He is good in zone and tough against the run.  A 6th.

Micah McFadden – Indiana.  6’ 1” 240.  See Sanborn above.  Same review.  Another tough guy who is good in zone.  “There are too many pigs for the teats”  (google it).  Somebody will get a bargain.  I hope it is us.   A 6th.

Jeremiah Moon – Florida.  6’ 4” 250.  35 inch arms, 10 inch hands.  4.7 speed.  Big and tough with an injury history.  Reminds me of Cashman who was a good gamble that came up snake eyes.  Well worth another gamble.  Ideal traits who would go far earlier but had his career derailed by injuries.   Another bargain.  This is a 6th round pick.  He makes our team.  Mondo special teams guy.  This is true of most of these linebackers who I identified with a first name.    

That’s a wrap.  There are linebackers who can help us throughout the draft.  If we get stuck, take the next linebacker on the board.  He is surely going to be a bargain draft over draft.  There is a powerful case that we should target one at 69 or trade back.  One of the blemish free 3 down linebackers is going to be there and that is not true of most drafts.  Otherwise, it is feed late.  From where I stand it makes more sense to bottom feed on this position class.  No matter what, we need to add two.  If the NFL is stupid, add three.  Will we really miss Nasirildeen who had every chance to emerge last season?  Not if these guys show promise.     

PS – While many celebrate Joe Douglas getting a 6th for Cashman, I fear other NFL owners will forbid their GMs from talking to him anymore.  I would.

[PepPep]

Nice. 

Also would add Nate Landman from Colorado to the list. 

I love Christian Harris, Lloyd and Troy Anderson. 

[#27TheDominator]

Isn't Damone Clark going to miss the season?  He isn't dropping because there are too many of them, he is dropping because he will not play until 2023. 

Not sure why you have Rose as a 2 down run stuffer.  I thought he was a very good zone defender.  His main issues are that he probably can't run and he will get roasted in man.

Christian Harris gave up a ton of yards and TDs in coverage.  I'm scared of him, especially high. 

I like Troy Andersen a whole lot.  I think he will go earlier than you expect.  He is a weapon.  Probably not ready to be on the field every down, but he is the kind of chess piece that it is fun to use and from everything I have read he is a football first guy that just loves to play. 

I picked Ellicot City's own Chance Campbell with my last pick in the mock and I think he deserves some consideration.  Supposedly a special teamer too, which will help off the bat.  

 

[Beerfish]

8 hours ago, clayton163v said:

Just for a fun reference, here are where these players were chosen in the jetnation mock draft.

Dean – 29

Lloyd – 19

Quay Walker – 59

Chad Muma – 70

Christian Harris – 45

Chanel – 60

Tindall – 82

Damone Clark – 90  (Did I not read somewhere that Clark had to have spinal fusion after the combine and is out a full year?  If so he will be a very late rounder at best.)

Malcolm Rodriguez – 192

Asamoah – 116

Troy Anderson – 117

Brandon Smith – 85

Terrell Bernard – 177

Aaron Hansford – 189

Beavers – 125

JoJo Domann – 155

Zacoby McClain – 210

Jesse Luketa – 201

Jeremiah Gemmel – 225

Jackson – 206

Rose – 164

Jack Sanborn – 199

Micah McFadden – 135

Jeremiah Moon – 230

 

 

[peekskill68]

CJ's getting cut after this season (or could be traded even sooner).  This is the year to find his replacement...

[jetstream23]

Take Quay Walker at #38.

I'd have zero problem with that.

 

[naturalscience]

As always, really appreciate you guys that take the time and write these informative posts. Thank you. 

[OilfieldJet]

9 hours ago, Beerfish said:

 

Profound.

[rangerous]

you gotta wonder where the next lawrence taylor is.  or how about jack lambert or ted hendricks.  those guys were impact players.

[NorthCoastJetsFan]

8 hours ago, naturalscience said:

As always, really appreciate you guys that take the time and write these informative posts. Thank you. 

Ditto.

I really like Lloyd, but there is  no way he falls to the second round and I'm n ot taking him at 10.

[section314]

11 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

Isn't Damone Clark going to miss the season?  He isn't dropping because there are too many of them, he is dropping because he will not play until 2023. 

Not sure why you have Rose as a 2 down run stuffer.  I thought he was a very good zone defender.  His main issues are that he probably can't run and he will get roasted in man.

Christian Harris gave up a ton of yards and TDs in coverage.  I'm scared of him, especially high. 

I like Troy Andersen a whole lot.  I think he will go earlier than you expect.  He is a weapon.  Probably not ready to be on the field every down, but he is the kind of chess piece that it is fun to use and from everything I have read he is a football first guy that just loves to play. 

I picked Ellicot City's own Chance Campbell with my last pick in the mock and I think he deserves some consideration.  Supposedly a special teamer too, which will help off the bat.  

 

Yes...believe I read that he was a consensus top 35 pick if healthy. That came up in our JN mock as well.