2021 Draft Prospects Thread

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

So, this might surprise you, but Patrick Queen is like Mack Wilson bad vs the run.

No surprise. I still think every NFL franchise is taking the athletic profile and pass coverage of Queen over the... well... mediocrity? that Phillips showed this year.

I like Phillips, I just think this is a poor example. Logan Wilson, Bobby Okereke, Darius Leonard, Fred Warner are all much more poignant recent examples. I still love Chris Borland as well if you want to go back a few more years.

 

[Randolphkeys]

No surprise. I still think every NFL franchise is taking the athletic profile and pass coverage of Queen over the... well... mediocrity? that Phillips showed this year.

I like Phillips, I just think this is a poor example. Logan Wilson, Bobby Okereke, Darius Leonard, Fred Warner are all much more poignant recent examples. I still love Chris Borland as well if you want to go back a few more years.

One thing I'd like to point out is that Fred Warner was drafted in the 3rd round, day two, but many draft sites gave him a low 4th round grade. I remember specifically because I read the Niners were really high on him as a scheme fit - he played a strong safety/coverage linebacker hybrid role in college.

Draft sites used to overvalue sack totals and TFL stats from linebackers, but they have learned.

In the past three years, players who can handle that role are being projected higher than the linebackers with run support and blitzing stats. Logan Wilson went around the same spot in the draft as Warner but draft sites finally figured out the value of safety/linebacker players like him.

 

[natedagg]

@AZ_ bro you need an agent. How’s about I see if we can get you to do some draft prospect posting on RBF?

 

[natedagg]

Not that we need to be the chiefs, but I found it interesting how they have a strong center w a stud DT and great safety w the Honey Badger. Those guys are able to affect most plays.
MG wasn’t healthy and teams can scheme away from Ward. Just something to think about.
I feel like this is a draft junky’s wet dream bc it’s all about projection w many seasons shortened or outright skipped due to COVID. It will be fun to see the booms and busts with the benefit of hindsight. Some posts are not going to age well!
My draft: thumpers. We need safeties who can play LB bc that’s what the position has become. I will take a stud there even with Deloitte bc thumpers bro. If a linebacker isn’t “rangey” with a sub 4.54512, then he can play elsewhere. Seems all offenses are running RPOs a lot, and I don’t know how else that can be defended.

 

[AZ_]

Filing this one away, seems like a lot.


Lots of talent there. Early on, I'd have them in these tiers:

Tier1:
Penei Sewell
Christian Darrisaw
Rashawn Slater
Sam Cosmi

Tier 2:
Liam Eichenberg
Jalen Mayfield

Tier 3:
Alex Leatherwood
Taven Jenkins
Jackson Carmen
Brady Christiensen
Spencer Brown

 

[tristan+kyrie=$]

Filing this one away, seems like a lot.


Lots of talent there. Early on, I'd have them in these tiers:

Tier1:
Penei Sewell
Christian Darrisaw
Rashawn Slater
Sam Cosmi

Tier 2:
Liam Eichenberg
Jalen Mayfield

Tier 3:
Alex Leatherwood
Taven Jenkins
Jackson Carmen
Brady Christiensen

Nice the browns got their two tackles which hopefully means defensive talent falls on draft night

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Nice the browns got their two tackles which hopefully means defensive talent falls on draft night

I'd also be down to pick up a swing tackle if any of these guys fall due to the large number of available options.

 

[N7RobBob]

Filing this one away, seems like a lot.


Lots of talent there. Early on, I'd have them in these tiers:

Tier1:
Penei Sewell
Christian Darrisaw
Rashawn Slater
Sam Cosmi

Tier 2:
Liam Eichenberg
Jalen Mayfield

Tier 3:
Alex Leatherwood
Taven Jenkins
Jackson Carmen
Brady Christiensen
Spencer Brown

Where would you have placed Munford if he would've declared?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

One thing I'd like to point out is that Fred Warner was drafted in the 3rd round, day two, but many draft sites gave him a low 4th round grade. I remember specifically because I read the Niners were really high on him as a scheme fit - he played a strong safety/coverage linebacker hybrid role in college.

Draft sites used to overvalue sack totals and TFL stats from linebackers, but they have learned.

In the past three years, players who can handle that role are being projected higher than the linebackers with run support and blitzing stats. Logan Wilson went around the same spot in the draft as Warner but draft sites finally figured out the value of safety/linebacker players like him.

I'd emphasize strong coverage skills over sacks from LB's, especially when you normally go with four down linemen. Being able to hang with a good TE is a very valuable skill.

 

[AZ_]

Where would you have placed Munford if he would've declared?

Tier 3, definitely.

Definitely a guy who can raise his stock with another All Big Ten and potentially All American season.

Put the back problems behind him, stay healthy and ball out.

 

[bigfoot5415]

I'd emphasize strong coverage skills over sacks from LB's, especially when you normally go with four down linemen. Being able to hang with a good TE is a very valuable skill.

Id also like to find a guy that can not only tackle, but meet RBs at the line of scrimmage and not get run over for 4 yards.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Id also like to find a guy that can not only tackle, but meet RBs at the line of scrimmage and not get run over for 4 yards.

From what I've seen, you are talking about Zaven Collins. He looks like young Brian Urlacher - guys that big and strong aren't supposed to be so good in coverage.

If the Browns still don't have a linebacker in the third round, I'm leaning towards Ohio State's Baron Browning. He has all the athleticism you want... buy I'm sure OSU fans know the drawbacks. I'd like to see him stick his nose in the scrum a little more often.

 

[blommen]

The more I think about it the more I like Collins as a fit, but considering how little value the team puts on the position I really doubt that They’ll go in that direction.

The problem is if the talent available at the other positions of need is really there at 26. There is not a lot of Safety talent there, same with IDL, I don’t know if there will a lot of 1st round grade EDGE players left either.

I understand the logic behind not ascribing value at LB, but when the defense is as riddled with holes as is the case, isn’t there an argument to be made for just plugging one of the most obvious holes with the best plug available?

He has the size to cover potential TE match-ups, he can move to the edge and rush, he has shown himself to be solid in coverage, and while he isn’t an outright blur, he is still very fast for his size.

edit: it’s of course also worth considering whether or not I’m just hopelessly infatuated with the position and the idea of having a versatile playmaker in the middle of the defense

 

[AZ_]

The more I think about it the more I like Collins as a fit, but considering how little value the team puts on the position I really doubt that They’ll go in that direction.

The problem is if the talent available at the other positions of need is really there at 26. There is not a lot of Safety talent there, same with IDL, I don’t know if there will a lot of 1st round grade EDGE players left either.

I understand the logic behind not ascribing value at LB, but when the defense is as riddled with holes as is the case, isn’t there an argument to be made for just plugging one of the most obvious holes with the best plug available?

He has the size to cover potential TE match-ups, he can move to the edge and rush, he has shown himself to be solid in coverage, and while he isn’t an outright blur, he is still very fast for his size.

edit: it’s of course also worth considering whether or not I’m just hopelessly infatuated with the position and the idea of having a versatile playmaker in the middle of the defense

Zaven Collins is an EDGE on this team.

Quite honestly, I think the only reason he's being considered a "LB" is through teams which will utilize him as a two-point stance rusher from anywhere.

If he proves himself capable of being able to stand up and take on an outside edge role, that's phenomenal. But most likely, he's a hand down rusher at 6'4, 260+ and its a role that he's equally well suited for.

The concept of being able to move Garrett inside, or rush both from the same edge on passing downs, would have me salivating as a DC.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Zaven Collins is an EDGE on this team.

Quite honestly, I think the only reason he's being considered a "LB" is through teams which will utilize him as a two-point stance rusher from anywhere.

If he proves himself capable of being able to stand up and take on an outside edge role, that's phenomenal. But most likely, he's a hand down rusher at 6'4, 260+ and its a role that he's equally well suited for.

The concept of being able to move Garrett inside, or rush both from the same edge on passing downs, would have me salivating as a DC.

He could definitely play that left defensive end role. Woods liked dropping Gustin and Vernon back in coverage in blitz packages.

He is a blur off the edge, but I'm most impressed with his skills as a spy linebacker who suddenly attacks on a delayed blitz. I see him as the Browns answer to Lamar Jackson in the way he controls the middle of the field in all three phases - delayed blitz, shutting down rushing QBs, dropping back in zone.