The group has been a liability to this team as a whole for a long time. There is disagreement among many when it comes to just how important it is to have three quality LBs. After all, this league has become so pass-heavy that there are often just 1 or 2 LBs on the field at any given time. I don't want to speculate free agency and what NYG will do with Beason. I want to discuss what options NYG has in the draft, from beginning to end.
I am on the side that still believes LBs are very important to a 4-3 scheme. Their impact is felt on every play, especially with how often the ball is being thrown to TEs, RBs, and slot receivers over the middle. With that said...there will likely only be one or two LBs that I have in my top 12, and they is UCLA's Anthony Barr and Buffalo's Khalil Mack. They aren't made for the 4-3 scheme in that their true strengths are pass rush-based, but I think they can still play in this kind of scheme. I have more confidence in Barr than I do Mack in the 4-3. He has more experience dropping in to coverage and playing the run as a stay at home defender. In addition, his ability to close a gap is better than any LB in this class by a wide margin. He has legit speed to chase RBs down. Mack would a gamble, not sure one worth taking, for the 4-3 SAM role. He is such a downhill player and he looks average when staying at home, reading the action, and pursuing.
Day two I think they can find a guy that presents the right value. I've been raving about Chris Borland (Wisconsin) since September. He is going to be my 3rd or 4th ranked LB and despite the lack of ideal size and length, I am as confident in him being a solid player as anyone in this entire class. I've never seen a guy that reads the action and gets to the ball, whether its a run or pass, as much as Borland. The lack of size never shows up on tape in a negative way. He is a big time player that is more than worth a 2nd round pick. CJ Mosley from Alabama is solid as well and will grade out similar to, if not slightly above Borland. But I think he goes in round 1 and he does not grade out high enough for the 1st rounder.
Names like Shayne Skov from Stanford and Ryan Shazier of Ohio State are names I can see being there in round 3 that NYG could use. They are different players though. Skov is an in between the tackles guy that will make a lot of tackles. But he isn't a 3 down guy, he just doesn't move well enough in coverage and I even question his ability to reach the sideline against outside runs. Shazier is a space athlete that can play with anyone when it comes to movement and athleticism. You need to be careful with him though because he is a complete non factor when TEs and OL reach him. I think there would be better value in the later rounds though.
Beyond the guys I have discussed, I am looking at names that I have graded much higher than what I see out there. Jordan Zumwalt from UCLA and Jordan Tripp of Montana have the same traits to their game that I liked in Kiko Alonso last year. Both have the athletic frame and movement skills but they are violent players that tackle well and cover ground against the pass. Kevin Pierre-Louis from BC and Jonathan Brown of Illinois are undersized guys that will be available late that I have mid-round grades on. I like their flow to the action and ability to stuff the run inside and out.
How about those LBs? Again I hate that I have to say this but there is no right or wrong here. Everything is speculation....lets remember that when we discuss.
1. Thanks for the brief write up. If you do extensive ones like UKGiantfan I look forward to it in a couple months
2. I'm surprised you don't think Mosley grades out as a good enough pick for the 1st rounder (or at least that's how it sounds). Some mocks have him as a top 10 pick
3. Kyle Van Oy is conspicuous by him absence in your write up. An oversight?
Probably because sacks and pressure get you on highlight reels and increase your prospect status and some of the best athletes are 3-4 OLBs.
I disagree that the 4-3 eliminates the big DEs, assuming you mean big in size. Chris Canty and Cullen Jenkins are big DEs in a 3-4, but their skills are a better fit for the DT spot in a 4-3. It's mostly the tweeners that the 4-3 eliminates (though Moore is a borderline tweener).
Also do you know why he wasn't allowed to play in the Rose Bowl?
So, honestly, I don't see the Giants drafting a linebacker in the first three or four rounds, if at all. I figure that if they do draft one, we're looking at late-round OLBs like BC's Kadeem Edebali, USC's Devon Kennard, or Illinois' Jonathan Brown...ILBs like USF's DeDe Lattimore, WKU's Andrew Jackson, or Penn State's Glenn Carson.
So, honestly, I don't see the Giants drafting a linebacker in the first three or four rounds, if at all. I figure that if they do draft one, we're looking at late-round OLBs like BC's Kadeem Edebali, USC's Devon Kennard, or Illinois' Jonathan Brown...ILBs like USF's DeDe Lattimore, WKU's Andrew Jackson, or Penn State's Glenn Carson.
After the impact Beason had, which I think is slightly overstated and the turnaround was also due to Hill's return, I hope their mindset has changed.
That said, I doubt they go LB in rd 1. I think it'll be CB/DE/WR (in that order), with the top interior OL on their board in rd 2 and then maybe LB in rd 3 (depending on FA).
Mosley is tricky. I have actually always liked him and I am still going to have a 1st round grade here. I just don't think he is a top 15 guy. I debate him with a lot of people and it almost seems I come across that I think he is a bad prospect. That isn't the case. I just don't see any special in him. What about his game is so good? He is above average in a lot of areas but doesn't stand out when you watch the Alabama D.
I'm not a big Van Noy guy. Solid college player but he needs a specific role in a specific scheme to do well in the NFL...neither of which are in the NYG 4-3 base. He is a edge player that doesn't play well as a stay at home or flow to the action guy. His burst and playing strength were average at BYU. The jump in quality to the NFL is going to eat him up I think. Serviceable? Sure. But worthy of a top 45 pick? Not for NYG, no way.
In 2013 he was certainly quicker and more agile...but I can't say that the injury is still being recovered from. I think what we see out of him right now is what you'll get. Again...not a bad player and could be a solid 2 down run defender but I think he is limited.
Also do you know why he wasn't allowed to play in the Rose Bowl?
No one knows, nobody's talking, although the NCAA released a statement saying that Bullough didn't violate any of their rules.
Bullough was invited to the East-West Shrine game and raised a few eyebrows because he showed up 20 pounds over his listed weight of 245, but he still had an excellent week of practice, and it didn't seem like the extra weight slowed him down at all.
But he has the tool set and movement skills of a guy that defensive coaches will want to work with. He played mainly rush linebacker at a low level of competition. Even there...he showed a lack of power and presence. But he does have the quicks to handle the speed of the NFL, thats for sure. I question his ability in the 4-3 because he looks lost when he's trying to play zone coverage. Zero awareness and easily fooled.
Developmental guy worth a look late.
The suspension will downgrade him to UDFA for me. That is an awful job by him. I don't spend a lot of time investigating the off the field stuff. I have limited resources there and I only have so much time...so I stick to game tape and the public-knowledge information when I evaluate.
Speaking of LB's what about Telvin Smith of FSU?
Smith has some of the most up and down tape of them all. At the end of the day he is a fast/quick LB that covers a lot of ground against the run and pass. But he can't handle blocks...at all. He gets moved easily and doesn't shed. I like his leadership and his hustle but I think he'll struggle to start and produce in any scheme.
But he has the tool set and movement skills of a guy that defensive coaches will want to work with. He played mainly rush linebacker at a low level of competition. Even there...he showed a lack of power and presence. But he does have the quicks to handle the speed of the NFL, thats for sure. I question his ability in the 4-3 because he looks lost when he's trying to play zone coverage. Zero awareness and easily fooled.
Developmental guy worth a look late.
How does he compare to our own J Williams?
And do you work as a pro scout or just do this for fun (if you don't mind sharing)? Excellent stuff btw, especially for those of us that aren't huge CFB fans.
He has tremendous athletic ability. Just needs to learn the game some more. He will be someone's steal on day 2
Sy. What are ur thoughts. Thx
Christian Jones and Skov have the versatility to play multiple positions, I like that, and think the Giants will as well. I would be excited about either of these guys in round 3.
In a 4-3 I don't see a spot for him. He can't play DE or OLB.
I dont believe the Giants are very good at evaluating or developing linebackers either..
This is what Sy had to say on Telvin Smth:
For me Barr is the cream of the crop. I see him as scheme diverse. Great closing speed, COD is there, brings the wood, has a nose for the QB. He made strides in his mental game this season when you consider his limited reps at LB to this point in his development. The sky is the limit.
Mack can play the SAM but are you maximizing his skillset there? If you draft him you better be prepared to get creative with your defense to take advantage of his natural pass rush ability. If not your wasting a lot of god given talent.
Mosley does many things well. Safe pick you can plug and play. He'll be a quality starter for years to come. There is value in that. The problem is drafting @12 you'd like a chance to reel in a stud. That i do not see.
Kirksey is intriguing. You like to draft players whose game is on the rise. That is the case with this guy. Athletically the second prospect in the LB group following Barr imo.
As many have noted Reese has failed to maintain the LB corps he inherited from Accorsi. Most notably the failure to adequately replace Antonio Pierce at the MLB spot. A critical cog in a 4-3 scheme. I'm hopeful Beason's impact has shown JR the error of his ways. If they fail to re-sign him LB becomes a serious issue with this defensive roster.....again.
Most of Reese's family was massacred by linebackers as they crossed the Great Plains, on their way to California. It left an indelible scar.
some think the guy can step right in and be a good starting NFL linebacker against the pass and the run..
others think his play was solid but not spectacular and he's not an impact player.. and he may even not make it in the NFL do to appearing "average" and not standing out as a linebacker at times..
with all that said.. I think he's a great prospect.. I think there is just as good a chance of him turning it on and stepping up and improving to be an impact player as there is of him not being able to be a quality linebacker in the NFL..
at the very least I think he'll be an above average linebacker who will help you win games in the NFL.. I'd be fine with him for our NYGs in the 2nd round..
I'd be fine with Beason, Williams, and Van Noy as our starting 3.. assuming Williams and Van Noy beat out the competition..