I'd like to see comments from you guys on LBs in this draft in this thread, particularly ones who might be available in the 2nd - 4th rounds. I just watched highlight videos on Myles Jack, Jaylon Smith, Reggie Ragland and Scooby Wright (I like them in that order). While they are highlight videos, I couldn't help but be impressed with each of these guys. I'd love it if the Jets could add Jack, Smith or Ragland at #20, and would be happy to add Wright perhaps in the 2nd round. Unfortunately, I don't see any way that either Jack or Ragland fall to #20. If Smith falls that far, it will only be because of his injury or he gets in trouble between now and the draft. Jack's speed, hands, and running ability are amazing. Why can't we ever get a shot at a LB like him? While taking Smith is risky, if the doctors think he'll be healthy or even close to the player he was at ND, I'd take him. He could truly make the Jets a dominant D. Love his coverage ability and ability to diagnose plays quickly. Ragland would be awesome for the team as well. He doesn't look as fast as either Jack or Smith to me, but he's better than anything we have now. Wright looks like a high motor, intense player, but not that fast or athletic.
Top 10 Players listed by position as ranked by Scott Wright ILBs 1. Myles Jack, UCLA 6'1" 245 lbs 2. Reggie Ragland, Alabama 6'2" 252 lbs 3. Scooby Wright III, Arizona 6'1" 245 lbs 4. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri 6'1" 235 lbs 5. Nick Vigil, Utah St. 6'2" 235 lbs 6. Jared Norris, Utah 6'2" 240 lbs 6. Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma 6'0" 220 lbs 8. Blake Martinex, Stanford 6'2" 240 lbs 9. Nick Kwiatkoski, West Virginia 6'2 235 lbs 10. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn 6'3" 253 OLBs 1. Jaylon Smith Notre Dame 6'3" 240 2. Darron Lee Ohio St. 6'2" 235 3. Leonard Floyd Georgia 6'4" 231 4. Su’a Cravens USC 6'1" 225 5. Jordan Jenkins Georgia 6'3" 253 6. Joshua Perry Ohio St. 6'4" 254 7. Kyler Fackrell Utah St. 6'5" 250 8. Kamalei Correa Boise St. 6'3" 248 9. Tyler Matakevich Temple 6'1" 232 10. Deion Jones L.S.U. 6'1" 227 DEs 1. Joey Bosa Ohio St. 6'6" 275 4.80 2. DeForest Buckner Oregon 6'7" 290 4.85 3. Noah Spence Eastern Kentucky 6'3" 261 4.70 4. Emmanuel Ogbah Oklahoma St. 6'4" 275 4.75 5. Shaq Lawson Clemson 6'3" 270 4.70 6. Kevin Dodd Clemson 6'5" 275 4.85 7. Shilique Calhoun Michigan St. 6'5" 250 4.65 8. Carl Nassib Penn St. 6'7" 272 4.75 9. Jonathan Bullard Florida 6'3" 283 4.95 10. Bronson Kaufusi B.Y.U. 6'8" 280 4.95 Ignoring the 3-4 DEs (bolded) there are 26 guys we should be talking about. Any one of these guys should give Erin Henderson and Calvin Pace a challenge next year. There is a lot more to the draft than who we would take at #20 (or higher if we traded up).
I think Noah Spence has the talent to be the premiere pass rusher in this draft and could fly up the boards depending on his interview process. Forget the combine drills. It's going to make or break him as we saw with Randy Gregory. He has better size to be an edge rusher than Gregory does but Gregory could have still been a top 20 pick IMO if he didn't appear so weak to his drug problems claiming he seemingly needed it to go on. If Spence comes out in the interviews determined and strong willed he may become a top 7 pick. The depth of edge rushers is good for us as we should be able to get Buckner, Spence, Smith, Lee or Floyd at 20. I also like both Clemson players in the 2nd round, but we'll need to analyze their speed and first step so we don't end up with another Coples. I'm more intrigued by the ILB spot. Does anyone know anything outside of the top 3? I'd be thrilled with Jack whom won't be there, Ragland or Wright, but the top 2 will most certainly be gone by our pick. We could be looking at a mid round ILB I just don't know anything about them.
I agree with this, since 2010 the maximum amount of LB's taken in the first round is 5. So there will be plenty of players from that list to choose from, the question is, which ones do we know for sure will be gone by the 20th pick. If we can narrow down those guys, we will be able to get a list of LB that we think could be selected by the jets. I think Shilique Calhoun will be selected by the jets, to be a hybrid OLB/DE, they need someone to complement Mauldin on the other side.
I just watched some tape on Kentrell Brothers and I really enjoy watching him play. He always seems to be at the right place at the right time. Can cover, tackle, and looks to be a 3 down linebacker at the next level. He's however undersized with arm length and height. That hurts his athleticism. I'll have to check this kid out at the combine see what #s he puts up. I have to say, he could be better than Ragland at the next level. Deion Jones, someone is really going to like in the 2nd round and I think he's too low on your list @James Hasty . I think he has great versatility and great athleticism. If we have someone who can coach him up, he could be a star also. Plug him inside as a 3-4 LB or any position in a 4-3 line. He can absolutely play on special teams as well.
Not really. I've read before that the the ideal for the position is 6'4 or better. If he's in coverage, it should make it harder for QBs to throw over him. When he's rushing the QB from the front, even if he doesn't get to the QB, he can make it harder for the QB to throw over him, and may cause him to alter his arm angle, rush the throw, etc.
Length is important not only for that, but for leverage in keeping blockers at bay. Coming in at that weight will really help Floyd's draft stock. Hopefully he does not pull and Aaron Maybin and only keep it on for the combine.
I was speaking on it being insane because it is not common. I wasn't saying it wasn't a good thing. However, leverage can be a problem. From what I've heard 6'3 is ideal.
I really like Floyds length/speed. I thought he was going to weight around 230. He's a great athlete, wouldn't mind picking him at 20. Wonder what his 40 will be.
LB 40-yard dash times from the Star Ledger http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/02/nfl_combine_2016_40-yard_dash_times_for_linebacker.html I know the 40 times aren't that important, and I will be curious to see the cone and shuttle results, but at this point, whatever interest I had in Tyler Matakevich, Scooby Wright, and Kentrell Brothers is fading fast. Their 40 times are OL slow. I'm sick of slows LBers on the Jets.
Deion Jones had quite the combine. Quick, and explosive. He would be an excellent 2nd round selection if he's available.
