There will be a min of 4 OLBs on the 53 with a chance to add more in the final poll to select the last 5 spots.
Jenkins and Martin are chalk picks. Those other 2 spots could go just about any other way and I wouldn’t be shocked. I went with Copeland and bass
Have to agree with Jenkins and Martin, think Bass will also stick leaving Copeland Mauldin and Donahue on the bubble. Donahue's DUI suspension could be the deciding factor for him.
Sadly, I think the Lorenzo Mauldin era ends. Great kid, but not enough speed, strength or talent to be anything more than a JAG professional. Copeland could make it ahead of Donahue and Donahue could possibly be stashed on the PS.
He started his career as an OLB but moved to DE and DT the past couple of seasons with the Falcons. If I remember correctly, he struggled keeping his weight down which led to the move.
It really is underwhelming,isn’t it? Jenkins just doesn’t seem like anything more than an edge setting Bryan Thomas type even at full potential. Great for a 3rd pick but not going to cure what ails us.
None of those linebackers can win 1 on 1 on a given down, its very discouraging and I am worried. Our best pass-rusher is going to continue to get double teamed unless Nathan Shepherd or McLendon really look the part on passing downs. Jets will have to blitz more using Lee and Adams. I want Adams to really take the next step in terms of coverage. Can't have him near the box all of the time.
Jenkins is decent - he’ll never be a pro bowler but he can set the edge and be a decent complement to the edge rusher we find next year ( hopefully ) . The rest of the names are not very inspiring ....this is an area in desperate need of talent infusion .
Hopefully the secondary can lock things down and create some coverage sacks or allow more blitzing. Leo had 21 QB hits last year...if the secondary can buy him a fraction of second he can turn some of those into sacks.
Hoping Mauldin somehow looks like an improvement from his rookie year and can provide any form of pass rush. He could make for a good 3rd down rotational player. I really like his story, but unless he shows something in camp, he is going to be cut. Realistically though this position needs more depth and skill. It hasn’t been really addressed much since Mac has come here. I think Jenkins is a decent starter, but we need a pass rusher opposite him. We seem to be obsessed with focusing solely on the D-line for what seems to be over a decade.
If coach Kevin Greene has any say so, Donahue will be here even if he had a little run in with the law. It's not the end of his character or career because of what he did. People make mistakes, whoopee. If he can play, he should be brought back. Too much is made of off field issues. It's not like a DUI is the seed of locker room cancer.
If he can play he is in. He looked like he had potential before he got hurt. Maybe the incident propels him to turn things around and he gets better for it? It'll be interesting to see who emerges on that side; if somebody can get time over Bass on passing downs. My bet's on Donahue over Mauldin if anyone can surpass Bass.
I can't agree with you more. I kept asking myself, "Who is this Bass guy, and where did he come from?" Let's hope he skyrockets into a badass pass rusher. He moves around the field pretty good. I wonder if he can cover backs and TE's? That would free up either of our two young safeties to ball hawk more or blitz. Reason I ask is I didn't see him. I tend to watch the defensive line rather than the back 7.
It all comes down to finding that dynamic pass rusher. I think they finally got the DL sorted to at least be consistent & functional & the secondary looks to be a very solid unit. But this is all for not if there is not consistent outside rush. Truth to be told,i think the LB depth chart would be thought of alot differently if they just had one dynamic edge bender.Martin,Jenkins,Bass, hell even Mauldin are decent niche players who can help in alot of ways.They just arent the one thing this team desperately needs from that position.
