Official 2018 NFL Draft Discussion Thread

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by sherck

Now that Ballard has confirmed that John Simon is a DE in the new scheme, we have ZERO viable starting calibre LBs on the roster.

4th year player / 01 NFL games started / 37 NFL games played in / 5th round draft pick / Jeremiah George
3rd year player / 19 NFL games started / 31 NFL games played in / 4th round draft pick / Antonio Morrison
2nd year player / 00 NFL games started / 06 NFL games played in / Undrafted into NFL../ Darnell Sankey
2nd year player / 02 NFL games started / 10 NFL games played in / 5th round draft pick / Anthony Walker Jr
2nd year player / 00 NFL games started / 11 NFL games played in / Undrafted into NFL../ Jermaine Grace

I know that 40 yard dash times are not football; however with Ballard beating the drum of getting "faster" on defense:

40 times from Combine or Pro Day of current LBs:

4.55 = Darnell Sankey
4.57 = Jermaine Grace
4.65 = Anthony Walker Jr
4.91 = Jeremiah George
5.16 = Antonio Morrison

Our two guys with 2 or 3 years NFL experience are also our slowest LBs. They were also brought in by Grigson and all the newer guys brought in last year by Ballard are much faster.

40 times from Combine or Pro Day of draftee LBs:

4.38 = Shaquem Griffin, Central Florida * (WSLB)
4.51 = Roquan Smith, Georgia * (MLB)
4.52 = Malik Jefferson, Texas * (WSLB)
4.53 = Jerone Baker, Ohio State
4.54 = Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech * (MLB)
4.59 = Genard Avery, Memphis
4.59 = Oren Burks, Vanderbilt
4.61 = Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson
4.63 = Andre Smith, North Carolina
4.64 = Fred Warner, BYU
4.65 = Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State * (WSLB)
4.66 = Micah Kiser, Virginia

==== Speed Break ? ====

4.70 = Darius Leonard, South Carolina
4.75 = Rashaan Evans, Alabama (Did not run at Combine or Pro Day. This numbers is from an Alabama football fan website from "team" numbers" from the 2017 season. His 2016 time was 4.65 and his 2015 time was 4.60)
4.75 = Christian Sam, Arizona State
4.76 = Mike McCray, Michigan
4.77 = Tegray Scales, Indiana
4.82 = Josey Jewell, Iowa

* = Guys I like as probably starters on a Colts 4-3 defense in 2018.

My guess is that we will get a max of two LBs drafted and then either have to produce a SSLB from our internal guys or potential veteran free agents still on the market like Kevin Minter or Gerald Hodges.

I really think that we need to come out of this draft with two LBs picked in the first 3 rounds of the draft. We really have no one on the roster currently who inspires confidence at the positions.

Walk Worthy,

Teams play nickel 50% of the time, so 3rd LB isn't nearly as important as having a good MLB and WLB. Agree that it would be nice to come out with two good options, but it'll depend on the board. So many other holes to fill as well.

And Shaq Griffin is not a LB in a 4-3. You can't put a guy there with one hand.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by sherck

Now that Ballard has confirmed that John Simon is a DE in the new scheme, we have ZERO viable starting calibre LBs on the roster.

4th year player / 01 NFL games started / 37 NFL games played in / 5th round draft pick / Jeremiah George
3rd year player / 19 NFL games started / 31 NFL games played in / 4th round draft pick / Antonio Morrison
2nd year player / 00 NFL games started / 06 NFL games played in / Undrafted into NFL../ Darnell Sankey
2nd year player / 02 NFL games started / 10 NFL games played in / 5th round draft pick / Anthony Walker Jr
2nd year player / 00 NFL games started / 11 NFL games played in / Undrafted into NFL../ Jermaine Grace

I know that 40 yard dash times are not football; however with Ballard beating the drum of getting "faster" on defense:

40 times from Combine or Pro Day of current LBs:

4.55 = Darnell Sankey
4.57 = Jermaine Grace
4.65 = Anthony Walker Jr
4.91 = Jeremiah George
5.16 = Antonio Morrison

Our two guys with 2 or 3 years NFL experience are also our slowest LBs. They were also brought in by Grigson and all the newer guys brought in last year by Ballard are much faster.

40 times from Combine or Pro Day of draftee LBs:

4.38 = Shaquem Griffin, Central Florida * (WSLB)
4.51 = Roquan Smith, Georgia * (MLB)
4.52 = Malik Jefferson, Texas * (WSLB)
4.53 = Jerone Baker, Ohio State
4.54 = Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech * (MLB)
4.59 = Genard Avery, Memphis
4.59 = Oren Burks, Vanderbilt
4.61 = Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson
4.63 = Andre Smith, North Carolina
4.64 = Fred Warner, BYU
4.65 = Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State * (WSLB)
4.66 = Micah Kiser, Virginia

==== Speed Break ? ====

4.70 = Darius Leonard, South Carolina
4.75 = Rashaan Evans, Alabama (Did not run at Combine or Pro Day. This numbers is from an Alabama football fan website from "team" numbers" from the 2017 season. His 2016 time was 4.65 and his 2015 time was 4.60)
4.75 = Christian Sam, Arizona State
4.76 = Mike McCray, Michigan
4.77 = Tegray Scales, Indiana
4.82 = Josey Jewell, Iowa

* = Guys I like as probably starters on a Colts 4-3 defense in 2018.

My guess is that we will get a max of two LBs drafted and then either have to produce a SSLB from our internal guys or potential veteran free agents still on the market like Kevin Minter or Gerald Hodges.

I really think that we need to come out of this draft with two LBs picked in the first 3 rounds of the draft. We really have no one on the roster currently who inspires confidence at the positions.

Walk Worthy,

Vander Esch is more likely a MLB here, could even play SLB if needed. I'd like to see two of the first four picks go to LBs (the other two going to DL would be my preference), then hopefully another LB later in the draft. I hope all of Days 1 and 2 go to defense.

Also, you forgot Najee Goode in your analysis of LBs currently on the roster.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Think Thomas Davis, Deion Jones, and Bobby Wagner. Those guys are studs who are "undersized" LBs.

Really, it's the speed and instincts that set Smith apart. Yes, he could get blocked, but not if he beats you to the spot.

I’m not at all against Smith at 6, I just personally lean towards Edmunds due to that fear and Edmunds pontential.

[HoosierinFL]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Teams play nickel 50% of the time, so 3rd LB isn't nearly as important as having a good MLB and WLB. Agree that it would be nice to come out with two good options, but it'll depend on the board. So many other holes to fill as well.

And Shaq Griffin is not a LB in a 4-3. You can't put a guy there with one hand.

Well where do you play him if not at WLB? OLB in a 3-4?
But really, the whole story with him is that the hand isn't a limiting factor. But how NFL GM's feel about it remains to be seen.

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by HoosierinFL

Well where do you play him if not at WLB? OLB in a 3-4?
But really, the whole story with him is that the hand isn't a limiting factor. But how NFL GM's feel about it remains to be seen.

seen the tape and heard the stories. still makes me nervous as hell sending out a guy with one hand, especially using a high pick on him.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by rcubed

seen the tape and heard the stories. still makes me nervous as hell sending out a guy with one hand, especially using a high pick on him.

At what point would he be worth the risk? Guy has some physical talents to go along with the limitation.

Originally Posted by rcubed

seen the tape and heard the stories. still makes me nervous as hell sending out a guy with one hand, especially using a high pick on him.

We brought in a free agent Tight End with NO hands

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by rm1369

At what point would he be worth the risk? Guy has some physical talents to go along with the limitation.

not sure.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by HoosierinFL

Well where do you play him if not at WLB? OLB in a 3-4?
But really, the whole story with him is that the hand isn't a limiting factor. But how NFL GM's feel about it remains to be seen.

Surprised this is even a question. He's obviously a situational pass rusher in passing situations. Do you really want him to try and wrap up a TE or RB with a head of steam in the open field?

You have to be comfortable with him on ST to warrant a spot on the roster. I'm not sure he will.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Surprised this is even a question. He's obviously a situational pass rusher in passing situations. Do you really want him to try and wrap up a TE or RB with a head of steam in the open field?

You have to be comfortable with him on ST to warrant a spot on the roster. I'm not sure he will.

I think a creative DC could/would use Griffin to avoid having to make subs to go from 4-3 base to nickle base. He reminds me a lot of Adalius Thomas with the Ravens, and I think a smart, creative DC would use him that way.