2015 Draft Class: Linebackers | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

2015 Draft Class: Linebackers

keithjackson

keithjackson

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The Dolphins could potentially lose Wheeler, Ellerbe, Trusnik and Sheppard this offseason, meaning that the linebacker unit could see two or three new faces.


Initially, I was underwhelmed by this draft class of linebackers due to the lack of classic blue-chip players at the top. However, there are some real gems this year in the later rounds, playing with tremendous instincts and athleticism. The more film I watch, the more I realize that this is one of the strongest units for Day Three.


Here are my favorite linebackers, so far, from each round:


First Round - Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Just a special player who excels in coverage, can run sideline-to-sideline, and has the instincts to affect plays behind the LOS. He's such an active player and plays so fast, it's exciting to watch him. There's a reason he led the NCAA with 101 solo tackles this year.

[video=youtube_share;DWflxFFnz3o]http://youtu.be/DWflxFFnz3o[/video]



Second Round- Paul Dawson, TCU
Perhaps the best tackler in the draft, Dawson is like having a vulture playing linebacker with an incredible wingspan. He is fluid and can change direction easily. Versatile, he can succeed against the run, rushing the passer, and in coverage.

[video=youtube_share;pLyrMvfc5eI]http://youtu.be/pLyrMvfc5eI[/video]


Third Round - Stephone Anthony, Clemson
Powerful and impactful. He has the size, field discipline and tenacity to be a quality NFL player. One of the draft's most athletic linebackers, he seems to have that knack for being a playmaker.

http://www.draftbreakdown.com/video-embed/?clip=251835


Fourth Round- Taiwan Jones, MSU
A true athlete that could shoot up draft boards after the combine because he has a great blend of 6'4" 250 size and suddenness. There's an energy to his game. When the play is in front of him, he understand spacing extremely well, and displays the discipline to stay in his lanes. Navigates the crowd well and plays smart. Plus, his nickname is "Juice".

[video=youtube_share;iILFMCjYP-o]http://youtu.be/iILFMCjYP-o[/video]

(Watch him against Ameer Abdullah in this footage.)
http://www.draftbreakdown.com/video-embed/?clip=254880


Fifth Round- Mike Hull, Penn St
At first, he seems slow and plodding, until you realize he's always where he needs to be, consistently making plays. He is decisive, but shows excellent patience/instincts. Very sure tackler. Good powerful size, lunch-pail player. Strong in run support, and sheds blocks well. Lack of quickness/suddenness.


http://www.draftbreakdown.com/video-embed/?clip=255273


Sixth Round - Ben Heeney, Kansas
You've got to love him. Extremely productive player. Good instinct against the run, solid in coverage, and has a quick twitch ability to change direction. Uses great angles, and perfect technique tackling (#3 in NCAA solo tackles in 2014). But he seems small, and tho he uses to his advantage, he is 6'0 230, and those numbers may get smaller at the combine. If he does measure up, I'd give him 4th round grade. Once you see the beard, you'll be making Eric Weddle comparisons.
[video=youtube_share;CNi1LYn_1lM]http://youtu.be/CNi1LYn_1lM[/video]



Seventh Round - Curtis Grant, OSU
Good size/girth and athleticism, good strength. Does everything well enough. (Just won a championship.) Will play on Sundays.


[video=youtube_share;j7e0KKd8oNY]http://youtu.be/j7e0KKd8oNY[/video]
 
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How about Shaq Thompson??? He can play LB, Safety and RB. I think Kendricks could be there in round two....I wouldn't take him at #14.
 
Kendricks is my guy.... yes 14 may be to high for him... trade down a bit?

NO on Stephone Anthony.... he is a mess. gets so lost in the mix of everything, doesnt read plays well or get off blocks well, I think he is horrible.
NO on Shaq Thompson either.... he is a great athlete that doesnt have great technique or knowledge of LB position, he may even be better at Safety... he has too many question marks where he fits and what system he would fit in... very raw and would need a lot of work.... he is prime bust potential as an athlete with raw technique.

I also like Taiwan Jones a lot for many reasons!!! could be a good later round pick
 
I am Bane said:
Kendricks is my guy.... yes 14 may be to high for him... trade down a bit?

NO on Stephone Anthony.... he is a mess. gets so lost in the mix of everything, doesnt read plays well or get off blocks well, I think he is horrible.
NO on Shaq Thompson either.... he is a great athlete that doesnt have great technique or knowledge of LB position, he may even be better at Safety... he has too many question marks where he fits and what system he would fit in... very raw and would need a lot of work.... he is prime bust potential as an athlete with raw technique.

I also like Taiwan Jones a lot for many reasons!!! could be a good later round pick
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Norris has kendricks top 10, I respect his opinion quite a bit, so I'll have to watch more of him.
 
I like Kendricks, not at #14 though.

I'm loving the Paul Dawson in the 2nd thought.

I think Denzel deserves some consideration in either the 1st or 2nd round categories though bro. (not at 14 either but late 1st or 2nd round is about right atm)
 
No McKinney or Perryman?
 
Tiger said:
No McKinney or Perryman?
Click to expand...

basically the top 3 ILB in the draft are: Kendricks, Perryman, McKinney (and at this time I like them in that order)... only problem is McKinney and Perryman coming out of college really struggle in the passing game, and are stated as 2 down players... though Perryman I believe can improve and is quite athletic to do so.... McKinney is a bigger guy who seems quite lost in coverage at this time.

after those three there is a HUGE drop off in talent, though there are athletic guys, they are very raw in instincts, reading, and technique. Guys like Stephone Anthony I cannot stand at all and dont even want him coming into Miami. Ramik Wilson is another I am not overly big on.

Taiwan Jones may be a 4th round prospect, but I like him a lot and what he can bring and offer... leader too. coverage though once again I am not sure on him fully... gotta look into that more.

Paul Dawson I like a lot too... great instincts and fires to the ball, makes plays at the line and gets into the backfield... problem is I do not believe he is a Mike due to him struggling to get off of blocks and he tends to try to round blocks instead of go into them and get off... I think he could often get stuck in the middle due to that. but he is definitely a guy to look at in 2nd round.
 
From what I have seen, Hayes Pullard looks like a good mid-round MLB. A 4 yr starter at USC with no injury history, instinctive, leader, Pullard played well in the Senior Bowl. He isn't real big but he was a very good college MLB, I would like to find out more about him.

RW
 
RichmondWeb said:
From what I have seen, Hayes Pullard looks like a good mid-round MLB. A 4 yr starter at USC with no injury history, instinctive, leader, Pullard played well in the Senior Bowl. He isn't real big but he was a very good college MLB, I would like to find out more about him.

RW
Click to expand...

Hayes Pullard- USC: doesnt have good play recognition or reading, isnt a physical aggressive instinctive player and doesnt engage into blocks at all, he has horrible footwork almost hopping around like a rabbit more, he doesnt fill well or get to the point of attack, seems to lack strength, seems to be solid in coverage though, and could be a LB for passing downs but not much else. I am not big on him at all.
 
I am Bane said:
Paul Dawson I like a lot too... great instincts and fires to the ball, makes plays at the line and gets into the backfield... problem is I do not believe he is a Mike due to him struggling to get off of blocks and he tends to try to round blocks instead of go into them and get off... I think he could often get stuck in the middle due to that. but he is definitely a guy to look at in 2nd round.
Click to expand...

that's a tough thing to kill Linebacker for, rarely are any if them good at that especially out of college.

Even some of the best ones in the NFL, Like Lavante David, he didn't look the same this year since his Dline wasn't as dominate, and didn't create the free lanes he was use to.
 
xXwarXx said:
that's a tough thing to kill Linebacker for, rarely are any if them good at that especially out of college.

Even some of the best ones in the NFL, Like Lavante David, he didn't look the same this year since his Dline wasn't as dominate, and didn't create the free lanes he was use to.
Click to expand...

whats a tough thing to kill a LB for? i like him a lot.... what did i say wrong?
 
I love Kendricks in a trade down scenario. I just have this feeling that inside linebacker will be a tough position for Miami to fill this year. I don't mean that as a negative just saying that I think a player too good to pass up will be there at #14.

Lets say one of the top receivers slip to the Dolphins (White, Parker, DGB) or Gordon/Gurley. I'd think the team would take one of those guys. Kendricks doesn't make it to R2, Perryman might be an early 2nd rounder. Who does that leave that could step in and start right away? Not a lot on the free agent market either other than stopgaps (Harris from NYJ would be nice).
 
Thanks for the post. I haven't seen the Kansas kid until you posted this and I really like what I see from him.
 
Looking at how the linebackers did at the Combine:

Vic Beasley is one of the week's big winners; he did truly great work in Indy.

Kwon Alexander and Stephone Anthony have some big questions, but they proved athleticism is not one of them. Both look like they could be second day picks now.

Two of my favorite linebackers were dissapointing. Taiwan Jones didn't surprise me too much with a 4.95 forty, but at 6'3 245 I was hoping for more than 19 reps. Paul Dawson, who is outstanding in his tape, measured terribly. 4.93 forty? The worst vertical of all LBs and third worst broad jump? Really? Hopefully this just pushes them down in the draft, because I'd be stoked with either.

The two linebackers that I was most curious about totally hit home runs at the Combine.

Ben Heeney from Kansas is criticized for playing small, but he measured in 6' 231, which eases some concerns. Also, he tested extremely fast, running 4.59 forty, and leading all LBs in the cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle.

Mike Hull also put on a clinic, putting up some Vic Beasley-like numbers. He put up 31 reps (second only to Beasley) and ran the forty in 4.68. My main concerns were about his agility, but he answered loudly with the third best LB shuttle drills, and a good 6.99 cone drill.
 
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