Josey Jewell - the next Zach Thomas?

[DKphin]

He's an All-Big10 ILB that is 6-1 234. The so - called "experts" have concerns that he will get engulfed by bigger OL, that he is just an average athlete and he doesn't have long speed, but exceptional quickness and it is noted that he has probably maxed his frame. But one thing they all agree on is that he is a highly intelligent, super instinctive and has natural leadership traits. Sound like a former ILB that we all know?

Thomas, according to experts, was too small. He wasn’t fast or athletic enough. He didn’t have a high draft status, was questionable to make the 53-man roster as a fifth-round pick (No. 154 overall) and was the second linebacker taken by the Dolphins behind fourth-rounder LaCurtis Jones in 1996.
But there was something special about Thomas that was apparent right away in South Florida. Scouts and football pundits could not account for his immense heart, football intelligence, leadership, preparation and passion for the game. Those traits, more than anything, led Thomas during a 13-year career that included seven Pro Bowls.

http://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolp...und-draft-success-with-lb-zach-thomas-in-1996

What some have to say about Jewell:

”He’s going to measure out a little less than what you’re looking for ... but he’s my guy. He has a nose for the ball. When you watch the tape, he is always making plays or right there next to the play.”
- Area scout for NFC East team on Iowa LB Josey Jewell

http://www.nfl.com/draft/

"I like him a lot. I think he will run faster than people think for sure. Give me a guy with his mindset and instincts and I can sell him to a coaching staff even if he's not as big as they are looking for. His tape will win them over." - AFC Director of Scouting

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/josey-jewell?id=2559819

• Back in December, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller had some pretty high thoughts on Jewell, calling him the “sleeper of the draft”.

5. NFL Draft Sleeper: Iowa LB Josey Jewell. I can’t believe that Jewell is a sleeper, but at this point, I’m heated that his name isn’t getting more attention. WATCH JOSEY JEWELL HIGHLIGHTS! Do whatever it takes to see this man. Jewell is a heat-seeking missile at linebacker and is constantly around the ball. All those hyperbolic cliches like “tackling machine” actually apply to Jewell. I’m calling my shot now and comparing him to Chris Borland.

Prior to the combine, Miller ranked Jewell as the seventh best linebacker in the draft. He currently has Jewell going off the board at pick 100.

• NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah asked different Big Ten players at the Senior Bowl about who was the best player that they faced. Jewell’s name was a constant theme.

Jeremiah told viewers that during the Senior Bowl, he polled players from around the Big Ten to see who they thought was the best player they played against. One name constantly popped up.

“Josey Jewell got more votes than anybody else,” Jeremiah said Sunday. “He’s got a lot of respect around that conference.”

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...eyes-dallas-cowboys-sean-lee-anthony-hitchens

 

[Travis34]

Hoops said he was the most instinctual LB of this class. A little bit limited athletically but is all about football