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Slimm's 2018 Linebackers (Underclassman)

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1. Tremaine Edmunds / Virginia Tech / 6'4", 253 [#7 overall]

2. Leighton Vander Esch / Boise St. / 6'4", 256 [#13 overall]

3. Roquan Smith / Georgia / 6'1", 236 [#24 overall]

4. Malik Jefferson / Texas / 6'2", 236 [#33 overall]

5. Jerome Baker / Ohio St. / 6'1", 229 [#46 overall]

6. Jeff Holland / Auburn / 6'1", 249 [#213 overall]

7. Christian Sam / Arizona St. / 6'1", 244 [#229 overall]

8. Joel Iyiegbuniwe / W. Kentucky / 6'1", 229 [#230 overall]

9. Frank Ginda / San Jose St. / 6'0", 235 [UDFA]

10. Andre Smith / N. Carolina / 6'0", 237 [UDFA]
 
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What's your take on Cameron Smith? Specifically, how would he fit in Miami if drafted by the Dolphins?
 
SF Dolphin Fan said:
What's your take on Cameron Smith? Specifically, how would he fit in Miami if drafted by the Dolphins?
Click to expand...

I have him graded as an early 3rd round linebacker if he comes out early. One of the top 3 or 4 most instinctive linebackers I've studied in this particular class.

That's his meal ticket in my opinion...instincts. Puts them on display both in coverage and in his run defense. The way he works through traffic and chaos while keeping proper angles on the ball is really kind of a rare deal.

The issues I see with Cameron Smith basically come down to the fact that overall he's simply a quality linebacker prospect, not a great one. He's a tackle-to-tackle functioning linebacker, not a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. Seems to be at his best working between the B-gaps.

He doesn't have the range or athleticism of a truly great linebacker like Kuechly or Patrick Willis coming out. He's not in that class.

Doesn't explode on contact like Rueben Foster and not as physical or that caliber of athlete. Smith is more of a drag down tackler, and possesses only average speed for a linebacker. Tries to run around blocks rather than taking them on, and will miss some tackles that a linebacker like Rueben Foster could make. Plays football a little faster than he can run because of his instincts, which is all you're really looking for anyway at the inside linebacker position.

A little bit stiff, much like Zach Thomas was. Shows great awareness in coverage...zone. But not fluid or fast enough to carry man coverage.

Clancy Pendergast prefers a 5-2-4 base defense, and coached Mychal Kendricks at Cal. Smith is essentially a little bigger Mychal Kendricks for Pendergast, but a little slower and less physical at the POA.

If you watched the USC/W. Michigan game Saturday, there was a big difference in the quality of defense the Trojans played in the second half after Smith returned after sitting out the first half due to a targeting foul from last year's Rose Bowl on Trace McSorley.

He's a highly instinctive and high football IQ linebacker that makes the calls and sets the front for the defense. Gets everybody in the right place most of the time. Again, he's a quality linebacker prospect in my estimation, just not a great one.
 
Thanks, Slimm. Really value your opinion.

Obviously early in the process, but I'm keeping my eyes on linebackers and corners mostly. I think Miami would be looking for more of an outside linebacker and probably someone more athletic than Smith. I do like what I've seen from him.

Will really be watching how Howard develops this year for Miami and if Tankersley can be the man opposite him. Not sure how much we'll see of Tankersley, but I am concerned about the corners and how they will hold up this year. A shutdown guy opposite of Howard would be huge for the defense.
 
I really love Andre Smith that kids is a beast.
 
Phinatic8u said:
Adding Malik Jefferson would be amazing. Outside of James or Fitzpatrick he'd have the biggest upgrade for the team.
Click to expand...

Elite prospect. The game he just played against USC was the best one I've seen from him. I compare him to Derrick Johnson when he came out of Texas. Top 15 player in this draft.
 
TedSlimmJr said:
Elite prospect. The game he just played against USC was the best one I've seen from him. I compare him to Derrick Johnson when he came out of Texas. Top 15 player in this draft.
Click to expand...
I was about to post the very same thing. He looked like he was playing against boys. By far the best game I've watched of him. Although I came away a little dissappointed In week #1. The whole team was flat. He's one of my favorite prospects this year.
 
TedSlimmJr said:
Elite prospect. The game he just played against USC was the best one I've seen from him. I compare him to Derrick Johnson when he came out of Texas. Top 15 player in this draft.
Click to expand...
If you're Miami, those 3 are staring at you in the face who are you picking?
 
mmikel30 said:
I really love Andre Smith that kids is a beast.
Click to expand...

Pretty good linebacker prospect, apparently just not a very smart one to say what he said about Lamar Jackson leading up to that game. You just don't give players like that extra motivation by spouting off.

Followed that up by getting injured chasing Lamar Jackson up and down the field and now he's out for the season.
 
TedSlimmJr said:
I have him graded as an early 3rd round linebacker if he comes out early. One of the top 3 or 4 most instinctive linebackers I've studied in this particular class.

That's his meal ticket in my opinion...instincts. Puts them on display both in coverage and in his run defense. The way he works through traffic and chaos while keeping proper angles on the ball is really kind of a rare deal.

The issues I see with Cameron Smith basically come down to the fact that overall he's simply a quality linebacker prospect, not a great one. He's a tackle-to-tackle functioning linebacker, not a sideline-to-sideline linebacker. Seems to be at his best working between the B-gaps.

He doesn't have the range or athleticism of a truly great linebacker like Kuechly or Patrick Willis coming out. He's not in that class.

Doesn't explode on contact like Rueben Foster and not as physical or that caliber of athlete. Smith is more of a drag down tackler, and possesses only average speed for a linebacker. Tries to run around blocks rather than taking them on, and will miss some tackles that a linebacker like Rueben Foster could make. Plays football a little faster than he can run because of his instincts, which is all you're really looking for anyway at the inside linebacker position.

A little bit stiff, much like Zach Thomas was. Shows great awareness in coverage...zone. But not fluid or fast enough to carry man coverage.

Clancy Pendergast prefers a 5-2-4 base defense, and coached Mychal Kendricks at Cal. Smith is essentially a little bigger Mychal Kendricks for Pendergast, but a little slower and less physical at the POA.

If you watched the USC/W. Michigan game Saturday, there was a big difference in the quality of defense the Trojans played in the second half after Smith returned after sitting out the first half due to a targeting foul from last year's Rose Bowl on Trace McSorley.

He's a highly instinctive and high football IQ linebacker that makes the calls and sets the front for the defense. Gets everybody in the right place most of the time. Again, he's a quality linebacker prospect in my estimation, just not a great one.
Click to expand...

Any chance we can transplant his brain into Stephone Anthony's body?
 
TedSlimmJr said:
Pretty good linebacker prospect, apparently just not a very smart one to say what he said about Lamar Jackson leading up to that game. You just don't give players like that extra motivation by spouting off.

Followed that up by getting injured chasing Lamar Jackson up and down the field and now he's out for the season.
Click to expand...
I guess I pulled a Andre Smith and spoke to soon...lol
 
I like Auggie Sanchez on the USF defense (senior) but this Nico Sawtelle kid is something different entirely.
 
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