Some Good MLB in this Draft

[zach8111]

LB just moved into one of our biggest needs. Since FA MLB are pretty scarce we probably will draft one. Our main LB need is MLB, since all we have is Channing Crowder on our roster that is worth starting (if that). OLB isn't as big of a need with JT and JP, but some depth is needed there too.

What MLB do you prefer we get?

1. 
   Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 239.
   40 Time: 4.66.
   Projected Round: 1-2.
   Curtis Lofton has declared for the 2008 NFL Draft.
   
   Lofton has emerged to become one of the greatest defenders in the country. In fact, he won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, thanks to 157 tackles, sixth most in school history.
   http://youtube.com/watch?v=X_x4WvWEJO4
2. 
   Jerod Mayo, Tennessee
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
   40 Time: 4.67.
   Projected Round: 1-2.
   Jerod Mayo has declared for the 2008 NFL Draft.
   
   The third of three star rising junior linebackers. Unless Mayo has an unbelievable season, he should wait until 2009 to be the first inside linebacker selected.
3. 
   Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 245.
   40 Time: 4.52.
   Projected Round: 2-3.
   Philip Wheeler will be playing inside linebacker for Georgia Tech in 2006, but he's better suited on the outside when he gets to the pros. He followed up a four-sack, four-pick 2005 campaign with a whopping nine sacks in 2006.
4. 
   Beau Bell, UNLV
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
   40 Time: 4.57.
   Projected Round: 2-3.
   Led UNLV in tackles before missing a good portion of the 2006 season with an ankle injury. Can play outside and inside.
5. 
   Vince Hall, Virginia Tech
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 240.
   40 Time: 4.74.
   Projected Round: 3.
   Notched 112 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two picks in 2006, earning him a spot on the All-ACC First Team. http://youtube.com/watch?v=qm9djLS_yzo
6. 
   Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 235.
   40 Time: 4.63.
   Projected Round: 3-4.
   One of the top defensive players in the SEC, Jonathan Goff had 93 tackles in 2006 and was the leader of the Commodores.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hV2DBTEP4kw


I personally like Jonathan Goff in the 3rd or 4th round the best. That would give us the earlier rounds to address D-line, OT, CB and ,maybe TE and still get a great MLB to replace ZT. Goff is 6-4 235 and runs good 40 for his size and he is a playmaker. His 2007 stats....2 int...113 tackles...20 TFL...3 sacks. Beau Bell and Philip Wheeler would be the other two I think we should consider.

I think the only FA MLB that we should seriously consider is Dan Morgan. He does have durability issues but we have no depth at our LB core. He could be a cheap guy that has alot of talent.

 

[emeraldfin]

As unlikely as it might be, if Dan Connor is still around at 32 I think we snap him up right away.

 

[MustangFinFan]

perhaps theyll wait til next year to get James Laurinitis.

personally, i like Goff and Bell the most. Even Leman is good, but im not sure if hes ILB or OLB. Goff has excellent size, but i think Bell may be the better guy. if there in the late 2nd, early third, they are a sure bet.

 

[spydertl79]

I'd be all for Vince Hall in the 3rd round. His stock fell a lot this year but as an FSU fan I can honestly say that the guy is an animal. I've seen him tear up my team plenty of times.

 

[zach8111]

perhaps theyll wait til next year to get James Laurinitis.

personally, i like Goff and Bell the most. Even Leman is good, but im not sure if hes ILB or OLB. Goff has excellent size, but i think Bell may be the better guy. if there in the late 2nd, early third, they are a sure bet.

we need LB's now so i see us drafting a MLB anywhere from 3-4 and then we might go after laurinaitis OSU (my favorite LB in college) or USC MLB (also a beast) next year too. You do start 2 MLB's in a 3-4. In a 3-4 LB's are the most important skill position. D-Line is guys to fill wholes, unless you find a guy who could get to the QB or put pressure on him (Chris Long)

 

[VT Dolphan]

If we're going to be playing a 3-4, I'm sure Parcells and Ireland will be targeting bigger linebackers to fit the system. In which case I think that Phillip Wheeler and Beau Bell would be good pickups if they are there late in the second round.

 

[JT-forpresident]

goff, bell, moffitt all look like solid picks in the third/fourth... lofton is good but im real high on philip wheeler, i hope we snag him with a 2nd

 

[Roman529]

I think we can move the guys we now have at LB around and stick with Porter, Crowder, etc. I'd rather bring in a FA mlb if needed than waste a pick on one.

 

[fishypete]

You forgot Gooden from Miami.

 

[Digital]

Connor would be my pick

As unlikely as it might be, if Dan Connor is still around at 32 I think we snap him up right away.

I really feel that the 32nd pick is going to be a steal. With at least one of OLB Groves, OLB/ILB Connor, CB McKelvin, QB Brohm, and a bunch of other top guys possibly being available there, we're definitely going to have some very good players slide to us. Personally, I agree with you. I'd love to have Connor's attitude, speed, decision-making, etc., but I think Parland will pass on Connor even if he's there at 32. They will address the LB spot in this draft at some point though.

Connor really gives us flexibility as he can blitz, cover, and plug the middle all well. That allows us to add an extra dimension of unpredictability to the team that can help our defensive whole become greater than the sum of its parts. Given that Parcells and Ireland prefer big rangy OLB's that can flex as DE's, having an ILB who can slide out and play that OLB spot when the defensive coordinator moves people around really helps out.

 

[Big Daddy]

I would love for the Dolphins to draft Mayo. He has gained 15 pounds of musle in 3 years. I think in 2 years he will weigh about 240-245. I watched every Tennessee game this year. I think he is better than Demeco Ryan was coming out of Alabama,and he finished second to ZT in tackles this season. He was the 33 pick of the draft.:hi5:

 

[newlownorder]

Connor can fall to the 2nd round, it's very possible. Some even have Rivers falling which would also be a good pick at that point as well but it I wouldn't bet on it. Regardless, you know someone is going to fall to the 2nd round, hopefully, if it isn't a RB, you take that person. We probably will know more after the combine because there are always those fridge 2nd rounders that jump way up because of the combine and real 1st round players fall to the 2nd because of them.

 

[MustangFinFan]

this team needs to draft the best run defenders more than anything. our pass defense wasnt so good, but not AS BAD as our rush defense. we need to draft DL, LB, DBs who can stop the run...Phillip Merling is the obvious best DE at stopping the run..

any idea who the best LB is at stopping the run??? perhaps jon goff?

 

[Jed]

I would love for the Dolphins to draft Mayo. He has gained 15 pounds of musle in 3 years. I think in 2 years he will weigh about 240-245. I watched every Tennessee game this year. I think he is better than Demeco Ryan was coming out of Alabama,and he finished second to ZT in tackles this season. He was the 33 pick of the draft.:hi5:

I agree with you, Big Daddy. Here are the stats on Mayo I posted in another thread from NFL draft scout:

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][SIZE=-2]12/31/07 - 2007 – Games/Starts: 13/13 ... All-SEC Coaches, Associated Press and Rivals.com...SEC Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 24)...SEC Good Works Team...Consensus first team All-SEC selection ... Leads SEC with 127 tackles ... Seven games with double-figure tackles, including the last three ... Compiled 49 tackles, five TFLs, a shared sack and a pass-breakup over season’s final three games ... Led Vols with 10 tackles, including one TFL, in season-opener against California ... Finished with three tackles and had first career forced fumble against Southern Miss ... Had six tackles at Florida ... Tied for team lead with six tackles against Arkansas State ... Tied for team lead with 11 tackles versus Georgia. - Tennessee Football[/SIZE][/FONT]

127 tackles, in the SEC, with Tennessee's schedule? very impressive.

 

[I am Bane]

goff, bell, moffitt all look like solid picks in the third/fourth... lofton is good but im real high on philip wheeler, i hope we snag him with a 2nd

I am HUGE on Lofton. extremely fast, extremely aggressive, sheds well, great tackler, very smart and reads well while palying with instincts. i jsut got mad excited!!!