Sports Buzz: Dolphins meet Thursday with interesting, rising linebacker prospect

[jim1]

The Dolphins, determined to add edge rushers and linebacker help in the draft process, hosted an on-the-rise outside linebacker at team headquarters on Thursday.

According to a team source, Houston’s Tyus Bowser met with Dolphins coaches and executives at their Davie offices.

“Bowser is the rare top-end pass-rusher in this class who probably has to stick in a 3-4 defense,” Kiper said. “At 6-3, 247, just stick him outside and let him rush the passer.”

But Bowser (pictured above defending Alabama tight end O.J. Howard at the Senior Bowl) told The Houston Chronicle that “a lot of teams see me as a 4-3 Sam linebacker off the ball. I don't mind trying any position."

The Dolphins, whose first two picks are at 22 and 54, are looking for 4-3 outside linebacker help and apparently believer Bowser can play in a 4-3.
He also probably could play defensive end.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article144553399.html

 

[j-off-her-doll]

The Dolphins, determined to add edge rushers and linebacker help in the draft process, hosted an on-the-rise outside linebacker at team headquarters on Thursday.
According to a team source, Houston’s Tyus Bowser met with Dolphins coaches and executives at their Davie offices.

“Bowser is the rare top-end pass-rusher in this class who probably has to stick in a 3-4 defense,” Kiper said. “At 6-3, 247, just stick him outside and let him rush the passer.”
But Bowser (pictured above defending Alabama tight end O.J. Howard at the Senior Bowl) told The Houston Chronicle that “a lot of teams see me as a 4-3 Sam linebacker off the ball. I don't mind trying any position."
The Dolphins, whose first two picks are at 22 and 54, are looking for 4-3 outside linebacker help and apparently believer Bowser can play in a 4-3.
He also probably could play defensive end.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article144553399.html

Willis, Watt, Bowser are my top-3 targets at 22. Glad to see this.

There's one thing you can count on every draft season: most people will miss the forest for the trees. They'll obsess over the swim move of some slug who has a ceiling you'd bump your head on, and they'll nitpick a freak athlete, and good player, who just needs some refinement.

People are beginning to move Bowser up their boards, and I have to wonder if any of the three will be available at 22. I'm only hopeful, because bad teams have early picks.

 

[Beach Bum]

Honestly, I will be happy with any ( not kicker or punter) highly productive player that doesn't bust. I have my favorites, but most importantly, imo, is that we take a guy that can contribute.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Honestly, I don't know enough about Bowser. I do like that Miami is looking at linebackers. It's one position that has been virtually ignored for a long-time and it was probably the weakest unit in the NFL last year. Timmons will help, but would like to see a high end talent added. Better yet if that player can rush the passer.

How does Bowser rate with the likes of Watt, Reddick and Davis?

 

[nick1]

Willis, Watt, Bowser are my top-3 targets at 22. Glad to see this.

There's one thing you can count on every draft season: most people will miss the forest for the trees. They'll obsess over the swim move of some slug who has a ceiling you'd bump your head on, and they'll nitpick a freak athlete, and good player, who just needs some refinement.

People are beginning to move Bowser up their boards, and I have to wonder if any of the three will be available at 22. I'm only hopeful, because bad teams have early picks.

But that's not for Miami correct? Watt and Bowser are 3-4 fits

 

[j-off-her-doll]

But that's not for Miami correct? Watt and Bowser are 3-4 fits

I think Bowser and Watt are elite athletes and versatile players. I know at least some 4-3 are looking at each as a SLB. Given the effort, talent, and versatility, I see no reason that they couldn't play a role similar to Anthony Barr on base downs. You can either use them in coverage, as a match-up piece, or rush them off the edge on passing downs. They both also project to be excellent blitzing LB's.

Run fits are the main question, but I'll bet on talent every time, and they project better in that regard than Reddick. There will be a learning curve for all of them, but Bowser and Watt's size separate from Reddick on this front.

In short, give me versatile pass rushers/elite athletes. If my coaches are worth ****, they'll use them/groom them well. I think Miami is open to the idea. I don't know how highly they rate either, but I believe the interest is genuine.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I think Bowser and Watt are elite athletes and versatile players. I know at least some 4-3 are looking at each as a SLB. Given the effort, talent, and versatility, I see no reason that they couldn't play a role similar to Anthony Barr on base downs. You can either use them in coverage, as a match-up piece, or rush them off the edge on passing downs. They both also project to be excellent blitzing LB's.

Run fits are the main question, but I'll bet on talent every time, and they project better in that regard than Reddick. There will be a learning curve for all of them, but Bowser and Watt's size separate from Reddick on this front.

In short, give me versatile pass rushers/elite athletes. If my coaches are worth ****, they'll use them/groom them well. I think Miami is open to the idea. I don't know how highly they rate either, but I believe the interest is genuine.

J-Off --- what's your thoughts on Rivers? In highlights he looks very explosive, but he also looks awfully small for a defensive end. Is he another player to consider at SLB much like Bowser? I'm thinking more 2nd round range.

Best case scenario, at least IMO, is for the team to get two pass rushers in this draft. Would be great if one was a linebacker and the other a defensive end.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

J-Off --- what's your thoughts on Rivers? In highlights he looks very explosive, but he also looks awfully small for a defensive end. Is he another player to consider at SLB much like Bowser? I'm thinking more 2nd round range.

Best case scenario, at least IMO, is for the team to get two pass rushers in this draft. Would be great if one was a linebacker and the other a defensive end.

He's a bit of a tough fit in a 4-3, but he is a very good athlete, so he may be able to move to SLB. It's a bigger projection for him than Watt or Bowser, imo. Depending on who Miami drafted in the 1st, and who is available at 54, I would be good with Miami drafting Rivers as a pass-rush specialist only as a rookie. You mentioned it, but Rivers is small for a DE (both in weight and arm length), so the team could either gradually bring him up to a better weight or slowly work him in as a SLB. He's about the same size as Charles Harris. Harris weighed 253lbs at the Combine but 248lbs at his Pro Day, and he's an inch shorter than Rivers. I like Rivers better than Harris, and I think he's worth a top-20 pick as a 3-4 OLB. He's strong, athletic, and relatively polished as a pass rusher. Because the fit isn't great, he's worth less to Miami, but teams like Seattle and Denver find pass rushers any way they can. In the 1st RD, fit is important. You want to make sure you have a top talent and that you're putting that top talent in a position to thrive early (while understanding there will be growing pains for rookies). After that, though, if you can grab a potential 10-sack guy, which I think Rivers is, who cares if he fits your D on base downs? I mean, if you have two players like that, and one fits what you do better, you take the one that's the better fit. But, I wouldn't turn my nose up at a pass rusher I believe in just because I think it will be hard to get him in the normal rotation early.

He is 6'4, and strong, so I think Rivers could get up to around 260lbs without losing any juice, and at that size, I think he could handle base DE responsibilities. But, I think you want to bulk him up slowly to make sure that he doesn't lose any speed, burst, and/or agility. I'd be a little surprised to see him on the board at 54, but if he is, he'd be toward the top of my list.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Honestly, I don't know enough about Bowser. I do like that Miami is looking at linebackers. It's one position that has been virtually ignored for a long-time and it was probably the weakest unit in the NFL last year. Timmons will help, but would like to see a high end talent added. Better yet if that player can rush the passer.

How does Bowser rate with the likes of Watt, Reddick and Davis?

Reddick is faster than Bowser or Watt, but Bowser and Watt have better size and agility. If you're looking for a sideline-to-sideline LB, Reddick's speed gives him an advantage. If you're looking for a guy to match up with TE's in coverage, Bowser is the best candidate - followed by Watt; Reddick is small for this task. If you're looking for a tone setter at SLB, I think you have to favor Watt - for his strength and intensity. As a pure pass rusher, I give a slight edge to Watt over Bowser, but both have very high ceilings as pass rushers. Any 3-cone under 6.80 for an Edge is super elite. Because I put such a strong emphasis on getting after the QB, I have them ordered Watt (#5), Bowser (#10), then Reddick (#14).

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/tj-watt

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/tyus-bowser

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/haason-reddick

 

[jim1]

Reddick is faster than Bowser or Watt, but Bowser and Watt have better size and agility. If you're looking for a sideline-to-sideline LB, Reddick's speed gives him an advantage. If you're looking for a guy to match up with TE's in coverage, Bowser is the best candidate - followed by Watt; Reddick is small for this task. If you're looking for a tone setter at SLB, I think you have to favor Watt - for his strength and intensity. As a pure pass rusher, I give a slight edge to Watt over Bowser, but both have very high ceilings as pass rushers. Any 3-cone under 6.80 for an Edge is super elite. Because I put such a strong emphasis on getting after the QB, I have them ordered Watt (#5), Bowser (#10), then Reddick (#14).

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/tj-watt

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/tyus-bowser

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/haason-reddick

Very interesting, thx, but is there a graphic for how Reddick measures up at OLB?

 

[j-off-her-doll]

Very interesting, thx, but is there a graphic for how Reddick measures up at OLB?

For some reason, there is not, but if you go to the link, you can compare them against each other as athletes. Should have probably posted those screenshots, but I wasn't thinking.

 

[Michael Scott]

Willis, Watt, Bowser are my top-3 targets at 22. Glad to see this.

There's one thing you can count on every draft season: most people will miss the forest for the trees. They'll obsess over the swim move of some slug who has a ceiling you'd bump your head on, and they'll nitpick a freak athlete, and good player, who just needs some refinement.

People are beginning to move Bowser up their boards, and I have to wonder if any of the three will be available at 22. I'm only hopeful, because bad teams have early picks.

All three will be available at 22. Bowser will probably be there at 54. Not a first round candidate at 22 at all for me. Willis is the only guy in that range. Watt a bit later

 

[j-off-her-doll]

All three will be available at 22. Bowser will probably be there at 54. Not a first round candidate at 22 at all for me. Willis is the only guy in that range. Watt a bit later

Bet you 2,000 vCash that Bowser isn't there at 54.

 

[jim1]

For some reason, there is not, but if you go to the link, you can compare them against each other as athletes. Should have probably posted those screenshots, but I wasn't thinking.

Great stuff nonetheless, thanks for that and your excellent commentary.

 

[nick1]

Bet you 2,000 vCash that Bowser isn't there at 54.

I think you are right on that. You are spot on with your SPARQ analysis and teams are putting a premium on SPARQ. Watt is a first rounder too. It has nothing to do with his brother