05-15-2021, 12:33 AM
More fodder for message board discussion
Edge Rusher-Encompasses 4-3 DEs and 3-4 OLBs
1. Bud Dupree-Tennessee-started slowly but developed well for Steelers. Tacks hope he can provide the same for them.
2. Josh Allen, OLB, Jacksonville-Who is he exactly? Is he the promising rookie that produced 10.5 sacks in 2019, or Is he the guy whose production fell off the face of the earth when Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue were shipped elsewhere? Moving to a 3-4 could help answer that question.
3. Harold Landry, Tennessee-has his moments, but is seemingly the latest in a long list of edge rushing disappointments for Tennessee
4. Shaq Lawson, Houston-I had high expectations for him coming out of Clemson, but for whatever reason, he has never been able to put it all together. Has been moved up and down throughout his career. I believe in Lovie Smith’s 4-3 Tampa 2, he will have his hand on the ground again.
5. Denico Autry, Tennessee-doesn’t really fit here. In Tennessee will likely be a 3-4 DE, not an edge rusher. But is the best pass rusher remaining. Sad state of the position in the division.
6. K’Lavon Chaisson, Jacksonville-Not a huge fan of his. He has more ability than his LSU predecessor in Barkevious Mingo, but thus far not more production. I’m hoping using him in a 3-4 will boost his production.
7. Whitney Mercilus, Houston-had a lot of promise early in his career. I think if he played elsewhere, out of the shadow of Watt and Clowney, he could have been more prolific. Now he is likely being moved to DE in Lovie Smith’s 4-3. Best days behind him.
8. Kwity Paye, Indianapolis-Has the tools to be great. Being moved around in Michigan scheme diminished production. If the Colts settle him in one spot he could flourish. Ranks here solely because he is a rookue. His selection shows Colts are losing patience with Turay.
Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
1. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis-brought his dominance from San Francisco’s dominant front to Indy to become their best D-Lineman. Good size…long armed…can collapse the pocket and stuff the run.
2. Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee-recovered nicely from the knee injury that pushed him into the mid first round. Good movement and quickness as he is disruptive and commands double teams.
3. Malcolm Brown, Jaguars-comes over from New Orleans where he helped anchor a strong run defense.
4. DaVon Hamilton, Jacksonville-Showeda lots of promise as a rookie. Has very good size to hold the point and movement. Could play all across a 3 man DL.
5. Brandon Dunn, Houston-Steady but unspectacular. A step down from D.J. Reader.
6. Grover Stewart, Indianapolis-has thrived next to Buckner to help form a good duo inside.
MLB/ILB
1. Zach Cunningham, Houston-not much left of the Houston front 7. Still a good player.
2. Myles Jack, Jacksonville-a fantastic athlete at the position whi has struggled to find a LB home. Is now moving inside. Unsure how well suited he is to it.
3. Rashaan Evans, Tennessee-experienced inside and a good player.
4. Jayron Brown, Tennessee
5. Joe Schobert, Jacksonville-Smart and steady.
OLB-This category encompasses the all around OLBs not just the 3-4 OLB/edge rushers.
1. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis-not very big, but very fast. Excels in pursuit and coverage. Great player.
2. Josh Allen, Jacksonville-the rare talent who could be an edge rusher, stop the run, and drop effortlessly into coverage.
3. Bobby Okereke, Indianapolis-a very athletic LB and teams with Leonard to make Indy’s defense the best in the division.
Cornerbacks
1. Xavier Rhodes, Indianapolis. Came from Minnesota and brought his game with him. A very good and solid player for the Colts.
2. Bradley Roby, Houston-fast player. Good cover guy.
3. Shaq Griffin, Jacksonville-Developed nicely over in Seattle. Has good strength and speed to excel in man coverage.
4. C.J. Henderson, Jaguars-started off like an All Pro but then fell off after that. If he can be more consistent and get a pass rush in front of him, can be a fine corner.
5. Vernon Hargreaves, Houston-nowhere near what he was expected to be coming out of Florida.
6. Rock Ya Sin, Indianapolis
7. Caleb Farley, Tennessee-ranks here due to his status as a rookie. Medical concerns don’t help. Has lots of ability.
8. Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville-rookie second rounder. Looks like he will be tried at nickel.
9. Elijah Molden, Tennessee. Another rookie in revamped Tack secondary.
Free Safety
1. Kevin Byards, Tennessee-Pro bowl caliber player. Best in the division.
2. Justin Reid, Houston
3. Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis
4. Rayshawn Jenkins, Jacksonville-Played SS with the Chargers when Derwin James got hurt. I'm guessing he will move to FS in the Jaguars scheme...but it's just a guess.
Strong Safety
1. Kenny Vaccaro, Titans. Former first round pick…decent to good…not great.
2. Colts- Khari Wilson
3. Texans-Lonnie Johnson
4. Andre Cisco, Jacksonville-ranks here because he is a rookie. Recovering from ACL injury. Good all around game with physicality and ball skills.
Edge Rusher-Encompasses 4-3 DEs and 3-4 OLBs
1. Bud Dupree-Tennessee-started slowly but developed well for Steelers. Tacks hope he can provide the same for them.
2. Josh Allen, OLB, Jacksonville-Who is he exactly? Is he the promising rookie that produced 10.5 sacks in 2019, or Is he the guy whose production fell off the face of the earth when Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue were shipped elsewhere? Moving to a 3-4 could help answer that question.
3. Harold Landry, Tennessee-has his moments, but is seemingly the latest in a long list of edge rushing disappointments for Tennessee
4. Shaq Lawson, Houston-I had high expectations for him coming out of Clemson, but for whatever reason, he has never been able to put it all together. Has been moved up and down throughout his career. I believe in Lovie Smith’s 4-3 Tampa 2, he will have his hand on the ground again.
5. Denico Autry, Tennessee-doesn’t really fit here. In Tennessee will likely be a 3-4 DE, not an edge rusher. But is the best pass rusher remaining. Sad state of the position in the division.
6. K’Lavon Chaisson, Jacksonville-Not a huge fan of his. He has more ability than his LSU predecessor in Barkevious Mingo, but thus far not more production. I’m hoping using him in a 3-4 will boost his production.
7. Whitney Mercilus, Houston-had a lot of promise early in his career. I think if he played elsewhere, out of the shadow of Watt and Clowney, he could have been more prolific. Now he is likely being moved to DE in Lovie Smith’s 4-3. Best days behind him.
8. Kwity Paye, Indianapolis-Has the tools to be great. Being moved around in Michigan scheme diminished production. If the Colts settle him in one spot he could flourish. Ranks here solely because he is a rookue. His selection shows Colts are losing patience with Turay.
Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
1. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis-brought his dominance from San Francisco’s dominant front to Indy to become their best D-Lineman. Good size…long armed…can collapse the pocket and stuff the run.
2. Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee-recovered nicely from the knee injury that pushed him into the mid first round. Good movement and quickness as he is disruptive and commands double teams.
3. Malcolm Brown, Jaguars-comes over from New Orleans where he helped anchor a strong run defense.
4. DaVon Hamilton, Jacksonville-Showeda lots of promise as a rookie. Has very good size to hold the point and movement. Could play all across a 3 man DL.
5. Brandon Dunn, Houston-Steady but unspectacular. A step down from D.J. Reader.
6. Grover Stewart, Indianapolis-has thrived next to Buckner to help form a good duo inside.
MLB/ILB
1. Zach Cunningham, Houston-not much left of the Houston front 7. Still a good player.
2. Myles Jack, Jacksonville-a fantastic athlete at the position whi has struggled to find a LB home. Is now moving inside. Unsure how well suited he is to it.
3. Rashaan Evans, Tennessee-experienced inside and a good player.
4. Jayron Brown, Tennessee
5. Joe Schobert, Jacksonville-Smart and steady.
OLB-This category encompasses the all around OLBs not just the 3-4 OLB/edge rushers.
1. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis-not very big, but very fast. Excels in pursuit and coverage. Great player.
2. Josh Allen, Jacksonville-the rare talent who could be an edge rusher, stop the run, and drop effortlessly into coverage.
3. Bobby Okereke, Indianapolis-a very athletic LB and teams with Leonard to make Indy’s defense the best in the division.
Cornerbacks
1. Xavier Rhodes, Indianapolis. Came from Minnesota and brought his game with him. A very good and solid player for the Colts.
2. Bradley Roby, Houston-fast player. Good cover guy.
3. Shaq Griffin, Jacksonville-Developed nicely over in Seattle. Has good strength and speed to excel in man coverage.
4. C.J. Henderson, Jaguars-started off like an All Pro but then fell off after that. If he can be more consistent and get a pass rush in front of him, can be a fine corner.
5. Vernon Hargreaves, Houston-nowhere near what he was expected to be coming out of Florida.
6. Rock Ya Sin, Indianapolis
7. Caleb Farley, Tennessee-ranks here due to his status as a rookie. Medical concerns don’t help. Has lots of ability.
8. Tyson Campbell, Jacksonville-rookie second rounder. Looks like he will be tried at nickel.
9. Elijah Molden, Tennessee. Another rookie in revamped Tack secondary.
Free Safety
1. Kevin Byards, Tennessee-Pro bowl caliber player. Best in the division.
2. Justin Reid, Houston
3. Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis
4. Rayshawn Jenkins, Jacksonville-Played SS with the Chargers when Derwin James got hurt. I'm guessing he will move to FS in the Jaguars scheme...but it's just a guess.
Strong Safety
1. Kenny Vaccaro, Titans. Former first round pick…decent to good…not great.
2. Colts- Khari Wilson
3. Texans-Lonnie Johnson
4. Andre Cisco, Jacksonville-ranks here because he is a rookie. Recovering from ACL injury. Good all around game with physicality and ball skills.