Best fit in the draft for Sam LB?

Just listed a few..
Vote your choice, maybe offer why in a post, and if other -- post a name

Tyus Bowser. Easy.

Willis.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Tyus Bowser. Easy.

This. He's an absolutely perfect fit for the position.

Bowser

Keep in mind from Saleh" It's real simple, the league back in the day was heavy base. SAM linebacker, 65-70 percent of the game you'd have a SAM linebacker on the field where he'd need to perform his duties in base defense. Present day, it's almost 70-percent nickel and the nickel who doesn't get talked about as a starter, he's starting to come up as an individual piece to the puzzle. So when looking at the SAM linebacker and what they're asked to do on a day-to-day basis, 70-percent of the game their hand will be in the ground. So, we're looking for more of an edge rusher as opposed to what it was in years past with a brut SAM linebacker, a [former NFL LB] Bill Romanowski-type. We're trying to move forward from that."

I think the SAM is going to rush the passer a lot, which is why I went with Willis.

Originally posted by GhostOfBaalke:

Keep in mind from Saleh" It's real simple, the league back in the day was heavy base. SAM linebacker, 65-70 percent of the game you'd have a SAM linebacker on the field where he'd need to perform his duties in base defense. Present day, it's almost 70-percent nickel and the nickel who doesn't get talked about as a starter, he's starting to come up as an individual piece to the puzzle. So when looking at the SAM linebacker and what they're asked to do on a day-to-day basis, 70-percent of the game their hand will be in the ground. So, we're looking for more of an edge rusher as opposed to what it was in years past with a brut SAM linebacker, a [former NFL LB] Bill Romanowski-type. We're trying to move forward from that."

So how much of the time is SAM in coverage duties in his defense?

TJ Watt. Based on what Saleh said the sam needs to rush the passer also.

Originally posted by 49erInTheMidwest:

So how much of the time is SAM in coverage duties in his defense?

Well 70 percent is just rushing at the QB

Wow no love for Haason Reddick


Reddick was timed at 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, 7.01 in the 3-cone drill and 4.37 in the 60-yard shuttle. He posted 24 reps on the bench press, a 36.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump

Reddick finished tied for third in the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks, in 2016

How can u over look that

Originally posted by gold49digger:
TJ Watt. Based on what Saleh said the sam needs to rush the passer also.

Love TJ Watt. I'd be more than happy w/ him at the SAM.

Jarrad Davis would make a perfect MIKE or WILL.

Raekwon would be a nice value pick to replace Bowman some day at MIKE.

Originally posted by tatdwolf49:
Wow no love for Haason Reddick

Reddick was timed at 4.52 in the 40-yard dash, 7.01 in the 3-cone drill and 4.37 in the 60-yard shuttle. He posted 24 reps on the bench press, a 36.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot, 1-inch broad jump

Reddick finished tied for third in the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks, in 2016

How can u over look that

Reddick i think is the perfect pick from anyone in the class. From the poll Watt is the best choice.

Given best fit and where we may have a chance to draft him I think Bowser is the best choice because if we want Reddick he has to be drafted with our first pick.

You need two players now for the SAM. 70% of the time we'll be in nickel so Saleh wants an edge rusher there for that. The Elephant (right side) and SAM (left side) are interchangeable in this defense. So the answer is, whoever your best ER is on the board at the time we pick. We need true edge rushers for both spots now.

We could use a guy like Harold, Brooks, etc. as the SAM on running downs though (bigger bodies on the strong side to help funnel RB's inside) and help stuff the run.

Bowser is the only player in this thread that can check off every role in base and sub of the SAM:

-Been the contain player
-Played off the ball in space
-Covered RBs, TEs and WRs(+slot)
-Pass rushed from the edge

He played the SAM position to a tee at Houston. Oh yea, he's also one of the best athletes in his position group. The guy is the archetype for this type of defense.