ILB Prospects

Originally posted by NYniner85:
What round was Telvin Smith drafted in

If you told me we could get smith and OBO then I'm down but OBO is one of the hardest reads in the draft process...some have him as a 1st/high 2nd others have him as a 3rd.

I feel like even in this draft Obo won't go earlier than the 3rd round due to limitations that teams will hold against him. I like Smith but if they like Landry or Minkah the most, so be it, just get the guy who will be the best possible player, regardless of the position because they need help and upgrades at so many of them.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

What round was Telvin Smith drafted in

If you told me we could get smith and OBO then I'm down but OBO is one of the hardest reads in the draft process...some have him as a 1st/high 2nd others have him as a 3rd.

I feel like even in this draft Obo won't go earlier than the 3rd round due to limitations that teams will hold against him. I like Smith but if they like Landry or Minkah the most, so be it, just get the guy who will be the best possible player, regardless of the position because they need help and upgrades at so many of them.

I can live with that

Chris Trapasso of CBS sports did a couple comps of some of the LBers in this class (who doesn't like comps )

Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson NFL comparison: Telvin Smith

Smith went much later than he should have in the 2014 draft -- Round 5 -- after a career in Florida State in which he was a big-play defender at the second level. Despite being more slender than the traditional player at his spot, Smith came into the league at the perfect time, as his speed and athleticism make him the consummate nickel linebacker. He wins by getting to the ball quickly and jumping in front of passes in coverage. Like Smith, O'Daniel is built like a safety, but his game doesn't have any holes. He's fast to the football, can shed blocks, and reads quarterbacks' eyes before getting his hands on throws at the short and intermediate level.

Darius Leonard, South Carolina State NFL comparison: C.J. Mosley

Like Mosley, Leonard is a somewhat high-cut off-ball linebacker exuding fluidity in his coverage drops and enough power and speed to be a three-down playmaker at the NFL level. Both have desired diagnosing ability and are almost always very quick to the football.

Rashaan Evans, Alabama NFL comparison: Nigel Bradham

Evans and Bradham can be described as hard-hitting off-ball linebackers with good athletic talents who're capable in coverage. Bradham was a tad heavier than Evans when he came out of Florida State in 2012. Like Evans demonstrated at Alabama, at times early in his Bradham's pro career he took an extra split second to recognize where he needed to be on the field and was fooled by play-action. Over time, Bradham has become one of the more underrated linebackers in the NFL. Evans will likely follow a similar career path in the NFL.

Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State NFL comparison: Karlos Dansby

Dansby has enjoyed a successful, long career in the NFL -- he's set to enter into his 15th season in the league -- and has quietly had a Hall of Very Good tenure as a professional. At 6-4 and over 240 pounds, Dansby is a tone-setter in the run game and uses his fine blend of length and athleticism to be a steady producer in coverage. Vander Esch is bigger and more explosive than Dansby yet needs time to get better defeating blocks, but their games are similar. They're huge and fly sideline to sideline.

Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech NFL comparison: De'Vondre Campbell / Anthony Barr

Campbell is on the fast track to being a household name. Like Edmunds, he's a tall, thick off-ball linebacker who showcases elite athletic traits every game. Campbell is better dispatching blocks than Edmunds, but the latter is more explosive as a run-defender. If he reaches his full potential, he can be a Barr-type player who can be used at any linebacker position and provide some pass rush on the edge.

Roquan Smith, Georgia NFL comparison: Bobby Wagner

Wagner's diagnosing skills and speed to the football happen at a lightning-quick rate. That combo has been the main reason why he's one of the NFL's most productive off-ball linebackers since he entered the league in 2012. Also, he's a sure tackler and is fluid in coverage. Smith is a clone of Wagner. That's the book on him too.

Bobby Wagner aka the best LB in the NFL.

I also comped Edmunds to De'Vondre Campbell after the first time I sat down to watch his tape. Don't see that comp often used for him.

I like Darius Leonard, but I don't know if he's ready to play out of the box. I read another analysis of his tape, and they saw the same thing I saw: s**tty tackling. His tackling technique is bad and could get him hurt in the NFL. He also needs to play more on his toes and off his heels.

It's a bummer that Joel Iyiegbuniwe's tape never surfaced. I have no idea who he is, but based on his player profile, he sounds like the type of LB the 49ers are after.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Bobby Wagner aka the best LB in the NFL.

I also comped Edmunds to De'Vondre Campbell after the first time I sat down to watch his tape. Don't see that comp often used for him.

I like Darius Leonard, but I don't know if he's ready to play out of the box. I read another analysis of his tape, and they saw the same thing I saw: s**tty tackling. His tackling technique is bad and could get him hurt in the NFL. He also needs to play more on his toes and off his heels.

I'll take O'Daniel if he's anything like telvin smith

I also like Dorian O'Daniel as a double-dip LB option on day three.

I'd be surprised if any of the LBs after day one come close to being as good as Telvin in the NFL. Telvin was a truly instinctive, gap-shooting LB and an absolute beast at FSU. Landing him the fifth was robbery for Jax. Telvin is basically a 215-pound Roquan.

Originally posted by Heroism:

I also like Dorian O'Daniel as a double-dip LB option on day three.

I'd be surprised if any of the LBs after day one come close to being as good as Telvin in the NFL. Telvin was a truly instinctive, gap-shooting LB and an absolute beast at FSU. Landing him the fifth was robbery for Jax. Telvin is basically a 215-pound Roquan.

Excellent point, the WLB role is the new 3-4 OLB, or zone Guard.

Identify tweeners, create a role maximising their strengths, nab them late because no one else wants them.

The thing is it only works until loads of teams start copying you, luckily I think we're still in a good place as we were one of the early teams to follow suit.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:
Excellent point, the WLB role is the new 3-4 OLB, or zone Guard.

Identify tweeners, create a role maximising their strengths, nab them late because no one else wants them.

The thing is it only works until loads of teams start copying you, luckily I think we're still in a good place as we were one of the early teams to follow suit.

Yup, there's greater demand for these type of LBs now. Seattle was the first team assembling smaller, hyperathletic LBs. Then, ATL and JAX came into the picture with similar systems and player profiles. Today, add LAC and SF to the mix, and the result is greater demand for those previously undervalued hyperathletic LBs. There's zero chance Telvin Smith goes in the fifth today.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Excellent point, the WLB role is the new 3-4 OLB, or zone Guard.

Identify tweeners, create a role maximising their strengths, nab them late because no one else wants them.

The thing is it only works until loads of teams start copying you, luckily I think we're still in a good place as we were one of the early teams to follow suit.

Yup, there's greater demand for these type of LBs now. Seattle was the first team assembling smaller, hyperathletic LBs. Then, ATL and JAX came into the picture with similar systems and player profiles. Today, add LAC and SF to the mix, and the result is greater demand for those previously undervalued hyperathletic LBs. There's zero chance Telvin Smith goes in the fifth today.

I'm down for double dipping on Ilb in this draft

Originally posted by Heroism:
Bobby Wagner aka the best LB in the NFL.

I also comped Edmunds to De'Vondre Campbell after the first time I sat down to watch his tape. Don't see that comp often used for him.

I like Darius Leonard, but I don't know if he's ready to play out of the box. I read another analysis of his tape, and they saw the same thing I saw: s**tty tackling. His tackling technique is bad and could get him hurt in the NFL. He also needs to play more on his toes and off his heels.

Luke Kuechly @LukeKuechly
F*** You

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson NFL comparison: Telvin Smith

Smith went much later than he should have in the 2014 draft -- Round 5 -- after a career in Florida State in which he was a big-play defender at the second level. Despite being more slender than the traditional player at his spot, Smith came into the league at the perfect time, as his speed and athleticism make him the consummate nickel linebacker. He wins by getting to the ball quickly and jumping in front of passes in coverage. Like Smith, O'Daniel is built like a safety, but his game doesn't have any holes. He's fast to the football, can shed blocks, and reads quarterbacks' eyes before getting his hands on throws at the short and intermediate level.

Telvin is a special player. Most people sleep on him because he plays for the Jaguars, but they've arrived and his name will be known shortly. If there's another Telvin Smith in this draft, I'd like to know where because I don't see it. Roquan is the closest thing.

In case anyone had doubts about the 49ers coveting fast LBs, check out the sparq scores for 40 times of all the LBs they've brought in:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cFNfadmv5lfdG7qLlR2QTLYqOosEY-gbbQAr8zbj8V8/edit?usp=sharing

Josey Jewell...just like Zach Thomas, he's been told he's not big enough, fast enough, etc. All he does is make plays...great nose for the ball and very consistent. Another very good player from that Iowa defense.