LBs drafted since 1998

[jem88]

In part 3 of the "Jem is very bored" series, we now turn our attention to linebackers drafted since 1998"

Keith Brooking, Takeo Spikes, Anthony Simmons, Brian Simmons, Chris Claiborne, Andy Katzenmoyer, Al Wilson, Lavar Arrington, Brian Urlacher, Julian Peterson, Rob Morris, Keith Bullock, Dan Morgan, Napoleon Harris, Robert Thomas, Terrell Suggs, Nick Barnett, Johnathan Vilma, D.J. Williams

Top-tier/Worthy of being a 1st round pick: Brooking, Spikes, Wilson, Arrington, Urlacher, Peterson, Bullock, Morgan, Suggs, Vilma, Williams.

Solid/On the verge of being top-tier: Anthony Simmons, Brian Simmons, Claiborne (actually somewhat of a disappointment given his talent but has played pretty well for both Lions and Vikings. Could he be the next James Farrior?), Morris, Harris (started off well, has regressed, is now at a crossroads), Barnett (yet to reach his potential. Apparently will be switched to the weakside where big things are expected.)

Busts/Disappointments: Katzenmoyer, Robert Thomas (could yet be solid but hasn't shown too much.)

Note: On the draft website for 2000, Erik Flowers is listed as a LB but he's played as a DE (not very well I might add!)

So by my count, there have been 19 Linebackers chosen since 1998. 11 of them have proven to be top-tier, 6 of them have been solid, while 2 have been busts or disappointing.

Linebacker looks to be a very safe place to spend a first round pick, especially if that pick is in the mid-to-late first round. How would you guys feel about Derrick Johnson with our number 11 pick?

[dargonking999]

How would you guys feel about Derrick Johnson with our number 11 pick?


maybe number 20 if merriman is still on the board. LB is not our biggest need. take the best player availble

[Reed]

You know, all this data you do for these positons. First round picks are usually good players, only every once in a while are their major busts. So it is safe to say your goign to get a top tier or pretty solid player in the first round. If you dont your team will stink it up. So its very important to hit on those first round picks, look at the ravens

[btcutter]

Johnson looks like a great WLB who chases the play well. My biggest concern is hearing that he can't/won't take on blockers well. That's a big issue for 3-4 backers. Look at the LBs for the giants in the 80's. Those were guys that defeat their blockers and make plays. People who chases down plays from the other side is a dime a dozen now a days since they are all great athletes.
I also want Bill to draft FOOTBALL players and not just workout warriors. Too often JJ get obsessessed with speed and height and forget that instinct can't be taught.

[jem88]

You know, all this data you do for these positons. First round picks are usually good players, only every once in a while are their major busts. So it is safe to say your goign to get a top tier or pretty solid player in the first round. If you dont your team will stink it up. So its very important to hit on those first round picks, look at the ravens

It should be that way but check out the post I did on WRs taken and you'll see it's not always such a safe bet (one reason I'd steer clear of Edwards.) CB and LB appear to be two of the safer positions to draft. Maybe that's why the Ravens have done so well, they've identified great value picks (Lewis and Reed spring to mind. Two positions that aren't usually taken in the top-10 but definately worth spending a mid-to-late first on.)

[Eddie]

You know, all this data you do for these positons. First round picks are usually good players, only every once in a while are their major busts. So it is safe to say your goign to get a top tier or pretty solid player in the first round. If you dont your team will stink it up. So its very important to hit on those first round picks, look at the ravens

Other than Roy Williams, we haven't hit on any 1st rounders in over 10 years.

Oh yeah, I fuggets ... 6-10. Maybe that's why.

[ghst187]

Other than Roy Williams, we haven't hit on any 1st rounders in over 10 years.

Oh yeah, I fuggets ... 6-10. Maybe that's why.

I wouldn't discount Newman....he and Roy are solid in a shaky secondary. Newman had a few games that weren't so good but he's a very good player.

[Tio]

DJ at 11 is my dream come true. Merriman at 20 or a trade down for Hawthorne is just icing on the cake...

[Tio]

I bet if you do DEs the ratio will be different.

[jimmy40]

Johnson looks like a great WLB who chases the play well. My biggest concern is hearing that he can't/won't take on blockers well. That's a big issue for 3-4 backers. Look at the LBs for the giants in the 80's. Those were guys that defeat their blockers and make plays. People who chases down plays from the other side is a dime a dozen now a days since they are all great athletes.
I also want Bill to draft FOOTBALL players and not just workout warriors. Too often JJ get obsessessed with speed and height and forget that instinct can't be taught.Amazing how guys are in love with Dat/Dex and then dog Derrick Johnson for not taking on blocks. Not saying your one of them but that's where your hearing this crap. BTW: anybody that knows anything about DJ knows his instincts for the game are great. How can you look at Dallas defense and think JJ is obsessed with height?

[jem88]

I bet if you do DEs the ratio will be different. That's the next project! And I bet you're right. We'll see...

[jem88]

Other than Roy Williams, we haven't hit on any 1st rounders in over 10 years.

Oh yeah, I fuggets ... 6-10. Maybe that's why. I wouldn't call Greg Ellis a bad choice. I would've preferred Moss at the time, but Ellis has been pretty solid.