Tyler Linderbaum

xwalker

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A case can be made for Linderbaum being worth a top half of the 1st type pick, but a case can also be made for not drafting him in the 1st at all.
  • Pro:
    • Terrific college player.
    • 'High Floor' type player.
    • Excellent technique/awareness.
    • Many very good NFL OCs have been 'smallish' players.
    • Wrestling Background.
      • We saw how Odighi (wresting background) was able to hold up even against double teams despite a lack of traditional DT size.
      • The all-time example of a small OLineman with wresting background succeeding was Carlton Haselrig (Steelers 12th round pick in 1989).
      • Haselrig (NFL listing 6-1, 295) was one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of all time.
      • He became a Pro Bowl OG for the Steelers but had a short career due to mental issues.
  • Con:
    • Didn't participate in the combine measurables events.
    • His size limitation is at the far end of the scale with really short arms (31-1/8" arms, 6-3, 296).
      • In reviewing the measurables of some smallish NFL OLinemen, I have not found any quality OL with arm length below 32". Not saying that one doesn't exist, but none that I've found.
    • He was 270 pounds as a freshman and reportedly played in the mid 280 range last season. He might be maxed out at 296.
      • Players like Rodney Hudson (6-2, 299 pre-draft), were able to bulk up in the NFL (now listed at 315).
    • Unfortunately, NFL weight listings are rarely accurate making it difficult to compare.
    • Corey Lindsley, a 5th round pick by McCarthy's Packers in 2014 is listed at 301 with 32" arms.
    • Brian Baldinger has him as his 2nd favorite OL in this draft; however, even Baldinger says that he might get over-powered 3 or 4 times per game.
    • Connor Williams had excellent technique/awareness and LT type foot quickness, but his lack of anchor remained a significant limitation.
      • CW did bulk up to over 310 (per training camp reports) but his lower body remained lacking in the power/bulk to 'sit down' on 1-tech types.
      • CW was at his best against Aaron Donald but struggled with no-name 320+ type DTs.
  • Alternative:
    • Zion Johnson looks like a perfect fit to move to OC in the NFL.
    • College version Zion reminds me of NFL version Rodney Hudson.
    • The Senior Bowl director says his intelligence is up there with the best that he has ever studied/interviewed.
    • He played OC at the Senior Bowl and looked good.
    • His worst shotgun snap was at the QBs belt-buckle but dead-center right/left.
    • If ZJ is tried at OC and doesn't succeed, then he'll be a quality OG; whereas, Linderbaum is OC-only.
  • Frederick
    • Frederick's ability to handle any type of DT 1-on-1, improved the overall OLine.
    • Zack Martin didn't have to be concerned about helping Frederick which allowed him to cheat over to help the RT.
    • 2012 UDFA Ron Leary had a couple of terrific years playing between Frederick and Tyron Smith, but didn't do much when he went to Denver.
 
As I've said before, drafting a center with a 1st round pick is too boring for Jerry and yes, I know about Fredbeard but he was an exception IMO. Besides, you hear a lot of talk from posters/fans/media about replacing Biadasz but at the end of the day, he's the current starter.
 
I wouldn’t take him over Johnson / Green but I think Linderbaum should be in play at 24. I like him only if I know we’re going to be running more zone and pull plays bc that’s where he excels.

And drafting Zion and asking him to switch to C would be dumber than drafting a WR IMO.
 
A case can be made for Linderbaum being worth a top half of the 1st type pick, but a case can also be made for not drafting him in the 1st at all.
  • Pro:
    • Terrific college player.
    • 'High Floor' type player.
    • Excellent technique/awareness.
    • Many very good NFL OCs have been 'smallish' players.
    • Wrestling Background.
      • We saw how Odighi (wresting background) was able to hold up even against double teams despite a lack of traditional DT size.
      • The all-time example of a small OLineman with wresting background succeeding was Carlton Haselrig (Steelers 12th round pick in 1989).
      • Haselrig (NFL listing 6-1, 295) was one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of all time.
      • He became a Pro Bowl OG for the Steelers but had a short career due to mental issues.
  • Con:
    • Didn't participate in the combine measurables events.
    • His size limitation is at the far end of the scale with really short arms (31-1/8" arms, 6-3, 296).
      • In reviewing the measurables of some smallish NFL OLinemen, I have not found any quality OL with arm length below 32". Not saying that one doesn't exist, but none that I've found.
    • He was 270 pounds as a freshman and reportedly played in the mid 280 range last season. He might be maxed out at 296.
      • Players like Rodney Hudson (6-2, 299 pre-draft), were able to bulk up in the NFL (now listed at 315).
    • Unfortunately, NFL weight listings are rarely accurate making it difficult to compare.
    • Corey Lindsley, a 5th round pick by McCarthy's Packers in 2014 is listed at 301 with 32" arms.
    • Brian Baldinger has him as his 2nd favorite OL in this draft; however, even Baldinger says that he might get over-powered 3 or 4 times per game.
    • Connor Williams had excellent technique/awareness and LT type foot quickness, but his lack of anchor remained a significant limitation.
      • CW did bulk up to over 310 (per training camp reports) but his lower body remained lacking in the power/bulk to 'sit down' on 1-tech types.
      • CW was at his best against Aaron Donald but struggled with no-name 320+ type DTs.
  • Alternative:
    • Zion Johnson looks like a perfect fit to move to OC in the NFL.
    • College version Zion reminds me of NFL version Rodney Hudson.
    • The Senior Bowl director says his intelligence is up there with the best that he has ever studied/interviewed.
    • He played OC at the Senior Bowl and looked good.
    • His worst shotgun snap was at the QBs belt-buckle but dead-center right/left.
    • If ZJ is tried at OC and doesn't succeed, then he'll be a quality OG; whereas, Linderbaum is OC-only.
  • Frederick
    • Frederick's ability to handle any type of DT 1-on-1, improved the overall OLine.
    • Zack Martin didn't have to be concerned about helping Frederick which allowed him to cheat over to help the RT.
    • 2012 UDFA Ron Leary had a couple of terrific years playing between Frederick and Tyron Smith, but didn't do much when he went to Denver.
Brett Kollman's take on Linderbaum counters a fair number of your cons. What impressed me most was his account of how Linderbaum in mid play saw things breaking down and instantly acted correctly to fix it. That kind of gift is what Fredbeard had and Stepnoski as well.
 
A case can be made for Linderbaum being worth a top half of the 1st type pick, but a case can also be made for not drafting him in the 1st at all.
  • Pro:
    • Terrific college player.
    • 'High Floor' type player.
    • Excellent technique/awareness.
    • Many very good NFL OCs have been 'smallish' players.
    • Wrestling Background.
      • We saw how Odighi (wresting background) was able to hold up even against double teams despite a lack of traditional DT size.
      • The all-time example of a small OLineman with wresting background succeeding was Carlton Haselrig (Steelers 12th round pick in 1989).
      • Haselrig (NFL listing 6-1, 295) was one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of all time.
      • He became a Pro Bowl OG for the Steelers but had a short career due to mental issues.
  • Con:
    • Didn't participate in the combine measurables events.
    • His size limitation is at the far end of the scale with really short arms (31-1/8" arms, 6-3, 296).
      • In reviewing the measurables of some smallish NFL OLinemen, I have not found any quality OL with arm length below 32". Not saying that one doesn't exist, but none that I've found.
    • He was 270 pounds as a freshman and reportedly played in the mid 280 range last season. He might be maxed out at 296.
      • Players like Rodney Hudson (6-2, 299 pre-draft), were able to bulk up in the NFL (now listed at 315).
    • Unfortunately, NFL weight listings are rarely accurate making it difficult to compare.
    • Corey Lindsley, a 5th round pick by McCarthy's Packers in 2014 is listed at 301 with 32" arms.
    • Brian Baldinger has him as his 2nd favorite OL in this draft; however, even Baldinger says that he might get over-powered 3 or 4 times per game.
    • Connor Williams had excellent technique/awareness and LT type foot quickness, but his lack of anchor remained a significant limitation.
      • CW did bulk up to over 310 (per training camp reports) but his lower body remained lacking in the power/bulk to 'sit down' on 1-tech types.
      • CW was at his best against Aaron Donald but struggled with no-name 320+ type DTs.
  • Alternative:
    • Zion Johnson looks like a perfect fit to move to OC in the NFL.
    • College version Zion reminds me of NFL version Rodney Hudson.
    • The Senior Bowl director says his intelligence is up there with the best that he has ever studied/interviewed.
    • He played OC at the Senior Bowl and looked good.
    • His worst shotgun snap was at the QBs belt-buckle but dead-center right/left.
    • If ZJ is tried at OC and doesn't succeed, then he'll be a quality OG; whereas, Linderbaum is OC-only.
  • Frederick
    • Frederick's ability to handle any type of DT 1-on-1, improved the overall OLine.
    • Zack Martin didn't have to be concerned about helping Frederick which allowed him to cheat over to help the RT.
    • 2012 UDFA Ron Leary had a couple of terrific years playing between Frederick and Tyron Smith, but didn't do much when he went to Denver.


I posted this in another thread, but here are some really good NFL centers and their pre-draft measurements

Jason Kelce- 6’2 280 32.5” arms
Mitch Morse- 6’5 305 32.25” arms
Corey Linsley- 6’3 296 32” arms
Rodney Hudson- 6’2 299 32.5” arms
Ben Jones- 6’2 303 32.5” arms
Brian Allen- 6’1 298 32.33” arms
Connor McGovern (not ours)- 6’4 305 32.75” arms
Mason Cole- 6’4 307 32.15” arms
Chase Coullier- 6’4 312 32.25” arms
Creed Humphrey- 6’5 312 32.25” arms
David Andrews- 6’2 294 32.15” arms

I really think the size limitation is getting overblown. Would 10 pounds and an extra 1” of length (insert joke here) make him a definite top 25 pick? And should we really care about that little of a size difference?
 
Linderbaum may be the safest bet in this class. Great tape. Terrific skill set. He doesn’t check the size box, but this kid is going to make Pro Bowls. But it probably won’t be for this team.
 
As I've said before, drafting a center with a 1st round pick is too boring for Jerry and yes, I know about Fredbeard but he was an exception IMO. Besides, you hear a lot of talk from posters/fans/media about replacing Biadasz but at the end of the day, he's the current starter.
Everyone is a current starter unless they lose it.
 
A case can be made for Linderbaum being worth a top half of the 1st type pick, but a case can also be made for not drafting him in the 1st at all.
  • Pro:
    • Terrific college player.
    • 'High Floor' type player.
    • Excellent technique/awareness.
    • Many very good NFL OCs have been 'smallish' players.
    • Wrestling Background.
      • We saw how Odighi (wresting background) was able to hold up even against double teams despite a lack of traditional DT size.
      • The all-time example of a small OLineman with wresting background succeeding was Carlton Haselrig (Steelers 12th round pick in 1989).
      • Haselrig (NFL listing 6-1, 295) was one of the greatest amateur wrestlers of all time.
      • He became a Pro Bowl OG for the Steelers but had a short career due to mental issues.
  • Con:
    • Didn't participate in the combine measurables events.
    • His size limitation is at the far end of the scale with really short arms (31-1/8" arms, 6-3, 296).
      • In reviewing the measurables of some smallish NFL OLinemen, I have not found any quality OL with arm length below 32". Not saying that one doesn't exist, but none that I've found.
    • He was 270 pounds as a freshman and reportedly played in the mid 280 range last season. He might be maxed out at 296.
      • Players like Rodney Hudson (6-2, 299 pre-draft), were able to bulk up in the NFL (now listed at 315).
    • Unfortunately, NFL weight listings are rarely accurate making it difficult to compare.
    • Corey Lindsley, a 5th round pick by McCarthy's Packers in 2014 is listed at 301 with 32" arms.
    • Brian Baldinger has him as his 2nd favorite OL in this draft; however, even Baldinger says that he might get over-powered 3 or 4 times per game.
    • Connor Williams had excellent technique/awareness and LT type foot quickness, but his lack of anchor remained a significant limitation.
      • CW did bulk up to over 310 (per training camp reports) but his lower body remained lacking in the power/bulk to 'sit down' on 1-tech types.
      • CW was at his best against Aaron Donald but struggled with no-name 320+ type DTs.
  • Alternative:
    • Zion Johnson looks like a perfect fit to move to OC in the NFL.
    • College version Zion reminds me of NFL version Rodney Hudson.
    • The Senior Bowl director says his intelligence is up there with the best that he has ever studied/interviewed.
    • He played OC at the Senior Bowl and looked good.
    • His worst shotgun snap was at the QBs belt-buckle but dead-center right/left.
    • If ZJ is tried at OC and doesn't succeed, then he'll be a quality OG; whereas, Linderbaum is OC-only.
  • Frederick
    • Frederick's ability to handle any type of DT 1-on-1, improved the overall OLine.
    • Zack Martin didn't have to be concerned about helping Frederick which allowed him to cheat over to help the RT.
    • 2012 UDFA Ron Leary had a couple of terrific years playing between Frederick and Tyron Smith, but didn't do much when he went to Denver.

If justification is needed for the player than its probably going to be Zion or Green. I could see Linderbaum in the 2nd Round
 
My point exactly.......we talking about drafting the replacement of a player that hasn't even been benched. That's a pretty long reach......
I think upgrading the center position is greatly needed. If Zion or Linderbaum is that upgrade then I am all for it.
 
Would love to get Zion if he falls to us. Love his intelligence, size, and versatility. If he falls to us, I wouldn’t hesitate to take him. Now it would be even better if Linderbaum falls to a our 2nd pick. I wouldn’t even be opposed to trading up a little to get him if he starts to fall but that will take a miracle. As far as Fredbear, I think people forget that the the Cowboys were highly criticized for taken him in the first especially after they traded way down with the Niners to do it. It just goes to show that no one knows about how these players will turn out in the NFL.
 
As I've said before, drafting a center with a 1st round pick is too boring for Jerry and yes, I know about Fredbeard but he was an exception IMO. Besides, you hear a lot of talk from posters/fans/media about replacing Biadasz but at the end of the day, he's the current starter.
They were very interested in Ruiz in 2020
 
Agreed with this. From my breakdowns Zion is an elite run blocker and I’m not sure how he doesn’t get more hype

One advantage of Zion over Linderbaum is that if he can't make a go of it at OC, he can always revert back to OG and succeed admirably.

OTOH, if Green is available in round one, which may or may not be possible, he should be favored over Zion, who is a lesser talent at OG.
 
Last edited:
Yes, Zion can possibly be an upgrade at two different positions, so it makes him a more valuable alternative
 
I posted this in another thread, but here are some really good NFL centers and their pre-draft measurements

Jason Kelce- 6’2 280 32.5” arms
Mitch Morse- 6’5 305 32.25” arms
Corey Linsley- 6’3 296 32” arms
Rodney Hudson- 6’2 299 32.5” arms
Ben Jones- 6’2 303 32.5” arms
Brian Allen- 6’1 298 32.33” arms
Connor McGovern (not ours)- 6’4 305 32.75” arms
Mason Cole- 6’4 307 32.15” arms
Chase Coullier- 6’4 312 32.25” arms
Creed Humphrey- 6’5 312 32.25” arms
David Andrews- 6’2 294 32.15” arms

I really think the size limitation is getting overblown. Would 10 pounds and an extra 1” of length (insert joke here) make him a definite top 25 pick? And should we really care about that little of a size difference?

Apparently it is important when you can't find someone in your list of good players with the same arm length and xwalker couldnt find a historical one either.
 
I think upgrading the center position is greatly needed. If Zion or Linderbaum is that upgrade then I am all for it.

Understand but I'm not sure the FO agree, especially enough draft one at 24 .........that's my point.
 

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