How early would you draft Aaron Lynch?

[Sydla]

I honestly do not know anything about the player but I believe that you have to roll the dice on troubled talent. Vontaze Burfict is the Burfict (sorry -- couldn't help it) example.

5th round works for me.

Burfict had college production to back him up. Lynch has none. He showed promise as a frosh at ND........... then did nothing at USF. Burfict, while a mental question, had actually production on his resume. It's a different animal than what Lynch has.

 

[Sydla]

How? Am I missing something? Ok, so he left ND because he was homesick/wanted to be with his girlfriend. Not the most mature thing in the world, but he was 19/20 at the time and doesn't have any off the field issues as far as arrests/suspensions that I'm aware of. Severe mental risk seems like a pretty huge overstatement in a world where athletes are committing crimes, doing drugs, ect...

His entire history is a red flag. Not sure how you can't see that.

He committed to ND early saying he grew up a ND fan and that his grandfather was a big ND fan. He then sprinkled some of his grandfather's ashes on ND's field (no joke). Then presto, a few months later, flips to FSU. Then at the last minute decides to not show up at FSU for January enrollment and instead goes to ND. Immediate he apparently started rubbing teammates the wrong way as he was a bit of a complainer and also had a bit of entitlement issues. Has a decent frosh year and then transfers out of ND (apparently not to the dismay of some on the staff who found him to be a handful to coach) to go to USF because he wants to be with his girlfriend, who he marries, then divorces in like 4 months. Finally gets the chance to play at USF and shows little in terms of production, coachability, improvement, etc. As pointed out above, he also had issues with the USF staff at times and when he didn't get his way, pouted.

The guy has a history of indecision, inability to follow through with anything, difficulties in working within the team concept, issues with taking coaching, questionable decision making, immaturity.

That's a long laundry list of issues that he will have to overcome to become a good NFL player. Now I am not saying he can't overcome that stuff, but reality is he's a massive risk on a few fronts......... one, it's a risk he'll get his **** together off the field and upstairs in his head, two, he was pretty mediocre at USF and the only reason people are eyeing him up is because of his reputation coming out of high school, the fact he made a splash as a frosh at ND and good athleticism for his size. Someone mentioned Burfict above but at least Burfict showed himself to be a very good college player at times. Lynch never did other than a few moments at ND. So even if he gets his stuff together mentally, we aren't even sure he can actually play football at a decent level.

He's a 6th or 7th round pick at best IMO.

 

[xwalker]

His entire history is a red flag. Not sure how you can't see that.

He committed to ND early saying he grew up a ND fan and that his grandfather was a big ND fan. He then sprinkled some of his grandfather's ashes on ND's field (no joke). Then presto, a few months later, flips to FSU. Then at the last minute decides to not show up at FSU for January enrollment and instead goes to ND. Immediate he apparently started rubbing teammates the wrong way as he was a bit of a complainer and also had a bit of entitlement issues. Has a decent frosh year and then transfers out of ND (apparently not to the dismay of some on the staff who found him to be a handful to coach) to go to USF because he wants to be with his girlfriend, who he marries, then divorces in like 4 months. Finally gets the chance to play at USF and shows little in terms of production, coachability, improvement, etc. As pointed out above, he also had issues with the USF staff at times and when he didn't get his way, pouted.

The guy has a history of indecision, inability to follow through with anything, difficulties in working within the team concept, issues with taking coaching, questionable decision making, immaturity.

That's a long laundry list of issues that he will have to overcome to become a good NFL player. Now I am not saying he can't overcome that stuff, but reality is he's a massive risk on a few fronts......... one, it's a risk he'll get his **** together off the field and upstairs in his head, two, he was pretty mediocre at USF and the only reason people are eyeing him up is because of his reputation coming out of high school, the fact he made a splash as a frosh at ND and good athleticism for his size. Someone mentioned Burfict above but at least Burfict showed himself to be a very good college player at times. Lynch never did other than a few moments at ND. So even if he gets his stuff together mentally, we aren't even sure he can actually play football at a decent level.

He's a 6th or 7th round pick at best IMO.

Burfict was not going to clean up his act just for his college coaches or teammates. He started changing when he realized that his draft stock was falling through the floor.

 

[Sydla]

Burfict was not going to clean up his act just for his college coaches or teammates. He started changing when he realized that his draft stock was falling through the floor.

But that's really not my point. Someone mentioned Burfict above but unlike Lynch, Burfict had a track record of good to great play in college. So if you were taking a risk on him like the Bengals did, you at least had a track record of play at a high level from him. So you knew he had the skills, but did he have the head?

Lynch doesn't have that. He showed a little bit of skill at ND and absolutely nothing at USF. So not only do you have questions about his mental makeup, you aren't even sure he's a good football player because he has little to no track record of success at the collegiate level. You'd be drafting him solely on his athletic skills. That's different than Burfict, who as a sophomore, was named an AA. Lynch never sniffed those heights.

 

[xwalker]

But that's really not my point. Someone mentioned Burfict above but unlike Lynch, Burfict had a track record of good to great play in college. So if you were taking a risk on him like the Bengals did, you at least had a track record of play at a high level from him. So you knew he had the skills, but did he have the head?

Lynch doesn't have that. He showed a little bit of skill at ND and absolutely nothing at USF. So not only do you have questions about his mental makeup, you aren't even sure he's a good football player because he has little to no track record of success at the collegiate level. You'd be drafting him solely on his athletic skills. That's different than Burfict, who as a sophomore, was named an AA. Lynch never sniffed those heights.

I understand to an extent. Burfict was a more proven player, but he struggled to prove that he could play within the rules and was not easily to coach.

In the games that I've watched, Lynch was terrific at ND. Maybe not consistently, but he showed terrific ability. He also make a number of terrific plays at USF but again didn't do it consistently.

Despite less achievements, it's easy to see that Lynch has terrific athletic ability. I would use a 7th on him all day. If I had the ability to interview him and know the results a physiological evaluation I would consider drafting him earlier.

 

[Floatyworm]

Someone is gonna get a steal if he lasts until the 5th round. I'm thinking he falls somewhere in the 4th round

 

[Sydla]

I understand to an extent. Burfict was a more proven player, but he struggled to prove that he could play within the rules and was not easily to coach.

In the games that I've watched, Lynch was terrific at ND. Maybe not consistently, but he showed terrific ability. He also make a number of terrific plays at USF but again didn't do it consistently.

Despite less achievements, it's easy to see that Lynch has terrific athletic ability. I would use a 7th on him all day. If I had the ability to interview him and know the results a physiological evaluation I would consider drafting him earlier.

And I agree with that........... I'd take a flier in the 7th all day long too. But some are suggesting taking him in the 4th. No way. In this draft, you can still get a good player in the 4th that comes with a ton less risk than Lynch.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

He's a 7th Rd pick IMO. Too risky to go up and get him in a draft as deep as this one IMO.

 

[tm1119]

And I agree with that........... I'd take a flier in the 7th all day long too. But some are suggesting taking him in the 4th. No way. In this draft, you can still get a good player in the 4th that comes with a ton less risk than Lynch.

You're overvaluing what a 4th round pick actually is....if you need a reminder take a look at our history of 4th/5th round picks. And maybe 4th round pick was a tad high on my part, but 5th round I would absolutely take Lynch. When you get down that far into the draft you have to take chances on guys who have elite physical tools.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

You're overvaluing what a 4th round pick actually is....if you need a reminder take a look at our history of 4th/5th round picks. And maybe 4th round pick was a tad high on my part, but 5th round I would absolutely take Lynch. When you get down that far into the draft you have to take chances on guys who have elite physical tools.

This.

College production (Burfict)) aside, if the guy has talent, draft him! 5th round still works for me.

 

[Fredd]

I don't see the comparison between burfict and Lynch, tbh....I stand by a 5th for lynch, and if not that, then trade two of the 7ths to get into the 6th to grab him

 

[jday]

Classic case of physical talent vs mental makeup. And then factor in our need at WDE and the lack of guys capable or playing the position in this draft, I could see us taking the risk on him earlier than expected if we miss out on Barr at 16 and there is a run on edge rushers in the late 1st/early 2nd.

I think I would actually take him in the 4th and hope his head is screwed on right if we haven't gotten a WDE in the 1st 3 rounds.

Based on what I've read of him, I question his love of the game. I might bring him in for a looksy as an undrafted free agent or if I'm already pretty happy with my draft pulls, I meet even use my last 7th rounder. Granted, he probably won't get that far, but for me all the ability in the world doesn't fix a lack of passion. And I'm pretty sure Jason Garrett will feel the same way.

 

[Oh_Canada]

I would use a fifth on him and wouldn't think twice if what he said checked out. Kid has very good talent and doesn't really seem to be a bad seed at all, a little whipped maybe but a good person who might have used poor judgement.

Sometimes I think people expect all these teenagers/young people to act like mature adults all the time. The expectations are sometimes ridiculous and frankly unfair.

 

[jday]

I would use a fifth on him and wouldn't think twice if what he said checked out. Kid has very good talent and doesn't really seem to be a bad seed at all, a little whipped maybe but a good person who might have used poor judgement.

Sometimes I think people expect all these teenagers/young people to act like mature adults all the time. The expectations are sometimes ridiculous and frankly unfair.

But I like said above, the big question is, does he love the game? Take Dez, for instance. He was considered a knucklehead and a bit immature but there was no questioning his absolute passion for playing the game. That very well may be the big difference.

 

[xwalker]

But I like said above, the big question is, does he love the game? Take Dez, for instance. He was considered a knucklehead and a bit immature but there was no questioning his absolute passion for playing the game. That very well may be the big difference.

He can be seen getting his teammates pumped up in the pre-game huddle on one of the games that I watched. He seemed pretty into it to me.

 

[jday]

He can be seen getting his teammates pumped up in the pre-game huddle on one of the games that I watched. He seemed pretty into it to me.

I based my assesment purely on what I have read, so it's a good thing Jerry won't be asking for my opinion in the war room.

 

[jday]

He can be seen getting his teammates pumped up in the pre-game huddle on one of the games that I watched. He seemed pretty into it to me.

Okay, I just youtubed him, I'm now an expert; if Jerry doesn't call me come draft day, I'll be pissed!

 

[xwalker]

Okay, I just youtubed him, I'm now an expert; if Jerry doesn't call me come draft day, I'll be pissed!

Well, you have two whole minutes between posts to become an expert. What is your conclusion?

 

[Oh_Canada]

But I like said above, the big question is, does he love the game? Take Dez, for instance. He was considered a knucklehead and a bit immature but there was no questioning his absolute passion for playing the game. That very well may be the big difference.

I can't speak to his love for the game, not sure who can unless you played with him or spent a significant amount of time with the guy. He doesn't look like a guy who gives half effort though from what I see, his problem is that he is a bit light in the caboose and needs a little strength.

 

[jday]

Well, you have two whole minutes between posts to become an expert. What is your conclusion?

That last post wast tongue-in-cheek. The problem with youtube analysis is all you are going to see are highlights. But I'll agree with Oh_Canada, he will likely need to put on some mass to take on NFL caliber OT's. Like he inferred, passion is a difficult thing to measure and you certainly are not going to find evidence of said lack on youtube.