Linebacker Group

I'm in agreement that the DT's will be a much better unit this season and it will do wonders for the LB's run defense.

LVE is ultimate wild card with our defense. He played well at the end of the season against Philadelphia and San Francisco. I think it was a combination of him actually feeling healthy and also getting used to playing in Quinn’s scheme. What concerns me about LVE is that no team was willing to offer him a contract that was not league minimum. Broaddus said that teams probably stayed away from LVE because of his medicals. If we can get the end of season LVE we will have an outstanding linebacker core.

Aven8 said:

I don’t remember Cox being a poor run defender. I remember it being one of his strengths actually. He had a ton of TFL knifing through at LSU.

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Jabril Cox was considered the best coverage LB in that draft.

He is 6-3, 232.

He didn't have character issues and his only injury issue was a hamstring that kept him from running a forty.

Any guesses why he was available in the 4th round...

quickccc said:

- Interesting how Hansford was a higher rated LB prospect by several draft sites and sources than 6th round pick Dwayne Harper, but yet he
went undrafted while Cowboys were compelled to select Harper to keep him from having to bid for his undrafted services.

- I read where Hansford was being converted from WR (4 star prep school recruit) to LB at Texas A&M, so he's still going through a transition at LB.
i think i read from Ourlads profile that Aaron made plays in space and pursuit and made plays on the ball.

- I get the early impression that Harper may be a better special teams player at collegiate level and combined with his physical measurements
and potential they felt they had to draft him with the last pick.

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fivetwos said:

Was thinking the same.

Seemed like several of our UDFA received higher accolades than Harper.

My money is on Hansford making the 53.

Either way Francis Bernard's time in Big D has probably expired.

I forgot about Luke Gifford for obvious reasons lol. Wonder if one of these guys doesn't take his job also.

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morasp said:

Keep an eye on Aaron "Hansford

Overview
Athletic inside linebacker who might require a more attack-oriented scheme that allows him to play faster and with less reservation. Hansford failed to use his 2020 season as a springboard into bigger and better things in 2021. He has speed to range from sideline to sideline and is a fundamentally sound tackler who won't let many slip from his grasp. His blitz potential should not be discounted and he clearly has the traits to become a more robust playmaker. However, the difference between starter and backup will be rooted in whether or not he can do a better job of diagnosing blocking schemes and play with better trigger quickness.
Strengths

• Has potential to make explosive plays.
• Athletically gifted with oily hips and smooth change of direction.
• Good lateral acceleration and agility.
• Plays with sideline-to-sideline range.
• Able to cut off angles when stalking outside runs.
• Power to meet and stop ball-carrier at point of impact.
• Breaks down into balanced, wrap-up positioning.
• Flashed major blitz talent in previous seasons.
• Rockets into backfield with ability to elude blitz pickup.
• Substantially better with coverage recognition in 2021.

Aaron Hansford Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

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I reviewed multiple games (not highlights) of each player.
- In 2021 Harper was a much better player than Hansford, IMO.

One issue with the draft media is with regards to players that potentially could have entered the draft a season earlier.
The draft media that review game footage, don't appear to re-evaluate a player that they evaluated the previous year unless that player projects as a 1st or 2nd round pick.
Both of these players fit into that category as redshirt Seniors.
Both were in college 6 years due to the Covid rules allowing for an extra season.
Both were 'late bloomers'.
- Hansford because he was a WR his first 3 years in college.
- Harper for unknown reasons; although, maybe that's a trend at OK State.
- TE Jelani Woods didn't do much in 4 seasons at OK State but was terrific in his one season after transferring to Virginia.

Game Footage Review
Hansford
- Hansford often looked tentative up around the line (In the box).
- I would describe him as a 'finesse' LB.
- He was much more decisive on outside runs or QB outside runs/rollouts.
- He was OK in coverage in 2021.
- I didn't review previous seasons, but he was reportedly lost in coverage prior to 2021.
- He has very good range and has good size/length at 6-2, 239 with decent arm length.

Harper
- Opposite mentality from Hansford. Never tentative but too aggressive at times.
- Despite being a compact player at 6-2, 234 with average arm length, we was good at taking on and shedding blocks.
- He has terrific speed & range.
- Big, powerful lower body.
- The way they used him, coverage really wasn't a focus of his game.
- That's not uncommon for college LBs. Micah Parsons wasn't really used much in coverage either.

Summary:
It is interesting to compare these 2 players to Nakobe Dean.
- The difference is literally all mental.
- Dean has high GPA in Mechanical Engineering and was the 'unquestioned' leader of a super talented Georgia defense.

@xwalker

Thanks. I couldn't pick Harper or Hansford out of a lineup.

I would figure the key on guys like this....who is still getting better but maybe didn't get the right opportunity, yet their eligibility is gone?

Either one may peak at Dean's ability but hasn't hasn't done it yet.

That also has to meet opportunity and performance in a very small sample size in camp.

Hence the long odds.

xwalker said:

Jabril Cox was considered the best coverage LB in that draft.

He is 6-3, 232.

He didn't have character issues and his only injury issue was a hamstring that kept him from running a forty.

Any guesses why he was available in the 4th round...

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LOL