Linebacker our biggest need?

We need another Anthony Hitchens/Sean Lee type player. A guy who might be undersized and underestimated but understands how to play football. Enough of these height, weight, speed guys like Jaylon and Wilson. Get me football players.

Edit: Josey Jewell is listed at 6'2, 235. So he's not that undersized, but he still has great instincts and understands the game.

I say the biggest need is an offensive tackle in the Erik Williams mold. Smith's back is going to be a constant problem. Anyone with a back injury knows this. Once you hurt your back it is never the same again.
Another need, I agree, is a linebacker. Sean Lee's injuries have been constant since his college days. As you get older, injuries take longer and longer to heal. I also think you need speed at the corner spot. Plus a big run stopping defensive tackle from a big school program. Defensive line has been neglected here for years. Randy Gregory couldn't stay on the field. Hardy had his problems. Remember, Haley, Maryland, Randy White, Harvey Martin, Too Tall.
Great pass rushers hide the weakness of DB play. Playoffs and Super Bowls are won in the trenches. I think they need to get Noah Brown some play time at WR. He is tough, blocks well. Bring him in and let him develop. Gathers needs to play. A deep threat down the middle of the field would open things up along with a great running game.

revospeed said:

We need another Anthony Hitchens/Sean Lee type player. A guy who might be undersized and underestimated but understands how to play football. Enough of these height, weight, speed guys like Jaylon and Wilson. Get me football players.

Edit: Josey Jewell is listed at 6'2, 235. So he's not that undersized, but he still has great instincts and understands the game.

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He's slow. In today's game, you have to have NFL linebackers who can move. Jaylon is not a "speed" guy, at least not anymore.

KingintheNorth said:

He's slow. In today's game, you have to have NFL linebackers who can move. Jaylon is not a "speed" guy, at least not anymore.

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Agreed.

I'd rather have a group of three guys that can fly... Just like Jimmy's defense. Size or speed? I'd rather see speed.

Defensive toughness...at LB and DT...Throw in a safety. OL Depth and a burner at WR.

KingintheNorth said:

He's slow. In today's game, you have to have NFL linebackers who can move. Jaylon is not a "speed" guy, at least not anymore.

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Jewell is slow? I haven’t studied the tape but he’s looked good in the few games I’ve seen of him. But I’m partial to his type of all over the field play. Reuben Foster had the same motor and instincts.

BPA in any order:

1-Tech
LB, LB
S, SS

revospeed said:

We need another Anthony Hitchens/Sean Lee type player. A guy who might be undersized and underestimated but understands how to play football. Enough of these height, weight, speed guys like Jaylon and Wilson. Get me football players.

Edit: Josey Jewell is listed at 6'2, 235. So he's not that undersized, but he still has great instincts and understands the game.

Click to expand...

Intelligence/Instincts is the top trait needed for ac4-3 LB, especially in Marinelli's scheme.

In the modern NFL I would sacrifice size for speed.

xwalker said:

Intelligence/Instincts is the top trait needed for ac4-3 LB, especially in Marinelli's scheme.

In the modern NFL I would sacrifice size for speed.

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agreed

Draft your next starting/every down MLB. If Jaylon has any shot in this league, it will be at WLB but he's clearly not good enough right now. Have him relieve Lee for a few snaps in 2018 at WLB, maybe a 70/30 split.

When you now what you’re doing you play faster than a 4.5 lb who doesn’t know what he’s doing. Ray Lewis was (slow) for years past his prime as he led top defenses. Josey would be fine if he runs anything 4.7 or under