A Look at the Linebackers

[CCBoy]

NFL Draft 2019: Finding playmaking linebackers for the Dallas Cowboys
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...playmaking-linebackers-for-the-dallas-cowboys



Note that the player ranking is taken from DraftCountdown.com, which ranks outside and inside linebackers separately, which is why you may find two players with the same ranking.



POS Rank Player School Ht Wt TKL TFL QBH Sacks PBU INT FF Games Prod. Pts
ILB 1 White, Devin LSU 6-1 240 256 26 13 7.5 9 1 3 26 16.3
ILB 2 Wilson, Mack Alabama 6-2 239 111 7.5 11 1 7 6 0 27 8.8
ILB 3 Bush, Devin Michigan 5-11 233 181 18.5 3 10 14 1 0 25 12.3
ILB 4 Pratt, Germaine N.C. State 6-3 240 173 16 8 6 5 2 2 24 12.2
OLB 5 Hanks, Terrill New Mexico St. 6-3 235 212 23.5 7 8 11 3 3 22 17.4
ILB 5 Lamar, Tre Clemson 6-4 255 130 10.5 7 7 2 1 1 24 8.9
ILB 6 Coney, Te'Von Notre Dame 6-1 240 239 22 11 7 4 1 1 26 14.0
ILB 7 Edwards, T.J. Wisconsin 6-1 242 194 22.5 5 5 9 7 0 27 13.3
ILB 8 Okereke, Bobby Stanford 6-3 234 192 15 7 7.5 6 1 3 27 11.5
OLB 8 Joseph, Vosean Florida 6-1 226 148 13 2 4 6 1 1 24 9.4
ILB 9 Long, David West Virginia 5-11 221 186 34.5 4 10.5 10 0 1 21 15.9
OLB 10 Tranquill, Drue Notre Dame 6-2 235 171 19.5 6 5 7 1 1 26 10.7
OLB 11 Hansen, Chase Utah 6-3 230 165 24.5 3 6 6 3 0 21 13.6
ILB 11 Giles-Harris, Joe Duke 6-2 240 206 23 8 5.5 6 1 1 22 14.8
ILB 12 Tavai, Jahlani Hawaii 6-4 245 206 16.5 6 7.5 3 1 1 20 15.2
OLB 12 Takitaki, Sione BYU 6-2 230 197 21.5 8 8 5 0 1 26 11.9
ILB 13 Burr-Kirven, Ben Washington 6-0 221 260 9.5 0 3 11 3 6 27 14.2
ILB 15 Connelly, Ryan Wisconsin 6-3 237 177 21 9 6 2 1 2 26 11.2
OLB 15 Dodson, Tyrel Texas A&M 6-2 242 175 18 6 6 11 4 0 26 12.2
ILB 16 Johnson, Gary Texas 6-0 230 150 22.5 12 8.5 2 0 3 26 10.8
OLB 16 Greenlaw, Dre Arkansas 6-0 227 183 8 3 3 2 2 1 22 11.2
ILB 17 Davis, Deshaun Auburn 5-11 233 198 21.5 5 7 3 0 0 27 10.6
ILB 18 Smith, Cameron USC 6-2 250 193 18.5 1 1.5 7 1 0 24 11.1
OLB 18 Van Ginkel, Andrew Wisconsin 6-4 236 99 19.5 10 12 5 2 4 27 9.7
ILB 19 Kendall, Joseph Clemson 6-0 235 177 10 11 4.5 2 1 2 26 10.4
ILB 20 Barton, Cody Utah 6-2 230 161 15 3 8 7 1 1 27 9.6
ILB 21 Alaka, Otaro Texas A&M 6-3 240 157 26.5 8 9.5 2 1 2 25 11.6
OLB 22 Hall, Nate Northwestern 6-2 231 130 22 4 5 6 5 0 22 12.0
ILB 22 Allen, Dakota Texas Tech 6-1 235 175 12.5 8 2.5 6 2 1 24 11.4
OLB 23 Jones, Jordan Kentucky 6-2 218 132 13 5 3.5 5 0 2 21 10.0
ILB 23 Summers, Ty TCU 6-2 235 112 14.5 7 8 5 1 1 24 9.0
OLB 24 Hall, Terez Missouri 6-2 230 159 21.5 9 6 4 1 1 26 10.5
OLB 25 Cashman, Blake Minnesota 6-2 235 134 20 0 4.5 7 0 1 24 8.9
ILB 25 Al-Shaair, Azeez Florida Atlantic 6-2 228 190 13 7 4 5 0 1 19 14.2
OLB 26 Allen-Williams, Bryson South Carolina 6-1 230 51 13 6 4 1 1 0 12 9.9
ILB 26 Allison, Jeff Fresno St. 6-0 235 258 11.5 3 2.5 4 2 2 28 12.1
ILB 28 Egbule, Emeke Houston 6-4 240 131 12 10 4 5 2 2 25 9.7

Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State (6-3, 235), 17.4 production points

Hanks is a former safety turned linebacker and is the player most likely to fit last year’s Darius Leonard template, a highly productive small-school linebacker who’ll likely be a day two selection.

Listed at 6-3 in New Mexico, Hanks lost an inch at the Senior Bowl where he measure in at 6-2, but made up for it with an impressive week in Mobile where he showed off his coverage skills.

If you want speed and coverage ability from your linebackers, Hanks would be a good prospect at weakside linebacker. And with thee consecutive seasons with 100+ tackles in college, you know you’ll get production from him, even if that production came at a small program.

 

[DanA]

Weakest LB draft class I can remember. There’s probably only 8-12 draft worth LB’s in the class.

 

[cnuball21]

Weakest LB draft class I can remember. There’s probably only 8-12 draft worth LB’s in the class.

Agreed, pretty bad class to draft a LB if you need one.

Makes that LVE pick look that much sweeter.

 

[bodi]

i 'd look at

Khalil Hodge, OLB/ILB, Buffalo
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
2/16/19: In 2018, Hodge totaled 144 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and three passes broken up.

8/29/18: Hodge is a tackling machine for Buffalo. In 2017, he notched 154 stops with three sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The previous season saw him collect 123 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, one sack and one breakup. Hodge is a steady player, and it will be interesting to see if he shows the skill set to translate to the NFL.


Dre Greenlaw, OLB, Arkansas
Height: 5-11. Weight: 230. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.5.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
2/16/19: Greenlaw totaled 80 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2018.

8/29/18: In 2017, Greenlaw totaled 103 tackles with one sack and two passes broken up. He had 42 tackles over seven games as a sophomore while being limited by a foot injury. In 2015 as a freshman, he recorded 95 tackles with one sack, two forced fumbles and a pass broken up.


Sione Takitaki, ILB, Brigham Young
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
2/16/19: Takitaki was very productive for BYU in 2018, totaling 118 tackles with nine for a loss, three sacks, three passes batted and one forced fumble. In his first season of lots of playing time, as a junior, Takitaki had 79 tackles with 12.5 for a loss, five sacks and two passes batted.

 

[Questfor6]

David Long would be a dream Sam backer. He will blow up at the combine

 

[cowboyec]

only a few I like

•Josh Allen,Kentucky
•Devin White,Lsu
•Devin Bush,Michigan
•Deandre Walker,Georgia
•the ones from Notre Dame and Clemson
•David Long,WVa
•Terrell Hanks,NM St
•Jahlani Tavai,Hawaii
•TJ Edwards,Wisconsin

for us...David Long,WVa....Coney,Notre Dame...Hanks,NM St.

 

[John813]

David Long would be a dream Sam backer. He will blow up at the combine

What's his current height/weight? WVU website has him at 5'11 222?

 

[Questfor6]

What's his current height/weight? WVU website has him at 5'11 222?

That's probably accurate. He plays like his pants are on fire though

 

[KDM256]

I really like Terez Hall with a 3rd or 4th round pick.

Not a lot of highlights on his behalf but from the Mizzou games I was able to watch this past season, this kid was all over the field at times. Would be a nice addition with J Smith & LVE.

 

[cnuball21]

Why are we looking at LB?

 

[beware_d-ware]

Why are we looking at LB?

I assume they're looking to replace Damien Wilson and/or Sean Lee if he walks.

I have confidence that between JML, Covington, and maybe some FA dumpster diving, we can dredge up a Sam backer as good as Wilson, so it's nothing we really need to spend a draft pick on. If we have to draft one, the staff can just take their annual Big Ten LB'er on the third day. I don't really care who.

 

[Bluefin]

Why are we looking at LB?

I assume they're looking to replace Damien Wilson and/or Sean Lee if he walks. I have confidence that between JML, Covington, and maybe some FA dumpster diving, we can dredge up a Sam backer as good as Wilson, so it's nothing we really need to spend a draft pick on.

The team drafts a LB almost every year, so it's a position that always needs to be studied.

What we've got right now:

1. Sean Lee (32/33 July) - Wants to keep playing, will it involve a pay cut in last year on contract or will team decide it's time to move on and try to convince him to become a coach?
2. Jaylon Smith (23/24 June) - Amazing story, hope he looks even better this year.
3. Leighton Vander Esch (22/23 Feb) - Where is the ceiling for this player?
4. Joe Thomas (27/28 May) - Veteran reserve and special teams player, in last year of contract.
5. Chris Covington (22/23 Jan) - Will be given chance to take over Damien Wilson's spot.
6. Kyle Queiro (24/25 Dec) - Will be fighting incoming rookie 'backers to claim Justin March-Lillard's spot.
7. ? - Team has carried seven LBs the past two seasons, I'd prefer to use this spot on a DL or DB with a LB or two on the Practice Squad.

Unrestricted Free Agent:

1. Damien Wilson (25/26 May) - I'm not expecting him to get a big offer from another team, but also see no future here. We can't give a part-time LB a second contract, especially when's he's so inconsistent on the field. Seemed like a much better player whenever Sean Lee was out there telling him what to do.

Restricted Free agent:

1. Justin March-Lillard (25/26 July) - RFA minimum tender is estimated to be $2.045M and that's not happening for this player. Will become unrestricted free agent if not given a RFA tender by Dallas, could re-sign here for veteran minimum if no team offers something better. We need to upgrade.

 

[cnuball21]

The team drafts a LB almost every year, so it's a position that always needs to be studied.

What we've got right now:

1. Sean Lee (32/33 July) - Wants to keep playing, will it involve a pay cut in last year on contract or will team decide it's time to move on and try to convince him to become a coach?
2. Jaylon Smith (23/24 June) - Amazing story, hope he looks even better this year.
3. Leighton Vander Esch (22/23 Feb) - Where is the ceiling for this player?
4. Joe Thomas (27/28 May) - Veteran reserve and special teams player, in last year of contract.
5. Chris Covington (22/23 Jan) - Will be given chance to take over Damien Wilson's spot.
6. Kyle Queiro (24/25 Dec) - Will be fighting incoming rookie 'backers to claim Justin March-Lillard's spot.
7. ? - Team has carried seven LBs the past two seasons, I'd prefer to use this spot on a DL or DB with a LB or two on the Practice Squad.

Unrestricted Free Agent:

1. Damien Wilson (25/26 May) - I'm not expecting him to get a big offer from another team, but also see no future here. We can't give a part-time LB a second contract, especially when's he's so inconsistent on the field. Seemed like a much better player whenever Sean Lee was out there telling him what to do.

Restricted Free agent:

1. Justin March-Lillard (25/26 July) - RFA minimum tender is estimated to be $2.045M and that's not happening for this player. Will become unrestricted free agent if not given a RFA tender by Dallas, could re-sign here for veteran minimum if no team offers something better. We need to upgrade.

With as much we play nickel / dime, there's only going to be 2 LB's on the field.

We don't need a LB.