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Dallas Cowboys Draft 2016: Lots Of Game Changers Available At Linebacker
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...draft-2016-lots-of-game-changers-available-at
...First Round
OLB Myles Jack, 6'1, 245 lbs (CBS 5th Prospect)
What more can be said about Jack? He is becoming a favorite of mine the more I watch his tape. Jack is simply a supreme athletic specimen and you can tell that he has the ability to dominate the game no matter where he lines up. UCLA has done a wonderful job at stacking their team with pure athletes and to see Jack stand out is very encouraging about his professional prospects. What is probably the most telling about Jack is that if he decided to be a running back, he would probably still be an early-round selection. His natural ability and awareness for the game are unmatched and his intensity is what you crave for in linebackers. He's so intelligent with instincts that jump out at you. In 2013, Jack won both the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year award(s). Just watching him fly all over the field making plays gives you all the reasoning you need. He could project as weakside linebacker or man the middle because his instincts allow him to be versatile.
ILB Reggie Ragland, 6'1, 259 lbs (CBS 16th Prospect)
Ragland is another very instinctual player but he's definitely a fit at the middle linebacker position regardless of 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. He's not the athletic specimen that counterpart C.J. Mosely was but don't overlook his production and abilities. At Alabama, Ragland won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015. He's got all the natural speed and ability to close on tackles. Like Rolando, when Ragland hits the ball carrier, rest assured that guy will feel it in the morning. He's not the rangiest of linebackers but if you pick him and play him in the middle, you've got a starter for years to come. He's a physical tackler and a very intelligent player to keep his eyes on the ball. He makes plays and is a very reliable open-field tackler with a fantastic motor.
OLB Jaylon Smith, 6'3, 240 lbs, (CBS 27th Prospect)
Before the knee surgery, Smith was highly regarded as perhaps a top five prospect. If all the whispers are as positive as we've been hearing, Smith should still be a first-round pick. His athleticism is unmatched and he's the most NFL-ready linebacker in the country. He's an explosive defender with the ability to just take over games, much like Jack from UCLA. Smith never takes his eye off the ball and has the natural instincts to become great at the next level. He's certainly a three-down defender and has outstanding awareness for the position. He's so versatile that he projects to dominate whether in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. One of the most underrated aspects of his game is his ability to cover. He has no problem dropping into coverage or covering slot receivers due to his speed. Smith is an all-around baller and could be a steal at the bottom of the first round. If his rehab remains on schedule then don't be surprised to see Smith shoot up the draft boards.
Second Round
OLB Joshua Perry, 6'4, 253 lbs, (CBS 46th Prospect)
Perry is not getting nearly enough love from the draftniks as he should. He was very consistent in his time with the Buckeyes. His motor is outstanding and he's one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft. His instincts as both a run defender and in coverage are outstanding. He can line up at Sam and rush the passer. He's got long limbs that allow him to break through would-be blockers to make the play. He's probably best-fit as the middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and his size is intriguing for Eberflus and Marinelli. He was widely considered a leader at Ohio State for his on and off the field demeanor. He doesn't get held up by blockers in his pursuit but needs to work on not being overly aggressive which can get him taken out of plays. Still, Perry led the team in tackles with 124 which was 32 more than the next Buckeye...
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...draft-2016-lots-of-game-changers-available-at
...First Round
OLB Myles Jack, 6'1, 245 lbs (CBS 5th Prospect)
What more can be said about Jack? He is becoming a favorite of mine the more I watch his tape. Jack is simply a supreme athletic specimen and you can tell that he has the ability to dominate the game no matter where he lines up. UCLA has done a wonderful job at stacking their team with pure athletes and to see Jack stand out is very encouraging about his professional prospects. What is probably the most telling about Jack is that if he decided to be a running back, he would probably still be an early-round selection. His natural ability and awareness for the game are unmatched and his intensity is what you crave for in linebackers. He's so intelligent with instincts that jump out at you. In 2013, Jack won both the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year award(s). Just watching him fly all over the field making plays gives you all the reasoning you need. He could project as weakside linebacker or man the middle because his instincts allow him to be versatile.
ILB Reggie Ragland, 6'1, 259 lbs (CBS 16th Prospect)
Ragland is another very instinctual player but he's definitely a fit at the middle linebacker position regardless of 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. He's not the athletic specimen that counterpart C.J. Mosely was but don't overlook his production and abilities. At Alabama, Ragland won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2015. He's got all the natural speed and ability to close on tackles. Like Rolando, when Ragland hits the ball carrier, rest assured that guy will feel it in the morning. He's not the rangiest of linebackers but if you pick him and play him in the middle, you've got a starter for years to come. He's a physical tackler and a very intelligent player to keep his eyes on the ball. He makes plays and is a very reliable open-field tackler with a fantastic motor.
OLB Jaylon Smith, 6'3, 240 lbs, (CBS 27th Prospect)
Before the knee surgery, Smith was highly regarded as perhaps a top five prospect. If all the whispers are as positive as we've been hearing, Smith should still be a first-round pick. His athleticism is unmatched and he's the most NFL-ready linebacker in the country. He's an explosive defender with the ability to just take over games, much like Jack from UCLA. Smith never takes his eye off the ball and has the natural instincts to become great at the next level. He's certainly a three-down defender and has outstanding awareness for the position. He's so versatile that he projects to dominate whether in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. One of the most underrated aspects of his game is his ability to cover. He has no problem dropping into coverage or covering slot receivers due to his speed. Smith is an all-around baller and could be a steal at the bottom of the first round. If his rehab remains on schedule then don't be surprised to see Smith shoot up the draft boards.
Second Round
OLB Joshua Perry, 6'4, 253 lbs, (CBS 46th Prospect)
Perry is not getting nearly enough love from the draftniks as he should. He was very consistent in his time with the Buckeyes. His motor is outstanding and he's one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft. His instincts as both a run defender and in coverage are outstanding. He can line up at Sam and rush the passer. He's got long limbs that allow him to break through would-be blockers to make the play. He's probably best-fit as the middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and his size is intriguing for Eberflus and Marinelli. He was widely considered a leader at Ohio State for his on and off the field demeanor. He doesn't get held up by blockers in his pursuit but needs to work on not being overly aggressive which can get him taken out of plays. Still, Perry led the team in tackles with 124 which was 32 more than the next Buckeye...