I don’t think Jaylon is in Luke Kuehly’s league… yet. In fact I still question if he’s even misplaced as a middle LB
and probably fits the outside LB more. Just seems like he could be more natural as an OLB than middle mike man.
I think his blitzing skills would serve best off the edge and in space where he can maneuver more, than getting stone in traffic up the middle.
But that’s just me.
Kuehly makes much more plays and turnovers vs pass but then Jaylon will only be in his 2nd year as a full time starter.
He’s extremely athletic, and incredibly weight room strong, and he is tremendous in flow pursuit and catching up with ball carrier down the line, he's a run and hit missile.
and once he builds up momentum, he can really pack a big crushing pop. On occasions he’s even caused forced fumbles with those pops.
I think because he's so athletic, disciplined and capable in man coverage, he's probably the only LB that stays on the field in obvious nickel.
Although Kris Richard is going to have to devise a way to get BOTH Jaylon and LVE on the field in nickel at the same time, as Vander Esch is just too much of a playmaker vs pass
to keep off the field on obvious passing downs, imo.
That's taking possible turnovers off the field.
While I think Jaylon is more pure athlete than Vander Esch, I think LVE is the more instinctive of the two and will likely make more INT turnovers than Jaylon, especially when it comes
to playing the passing lanes.
- If fact, only two flaws I see of Jaylon thus far; his instincts seems off vs run at times, where he seems to mis-guess and misread gaps and lanes, and he can be fooled by misdirection plays.
The Cam newton RPO runs vs Carolina and Rams motion offense in playoffs were examples of how he can still get out of position at times.
Plus he’s not there yet in dropping into passing lanes and making a jump on thrown passes for INTs.
But let’s see if Jaylon gets better in these areas as he gains even more game experience. And again he’s just only had one full season as a full time starter.