Jordan Hicks

[ABQCOWBOY]

Hicks is interesting. His athleticism is extremely impressive. He is smaller at 6'1-6'2 and 236 lbs. and he has had some injury issues at Texas but under Charlie Strong last year, he had a really nice year.

If he were available on the 3rd day, I think he might be a guy I would consider.

 

[CATCH17]

Random but I like the kid from PSU named Mike Hull as a late round guy.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Random but I like the kid from PSU named Mike Hull as a late round guy.

Pretty close to the same guy. I like Hull as well, he's not quit as good athletically, and he's a little shorter so not sure he will be able to put on as much weight in the NFL but he is a little stronger.

 

[CATCH17]

Hicks is interesting. His athleticism is extremely impressive. He is smaller at 6'1-6'2 and 236 lbs. and he has had some injury issues at Texas but under Charlie Strong last year, he had a really nice year.

If he were available on the 3rd day, I think he might be a guy I would consider.

Not much of him on youtube but at first glance he kind of reminds me of Hitchens.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Not much of him on youtube but at first glance he kind of reminds me of Hitchens.

Hitchens is a little more physical and Hicks is probably better in coverage.

 

[AsthmaField]

I wouldn't mind Hicks or Hull later in the draft. Both are guys that I think could fit into the system and help on special teams.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I wouldn't mind Hicks or Hull later in the draft. Both are guys that I think could fit into the system and help on special teams.

Agreed.

 

[AsthmaField]

With Marinelli you never know when he will take a late round guy and make something of him. Plus, Dallas simply does a fantastic job of finding late round / UDFA guys.

It is a big reason that I'm excited about seeing what Gardner and Whaley can bring to the table in this training camp.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

With Marinelli you never know when he will take a late round guy and make something of him. Plus, Dallas simply does a fantastic job of finding late round / UDFA guys.

It is a big reason that I'm excited about seeing what Gardner and Whaley can bring to the table in this training camp.

He definitely does more with less. I am with you on Gardner and Whaley. I suspect that Marinelli and the Cowboys like their interior DL more then we might suspect.

 

[AsthmaField]

He definitely does more with less. I am with you on Gardner and Whaley. I suspect that Marinelli and the Cowboys like their interior DL more then we might suspect.

I think they do too, at least for now. That could change during camp but I think they have hopes for Bishop, Gardner, Whaley, and Coleman. Whaley in particular could really turn into something. If he has some strength, he for sure has the athleticism to get after the QB from an inside position.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think they do too, at least for now. That could change during camp but I think they have hopes for Bishop, Gardner, Whaley, and Coleman. Whaley in particular could really turn into something. If he has some strength, he for sure has the athleticism to get after the QB from an inside position.

Whaley is exactly the prototype for Marinelli's 3Tech. I watched him a lot at Texas. If he still has the same quickness, he could be a really good fit for us.

BTW, did you see Mike Davis' Pro Day 40 time?

 

[AsthmaField]

Whaley is exactly the prototype for Marinelli's 3Tech. I watched him a lot at Texas. If he still has the same quickness, he could be a really good fit for us.

I haven't seen him play like you did in college... Did he play with leverage? Was there strength to his game or did he tend to get washed out in the run game?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I haven't seen him play like you did in college... Did he play with leverage? Was there strength to his game or did he tend to get washed out in the run game?

Tale of two college careers here IMO. Early in his career, he had a tough time getting off blocks. I suspect it was because of his physical development and the scheme Texas played at the time. They didn't really use their LBs to attack a lot and in general, nobody looked like they new what they were doing. Under Strong, he imporved in this area greatly. He is still not as good at this as I would like to see him be but definitely improved. He still has a lot of physical growth with him. He was basically injured for two straight seasons so most of his work was done towards rehab. I think that he probably has a much higher physical ceiling in this area then a lot of players because his training will be more focused in the NFL. He is a really smart player but very disciplined. Sometimes too much so. He doesn't free lance and anticipate much. He sticks to the script. That can be a good thing or a bad thing. Really really smart kid. Hard to know if it's an instinctive thing or if it's a scheme thing. Throw out 2012/13 and look at 2011 and 2014.

If he can gain 10 pounds, he's going to be a much better player in this regard.

When he came out of Ohio, he was the top rated defensive player in Ohio.

 

[AsthmaField]

Thanks man.

If he actually makes the team he would get a few snaps in certain passing situations. It would surprise me if he did this year though. Better chance that he is a PS guy this year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Thanks man.

If he actually makes the team he would get a few snaps in certain passing situations. It would surprise me if he did this year though. Better chance that he is a PS guy this year.

I think he would be more then that to be honest. He is really smart so it's likely that he will pick up the scheme pretty quickly. He will understand his assignments and stay disciplined. The problem with rookies, a lot of times, is that they don't pay attention to their keys or pick up on them. That's not Hicks IMO. He would also be a guy, because of his athletic ability, that would contribute on ST day one IMO. He's not a punishing tackler but he is a pretty good tackler. In space, he will make the tackles. I think he could stick if he had no injury issues.

 

[ghst187]

I like Hicks a lot late. I like Ryan pretty well too although I think Hicks is more athletic and much better in coverage. Done with Taiwan Jones since we now have both RoMc and Brinkley.
Not seeing the need to use a first 3 rd pick on a LB now although Kendricks would be interesting if available.

 

[Zordon]

Hicks had a better career than Keenan Robinson at UT and KRob has transitioned well to the NFL. He's bigger than Hicks but Hicks is a natural seek and destroy linebacker. First time in awhile I like several of the UT prospects. Strong is putting grit back into that program.