Linebacker Group

[Cowboyny]

I have similar concerns - reason why Leo Chenal was on my draft radar.

He would have been unbelievable in middle allowing Parsons freedom to roam all over front 7.

Hoping one of Hansford or Jackson steps up and challenge LVE for MIKE minutes.

Harper is more ST than LB right now.

I did love Chenal too, but I think many are underselling Lve's worth. He was much better later in the season once the DL got healthy. If also did play a full season.

 

[Cowboyny]

Can Hitchens still play?
What are his salary demands?

Doesn't have to be Hitchens per se, but a player with his skill set. Strong against the run and do enough against the pass.

 

[Cowboyny]

Thanks for Sharing,..

- In todays trending offenses , you need off the ball LBs that are 3 down players, and equally effective vs the run as well vs pass.

- Frankly in this pass happy league, I don’t believe in “run downs “ LBs as I think the NFL passes too heavily to be just run downs when it comes to LB play.
And that’s playing TEs and pass catching backs.

- As an offense, why wait on 3rd downs when I could gain big plus plays on first downs vs Anthony Hitchens or Damien Wilson who are suspect coverage guys ?
Parsons- as a rookie- seems average in coverage, we know that’s not his forte, but as all around LB, he’s gonna be asked to occasionally drop in coverage.

Why ? because LBs in 3-man fronts gives QBs fits when they surprisingly drop into the passing lanes- It’s hard for QBs to anticipate and dictate where certain
passing lanes will be if we have expected rush LBs suddenly dropping into passing lanes.

- Nowadays that’s why we are seeing DEs actually dropping into passing lanes.

This is why Lve is a good fit next to Parsons as he has the ability to do both. Yes, not elite at either, but not a liability like Jaylon was. Clark also has that skillset if he is able to return healthy in 2023.

 

[Cowboyny]

Didnt Cox knock the snot out of that Giants QB who was RUNNING?

That was probably his only highlight for the season, believe he was playing as the nickel safety in the red zone.

 

[Cowboyny]

No Francis Bernard love? Lol.

I think they will want to see what they have in camp and go from there.

A guy like Hansford may impress enough to make everyone comfortable, and I'd rather gamble on the upside of a UDFA that makes the team than a vet.

Can always add one after final cuts if need be, and I think that's where they are at with it at this time.

We don't know what we have with these undrafted kids, they should know soon enough if they need to add a veteran to the group. They did seriously discuss signing Wagner.

 

[Hawkeye19]

IMO we are paper thin at LBer. Parsons is elite. LVE is average at best. Cox is coming off injury so is a question mark.

After them? Late round/UDFA options. Very little depth. Very little done to improve:

This is a classic “throw lots of numbers at a position and hope something sticks” Dallas GM/personnel dept special

 

[john van brocklin]

Doesn't have to be Hitchens per se, but a player with his skill set. Strong against the run and do enough against the pass.

Know of anyone else who is a free agent
That fits the bill?

 

[fivetwos]

We don't know what we have with these undrafted kids, they should know soon enough if they need to add a veteran to the group. They did seriously discuss signing Wagner.

Not disagreeing, but I'm thinking for the most part, they are going to camp with what they currently have....pretty much everywhere.

I realize the kid said "we aren't done in FA," before the draft, but I don't buy it.

The follow up comment would be something like...'the draft went so well that we don't feel like we need to add.....'

 

[nalam]

He became a poor run defender when we drafted him

Because of the absence of DT , he was having to take on blocks from OL ?

DT position is not addressed again sufficiently. Combo of Gallimore, Hill , Osa and Watkins ,plus Bohanna and new one Ridgeway will have to be able to handle this. But, we cant keep all in active day roster , so who is it going to be ?

 

[817Gill]

Keep an eye on Aaron "Hansford

Overview
Athletic inside linebacker who might require a more attack-oriented scheme that allows him to play faster and with less reservation. Hansford failed to use his 2020 season as a springboard into bigger and better things in 2021. He has speed to range from sideline to sideline and is a fundamentally sound tackler who won't let many slip from his grasp. His blitz potential should not be discounted and he clearly has the traits to become a more robust playmaker. However, the difference between starter and backup will be rooted in whether or not he can do a better job of diagnosing blocking schemes and play with better trigger quickness.
Strengths

• Has potential to make explosive plays.
• Athletically gifted with oily hips and smooth change of direction.
• Good lateral acceleration and agility.
• Plays with sideline-to-sideline range.
• Able to cut off angles when stalking outside runs.
• Power to meet and stop ball-carrier at point of impact.
• Breaks down into balanced, wrap-up positioning.
• Flashed major blitz talent in previous seasons.
• Rockets into backfield with ability to elude blitz pickup.
• Substantially better with coverage recognition in 2021.

Aaron Hansford Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

Had 4-6th round grades from most pundits. Many were surprised he went undrafted.

 

[Cowboyny]

Not disagreeing, but I'm thinking for the most part, they are going to camp with what they currently have....pretty much everywhere.

I realize the kid said "we aren't done in FA," before the draft, but I don't buy it.

The follow up comment would be something like...'the draft went so well that we don't feel like we need to add.....'

They have signed players after the draft, but right now they probably want to get an idea what they have.

 

[Cowboyny]

Know of anyone else who is a free agent
That fits the bill?

Olgetree, Hightower, Hitchens, still are a few out there that can help.

 

[fivetwos]

They have signed players after the draft, but right now they probably want to get an idea what they have.

If they signed anyone other than undrafted guys I missed it.

 

[CouchCoach]

I don’t remember Cox being a poor run defender. I remember it being one of his strengths actually. He had a ton of TFL knifing through at LSU.

The rap on Cox was consistency and being out of position too much when they tried to make him a full LB. But he did make some really nice plays.

At LSU, he had a little "Babe Ruth Syndrome", he'll give you some homers but more strike outs. But he was a playmaker enough they had to play him.

 

[morasp]

Had 4-6th round grades from most pundits. Many were surprised he went undrafted.

NFL.com had him at 125 just below Leo Chenal.

 

[john van brocklin]

Olgetree, Hightower, Hitchens, still are a few out there that can help.

Cool,
Stephen go sign these dudes!!!!

 

[conner01]

Right now Lve is the one taking on the blockers, which allows Parsons freedom to attack with less resistance.

The second half of last year LVE played pretty good
He seemed to attack the LOS like he did as a rookie
I don’t know if it was confidence or what but he seemed to have lost that and if it’s back now he’s a good player

 

[conner01]

- Nope Hitch would not be perfect, imo. .. an average LB with average pass coverage skills and now at this point of his career
even slower, older and less effective than at in his prime as a decent LB here in Dallas.

- Bobby Wagner whose now signed on with the Rams, and whose been a perennial pro bowler playmaker and leader for many years, would've
been a far closer answer to perfect than a declining average MLB like Hitchen.

He wouldn’t be ask to cover much and Wagner is not an option
Of the actual option available he seems to be the best to me. He’s older and slower I’m sure but he still is a solid player
He had 80 tackles last year playing 60% of the snaps. He would be playing less here but he’s nice depth who can play all 3 LB spots

 

[Cowboyny]

If they signed anyone other than undrafted guys I missed it.

Griffen was one two years ago

 

[eromeopolk]

Early base downs (run package) we will see Parsons and Lve. When the team goes into the nickel, Cox is expected to replace Neal as the team's coverage linebacker, where Kearse should be also playing a similar role. Quinn did run a lot of 3 safety looks last season.

I think the biggest linebacker need heading into the offseason activities is another run down linebacker. If either Parsons or Lve go down, they could really struggle to defend the run. Cox biggest reason why he fell to the third day of the draft was due to him being a very poor run defender. Also, I think they have a specific role for him. Clark would be an ideal player for this group, but he is likely going to be a red shirt player. Player like Anthony Hitchens would be ideal, one who can be an effective two down player who comes off the field against the pass.

Cox is coming off ACL that was injured around 11-1-2021. So do not put all the eggs in that basket. I really like the player. But, you will need a rookie or a signed veteran to step up the first part of the year.