Linebacker Need

[Future]

Bolton is a very good Zone LB against the pass and #1 against the run which is why you dislike him. You're a jamin davis guy

In other words, Bolton is a two-down LB in a league that doesn't value those guys. He's light and slow with limited upside I don't know what to tell you. I don't dislike him, he just doesn't have any upside to warrant a second-round pick.

I don't like Jamin Davis, not for the Cowboys anyway. Good try though.

 

[Brooksey]

Not really. His pro day showed that he's purely a two-down LBer, that puts him in the same tier - at best - as the guys you listed.

Cox, Davis, Browning are probably all ahead of Bolton at this point, and you're underselling them to begin with. Don't be surprised if Bolton lasts until the 5th.

No way Bolton gets through the 2nd round, won't even make it to us at 44 but nice call for the fifth

 

[Future]

No way Bolton gets through the 2nd round, won't even make it to us at 44 but nice call for the fifth

I don't think you know how the NFL draft works.

College production is far less important than potential. Bolton doesn't have potential, because he's a poor athlete.

Some team might be stupid enough to take him in the second, but I doubt it.

 

[Brooksey]

In other words, Bolton is a two-down LB in a league that doesn't value those guys. He's light and slow with limited upside I don't know what to tell you. I don't dislike him, he just doesn't have any upside to warrant a second-round pick.

I don't like Jamin Davis, not for the Cowboys anyway. Good try though.

Show me one draft scout saying he's a two down LB..he runs a 4.5/4.6 no reason why he cant drop 7 yards and play his zone, he's been doing it his whole life at a high level.

 

[Aliencowboy]

We all are well aware of the state of the linebacker group. Declining play with Jaylon, Lve cannot stay healthy and his play has gotten worse cause of it, Lee might be retiring, Neal is going to play some will linebacker this season. They lost a quality backup in Joe Thomas. It is quite possible, this entire unit is all gone at the start of next off-season.

Let me first state this, there is no chance this team starts next season without a legitimate, starting caliber linebacker on this roster, outside of their current starters. Both Lve & even Neil have major durability concerns, just a matter of time, based on their history.

In my opinion, major drop-off at the position after the first 5 linebackers, where Bolton is probably the only one who goes in rd 2. After them there are major question marks at the position:
.
Browning, Cox, Werner, Moses, Surratt, McGrone are all the tier 2 prospects at the position.

Team could always sign KJ Wright, but I think they want to wait to see what happens with the draft first. We cannot rule out the team drafting a 1st rd linebacker, not my preference, but can see it happen.

None of these guys are starter quality. Zaven Collins is the only one worth the pick. Id trade back in round one to get him.

 

[Future]

Show me one draft scout saying he's a two down LB..he runs a 4.5/4.6 no reason why he cant drop 7 yards and play his zone, he's been doing it his whole life at a high level.

The concern has always been about coverage because of his athleticism, even before his pro day. Here's Brugler:

WEAKNESSES: Shorter than ideal and his frame appears near maxed out…lacks ideal length, which shows on tackle attempts or when taking on blockers…plays fast, but doesn’t have the make-up speed to close the gap if he is late to shed the block…doesn’t show the same anticipation in coverage as he does versus the run…needs to improve his feel for routes and passing windows in zone coverage to bait and drive on throws.

It doesn't matter what he's been doing, it's about what he can do in the future. It's not just his 40 that's slow, his 40 is fine. Everything else was bad. NFL passing games will target him over and over.

 

[Brooksey]

I don't think you know how the NFL draft works.

College production is far less important than potential. Bolton doesn't have potential, because he's a poor athlete.

Some team might be stupid enough to take him in the second, but I doubt it.

You don't know much about football IMO, so I'm certainly not listening to you about the draft and you're the last guy I would take advice from on an inside LB pick.

Good luck on your analysis, prediction

 

[Future]

You don't know much about football IMO, so I'm certainly not listening to you about the draft and you're the last guy I would take advice from on an inside LB pick.

Good luck on your analysis, prediction

Lol ok then. The ignore button isn't hard to find.

Going to be wild when you realize it isn't 1995 anymore. It's going to be even more wild when you learn to read, because I never predicted anything.

 

[Brooksey]

The concern has always been about coverage because of his athleticism, even before his pro day. Here's Brugler:

WEAKNESSES: Shorter than ideal and his frame appears near maxed out…lacks ideal length, which shows on tackle attempts or when taking on blockers…plays fast, but doesn’t have the make-up speed to close the gap if he is late to shed the block…doesn’t show the same anticipation in coverage as he does versus the run…needs to improve his feel for routes and passing windows in zone coverage to bait and drive on throws.

It doesn't matter what he's been doing, it's about what he can do in the future. It's not just his 40 that's slow, his 40 is fine. Everything else was bad. NFL passing games will target him over and over.

There's a weakness paragraph on every player in the draft..so what, watch the tape, he's a 6'0 235 lb wrecking machine with the best instincts for the LB position in the draft. What does that mean? He can anticipate, read work through traffic better than anyone... Where is that measure on your little tape from Kent Le Platte?

 

[Brooksey]

I never predicted anything.

You said Nick Bolton 5th round

 

[Future]

There's a weakness paragraph on every player in the draft..so what, watch the tape, he's a 6'0 235 lb wrecking machine with the best instincts for the LB position in the draft. What does that mean? He can anticipate, read work through traffic better than anyone... Where is that measure on your little tape from Kent Le Platte?

You're writing the bio of a nice 4th-round pick.

You said Nick Bolton 5th round

Nope. Try that again. But add in all the other words too. You can't just skip the important ones.

 

[Bowdown27]

Davis cox surrat Bolton browning Collins etc. so much talent this year at lb position we should come away with one of these

 

[Brooksey]

You're writing the bio of a nice 4th-round pick.

Nope. Try that again. But add in all the other words too. You can't just skip the important ones.

I'll repost your post below where you say don't be surprised if Bolton lasts until the 5th.

Cox, Davis, Browning are probably all ahead of Bolton at this point, and you're underselling them to begin with. Don't be surprised if Bolton lasts until the 5th.

Here it is in your own words... so maybe now you will excuse yourself from the adult conversation. You got Bolton in the 5th.

 

[Future]

I'll repost your post below where you say don't be surprised if Bolton lasts until the 5th.



Here it is in your own words... so maybe now you will excuse yourself from the adult conversation. You got Bolton in the 5th.

"Don't be surprised if" does not mean "I predict that" lmao.

I was kidding when I said you don't know how to read, but apparently you actually don't.

 

[Cowboyny]

Not really. His pro day showed that he's purely a two-down LBer, that puts him in the same tier - at best - as the guys you listed.

Cox, Davis, Browning are probably all ahead of Bolton at this point, and you're underselling them to begin with. Don't be surprised if Bolton lasts until the 5th.

Bolton is a high floor player, his testing numbers look a lot like Eric Kendricks, who has been a good player in this league. What gives Bolton a chance, is his high level instincts. He is going to be a day 2 player.

 

[Cowboyny]

Good post...agree with you that LBr is a bigger need than most are talking about.

I see JOK as a SS, so I'd say after Parsons / Collins / Davis there is a big drop off IMO. I like Bolton, but the size / athleticism drop him quite a bit for me. Moses / McGrone are probably my favorites after the 1st wave but they both come with injury concerns. Both top 100 talents though IMO and maybe one will slide,

After that Barnes, Werner, Fields and Wallow are guys to keep an eye on in the 4th/5th. Barnes is an interesting dude that I think is picking up steam.

There are a few interesting day 3 prospects at the position, certainly see the Cowboys looking to draft one in that range, but think they want to add more of a higher level talent earlier on. Really think those top 4 are definitely in play. If they miss out, I am expecting a LB taken on day 2.

 

[fivetwos]

Totally agreed. LB is a major need, as is DL. I'm WAY more concerned about those positions than CB. The fastest way to improve this defense is to improve DL and LB play.

Better play up front ought to make the corners we have better.

A better shot anyway than a Surtain trying to cover all day while we try to get to the QB.

The depth isn't really there at CB though, and a mid rounder at that position isn't likely to make much of an impact, whereas the team can probably find LBs capable of starting in the mid rounds.

So, I fully expect a CB drafted in the 1st or 2nd round of this draft.

 

[Future]

Bolton is a high floor player, his testing numbers look a lot like Eric Kendricks, who has been a good player in this league. What gives Bolton a chance, is his high level instincts. He is going to be a day 2 player.

Kendricks' pro day numbers were way, way better than Bolton's.

Significantly better vertical, broad, 3-cone and shuttle.
https://relativeathleticscores.com/2019/12/31/eric-kendricks-ras/

 

[J-man]

Hey everyone, welcome to the party. I have been saying LB was a top, if not the top need since January. I think DB and 1TDT is also a top need as we just don't have the numbers you would expect to bring into camp. But the future of the LB corps is totally up in the air and serioulsy needs to be addressed. I think they will do all they can to get Smith and LVE back into form so I don't see them making huge strides to shore the position this year, as in no more than 1 premium pick, although a late rd flyer isn't out of the question. If I'm right about that look for KJ to be signed just after the draft.

I really like JOK as a player, but I'm not sold on him as a full time LB. That frame scares me, but his athleticism and play making ability are awesome. If they let him freelance and play some S and I'm all for it. But I don't know if these guys will do that.

So IMO, Collins & Davis are both very good and would go along way to fixing our LB problem. But all 3 of these guys are considered early - mid/late first rd guys so can we even get any of them without moving around? I highly doubt it.
If we can't, than I'm looking at Werner, Bolton, Moses and McGrone in the mid rds. And a flyer on Wallow, Rice or Barnes in the late rds.

 

[Cowboyny]

Kendricks' pro day numbers were way, way better than Bolton's.

Significantly better vertical, broad, 3-cone and shuttle.
https://relativeathleticscores.com/2019/12/31/eric-kendricks-ras/

Looking at the numbers again, looks like Kendricks is the better athlete, but it doesn't mean Bolton is just a 2 down player in this league.