Mock Draft/FA/Off-Season Moves

[TheFinisher]

Cuts/Don't Resign:

Terence Newman- Father time has caught up to Newman and this should be a no brainer at the end of the season. He's been making way too much money for such sub-par play the past 2-3 seasons.

Keith Brooking- Another one who's declined at an alarming rate the past 2 seasons, Brooking might retire before we even have a chance at cutting him.

Bradie James- This is a tough one because Bradie has been a mainstay for a long time but he's just a liability in space and can't be depended on anymore. Maybe we bring him back if he agrees to restructuring his contract.

Anthony Spencer- Spencer hasn't necessarily been bad, but when you look at his overall body of work the past 4 seasons coupled with his comments over the past off-season about "mailing it in" last year he's just not worth the money. Plus it gives us an opportunity to upgrade a position that has been awfully average.

Martellus Bennett- Don't let the door hit ya on the ***.


FA:

Cortland Finnegan- He should be a mid-upper level FA this off-season and fits the mold for what kind of players I want to see added to our defense. As far as Corner's are concerned he's as tough as they come and he's still in the middle of his prime. A guy like Finnegan who loves to play physical and to compete is just the kind of guy we need to set an example for our younger guys at the position, I think he'd be a great mentor for Mike Jenkins.

D'Qwell Jackson- Knows the system and still has lots of mileage in the tank. He'd be one of those underhyped FA signings that winds up paying off big time.

Nick Hardwick- Phil Costa is close to being the Alan Ball of this season, he has no business being a starter in the NFL. Hardwick has kind of fallen from the Elite status he gained just a few seasons ago but he's still fairly young(30) and would bring much needed stability to the interior line.

*I wouldn't mind some roster churning at the back end of WR.

*May have to sign a low priced ILB depending on Albright and what we think of him, or if we plan to continue development of Barry Church as a nickel backer that should suffice.

*Safety may be added to this list but I'm hoping we bring back both guys on the cheap.



Resign:

Abram Elam/Gerald Sensabaugh- It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds, I really like the way these 2 have complemented each other and would be willing to invest in this combo for a few extra seasons as long as the price is reasonable. Hopefully we can get this done, stable safety play has been a rarity around here.

Laurent Robinson- No brainer, give this kid a legit #3 deal.. he's earned it.

Tony Fiametta- I don't know what's going on with Fiamette and that flu thing he's been dealing with but he's a heck of a lead blocker and I'd like to bring him back if it's possible.

*Wouldn't mind bringing back Coleman if the price is right. If not then I'd replace him with another cheap vet to play limited snaps. Unfortunately we blew our load on Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher so I don't want to get pricey along the DL this offseason.

*Montrae Holland is welcomed back if he's willing to accept a reserve/spot-duty level contract.


Draft:

1. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama- Spencer hasn't panned out but that shouldn't stop us from continuing to search for a competant player opposite Ware. Plus I love Saban coached players.

2. Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin- I've had Zeitler penciled in as our 2nd Rounder for a while now because it just makes too much sense to me. He's a Day 1 starter at a huge position of need, and I'm much more a fan of drafting interior OL in the 2nd as opposed to the 1st.

3. Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M- Signing Finnegan would be a great start to fixing the secondary but that's just the tip of the iceberg in this plan. Judie is someone who could challenge for playing time right off the bat and provides much needed depth to a previously thin position.

4. Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame- LOVE the way he's played this season. Smith has all the physical ability to become a longterm starter in the NFL which is just what I'm looking for in safety prospects at this point. Team captain and RKOG so you know Red will love him.

5. Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly- This is another guy who I really like and have followed all season long. I know some may get turned off after we took AOA just 2 years ago but you gotta take risks if you want to reap rewards. He's got talent out the *** both as a cover man and return man, I just hope he doesn't run too fast at his pro day so he stays in the later rounds lol.

6. Rhett Ellison, TE, USC-

7. James Brown, OT, Troy


Depth Chart:

QB- Romo, Kitna, McGee
RB- Murray, Jones, Tanner
FB- Fiametta
TE- Witten, Phillips, Ellison(R)
WR- Austin, Bryant, Robinson, Ogletree, Holley/Harris
LT- T. Smith, Parnell
LG- Kosier, Nagy
C- Hardwick(FA), Costa
RG- Zeitler(R), Arkin
RT- Free, Brown(R)

5T- Hatcher, Lissemore
5T- Spears, Coleman
NT- Ratliff, Brent
ROLB- Ware
LOLB- Upshaw(R), Butler
MLB- Lee, Carter
WLB- Jackson(FA), Albright?
LC- Finnegan(FA), Judie(R)
RC- Jenkins, Jackson(R), Walker/Ball
Slot- Scandrick
FS- Elam, Smith(R),
SS- Sensabaugh, Church, McCray

 

[xwalker]

Cuts/Don't Resign:

Terence Newman- Father time has caught up to Newman and this should be a no brainer at the end of the season. He's been making way too much money for such sub-par play the past 2-3 seasons.
Agree.

Keith Brooking- Another one who's declined at an alarming rate the past 2 seasons, Brooking might retire before we even have a chance at cutting him.
Agree.

Bradie James- This is a tough one because Bradie has been a mainstay for a long time but he's just a liability in space and can't be depended on anymore. Maybe we bring him back if he agrees to restructuring his contract.
Agree.

Anthony Spencer- Spencer hasn't necessarily been bad, but when you look at his overall body of work the past 4 seasons coupled with his comments over the past off-season about "mailing it in" last year he's just not worth the money. Plus it gives us an opportunity to upgrade a position that has been awfully average.
Difficult decision. He's not great, but he's not as bad as some make him out to be.

Can they get by with Butler, Albright and a draft pick to start the 2012 season? Would signing a mid-level FA be required?

Martellus Bennett- Don't let the door hit ya on the ***.
I would be ok with re-signing him to a low cost deal, but some team will probably offer him a chance to start.

FA:

Cortland Finnegan- He should be a mid-upper level FA this off-season and fits the mold for what kind of players I want to see added to our defense. As far as Corner's are concerned he's as tough as they come and he's still in the middle of his prime. A guy like Finnegan who loves to play physical and to compete is just the kind of guy we need to set an example for our younger guys at the position, I think he'd be a great mentor for Mike Jenkins.
I would be good with this. How much will it cost??

D'Qwell Jackson- Knows the system and still has lots of mileage in the tank. He'd be one of those underhyped FA signings that winds up paying off big time.
Sounds good. They probably need a mid-level FA at this position.

Nick Hardwick- Phil Costa is close to being the Alan Ball of this season, he has no business being a starter in the NFL. Hardwick has kind of fallen from the Elite status he gained just a few seasons ago but he's still fairly young(30) and would bring much needed stability to the interior line.
I'm not sure about this player. He would be an upgrade, but big contract would mean the Boys are stuck with a medium level player for multiple years. If the contract is small, then the Chargers would probably match it.

*I wouldn't mind some roster churning at the back end of WR.

*May have to sign a low priced ILB depending on Albright and what we think of him, or if we plan to continue development of Barry Church as a nickel backer that should suffice.
You took care of ILB depth with D. Jackson and Albright has mainly played OLB. Hopefully, Bruce Carter can become a starter at ILB.

*Safety may be added to this list but I'm hoping we bring back both guys on the cheap.


Resign:

Abram Elam/Gerald Sensabaugh- It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds, I really like the way these 2 have complemented each other and would be willing to invest in this combo for a few extra seasons as long as the price is reasonable. Hopefully we can get this done, stable safety play has been a rarity around here.
It would suck to lose either Sensabaugh or Elam, but it would also suck to overpay for them.

Laurent Robinson- No brainer, give this kid a legit #3 deal.. he's earned it.
Agree. Agree.

Tony Fiametta- I don't know what's going on with Fiamette and that flu thing he's been dealing with but he's a heck of a lead blocker and I'd like to bring him back if it's possible.
It's worse than the flu. His contributions and absense have proven that FB is critical to the Garrett offense. They might need to consider drafting the best college FB even if it is in the 4th round.

*Wouldn't mind bringing back Coleman if the price is right. If not then I'd replace him with another cheap vet to play limited snaps. Unfortunately we blew our load on Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher so I don't want to get pricey along the DL this offseason.
I thought Coleman signed for more than 1 year.

*Montrae Holland is welcomed back if he's willing to accept a reserve/spot-duty level contract.
Holland might be playing better the Kosier.


Draft:

1. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama- Spencer hasn't panned out but that shouldn't stop us from continuing to search for a competant player opposite Ware. Plus I love Saban coached players.

2. Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin- I've had Zeitler penciled in as our 2nd Rounder for a while now because it just makes too much sense to me. He's a Day 1 starter at a huge position of need, and I'm much more a fan of drafting interior OL in the 2nd as opposed to the 1st.

3. Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M- Signing Finnegan would be a great start to fixing the secondary but that's just the tip of the iceberg in this plan. Judie is someone who could challenge for playing time right off the bat and provides much needed depth to a previously thin position.

4. Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame- LOVE the way he's played this season. Smith has all the physical ability to become a longterm starter in the NFL which is just what I'm looking for in safety prospects at this point. Team captain and RKOG so you know Red will love him.

5. Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly- This is another guy who I really like and have followed all season long. I know some may get turned off after we took AOA just 2 years ago but you gotta take risks if you want to reap rewards. He's got talent out the *** both as a cover man and return man, I just hope he doesn't run too fast at his pro day so he stays in the later rounds lol.

6. Rhett Ellison, TE, USC-

7. James Brown, OT, Troy

Reasonable draft. It's not my favorite draft senerio, but not bad.

 

[supercowboy8]

Lettting Spencer walk and say we can upgrade just by drafting isn't the case. How many unknowns are there in the draft? How many busts have there been in the last few years just at 3-4 OLB? Way to many. You can easily draft a bust.

I have seen Upshaw play every down the last 2 years and sorry but he doesn't impress me as a 3-4OLB. He doesn't have great pass rush and doesn't look like he will be much better than SPencer if any. I'm not saying we have to resign Spencer, just depends on the money, but I don't think Upshaw is the answer. He looks more like a 4-3 SOLB.

Finnegan would not be a good pickup. I leave in Nashville and know about that guy. He gets burned a ton. He plays physical but he isn't a press man or man cover CB. The Titans ruin a zone and cover 2. I think Finnegan would get burned all day in Dallas in man cover.

Hardwick is better than Costa but who isn't, but I still don't want him. He is done. He hasn't had a great past few years with SD and has declined.

 

[windward]

Love the D qwell Jackson signing. Should add a FA Cb somewhere to upgrade Frank Walker.

Don't forget backup QB. Kitna's done and if we need a cheap vet, a guy like Shaun Hill would be a good signing.

 

[supercowboy8]

Love the D qwell Jackson signing. Should add a FA Cb somewhere to upgrade Frank Walker.

Don't forget backup QB. Kitna's done and if we need a cheap vet, a guy like Shaun Hill would be a good signing.

If I was going after a CB in FA I would get Carlos Rogers. I wanted him last year but we skipped over him. he can start and give a draft pick a year to learn but he has played himself into a multi year deal so far this year.

Aaron Ross is another CB I would be interested in and also Terrell Thomas.

AS for QB I think we should be ready to have McGhee be our #2. But Hill wouldn't be bad, Chris Redman and Kyle Boller wouldn't be bad either.

But I think Campbell and Nicks should be the first 2 players we go after this offseason. Nicks can add alot of bulk to this OL and Campbell could add alot of power and pass rush to this DL.

 

[RS12]

I thought Brooking already retired.

 

[dboy214]

you want to bring back ogletree?

we need a legit slot receiver on this team.

he doesn't have to be fast necessarily, but quick and precise running routes.

a good second option on 3rd downs if witten is double covered.

 

[windward]

you want to bring back ogletree?

we need a legit slot receiver on this team.

he doesn't have to be fast necessarily, but quick and precise running routes.

a good second option on 3rd downs if witten is double covered.

If Ryan Broyles checks out medically, he could be an option in the 3rd.

 

[ghst187]

Cuts/Don't Resign:

Terence Newman- agree
Keith Brooking- agree
Bradie James-probably

Anthony Spencer- don't agree, he's not great but he's not terrible either, keep til we get an upgrade or unless he just wants too much $$

Martellus Bennett- mostly agree, good blocker, never lived up in the pass-catching dept

FA:

Cortland Finnegan- nope, punk, no thanks, prefer carlos rogers or marcus trufant

D'Qwell Jackson- could live with this

Nick Hardwick- nope, i think Costa is ok if we upgrade the G position/s

*I wouldn't mind some roster churning at the back end of WR. can't ask for much more than what Holley has provided. We have a very legit #3 now, and we have Harris on the PS. If you're going to churn, it will have to be someone special with unique speed IMO. Ogletree is welcome to leave IMO

*May have to sign a low priced ILB depending on Albright and what we think of him, or if we plan to continue development of Barry Church as a nickel backer that should suffice. I'm hoping Carter turns it on by the end of the season

*Safety may be added to this list but I'm hoping we bring back both guys on the cheap.totally agree, think we're ok at S if they both come back, CB HAS to be upgraded.



Resign:

Abram Elam/Gerald Sensabaugh- totally agree although I wish they had more INTs

Laurent Robinson- can't ask for more from a #3, esp when he can competently fill in as a #1/2

Tony Fiametta- agree pending health issues, we're missing him now and its obvious

*Wouldn't mind bringing back Coleman if the price is right. think Coleman will be here for a few more


Draft:

1. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama-

2. Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin-

3. Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M-

4. Harrison Smith, SS, Notre Dame-

5. Asa Jackson, CB, Cal Poly-

6. Rhett Ellison, TE, USC-

7. James Brown, OT, Troy

not loving that draft. We can't fit that many CBs on the roster, Jenkins, Scandrick, and Walker are probably all back next year. I imagine the FO knows we can't drop Newman and expect a rookie to play well. That means a likely FA CB, heck we tried to do that this past offseason. I'm okay with your second pick, I'm a big fan of Wisconsin OLs.
I think our offseason needs are going to be, in order, CB, OG, OLB, DL

Our top FA target should be AZ's DL guy, Campbell, IF he is allowed to make it to FA status. That guy is disruptive. Although I'm also still of the thought that we need a plugger fatbody in the middle and push Rat to DE on 1st and 2nd downs and inside to NT on passing downs. Franklin actually should be available for a reasonable price if we go that route. He was cheap last year and played out of position a bit this year, could be even cheaper this year.
I'd go after Carlos Rogers at CB I think. Not too many others that are decent. Asante Samuel will probably be available but I'm sure will still want a huge contract and he can be a liability.
I like Grubbs as a OL FA but I'll be surprised if he makes it to FA.
Actually shouldn't be THAT unrealistic to get one of the top FA CBs, a OLB (either resign Spencer or find someone), and either Campbell or Grubbs or a comparable player at one of their positions. We should have the money esp without Newman's fattie. That would position us well for the draft.
I think we have to look at QB in this draft if someone like Kellen Moore slips, or Weeden. Think both of those guys could find NFL success without being a first round pick. If a solid CB falls to us take him. Have to take a OL, a DL, probably a G, and look at a later-round niche player like a KR/PR who is either a CB or WR with serious speed.

 

[TheFinisher]

Lettting Spencer walk and say we can upgrade just by drafting isn't the case. How many unknowns are there in the draft? How many busts have there been in the last few years just at 3-4 OLB? Way to many. You can easily draft a bust.

Spencer doesn't deserve a new contract, the guy admitted to mailing it in last year and hasn't done anything on the field to warrant a long term marriage. Of course you could draft a bust but that doesn't stop teams from using their draft picks to try and upgrade their team.

I have seen Upshaw play every down the last 2 years and sorry but he doesn't impress me as a 3-4OLB. He doesn't have great pass rush and doesn't look like he will be much better than SPencer if any. I'm not saying we have to resign Spencer, just depends on the money, but I don't think Upshaw is the answer. He looks more like a 4-3 SOLB.

Upshaw has been a key component in arguably the best defense in college football the past 3 seasons. Unlike Spencer, he gives effort on every play and takes pride in what he does. He's versatile and can do everything you ask out of a 3-4 edge player. Saban coached players, especially front 7 players, almost always pan out at the next level.

Finnegan would not be a good pickup. I leave in Nashville and know about that guy. He gets burned a ton. He plays physical but he isn't a press man or man cover CB. The Titans ruin a zone and cover 2. I think Finnegan would get burned all day in Dallas in man cover.

I don't agree with any of this. Finnegan has been a top corner in the league for a while now and is smack dab in the middle of his prime at 27. He's well respected around the league and is known for his high level of competitiveness. He excells in jamming his man at the line and playing up in your face press coverage, that's why he has a history of frustrating receivers.

Hardwick is better than Costa but who isn't, but I still don't want him. He is done. He hasn't had a great past few years with SD and has declined.

Hardwick may not be an All Pro anymore, that torch has been passed to Nick Mangold, but in no shape or form is he "done". The guy is still a top 10 Center in this league and has been a rock in the middle of an offensive line that throws out new starters every week. He'd be a HUGE asset to our OL and is still fairly young at 30.

Responses in bold.

 

[supercowboy8]

Responses in bold.

Spencer doesn't deserve a new contract, the guy admitted to mailing it in last year and hasn't done anything on the field to warrant a long term marriage. Of course you could draft a bust but that doesn't stop teams from using their draft picks to try and upgrade their team.

I'm sure Spencer wasn't the only player that mailed it in last year.
Spencer has had a good year so far. He does warrent a new contract but not a hugh deal. Try and replcae Spencer with a rookie picked in the 20s, thats near impossible. Plus not resigning Spencer then creates another whole.
I take the for sure thing in a good player that knows the system than a unkown that has to take time and learn the defense. Spencer is far and away better than any player you can draft in the 20s right now and right now is all that matters. No draft pick in the 20s is going to be an upgrade.

Upshaw has been a key component in arguably the best defense in college football the past 3 seasons. Unlike Spencer, he gives effort on every play and takes pride in what he does. He's versatile and can do everything you ask out of a 3-4 edge player. Saban coached players, especially front 7 players, almost always pan out at the next level.

Can you name me some of these Sabin players. Upshaw has 7 sacks for the season and its his senior year. If you draft Upshaw and he only gets 4 sacks I'm sure you would be the first to want to cut him. There is much more to a SOLB than just sacks.

I don't agree with any of this. Finnegan has been a top corner in the league for a while now and is smack dab in the middle of his prime at 27. He's well respected around the league and is known for his high level of competitiveness. He excells in jamming his man at the line and playing up in your face press coverage, that's why he has a history of frustrating receivers.

You must not watch many Titans games. Finnegan plays up and press the man but then he only stays with the WR for about 10 yards and plays zone. IF the WR goes deep then Finnegan stays at home most of the time. He is a cover to zone corner.


Hardwick may not be an All Pro anymore, that torch has been passed to Nick Mangold, but in no shape or form is he "done". The guy is still a top 10 Center in this league and has been a rock in the middle of an offensive line that throws out new starters every week. He'd be a HUGE asset to our OL and is still fairly young at 30.

Sorry man but i think I can get a Center in the draft early that will be just as good as a Hardwick. Hardwick will demand big money and at 30 years of age, I'm done paying old OL big money to see it put us in cap hell. Happened to many times. If Dallas is going to spend money on a FA OL then it should be Carl Nicks and only Carl Nicks.

 

[burmafrd]

Spencer is NOT far and away better then a possible pick in the 20's.

You do know Rodgers was picked in the 20's?

That aside Spencer - IN HIS CONTRACT YEAR- has been inconsistent and has not dialed up the pressure as we need from that side. He has been given his shot and is not worth the money we will have to pony up to keep him. We can get a draft choice in the 20's for a fraction of what Spencer will cost to keep.

 

[supercowboy8]

Spencer is NOT far and away better then a possible pick in the 20's.

You do know Rodgers was picked in the 20's?

That aside Spencer - IN HIS CONTRACT YEAR- has been inconsistent and has not dialed up the pressure as we need from that side. He has been given his shot and is not worth the money we will have to pony up to keep him. We can get a draft choice in the 20's for a fraction of what Spencer will cost to keep.

Whats this money it will take to keep him. Has there been any news about how much it would take to keep him.
What if Spencer agrees on a 4-5 mill a year deal, I think he is worth that.
Hell we just signed Spears to deal just under 4 a year.
If you miss on this OLB and Butler is your fall back then the defense will be in big trouble.

Spencer is far and away better than any draft pick in the 20 that can come in and play right away. Long term you may be right.

What does Rogers have to do with anything. Rogers sat on the bench for like 3 years while they still had Favre. You want to draft a OLB and keep spencer for 3 years. I don't know why you brought that up, makes no sense.

If you want to draft a SOLB and not resign Spencer I'm game but don't expect that rookie picked just 8-6 picks ahead of where SPencer was to come in his rookie year and be amazing. No way a rookie picked in the 20s out plays Spencer next year. It happens at times but the chances are very slim.

If you want to franchise Spencer and then draft a OLB and let him groom for a year then I would also be ok with that but it would cost 9 million to franchise Spencer.

Name me 5 3-4 OLBs picked in the 20s or later that had a great rookie year, or atleast a year as good as Spencer had this year.

 

[windward]

Oh yeah, if it's at all possible Calais Campbell should be pursued.

 

[Keystone_Heavy]

Got a couple problems with this...

1. Just because fans underhype D'Qwell jackson doesn't mean that the other 31 teams do. I doubt this guy is a secret to any front office, and it would be really expensive to sign him and Finnegan, AND cut all those players.

3. Cutting players (Spencer) and thinking that you can just go ahead and draft an immediate upgrade is a recipe for disaster. and @burmafrd, Spencer was picked in the 20s too. For all you know whoever we draft and annoint starter could be as good or worse than him.

 

[TheFinisher]

Spencer is far and away better than any draft pick in the 20 that can come in and play right away.

There's no way you can say that with any degree of certainty, and it's not like Spencer has lit the world on fire.

 

[supercowboy8]

There's no way you can say that with any degree of certainty, and it's not like Spencer has lit the world on fire.

Ok its not with 100% certainty but the odds are way in my favor. But going back and looking at the players rookie years that have been drafted in the 20s or later, how many have played as good if not better than Spencer this year.

You can't say with any certainty that a rookie drafted in the 20s will play better his rookie year than Spencer. The odds are way against you.

I can only think or Clay Matthews and Brooks Reed who has played better there rookie year (this being Reeds rookie year) and playing just as good as Spencer. Thats only 2 since 2009.

Your chances of getter a Von Miller, Demarcus Ware, or Aldon Smith are very slim. THe chacne of getting a OLB in the 20s or later than can play just as good as Spencer is this year is very slim.

 

[TheFinisher]

Ok its not with 100% certainty but the odds are way in my favor. But going back and looking at the players rookie years that have been drafted in the 20s or later, how many have played as good if not better than Spencer this year.

You can't say with any certainty that a rookie drafted in the 20s will play better his rookie year than Spencer. The odds are way against you.

I can only think or Clay Matthews and Brooks Reed who has played better there rookie year (this being Reeds rookie year) and playing just as good as Spencer. Thats only 2 since 2009.

Your chances of getter a Von Miller, Demarcus Ware, or Aldon Smith are very slim. THe chacne of getting a OLB in the 20s or later than can play just as good as Spencer is this year is very slim.

Clay Matthews was the only 3-4 OLB taken in the 20s in the past 3 seasons so there's not really enough evidence to back that up either way.

But just to see how Anthony Spencer measures up against the rookies from this past class:

Von Miller(2)- 10.5 Sacks
Aldon Smith(7)- 9.5 Sacks
Ryan Kerrigan(16)- 6.5 Sacks
Brooks Reed(42)- 6.0 Sacks
Justin Houston(70)- 3.0 Sacks
Sam Acho(103)- 6.0 Sacks

Those were the first 3-4 OLBs taken this past April. All of them(Save Houston, but he's found his grove as of late) have played up to the level Spencer has played at this year, if not better. Evidence is pretty strong based on this past class that a OLB can come in right away and produce.

 

[supercowboy8]

Clay Matthews was the only 3-4 OLB taken in the 20s in the past 3 seasons so there's not really enough evidence to back that up either way.

But just to see how Anthony Spencer measures up against the rookies from this past class:

Von Miller(2)- 10.5 Sacks
Aldon Smith(7)- 9.5 Sacks
Ryan Kerrigan(16)- 6.5 Sacks
Brooks Reed(42)- 6.0 Sacks
Justin Houston(70)- 3.0 Sacks
Sam Acho(103)- 6.0 Sacks

Those were the first 3-4 OLBs taken this past April. All of them(Save Houston, but he's found his grove as of late) have played up to the level Spencer has played at this year, if not better. Evidence is pretty strong based on this past class that a OLB can come in right away and produce.

haha like how you only look at sacks.
Houston and Acho are no where near the player Spencer is.
Spencer is very good vs the run and good in coverage.
I will give you Reed. Kerrigan, Smith, and Miller would be out of our reach this year so they don't count. You go one that matches Spencer this year. Just one.
BTW Acho only has 5 sacks.

 

[supercowboy8]

Also another thing with Reed and Acho, they both play ROLB or WOLB. Neither plays the SOLB spot which is far more responsiblities. You have to worry about covering the TE, RB in the flat, blitzing, and the run more than the WOLB does. WOLB is more of a rush LB usually playing the blind side of the QB. the SOLB which is Spencer doesn't have as many opportunities to rush the passer as a WOLB does. So looking at sacks is just not the correct way to do it. IF it was just about pass rushing skills Butler would be the starter.