Ranking the "Off the ball Linebackers"

[Cowboyny]

Next in the series is my Cowboy Off the ball Linebackers. This need could be huge considering: Lee might retire, Thomas is a fa, Jaylon could be a cap casualty, Lve cannot stay healthy and the move back to the 4-3 scheme.

I think there are starting needs at MLB, Weak-side backer and a starting caliber backup to protect against Lve, where they must decide to pick his option up this May. Here are my top 10 rankings, Cowboy specific:

1-Parsons Penn State (upside potential is huge, but new to the position, needs some development)
2-JOK Notre Dame (the chess nickel piece, excellent coverage linebacker, fits Quinn's smaller/faster LB)
3-Collins Tulsa (many feel he is more of a 3-4 OLB, do it all linebacker, some think he's similar to Lve)
4-Bolton Missouri (high floor player that lacks the elite, physical traits, perhaps most instinctive in the class)
5-Browning Ohio State (possesses all the elite, physical traits for the position, lacks experience)
6-Cox LSU (considered one of the best coverage linebackers in the draft, more of a run/hit type)
7-Surratt UNC (former QB learning the new position, coverage is his calling card, not very physical)
8-McGrone Michigan (more of a two down run linebacker that needs more experience in coverage)
9-Moses Alabama (a lot of inconsistency in his game both against the run and the pass)
10-Werner Ohio State (more of a strong-side linebacker, average athlete)

 

[Bowdown27]

Next in the series is my Cowboy Off the ball Linebackers. This need could be huge considering: Lee might retire, Thomas is a fa, Jaylon could be a cap casualty, Lve cannot stay healthy and the move back to the 4-3 scheme.

I think there are starting needs at MLB, Weak-side backer and a starting caliber backup to protect against Lve, where they must decide to pick his option up this May. Here are my top 10 rankings, Cowboy specific:

1-Parsons Penn State (upside potential is huge, but new to the position, needs some development)
2-JOK Notre Dame (the chess nickel piece, excellent coverage linebacker, fits Quinn's smaller/faster LB)
3-Collins Tulsa (many feel he is more of a 3-4 OLB, do it all linebacker, some think he's similar to Lve)
4-Bolton Missouri (high floor player that lacks the elite, physical traits, perhaps most instinctive in the class)
5-Browning Ohio State (possesses all the elite, physical traits for the position, lacks experience)
6-Cox LSU (considered one of the best coverage linebackers in the draft, more of a run/hit type)
7-Surratt UNC (former QB learning the new position, coverage is his calling card, not very physical)
8-McGrone Michigan (more of a two down run linebacker that needs more experience in coverage)
9-Moses Alabama (a lot of inconsistency in his game both against the run and the pass)
10-Werner Ohio State (more of a strong-side linebacker, average athlete)

Honestly this linebacker class looks great on paper. I’m an advocate for parsons but the whole class looks really good.

 

[Cowboyny]

Honestly this linebacker class looks great on paper. I’m an advocate for parsons but the whole class looks really good.

Good, non-rush linebackers usually can be found outside rd 1. With already a ton of resources within the position, rather take one with one of our third round selections. Hoping one of Browning, Cox is there at 75. It could be a good position to double up if the board plays out that way on day 3.

 

[cowboyec]

JOK,Notre Dame
Browning,Ohio St
Dylan Moses,Bama
Bolton,Mizzou

my 4 favs...i'd be happy with any of them.
i'm specially intrigued by JOK.
he might be in contention for us at 10.

 

[cowboyec]

the draft show a few episodes back talked about maturity issues with parsons.
if that could be addressed by him...i'd have 0 problem taking him at 10.
JOK intrigues me the most IF we go LB at 10.

 

[Cowboyny]

the draft show a few episodes back talked about maturity issues with parsons.
if that could be addressed by him...i'd have 0 problem taking him at 10.
JOK intrigues me the most IF we go LB at 10.

We already have a 1st round pick and a higher 2nd rounder at the position. LB is kind of like RB, take a lot of damage. It's bad management to tie so much money at less valued position. We don't need more stars, but rather a Hitchens type who can play sound, gap football.

 

[Rockport]

Next in the series is my Cowboy Off the ball Linebackers. This need could be huge considering: Lee might retire, Thomas is a fa, Jaylon could be a cap casualty, Lve cannot stay healthy and the move back to the 4-3 scheme.

I think there are starting needs at MLB, Weak-side backer and a starting caliber backup to protect against Lve, where they must decide to pick his option up this May. Here are my top 10 rankings, Cowboy specific:

1-Parsons Penn State (upside potential is huge, but new to the position, needs some development)
2-JOK Notre Dame (the chess nickel piece, excellent coverage linebacker, fits Quinn's smaller/faster LB)
3-Collins Tulsa (many feel he is more of a 3-4 OLB, do it all linebacker, some think he's similar to Lve)
4-Bolton Missouri (high floor player that lacks the elite, physical traits, perhaps most instinctive in the class)
5-Browning Ohio State (possesses all the elite, physical traits for the position, lacks experience)
6-Cox LSU (considered one of the best coverage linebackers in the draft, more of a run/hit type)
7-Surratt UNC (former QB learning the new position, coverage is his calling card, not very physical)
8-McGrone Michigan (more of a two down run linebacker that needs more experience in coverage)
9-Moses Alabama (a lot of inconsistency in his game both against the run and the pass)
10-Werner Ohio State (more of a strong-side linebacker, average athlete)

Are you a scout?

 

[baltcowboy]

JOK could be the future prototype at weakside linebacker. I would not complain if we drafted him and then someone else in the 3rd or 4th round. I love Collins but it looks like we our not going to be multiple. He would have been perfect for Nolan’s defense.

 

[Bowdown27]

Good, non-rush linebackers usually can be found outside rd 1. With already a ton of resources within the position, rather take one with one of our third round selections. Hoping one of Browning, Cox is there at 75. It could be a good position to double up if the board plays out that way on day 3.

Browning or Cox in the third would be a steal

 

[stilltheguru]

JOK could be the future prototype at weakside linebacker. I would not complain if we drafted him and then someone else in the 3rd or 4th round. I love Collins but it looks like we our not going to be multiple. He would have been perfect for Nolan’s defense.

I dont know why people think collins cant play a 4-3. Most defenses are in 2 lb sets anyway

 

[garyv]

Next in the series is my Cowboy Off the ball Linebackers. This need could be huge considering: Lee might retire, Thomas is a fa, Jaylon could be a cap casualty, Lve cannot stay healthy and the move back to the 4-3 scheme.

I think there are starting needs at MLB, Weak-side backer and a starting caliber backup to protect against Lve, where they must decide to pick his option up this May. Here are my top 10 rankings, Cowboy specific:

1-Parsons Penn State (upside potential is huge, but new to the position, needs some development)
2-JOK Notre Dame (the chess nickel piece, excellent coverage linebacker, fits Quinn's smaller/faster LB)
3-Collins Tulsa (many feel he is more of a 3-4 OLB, do it all linebacker, some think he's similar to Lve)
4-Bolton Missouri (high floor player that lacks the elite, physical traits, perhaps most instinctive in the class)
5-Browning Ohio State (possesses all the elite, physical traits for the position, lacks experience)
6-Cox LSU (considered one of the best coverage linebackers in the draft, more of a run/hit type)
7-Surratt UNC (former QB learning the new position, coverage is his calling card, not very physical)
8-McGrone Michigan (more of a two down run linebacker that needs more experience in coverage)
9-Moses Alabama (a lot of inconsistency in his game both against the run and the pass)
10-Werner Ohio State (more of a strong-side linebacker, average athlete)

I've been saying for the last year we need to draft two LB's...playmaking ones

 

[baltcowboy]

I dont know why people think collins cant play a 4-3. Most defenses are in 2 lb sets anyway

He is a big guy. I just pray the Steelers don’t get him. Quinn seems to like the small guys like he had in Atlanta. I love the image of LVE and Collins wrecking havoc.

 

[stilltheguru]

He is a big guy. I just pray the Steelers don’t get him. Quinn seems to like the small guys like he had in Atlanta. I love the image of LVE and Collins wrecking havoc.

Hes big as fast as hell. Wed be stupid to pass on him because hes too big lol. Hes a much better prospect than LVE was

 

[cnuball21]

Parsons
Collins
Bolton
McGrone

Then a bunch of dudes it’s hard to get excited about early.

 

[baltcowboy]

Hes big as fast as hell. Wed be stupid to pass on him because hes too big lol. Hes a much better prospect than LVE was

This draft is hard to figure out. I have no clue to what the Cowboys will do. I have six players I would not complain about drafting though so far and Collins is one of them.

 

[Cowboyny]

I've been saying for the last year we need to draft two LB's...playmaking ones

I think we got to address the need both in fa and the draft.

 

[RandyOh]

I dont really want to see a linebacker before round 3. I think this years off ball linebacker class sweet spot is in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Would love to walk away with one in each round tbh.

 

[beware_d-ware]

Parsons. Best linebacker prospect of the decade. Better than Devin White, Jaylon Smith, you name them. The off the field stuff is concerning, but on the field he is generational. If he played DE I would rank him as DE1, he is just that good.

Collins. Huge, mobile, good tackler, comfortable in coverage. His coaches used him super conservatively against the pass with lots of blitzes and short middle zones, and I'd really like to see how he would have fared in more risky and aggressive pro-style coverage calls. Still, the athleticism and production warrants a pick some time in round 1.

Bolton. Best tackler I've seen the class, but not as instinctive as I had heard. I am really interested in seeing his testing numbers, he moves with an easy gliding style that makes it tough to judge how fast/explosive he really is. Looks like a round 2 guy.

JOK. He's a safety.

Jabril Cox. This is my dude. Stud in coverage and regularly handled man-to-man assignments. I don't think the gap between him and JOK is that big, even if the big boards will tell you otherwise. I'd target him in the second round.

Browning: Looks like just a guy. Good athleticism but not much there as a player.

Surrat: Speed is all he's got going for him. He has an excuse for his lack of instincts since I think this is only his second year at LB. But an undersized project player at a low value position, that's a really hard sell.

 

[visionary]

Good, non-rush linebackers usually can be found outside rd 1. With already a ton of resources within the position, rather take one with one of our third round selections. Hoping one of Browning, Cox is there at 75. It could be a good position to double up if the board plays out that way on day 3.

if I can trade down in rd 1 and take Nixon/Moehrig at 18-22 then I would go Barmore/Tufele/Grant with our rd 2 pick and Browning with the trade down rd 2 pick

 

[Bizwah]

I think there's a good possibility we have Parsons off our board. The sexual component to his hazing......I just can't get past that.

I like JOK a lot. He seems to be the new breed of LB. Collins is an interesting player too.

Spending a top ten pick on an off-ball LB is just not a good idea. There are so many other directions we can go. If we trade down into the 20s, then I think there are good options. Collins and Bolton will both be there.