Rookie Francis Bernard has chance to go from UDFA to Cowboys LB rotation

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...d-2020-player-profile-linebacker-competition/

Francis Bernard has chance to go from UDFA to Cowboys LB rotation

 

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/francis-bernard/32194245-5220-6539-849d-8decae5b07fb

Strengths

• Has faced personal adversity and overcome it
• Former running back with a sense for play recognition
• Very quick to diagnose play direction
• Races ahead of blockers to beat them to the spot
• Accelerates feet into and through the tackle
• Flows hard downhill to spill the run
• Twitchy burst to close in short spaces
• Soft hands with five interceptions over last two years
• Good route awareness from zone coverage

Weaknesses

• Must develop proactive hands with better skill level
• Poor technique to take on and shed in the box
• Sideline to sideline range is slightly below average
• Over-responsive to early clues and keys
• Frequently trapped and sealed by blocks, opening cutback lane on inside zone
• Undisciplined sideline pursuit leads to overflowing to the football
• Below-average reactive athleticism in space
• Jukes can break his ankles

Overview
Active inside linebacker with good recognition and initial quickness, but lacking the discipline and take-on skills to play at a consistent level as a pro. Immaturity and bad decision-making derailed him early in his career, but he's been a good teammate and productive player since sitting out the 2017 season. It's easy to love the motor, but the inconsistent open-field tackling combined with proclivity for running himself out of position might force him to shine on special teams if he wants to compete for a back-end roster spot.

 

Soon to be available at a JAG’s-R-Us location near you.

 

Its a big uphill battle for undrafted rookies this year. Preseason games were huge for them. The good news is with limited film higher probability they get stashed on the practice squad and not poached. Teams will likely prefer their own guys if they show some talent as they already know the playbook and more likely to be ready if covid hits players on the roster.

 

Nice weakness, someone can throw him a juke and break his ankles.

 

Mostly because everyone else in front of him opted out....?

 

One thing that stuck out to me, here, is that ST Coach, John Fassel, might favor the idea of using Francis Bernard for his special teams.

He likes using defensive players for his ST unit. It's an open door for this rookie LB, if that's the case. Obviously, this guy has a shot.

 

Absolutely.

Was about to type this and you had it here already.

This guy has a great shot at starting on kick coverages, and they ought to be a lot better, if nothing else, by default.

Not as if the LB depth is all that, so he has an excellent shot at dressing, and probably seeing some snaps once guys start getting banged up.

 

I don’t know about you guys but a lb that has issues with being faked out by cues and hearing jukes can break his ankles doesn’t sound like pro material to me

 

It likely won't help his cause in getting a chance to contribute in the regular defense until such time as the staff is allowed time to work with him.

Such a situation may not be provided for until next year. If he shows a knack for the ST unit, though, let's see if he's allowed to participate there.

 

Yes, UDFA and late round draft picks will be more PS stashes than previously. Some teams that start to lose, and are out of the playoff push, may likely poach a few players. If they had them on their radar and did not get to draft them, or had then as a possible UDFA to sign, but didn't get to.

 

I had Bernard making a push to replace March. Still can, but right now I say more of a PS type player. However he could be a player that is brought up to the roster if needed, since they put that rule in place.

 

I'm surprised that he didn't get drafted in the last rounds.

He was a very solid college player.

It reminds me of how Anthony Hitchens was a 4th round pick despite being a better college player than some LBs drafted ahead of him. Lack of Wow measurable(s) kept Hitchens from being drafted earlier.

 

If it's remotely close between a player like Bernard and March, then they should keep Bernard.

March "is what he is" at this point.

 

Yes March is a ST's guy, but can be replaced. Especially since we have Fassell there to make someone better or at least just as good.
March seems lost at LB play a good part of the time. Kind of reminded me of Wilbur in a way. Though Wilbur made more plays.

 

The NFL should suspend Practice Squad poaching and expand the Practice Squad. No way can you figure out if these guys are good or not without a preseason. If there is a full season a lot of PS players will have to be called up because COVID..

 

LUKE GIFFORD INSTEAD.

 

One thing that stuck out to me is a LB having 5 INTs in 2 years... hell,..we've had DBs that have went two years without an INT
and 2 INTs in 5 years., etc.

I'll definitely be glad to take at a LB that seems to have a knack for getting INTs and turnovers.

 

That's likely what's in the best interest of the team in the long run but today's circumstances demand safety. It's anyone's guess what may come. It looks like maybe the Cowboys will go with those who have already established themselves to get the benefits of their present roster status. Let's see what MM and his staff have in store to make the most of an extremely difficult situation. They're at a disadvantage to make the most of things.