With so few blue chip prospects, want 1 off this list!

[DoctorChicken]

Of those guys, Hunter. But he is going 2 or 3 overall.

Next is Graham. He is a game changer in the middle. Every aspect of the defense would get better immediately.

After him, Carter. He is a pass rushing freak, with positional flexibility, and him and Micah on the field at the same time would be ridiculous. They’re both pass rushers that demand a ton of attention.

 

[cnuball21]

Teams play nickel package most of the time in which you have 2 linebackers on the field. On the early downs, you will see an additional linebacker on the field, where he is replaced by defensive back in the nickel. Going to need 3 starters and 1 backup as injuries occur often at this position.

We’re going to need 2 quality starters for sure regardless of scheme. Like you mentioned a lot of nickel so will just need some depth behind that.

 

[Dalmations202]

Teams play nickel package most of the time in which you have 2 linebackers on the field. On the early downs, you will see an additional linebacker on the field, where he is replaced by defensive back in the nickel. Going to need 3 starters and 1 backup as injuries occur often at this position.

Thank you for the breakdown of how a nickel works......LOL....I apologize because I guess I didn't ask the question properly. Without knowing who is actually going to be the DC (much like a free agent, Zimmer contract is up), and what defensive style they are going to base their defense on : Let's suppose/assume Dallas uses its first three draft picks on 1) 3T/5T 2) 1T/NT and 3) Mike LB

They are going to run a form of the nickel in most cases because this has become a league with rules to "help" the passing game. When you have the personnel to play the nickel exceptionally, ie light pass rushing DL, speed LBs, smaller faster DB's........as a OC you run on it, you throw quick passes, and you execute screens. Dallas needs personnel that can still play the nickel, and stop the run. (example Charles Haley -- exceptional on pressure, but teams still didn't run at him because he was so good at stacking and shedding).

My question is with Marist/Clark -- we all should know we need a Mike that can cover (specifically middle zone) and "stack and shed" thump in the middle against the run. But how many other linebackers would you be looking at to addFA/draft, and do you think Dallas should be looking for speed, coverage ability, size and/or height, tackling ability (all yes, but which are most important to you)?

 

[Proof]

Same here. What they lack in athleticism, Bass and Hoffman make up for with cohesion.

We should look to improve at DL or WR in 1, with exceptions being an elite prospect at S or LB.

if either or both of them are able to continue performing at a serviceable level, it really alleviates a ton of pressure

 

[tm1119]

I like Harmon…but I don’t think he fits in with that group as a “blue chip”. Don’t need to force DT in the 1st that badly

 

[Cowboyny]

Thank you for the breakdown of how a nickel works......LOL....I apologize because I guess I didn't ask the question properly. Without knowing who is actually going to be the DC (much like a free agent, Zimmer contract is up), and what defensive style they are going to base their defense on : Let's suppose/assume Dallas uses its first three draft picks on 1) 3T/5T 2) 1T/NT and 3) Mike LB

They are going to run a form of the nickel in most cases because this has become a league with rules to "help" the passing game. When you have the personnel to play the nickel exceptionally, ie light pass rushing DL, speed LBs, smaller faster DB's........as a OC you run on it, you throw quick passes, and you execute screens. Dallas needs personnel that can still play the nickel, and stop the run. (example Charles Haley -- exceptional on pressure, but teams still didn't run at him because he was so good at stacking and shedding).

My question is with Marist/Clark -- we all should know we need a Mike that can cover (specifically middle zone) and "stack and shed" thump in the middle against the run. But how many other linebackers would you be looking at to addFA/draft, and do you think Dallas should be looking for speed, coverage ability, size and/or height, tackling ability (all yes, but which are most important to you)?

Here is what I would do to fix the linebacker group.

-Give all starting reps to Marist for the rest of the season, see if he can handle becoming a full-time starter. He has the size, but think he might be better as a Will . Can cover and blitz effectively, but not really that stack/shed type of linebacker you want.

-Perfect world you add a veteran fa starter at MLB and add another through the draft to develop. This draftee would upgrade the depth at the position.

-They also do have the option of moving Parsons off the ball and allowing him to pick and choose when he is going to rush the QB. He did this as a rookie, before becoming a full time DE.

 

[gtb1943]

I like Harmon…but I don’t think he fits in with that group as a “blue chip”. Don’t need to force DT in the 1st that badly

I would be good with a trade down and then pick him

 

[Cowboyny]

I would be good with a trade down and then pick him

I think we can forget about trades this year as many will be rated in the same range.

 

[Dalmations202]

Here is what I would do to fix the linebacker group.

-Give all starting reps to Marist for the rest of the season, see if he can handle becoming a full-time starter. He has the size, but think he might be better as a Will . Can cover and blitz effectively, but not really that stack/shed type of linebacker you want.

-Perfect world you add a veteran fa starter at MLB and add another through the draft to develop. This draftee would upgrade the depth at the position.

-They also do have the option of moving Parsons off the ball and allowing him to pick and choose when he is going to rush the QB. He did this as a rookie, before becoming a full time DE.

I agree with the premise. I see Marist as more of a SAM than a WILL who might even be able to be a 3 down, but we will never know till he gets the chance. Is he fast enough to stay with the elite TE's and backs in coverage, IYO ?

 

[Cowboyny]

I agree with the premise. I see Marist as more of a SAM than a WILL who might even be able to be a 3 down, but we will never know till he gets the chance. Is he fast enough to stay with the elite TE's and backs in coverage, IYO ?

I believe he is good in coverage.

 

[TheDank]

Just finished watching a few games of Walter Nolen. He's a different level of prospect than Harmon imo. Would love him in early 1 now. He's just below Graham for me now.

 

[cnuball21]

Just finished watching a few games of Walter Nolen. He's a different level of prospect than Harmon imo. Would love him in early 1 now. He's just below Graham for me now.

Man that’s a hard pass for me. Based on what?

Harmon is bigger, longer, is better against the run and a better pass rusher.

I’ve got Harmon almost a full round ahead of Nolen.

 

[gtb1943]

Man that’s a hard pass for me. Based on what?

Harmon is bigger, longer, is better against the run and a better pass rusher.

I’ve got Harmon almost a full round ahead of Nolen.

Nolen I would say maybe top five in the second round

 

[gtb1943]

I think we can forget about trades this year as many will be rated in the same range.

Just need one GM dumber than Jethro...

Damn.

 

[TheDank]

Man that’s a hard pass for me. Based on what?

Harmon is bigger, longer, is better against the run and a better pass rusher.

I’ve got Harmon almost a full round ahead of Nolen.

Pass rush ability, able to take on double teams, athleticism. LSU tape is spectacular, GA and SC games as well.

I don't see it with Harmon on the other hand. Some good hustle plays and he has some quickness to his game but I don't see a top tier athlete for the position. He's a second rounder to me.

I haven't watched anywhere close to every game of either player but the traits that pop off for the two are in two different levels.

 

[Cowboyny]

Just need one GM dumber than Jethro...

Damn.

There isn't 1 player where teams would be willing to give up additional picks, outside maybe the QB's.

 

[Cowboyny]

Just finished watching a few games of Walter Nolen. He's a different level of prospect than Harmon imo. Would love him in early 1 now. He's just below Graham for me now.

I think we all have the DT rated differently as it is a good class. Graham is by far the best of the group and we maybe in range to land him if we lose more games.

 

[cnuball21]

Nolen I would say maybe top five in the second round

Yea like him in the 2nd def not in the 1st.

 

[cnuball21]

Pass rush ability, able to take on double teams, athleticism. LSU tape is spectacular, GA and SC games as well.

I don't see it with Harmon on the other hand. Some good hustle plays and he has some quickness to his game but I don't see a top tier athlete for the position. He's a second rounder to me.

I haven't watched anywhere close to every game of either player but the traits that pop off for the two are in two different levels.

Do you have any stats / metrics to back that up?

Last time I looked Harmon was leading all DTs in pressures and was still top 5 in run grade.

 

[TheDank]

Do you have any stats / metrics to back that up?

Last time I looked Harmon was leading all DTs in pressures and was still top 5 in run grade.

I don't really care about their stats to be honest, especially for linemen. I watch tape. No idea what either player's sack or pressure numbers are.