MrEpsYtown

Well with spread offenses, RPO game, inverted qb veer stuff, and H counter stuff, linebackers are now taught to slow-play stuff. That is where a lot of that standing around is coming from. Most DC's want the QB to give the ball rather than pull it and rip The philosophy is we will stop the run with the other guys in the box and take away the pull (that's the explosive play). Campbell's slow play at times was likely a part of the game plan. Watch Luke Kuechly vs Colin Kaepernick against Nevada...Kuechly does not look like a world-beater in his all 22 clips. Most linebackers don't. He looks slow at times and gets smashed in the run game, but he's a hall of famer. It's all about projection.

I love Simpson. I just think he is a bit more projection than Cambell, but will likely be better in the long run if he develops. But it's definitely more risky, but the kid oozes process. My Campbell love fest is just all about instinctual play. That's why I like him and the workout he had proves he could do it. Basically, I want the anti-Tremaine. Sanders to me is the biggest boom and bust, but I think he has the longest way to go.

My gut says Simpson is their guy. To me, Campbell just doesn't play like his hair is on fire, he is methodical in his movements...really the anti-Tremaine. But there are times in games, like the Michigan game this year where you see that closing speed. Or that Kentucky bowl game that he could have sat out but played and crushed it. That Kentucky game in those clips is from his junior year, so I don't put a ton of stock in it.

Terrell Bernard Luke Tenuta Beat me to it.

He had the sixth highest RAS for a linebacker all time. And yet people are still saying “he looks slow.” Silly.

This is still my favorite article on the topic. It was written when McDermott was hired in 2017. 4-3 under, over, double A gap mug, and nickel are covered. It’s a great read: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2017/1/12/14236950/sean-mcdermott-buffalo-bills-head-coach-4-3-defense-all-22 Watching this and reading the Article I posted above, I’m sorry but the defense we have been watching the last 5 years was not McDermotts. I am excited for him to implement his vision and I am annoyed that he didn’t do it sooner.

Yep I got you. I just think they have kind of targeted who they want and they will pick that person in round 1. Not saying its a LB necessarily, but I think they already know who they want. It certainly seems like they already knew they wanted Elam last year after the combine. But I could see them trading out in round 2 like they did last year when they didn’t like what what they were seeing. That gets you some value. I do think it is tricky to talk about value without knowing what their board looks like. And while I do agree with you, I think it is pretty clear that these guys target specific players they like and try to go get them. Sometimes it works out like with Josh Allen, sometimes it backfires as we saw with Zay Jones, Cody Ford etc. Do you risk the player you really want just to recoup an extra 4th? Its hard to know what other teams will do. They wanted Big Ben years ago and scoffed at the asking price and and traded a first to wind up with JP Losman.

4.38!!!!! jeezz

I suppose, the way I think about it is that Beane and McDermott really like some of the linebackers in the draft and because they like them so much, sat out MLB in free agency. Campbell working with Kuechly is likely meaningful. I’m sure Campbell had met with teams, but zero reported visits or combine interviews are available online. There is no one else like him in the draft, and I think people are hiding their interest in him. I also assume that they have known Simpson for a bit as he was a big time recruit from North Carolina…they probably knew of him, maybe even seen him play in high school. I guess it’s a bit of a leap, but I assume they love this player just based on their preferences in the past both here and in Carolina. So while it is a need, I think there is a method to their madness…the same way they sat out corner last year after they fell in love with Elam, they are sitting out MLB because they know who they want and probably have a good idea they can get him…likely a guy who the national media is projecting as a 2nd rounder, just like they did with Elam. Again, all my opinions, but that is how I look at the situation.

Also Nate Hackett sucks

Edmunds was a stacked in-box off-ball backer, which is exactly what he did here and will do in Chicago. He was never an edge player, but his skill set and length seemed like he could project as a 3-4 edge. He would get destroyed as a base DE.

I think we will start seeing Campbell mocked more in the first round and it may change people's perspectives of his value. Like Luke Keuchy in 2012...early mock drafts had him early 2 late 1...then the process played out and he started to be in the top 15 discussions.

I'm not sure. Henley is interesting, but I don't really think he is a mike. Sewell has some good traits, not sure about the fit. DeMarvion Overshown is interesting. Dorain Williams too.

Campbell actually tested better than Sanders in everything but the 40. 4.65 to 4.59.

When it comes to Campbell and the other backers, I worry more about the Lions. I could see them taking Campbell at 18 even, since they have another first in the top ten, they could reach a little. He seems like he would be a Campbell guy literally. But the Steelers at 32 and then this stretch in the second round: 37) Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) 38) Las Vegas Raiders 39) Carolina Panthers 40) New Orleans Saints 41) Tennessee Titans 42) Cleveland Browns 43) New York Jets 44) Atlanta Falcons 45) Green Bay Packers 46) New England Patriots 47) Washington Commanders 48) Detroit Lions 49) Pittsburgh Steelers Campbell, Simpson, Sanders will not get through that gauntlet. Those guys won't make it to us in round 2. Even after that, it is unlikely: 50) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51) Miami Dolphins 52) Seattle Seahawks 53) Chicago Bears (from Baltimore) 54) Los Angeles Chargers 55) Detroit Lions (from Minnesota) 56) Jacksonville Jaguars 57) New York Giants 58) Dallas Cowboys

Look at their rankings from the last few years and see how accurate they were. It's all opinions.

Time flies especially for guys drafted outside the first round!

I think they draft one of Campbell, Simpson, or Sanders...if they don't care which one they get, I could see a trade down. Johnston and JSN are the only WRs in the first or second who interest me at all. My hope is that all 4 QBs go and there is a huge run on corners. If that happens, you have a pretty good chance of getting a 1st round talent. If I were a betting man, I think they draft defensive linemen, Edge, or interior. That may be BPA....BPA at position of needs... Positions that are not needs on this team: QB, punter, kicker (though Bass will be FA), Long snapper

Yeah but projected draft slots are BS. It's just somebody's opinion. Most people have Campbell early mid-second round. He will be gone by our second-round pick. Most people had Geroge Karlaftis in the top ten and he went like 31 last year. Most people had Elam in round two and he went in round 1. A projected draft slot really just means a perceived draft slot. Non of it matters. The all-knowing Bengals just replaced their top ten pick left tackle with a 3rd round right tackle who moved to left tackle and is on his third team.

Where did the athletic have Kaiir Elam ranked last year? Because there weren't many mocks in which Elam went in the first.

This is true. Campbell is taller, thicker and faster, but it's close: So physically, it's closer to Kuechly. Campbell isn't as fast, but he is bigger. How he drops in zone, there is just so much intelligence in his game, similar to Kuechly. He also has those leadership qualities. I hate to always harp on that 3 cone, but a man 6-5, 250 running that 3 cone is absurd. I know people don't love Walterfootball....here is some breakdown: Strengths: Instincts Excellent run defender Quick to the sideline Good tackler Hard hitter Very physical Will take on blocks Can shed blocks and make tackles Tall but plays with good leverage Diagnosis skills Read-and-react skills Fits a 4-3 or 3-4 defense Always around the ball Quick to the flat Closing speed Rangy Advanced pass-coverage linebacker Can help cover against tight ends and running backs Can drop into zone coverage Good vision in zone Disrupts passing lanes Excellent length in pass coverage Strong, thick build Big linebacker; imposing presence Played on special teams as well Durable Weaknesses: Lacks elite speed Quality athleticism, but not supremely so Here is their comp: Player Comparison: Luke Kuechly. Campbell has a similar playing style to what Kuechly brought. Campbell is a poor man's version, however, as he is not as fast and athletic as Kuechly and displays lesser instincts. Still, Campbell can make some plays that are reminiscent of Kuechly. Campbell could be a lesser version of Kuechly in the NFL, which means a very good starter given that Kuechly probably belongs in the Hall of Fame. That all passes the eye test of what I see. Do you want the anti-Tremaine, who can do a lot of the same things athletically? This is the guy imo.

Yeah, I think Sanders has an interesting upside in a defense that is multiple and moves people around. Could he be the mike for us in base sets, then go to the edge in nickel situations with Rapp coming in to play backer? Sure. I mean it upgrades multiple spots and lets Sanders be versatile. Not sure they go there. For a team that values versatility so much, they don't typically allow guys to kind of show off that versatility, and that's why I tend to lean toward Simpson and Campbell. Sanders strikes me as a guy who would excel in a 3-4 multiple defense.

I think he skipped the testing and just did drills. Not 100% though.

Drew Sanders Pro day: Drew Sanders Height: 6-4 Weight: 236 Bench Press (225 lbs): -- Broad Jump: 9-10 Vertical Jump: 37.0 40-yard Dash: 4.59 20-yard Shuttle: 4.38 L Drill: 7.15 Good explosion numbers. But I gotta say that when you look at Campbell and Sanders, again Campbell had the better workout aside from aside from the 40. This idea that Campbell is unathletic is just wrong. He is 20 lbs heavier than Sanders and has Sanders beat on all these things, and he he has all those instincts off the ball in the box. I lean Campbell/Simpson at the moment.