Matt Miller 20 for 20 LBer projections for year 2020 (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

Matt Miller has extended his 20 for 20 series (projecting the top-20 players in the year 2020 or 4 years out) to include defenders.

Here is his list for 2020 linebackers that includes a few rookies from this year's draft.

Oh, and when I dared to post Miller's 20 for 20 WR list in the Shark Pool some lost their f'ng minds saying 'Its impossible to project that far into the future and for God's sake how come he didn't list unknown high school players."

Um, yeah. I'm assuming a more tolerant group play IDP and realize the list shows current NFL IDP players who are progressing and 'should' be in their prime four years out and the current crop of rookies entering this year's draft who could be solid starters in four years. So take it at face value.

Go to the link for more detail on each name listed.

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2587968-brs-nfl-20-for-20-projecting-top-linebackers-in-2020?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-league



B/R's NFL 20 for '20: Projecting Top Linebackers in 2020
By Matt Miller , NFL Draft Lead Writer Jan 25, 2016

1. Khalil Mack (29 Years Old)
2. Luke Kuechly (29 Years Old)
3. Jaylon Smith (25 Years Old)
4. C.J. Mosley (28 Years Old)
5. Myles Jack (25 Years Old)
6. Jamie Collins (30 Years Old)
7. Anthony Barr (28 Years Old)
8. Von Miller (31 Years Old)
9. Justin Houston (31 Years Old)
10. Malik Jefferson (23 Years Old)
11. Shaq Thompson (26 Years Old)
12. Lavonte David (30 Years Old)
13. Bobby Wagner (30 Years Old)
14. Reggie Ragland (27 Years Old)
15. Aaron Lynch (27 Years Old)
16. Aldon Smith (31 Years Old)
17. Jordan Hicks (28 Years Old)
18. Ryan Shazier (28 Years Old)
19. Shane Ray (27 Years Old)
20. Dont'a Hightower (30 Years Old)


Others Receiving Strong Consideration

Jadeveon Clowney, Houston Texans
Pernell McPhee, Chicago Bears
Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
Deone Bucannon, Arizona Cardinals
Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington
Whitney Mercilus, Houston Texans
Excluded Because of Age and Expected Regression

Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots
Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
DeMarcus Ware, Denver Broncos

 

[Robar]

A few thoughts.

1. based on this list and all the sack dependant OLB's, his bias must be huge 'big play' dependant.

2. Barr over Eric Kendricks shocks me.

3. Aaron Lynch on the list shocks me.

4. Ogletree, Stephone Anthony, Perryman, Kwon, Malcolm Smith...but mainly Ogletree???

Thanks for the post, I always enjoy the discussion and different pov's.

 

[Robar]

Dee Ford? Shaq Barrett? I'd rather have them over Aaron Lynch. I might even take an Eli Harold flyer over Lynch

 

[Arodin]

Struggling to see how Kwon Alexander doesn't even crack the top 29...

 

[Gally]

Struggling to see how Kwon Alexander doesn't even crack the top 29...

I completely agree. For the first half of the season it was looking like Alexander was performing better IDP wise than David. David picked it up quite a bit with Alexander suspended but for the first half I was wondering if there was a changing of the guard at LB in TB.

 

[jonboltz]

Struggling to see how Kwon Alexander doesn't even crack the top 29...

I completely agree. For the first half of the season it was looking like Alexander was performing better IDP wise than David. David picked it up quite a bit with Alexander suspended but for the first half I was wondering if there was a changing of the guard at LB in TB.

We also need to keep in mind, as IDP fantasy players, that IDP success doesn't always come out of strong on-the-field play. For example: Paul Worrilow.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Struggling to see how Kwon Alexander doesn't even crack the top 29...

I completely agree. For the first half of the season it was looking like Alexander was performing better IDP wise than David. David picked it up quite a bit with Alexander suspended but for the first half I was wondering if there was a changing of the guard at LB in TB.

We also need to keep in mind, as IDP fantasy players, that IDP success doesn't always come out of strong on-the-field play. For example: Paul Worrilow.

Yes.

Have to point out that Miller's list is not projecting IDP fantasy production but the criticism of some names is legit. Not sure how Aaron Lynch could make the list let alone be ranked ahead of Shazier.

Heck, in four years Vontaze Burfict will only be 29 and he could easily project as a top LB. I like Shaq Barrett a lot and I am sure we all could plug in some young LB who appears on the rise like a Nate Orchard for example over Lynch so I won't kill him too much for taking a stab on a flyer he likes.

Here is Miller's take on Lynch and he even admits it a leap of faith.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2587968-brs-nfl-20-for-20-projecting-top-linebackers-in-2020/page/8

2020 Pass Rush28/30
Aaron Lynch was made to rush the passer. He’s powerful, long, fast, violent and tenacious when getting off the ball and into the backfield. Right now, Lynch flashes brilliance, but moving ahead five years, he has the traits to be a Mario Williams-like threat.

2020 Run Stuff15/20
Backside runs and setting the edge are exceptional skills Lynch shows in his second season. He’s strong at the point of attack and has the length and speed to shed tacklers and attack the run head-on. He’s not great here, but he could be good in the future.

2020 Coverage23/30
The 49ers love to unleash Lynch on the backfield, and that doesn’t leave much time for pass coverage. That said, he has the tools to become good at jamming tight ends on the line of scrimmage and pinning targets to the line

2020 Upside19/20
Lynch was raw when he left South Florida for the NFL, and even in his second year, he’s showing that he needs work as a three-down player. The good news for Lynch is that he continues to get better and has all the tools to become a dominant force.

2020 Overall85/100
Placing Lynch in the top 15 for 2020 requires some imagination and a lot of hope, but if he can produce consistently at the level he flashes now, it will become a reality.

 

[Robar]

I appreciate his cojones. I'll call his,lynch and raise him bud Dupree

 

[Robar]

And to the person that mentioned worrilow as a better fantasy than real life LB...2 guys I see as potential Worrilow are Timu and Heeney

 

[georg013]

Garbage. No Telvin Smith?

 

[MAC_32]

Garbage. No Telvin Smith?

I like the thought process behind this, but I totally agree with this sentiment. I get the arguments that he could float anywhere from top 5 to top 15, maybe top 20, but not even listed? Ball, dropped.

 

[Robar]

Concur...and I missedan it. I suck lol

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I appreciate his cojones. I'll call his,lynch and raise him bud Dupree

I think we all question the Aaron Lynch call. Bud Dupree 'could' turn into a solid NFL LBer but since this is an IDP board we tend to conjoin projected IDP production.

Outside Steeler LBers have traditionally not scored well in IDP terms. It has been speculated that a combination of stingy 'home town' scoring of tackles and the defensive system is to blame. Bud 'could' turn into a fine NFL LBer in four years and is worthy for a mention but I'm sure everyone on this board were looking at which young IDP LBers could still be or turn into top IDP producers in four years.

One other reason I don't like Lynch is the new San Francisco defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil. HIs system is really complicated, lots of shuffling players in and out of the lineup so no one really gets a ton of snaps, especially for a guy like Lynch who O'Neil will peg for a limited role or miscast him as he did in Cleveland. Boggles my mind he got the DC job in SF.

 

[TheBottomLine]

Garbage. No Telvin Smith?

No kidding. What???