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NFL Draft Thread 2014 (1 Viewer)

Jene Bramel

Jene Bramel

Footballguy
Rolling out draft previews by position this week.

Defensive line

Edge players

Off LOS linebackers

Secondary

A couple of quick notes for this opening post:

1/ I'm classifying the front seven players differently this year to better define the differences between more traditional defensive linemen, edge rushers and linebackers.

2/ Sigmund Bloom, Matt Waldman and I will be doing a Google hangout throughout the first two days of the draft. We'll have lots of guests, too. It'll be your first chance to hear our thoughts on team fits and fantasy value before we're able to get our thoughts into written features. If you miss it or aren't able to check out the entire show live, it'll be on the FBG hangout page and iTunes feed as well.

If you’re new to these threads, here are our previous threads to revisit and enjoy. It’s always one of my favorite threads of the year.
2013 // 2012 // 2011 // 2010 // 2009 // 2008 // 2007 // 2006

 
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Awesome Jene.

Happened to be in New York last week and passed Radio City Music Hall a few times and every time I cursed the draft being delayed this year...

 
I'm a fan of the delineation between Edge players and Off LBs. It's very helpful in wrapping one's mind around not only incoming prospects, but existing players and schemes.

 
Great work separating the positions! Other OLoS opportunities:

Dallas WLB - Tampa-2 scheme and the cupboard is bare.

Oakland MLB/WLB - Upgrades to Roach and Burnett are needed.

Baltimore ILBs - Still can't figure out why Newsome has had so much trouble with ILBs/MLBs since 1996 (Ray Lewis). Edgerton Hartwell was next best…ouch!

Chicago MLB/WLB - Bostic is not good and Briggs is much less effective now that he's not as free to roam.

Green Bay ILB - Hawk and Jones are overpaid journeymen (in my eyes).

New York Giants WLB- Not a great spot on it's own but a talented player would lead them in tackles.

Pittsburgh ILB - Cupboard bare next to Timmons and he's more athletic than instinctive.

New York Jets ILB - Like Hawk/Jones and Roach/Burnett, Harris/Davis leave me wanting more.

Tennessee ILB - See above. Woodyard/Brown are replaceable if they're even the front-runners?

Atlanta WLB/MLB - Worrilow is probably acceptable but Sean Weatherspoon is an overrated liability

 
Seems like a good exercise...

Dallas WLB - Tampa-2 scheme and the cupboard is bare. - so many holes on defense this could be forgotten about until day three

Oakland MLB/WLB - Upgrades to Roach and Burnett are needed. - this regime has to focus on other positions if they are going to survive the season so despite the upgrades needed it will probably be ignored, they have Sio simmering too.

Baltimore ILBs - Still can't figure out why Newsome has had so much trouble with ILBs/MLBs since 1996 (Ray Lewis). Edgerton Hartwell was next best…ouch! - between Daryl Smith and Arthur Brown I would be surprised if this is a priority

Chicago MLB/WLB - Bostic is not good and Briggs is much less effective now that he's not as free to roam. - don't see them giving up on Bostic that easily, should start looking for the successor to Briggs though

Green Bay ILB - Hawk and Jones are overpaid journeymen (in my eyes). - don't forget about Lattimore, played well in limited action and both starters are signed long term, would be surprised if it is a priority

New York Giants WLB- Not a great spot on it's own but a talented player would lead them in tackles. - this needs to happen

Pittsburgh ILB - Cupboard bare next to Timmons and he's more athletic than instinctive. - Vince Williams was not supposed to play last year, but he had to and he played well in limited action, I think he gets a shot and they bring someone late to compete/be plan b

New York Jets ILB - Like Hawk/Jones and Roach/Burnett, Harris/Davis leave me wanting more. - Harris and Davis are not special, but in the Rex defense they don't really need to be. I think this years draft is devoted to offense unless a player Rex absolutely has to have falls to what Izdik calls value

Tennessee ILB - See above. Woodyard/Brown are replaceable if they're even the front-runners? - so much quantity at lb already and issues on the line and defensive backfield, this would shock me

Atlanta WLB/MLB - Worrilow is probably acceptable but Sean Weatherspoon is an overrated liability - I think Atlanta likes Spoon's leadership, definitely need some depth but could say the same at just about every position on their roster

I'll add the Browns, Bengals, Texans, and Chiefs. Browns, Chiefa, and Texans are in same boat, older mike cemented but nothing next to him and need a bridge to the future. KC did just draft Nico Johnson last year though. Cincy just has nothing at all next to Burfict.

 
Great work, guys. I think we could list 25-30 teams who could use an upgrade. This probably isn't the year to find one.

I'm interested to see how high guys like Telvin Smith and Kevin Pierre-Louis go. There have been some hints that teams are bumping slot corners on their draft boards in recent years. If we see sleek, coverage backers who may be better suited to an athletic subpackage role go late second day, early third, then the tide may be turning for the front seven, too.

 
msommer said:
Jene Bramel said:
Off Line of Scrimmage Linebackers now up
Click to expand...
Jene, you tease :)

You list Shayne Skov as one of the top five and then you do not write a single word about him?

Kevin Pierre-Louis and Jordan Tripp more interesting?
Click to expand...
What you see is what you get with Skov.

Fundamental between the tackles linebacker with enough coverage ability and athleticism to contend for an every-down job. Isn't special at any one skill, but likely won't hurt a team in any phase. Teams may have durability concerns.

I wrote a little on KPL and Tripp because those names are generating some discussion but aren't from well known schools.

 
Jene Bramel said:
Great work, guys. I think we could list 25-30 teams who could use an upgrade. This probably isn't the year to find one.

I'm interested to see how high guys like Telvin Smith and Kevin Pierre-Louis go. There have been some hints that teams are bumping slot corners on their draft boards in recent years. If we see sleek, coverage backers who may be better suited to an athletic subpackage role go late second day, early third, then the tide may be turning for the front seven, too.
Click to expand...
Jene these are the same two LB I have been looking at as later round options for the Vikings or other teams in need of a cover LB.

WIth nickle packages becoming so prevalent, I think it make sense to target players who fit that package well as it is likely to be a more common formation call than the base defense.

I was reading about the NFL offensive formations and what is most commonly called is 11 personnel, in part because defenses usually answer that with a nickle package, so this allows the offense to be a bit more balanced with generally less players in the box against the run game.

So like you say, having a player at LB who can cover well is a important option in this package, but these LB need to be able to play the run and are at a disadvantage taking on blocks compared to some of the bigger LB. So maybe not a 3 down player.

I thought those two looked the most promising for a nickle/olb coverage role after Mosley and Shazier. I did look into Tripp briefly but he struck me as more of a blitzing type LB than a coverage guy.

 
Are we sure Barr won't be classified as a DE? He doesn't seem to fit as a OLB in a 4-3 outside of situational usage which I think the Vikings would look stupid for wasting him like that much like the Seahawks use of Bruce Irvin. That being said there could be a great deal of growing pains like Dion Jordan last year with Miami.

 
Zimmer says Greenway will play weakside and Barr will play strongside. That being said the linebackers will move around quite a bit.

 
Vikings have not drafted an ILB yet so what does the position look like? Does that mean they like Cole or Brinkley there?

 
cr8f said:
Vikings have not drafted an ILB yet so what does the position look like? Does that mean they like Cole or Brinkley there?
Click to expand...
Eyes wide open on this spot. I can see some value and draft/waiver wire availability here. Dont want to be late to make the pick.

 
cr8f said:
Vikings have not drafted an ILB yet so what does the position look like? Does that mean they like Cole or Brinkley there?
Click to expand...
Either they feel they have enough depth with Brinkley/Cole/Mauti, wanted to address other areas of the front seven, they don't yet have a draftable grade on another backer or a combination of the above.

Lots of picks to be made yet today.

 
Jene Bramel said:
cr8f said:
Vikings have not drafted an ILB yet so what does the position look like? Does that mean they like Cole or Brinkley there?
Click to expand...
Either they feel they have enough depth with Brinkley/Cole/Mauti, wanted to address other areas of the front seven, they don't yet have a draftable grade on another backer or a combination of the above.

Lots of picks to be made yet today.
Click to expand...
Does the MLB in Minnesota's scheme have much upside? Outside of Burfict, I don't remember Cincinnati's LBs being great fantasy options, but don't know if that was scheme or caliber of player they had.

 
ummich10 said:
Jene Bramel said:
cr8f said:
Vikings have not drafted an ILB yet so what does the position look like? Does that mean they like Cole or Brinkley there?
Click to expand...
Either they feel they have enough depth with Brinkley/Cole/Mauti, wanted to address other areas of the front seven, they don't yet have a draftable grade on another backer or a combination of the above.

Lots of picks to be made yet today.
Click to expand...
Does the MLB in Minnesota's scheme have much upside? Outside of Burfict, I don't remember Cincinnati's LBs being great fantasy options, but don't know if that was scheme or caliber of player they had.
Click to expand...
Scheme isn't as important anymore. Now, every-down role, surrounding cast, ability to make plays outside box in coverage and against the run are key opportunity factors. Cincinnati linebackers haven't had the range or consistency lately and they were -- prior to last year -- hurt by an assist-happy stat crew. Last year, a more dynamic Burfict took advantage of the so-so surrounding cast and a change in stat crew philosophy to a 113 solo season.

The Vikings have Greenway and Smith, so the MLB role, even if every-down, won't have elite upside. But there's still 90 solo upside if the snap count breaks right.

 
The most imporatant question of all. When can we expect your Combined Draft Board? :) I have some drafts starting this week and I like to use it as a guide, especially for the IDP side of things. Thanks Jene on your hard work.

 
krsone21 said:
The most imporatant question of all. When can we expect your Combined Draft Board? :) I have some drafts starting this week and I like to use it as a guide, especially for the IDP side of things. Thanks Jene on your hard work.
Click to expand...
Do my best to have it ready on Monday, but Mother's Day weekend may make that difficult.

As I work through early stages, it's clear that this year's tiers are really, really clumpy. Hard to find separation points.

 
Jene Bramel said:
krsone21 said:
The most imporatant question of all. When can we expect your Combined Draft Board? :) I have some drafts starting this week and I like to use it as a guide, especially for the IDP side of things. Thanks Jene on your hard work.
Click to expand...
Do my best to have it ready on Monday, but Mother's Day weekend may make that difficult.

As I work through early stages, it's clear that this year's tiers are really, really clumpy. Hard to find separation points.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jene much appreciated. Yes I can see the tiers being clumpy this year. Should be interesting.

 
Are people sleeping too much on Kirksey? I grabbed him at the end of 4 in my heavy IDP and the end of the 5th in my modest IDP league. I don't know anything about the guy other than good situation.

 
Bloom mentioned on the AFC North draft recap that he could play Alonso's spot in Pettine's defense. After losing out on Telvin Smith a few picks ahead of me, I took a chance on Kirksey at 3.16.

 
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