"Strong interest" in LB Josh Forrest

[top dawg]

I guess "scary interest" trumps "strong interest", but I couldn't resist starting this thread. Seriously though, whatever the interest in Josh Forrest and Su'a Cravens, it has to mean something. Forrest had a very good senior year at Kentucky, and CBS Sports ranked him the 12th best LB according to Cincy Jungle. He was listed as an LB/SS at UK according to research.  That being said, he needs a lot of work (in the weight room and on the fundamentals), but still projects as early as a 3rd/4th rounder by some analysts. If he lasts until day three, I can see Getty making a move.

People suspect that clubs will view Forrest as an edge rushing WLB, although Lance Zierlein thinks he is a better "straight-line" blitzer. With talk of Forrest, wouldn't a drafting of both Cravens and Forrest perhaps mean that Getty really does see Cravens as a safety? Moreover, some people are already thinking that Shaq and Su'a are similar players, so what does that make Forrest, the poor man's version of either?

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't find Forrest on the Panthers if we draft Cravens or not, given Getty's apparent love for athletic linebackers and unbreakable steadfastness to drafting the BPA on his board (apparently irrespective of perceived strength at a position).

I think it would be interesting to see us acquire both, because I believe both would actually add to the defense. The presumption is that Cravens would contribute immediately, but, make no mistake, Forrest has plenty of upside and would definitely be a nice pick in the later rounds. What this would mean for our entire group of libebackers going forward, I don't know.

http://www.hngn.com/articles/191810/20160323/bengals-panthers-showing-strong-interest-in-kentucky-josh-forrest-rumors.htm

[Donald LaFell]

Maybe we're trying to step up our blitz packages instead of the front four stuff that Rivera and especially fox usually stuck to. 

[Fox007]

Due diligence...smoke screen.... and all that.

[Untouchable]

Priority Free Agent likely 

[KillerKat]

Our LB depth is pretty crap. After Klein we only have Jacobs, who is a special teamer only, and Mayo, who also seems like a special teamer only.

[TheSpecialJuan]

[top dawg]

35 minutes ago, KillerKat said:

Our LB depth is pretty crap. After Klein we only have Jacobs, who is a special teamer only, and Mayo, who also seems like a special teamer only.

I assume that both Jacobs and Mayo are solid depth (as far as depth goes). Mayo in particular seems like the kind of player who could presumably be a starter in a couple of years. 

[KB_fan]

All your linebackers belong to us.

it had to be said....

[KillerKat]

2 minutes ago, top dawg said:

I assume that both Jacobs and Mayo are solid depth (as far as depth goes). Mayo in particular seems like the kind of player who could presumably be a starter in a couple of years. 

I think of depth as someone that can play the position their assigned to well and not only a special teamer.  If he's special teams only, I don't count it as depth. Jacobs is terrible as a LB. Mayo is still learning but he has a steep mountain to climb.

[The Lobo]

I keep seeing strong or scary for guys in later rounds. What about scary interest for guys in the first? Anyone have any guesses who we like the most for the 30th pick?

[top dawg]

4 minutes ago, The Lobo said:

I keep seeing strong or scary for guys in later rounds. What about scary interest for guys in the first? Anyone have any guesses who we like the most for the 30th pick?

Cravens is presumably in play. 

[The Lobo]

Just now, Promethean Forerunner said:

I wouldn't be shocked. We heard murmurs about Shaq but we dismissed them because he was an undersized hybrid. Rivera is still seeking his safety. I wouldn't be surprised if we took him in the first or if we traded up in the second for him.

I wouldn't mind this. TD isn't getting younger and Shaq will replace him. So we will need another starting LB.

[The Lobo]

9 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

I honesty think if we drafted Cravens he'd be a safety with us.

What about Lee?

[carpantherfn]

Gettleman is looking for pass rushers, this guy is a pass rusher Sua' is a pass rusher. Tweeners tend to fall because they don't fit a particular position, but they are talented.