Round 4 Pick 120: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

[LinvilleGorge]

14 minutes ago, WOW!! said:

But gave up no TD'S and again he's a LB.. A position not known or needed to be great coverage guys.. 

And we got him in the 4th round.. At that point you're looking for physical attributes not perfect prospect..

This isn't your father's NFL. If you can't cover or rush the passer at LB you're going to struggle to get on the field. The old school thumping run stoppers have been getting phased out for over a decade now.

[WOW!!]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

This isn't your father's NFL. If you can't cover or rush the passer at LB you're going to struggle to get on the field. The old school thumping run stoppers have been getting phased out for over a decade now.

It's a 4th round pick.. And he can rush the passer.. So that's atleast 1 skill that will get him on the field...

His coverage problems seem more mental not physical.. So now we see if Al Holcomb can coach him up.. In the 4th round that's what you're looking for right??

Physical talent you can develop..

Edited May 1, 2022 by WOW!!

[LinvilleGorge]

Just now, WOW!! said:

It's a 4th round pick.. And he can rush the passer.. So that's atleast 1 skill that will get him on the field...

His coverage problems seem more mental not physical.. So now we see if Al Holcomb can coach him up.. In the 4th round that's what you're looking for right??

He has some intriguing traits for sure. My concern is just that his biggest weakness is very easily exploited by modern NFL offenses. Maybe he can develop there. We'll see. But if you put LBs who can't cover on the field in today's NFL, you're going to get eaten up by TEs, RBs out of the backfield, and slot WRs across the middle. They're going to isolate him and go to work.

[WOW!!]

Just now, LinvilleGorge said:

He has some intriguing traits for sure. My concern is just that his biggest weakness is very easily exploited by modern NFL offenses. Maybe he can develop there. We'll see. But if you put LBs who can't cover on the field in today's NFL, you're going to get eaten up by TEs, RBs out of the backfield, and slot WRs across the middle. They're going to isolate him and go to work.

Again we're not putting him out there day 1.. He was a 4th round pick.. Who is expecting him to  be starter right now...

We can agree he has the physical skill to be a all around good player.. And the pass coverage thing is more between the ears and not due to physical limitations.. So now it's time for us to do what Fitt say.. Be a draft and develop team..

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, WOW!! said:

Again we're not putting him out there day 1.. He was a 4th round pick.. Who is expecting him to  be starter right now...

We can agree he has the physical skill to be a all around good player.. And the pass coverage thing is more between the ears and not due to physical limitations.. So now it's time for us to do what Fitt say.. Be a draft and develop team..

I just don't really care for the pick. That's all. Glad you like it. 

[ncsfinest21]

I can see him developing into almost Thomas Davis like.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, ncsfinest21 said:

I can see him developing into almost Thomas Davis like.

Really not understanding that comp at all.

[Man Strength]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Did not like this pick. Yes, he has great measurables but he absolutely CANNOT cover. He allowed a 75% completion rate in coverage. That's insane. He must not have made any plays on the ball. Hell, 25% of the time it's going to be a bad throw, a throw impacted by the pass rush, or a dropped ball.

He has 80% coverage grade per PFF. It would appear to be his best skill. 

[Man Strength]

44 minutes ago, davos said:

Seems like a guy to play on blitzing downs in an EDGE type role in our hybrid fronts. Needs some development before more downs are given but Marquis Haynes could be a good mentor.

His athleticism comps are all more edge rusher types than off ball LBs.  Brian burns, Khalil Mack, Ebiketie, etc 

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/brandon-smith-2022?position=ATH

 

 

Edited May 1, 2022 by Man Strength

[ncsfinest21]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Really not understanding that comp at all.

TD wasnt the fastest but he knew how to play his area and could tackle and get to the QB. He wasnt great in coverage but if he got his hands on you, you were going down. Looking at his video, he seems to have solid tackling but coverage skills lack. 

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, Man Strength said:

He has 80% coverage grade per PFF. It would appear to be his best skill. 

The flaws of PFF. That was pretty close to the completion percentage he allowed. 

[LinvilleGorge]

Just now, ncsfinest21 said:

TD wasnt the fastest but he knew how to play his area and could tackle and get to the QB. He wasnt great in coverage but if he got his hands on you, you were going down. Looking at his video, he seems to have solid tackling but coverage skills lack. 

 

[davos]

55 minutes ago, Man Strength said:

His athleticism comps are all more edge rusher types than off ball LBs.  Brian burns, Khalil Mack, Ebiketie, etc 

https://www.mockdraftable.com/player/brandon-smith-2022?position=ATH

 

 

Saying his hands will primarily be in the dirt? 

[Man Strength]

1 hour ago, davos said:

Saying his hands will primarily be in the dirt? 

Not sure how we will use him. Just showing athleticism + body size data comps if we drafted him as a developmental freak.