2018 Draft Prospects (1 Viewer)

[SweetT]

I’d rather sign a FA LB, than draft Evans or LVE. There are some solid “thumpers” that will be in the bargain bin, that are young, and have starting experience already. Not to poo-poo the two’s talents, but there are “thumpers” all throughout the NFL already. Now, if there are “game changing” LBs available at 27, then that’s a different story, but I don’t think any will slide that far

 

[HogsNSaints]

I’d rather sign a FA LB, than draft Evans or LVE. There are some solid “thumpers” that will be in the bargain bin, that are young, and have starting experience already. Not to poo-poo the two’s talents, but there are “thumpers” all throughout the NFL already. Now, if there are “game changing” LBs available at 27, then that’s a different story, but I don’t think any will slide that far

You kind of have to risk it for the biscuit if you want a game changer at LB though. Stephone Anthony profiled as a game changer.. I think Nolan is a great coach and can do a better job than what was here at the time, but trying to add true playmakers at 27 is a risky out.

Stability and effectiveness can’t be overlooked. I think Roquan and Evans both give more safety for the position than any of the other LB prospects. You know what you’re getting with these two. They can cover ground and diagnose what they see right now, and go make the play. Edmunds has rare traits. Like... extremely, extremely rare traits. If he puts it all together, he’s gonna be a HOF LB and a terror for many years. But he’s a risky proposition because he isn’t developed like Smith and Evans. He’s 19, so it’s totally understandable, and that upside needs to go top 10.

LVE isn’t quite the freak Edmunds is but carries the same risks. He’s not ready to read the play straight out of the package, and he’ll need some coaching, but he’s got traits that make him a round 1 grade for most experts. Then there’s the guys like Darius Leonard & Malik Jefferson who have some blow-you-away qualities as well.. Comp those guys vs Josey Jewell & Micah Kiser, who are polished but may not carry elite upside.. It’s very tricky to say what you want in a LB...

My philosophy seems to be, if the Saints are going to try to coach up raw talent, I’d rather it be cheaper options like Jefferson/Leonard.

 

[Randy Jones]

The big difference between Lofton and Vander Esch is not the 40 yd dash, but the 3 cone drill and 20 yd short shuttle. For an MLB, these numbers mean a heck of a lot more.

Lofton - 20 yd ss = 4.54; 3 cone = 7.52 , Vander Esch - 20 yd ss = 4.14; 3 cone 6.88
Vander Esch broad jump and vertical were also vastly different.

Those numbers are huge for a lb. Straight line speed is one thing, but sideline to sideline, AKA "rangy" is more determined by the ss and 3 cone drills.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

4.66 is a good time, period. White guy or not, i dont know about that one, lol! If Rashaan runs 4.66 i seriously doubt anyone will think any less cause he's a black dude. Any ways, I think the difference is the consistency & play style. LVE killed his 1 year being the starter. While Razor Rashaan has been doing his thing for a few years. On top of being the more explosive guy on film, I'd give Evans the edge for those reasons. Everyone knew what they were facing against Evans & he still balled. LVE really snuck up on the competition this season. That's why i wished he stayed in school. To prove it wasnt a Scooby Wright type thing. They may both play LB, but they have two differnt playing styles. I think Evans fits DA's scheme better.

Me saying black and white makes it just that and so not acceptable via social norms. It's really a grey matter. Anyhow, I'm curious to see what Evans runs regardless. I also need to find the thread I told insert name here I expected a certain 40 from LVE and can't recall if I said a 4.6 or 4.7. He's more Sam than 4-3 Mike. A 4.6 is good but not Elite in today's NFL standards at MLB especially where he's at with recognition. Sam would allow him to play fast and use his athleticism to win then in a year or two when his processing catches up slide him over to Mike.

It's kind of what the Rams did with the LB they just traded to Miami? I think?!?!

 

[Joodas Avila]

I’d rather sign a FA LB, than draft Evans or LVE. There are some solid “thumpers” that will be in the bargain bin, that are young, and have starting experience already. Not to poo-poo the two’s talents, but there are “thumpers” all throughout the NFL already. Now, if there are “game changing” LBs available at 27, then that’s a different story, but I don’t think any will slide that far

I would take Evans, if he fell. He's not Roquan or Edmunds, but he's not that far behind, in my opinion. But I do agree. There are some battle tested ILBs on the market. And those dudes did just as good if not better at their combines. Zach Brown ran a 4.5, Tahir Whitehead ran a 4.70 and jumped 37inches, and Demario Davis ran a 4.6 flat and jumped a 38. What's more, Preston Brown is arguably the best guy available at the position, and he ran a 4.8 but plays in the 4.5/4.6s.

 

[SaintsJunkie]

I. Oliver CB/S Gesicki TE are two of my favorites

 

[Randy Jones]

Me saying black and white makes it just that and so not acceptable via social norms. It's really a grey matter. Anyhow, I'm curious to see what Evans runs regardless. I also need to find the thread I told insert name here I expected a certain 40 from LVE and can't recall if I said a 4.6 or 4.7. He's more Sam than 4-3 Mike. A 4.6 is good but not Elite in today's NFL standards at MLB especially where he's at with recognition. Sam would allow him to play fast and use his athleticism to win then in a year or two when his processing catches up slide him over to Mike.

It's kind of what the Rams did with the LB they just traded to Miami? I think?!?!

I am not sure about the recognition thing either as both only started one full year. Add to that Vander Esch is the superior athlete. Compare the measurable from the combine. Vander Esch - 6.88 3 cone to Evans's 6.95, 4.15 ss to Evans' 4.36, Vertical - 39.5 to Evans' 30, LJ 124 to Evans' 116. From NFL Scouts perspective , they grade only .1 point difference. It seems to me that Vander Esch has more upside.

 

[St.Ryan]

I just think guys like Evans are coveted in the NFL. He’s a thumper thats willing to hit, but with good foot quickness and instincts. Those guys usually go above their grade more often than they fall because there’s some safety in their skill set. Jarrad Davis was a late 1/early 2 projection that went 21st overall for the same reason. Evans is a better Jarrad Davis IMO.

While I think the comparison is fair, I do think there's differences when it comes to grading them as prospects. The major one is that Davis ran a 4.56 last year with a vertical jump of 38.5 inches. His stock rose because he had production, character, and speed. Where I think Evans lacks is in the speed department -- at least I don't know about his speed because at the time of my comments, it sounded as though he wasn't going to run. If he posts a solid number, I think you'll wind up being right. If he posts a poor number, I think I'll wind up being right.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I am not sure about the recognition thing either as both only started one full year. Add to that Vander Esch is the superior athlete. Compare the measurable from the combine. Vander Esch - 6.88 3 cone to Evans's 6.95, 4.15 ss to Evans' 4.36, Vertical - 39.5 to Evans' 30, LJ 124 to Evans' 116. From NFL Scouts perspective , they grade only .1 point difference. It seems to me that Vander Esch has more upside.

No doubt I'd Prefer Esch over Evans. However what Esch doesn't have that Evans does Is stopping power. It's one of those anomalies where the force you see Evans strike with would suggest he'd have an explosive broad or very which he doesn't. Likewise Esch is superior in both but isn't a jarring tackler.

That 1 year as a starter for both is kind of scary in its own sense but you have to bet on learning ability of players. That will be the immediate difference between the performance of these two. Who learns the quickest.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Me saying black and white makes it just that and so not acceptable via social norms. It's really a grey matter. Anyhow, I'm curious to see what Evans runs regardless. I also need to find the thread I told insert name here I expected a certain 40 from LVE and can't recall if I said a 4.6 or 4.7. He's more Sam than 4-3 Mike. A 4.6 is good but not Elite in today's NFL standards at MLB especially where he's at with recognition. Sam would allow him to play fast and use his athleticism to win then in a year or two when his processing catches up slide him over to Mike.

It's kind of what the Rams did with the LB they just traded to Miami? I think?!?!

I just think fans sometimes buy way too much into workout numbers and measurements. I get that theyre a generic rule of thumb kind of thing, but I doubt teams are as married to them as we'd like to believe. If that were the case, the Levonte David's, Joe Haden's, T-Sizzle's, Blake Martinez's, Tez Burfict's, etc. of the world would be bums and that's the complete opposite of what they are.

I agree w/you on LVE. He's better off as an OLB. I dont think he's grimy enough to play the MIKE and I'm not 100 on his instincts either. He made a lot of plays cleaning up and being flat out fast. The freelancing and just plain taking himself out plays wont fly in the pros, even if youre as fast as LVE is. I personally think he tested how he played, though. Ive been saying this from the start that LVE's best trait is his athleticism.

I think Evans will run in that 4.6-4.7 range. I think he's more explosive than fast, but we'll see. He does look fast as hell on the field. Honestly, unless Evans runs like a 4.9 or worse(hope not), I dont really care what he clocks. My main beef w/Evans is his durability not really matching up w/his playing style. The way Evans flies around out there could open him up to even more dings and injuries.

 

[Slaw]

I just think fans sometimes buy way too much into workout numbers and measurements. I get that theyre a generic rule of thumb kind of thing, but I doubt teams are as married to them as we'd like to believe. If that were the case, the Levonte David's, Joe Haden's, T-Sizzle's, Blake Martinez's, Tez Burfict's, etc. of the world would be bums and that's the complete opposite of what they are.

I agree w/you on LVE. He's better off as an OLB. I dont think he's grimy enough to play the MIKE and I'm not 100 on his instincts either. He made a lot of plays cleaning up and being flat out fast. The freelancing and just plain taking himself out plays wont fly in the pros, even if youre as fast as LVE is. I personally think he tested how he played, though. Ive been saying this from the start that LVE's best trait is his athleticism.

I think Evans will run in that 4.6-4.7 range. I think he's more explosive than fast, but we'll see. He does look fast as hell on the field. Honestly, unless Evans runs like a 4.9 or worse(hope not), I dont really care what he clocks. My main beef w/Evans is his durability not really matching up w/his playing style. The way Evans flies around out there could open him up to even more dings and injuries.

Evans didn't run the 40 at his pro day.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Evans didn't run the 40 at his pro day.

I know. Bama's Pro Day "II" is on the 28th. I think Evans and Harrison are running then.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Dont know if this was put out there yet, but WOW! Hope the team that asked Derrius those disrespectful questions wasnt us. Man! That's way out of line, right there.

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_6374e886-227a-11e8-b121-573d2c75cfed.html

 

[LoE]

Rashaan Evans is a potential faller in this draft. He's supposed to be a good athlete and he's not running the 40 at all during this process? He also had a meh combine. NFL teams aren't in the business of "trust me, I'm fast."

As a comparison, Vander Esch bested him handily in every single combine category and weighs 20 lbs more than he does. And I'm not saying he's better than Evans, but I am saying that Evans falling in this draft wouldn't shock me one bit.

Rashaan Evans is welcome to fall all the way to #27 if he likes. That would be fine with me. But mark my words - he's going first round.

 

[Slaw]

Rashaan Evans is welcome to fall all the way to #27 if he likes. That would be fine with me. But mark my words - he's going first round.

Yeah he should go in the first. I think he ends up going 28th to the Steelers.