ILB Draft Questions... (1 Viewer)

[SaintStephen]

Hey guys. I've been really enamored with some of you guys' takes (coverage?) of the NFL Draft so far. I don't have the time to search a lot of these athletes and love that I have a place to see who (and why) the Saints should draft and sign in FA this offseason. A big thank you to all who post both facts and educated opinions on the draft and FA.

I know most on here are like me when it comes to this year's draft. We deperately want an elite pass rusher to help our historically bad defense quickly turn a corner and help us get back into title contention. Now that we've switched to the 3-4, it seems logical that this will come in the form of drafting an OLB in the 1st Round. Personally, I was all over the Ogletree bandwagon until his latest DUI pushed him down the board. I liked the fact that he could play rush backer, but IMO, if Tez or Galette stepped up in that position, Ogletree has the skills to move to Vilma's WILB spot. After his issues however, I wouldn't touch him before trading down and picking up more picks in this deep defensive draft.

This leads to my question. Would y'all be okay drafting a guy like Minter in the 1st over a CB if they are close value-wise on our draft board? Feel free to suggest another 3-4 ILB also. I just wanted a take on players other than the obligatory OLB, OT, Secondary guys we are always clamoring for after a poor defensive year. So does ILB make any sense for our team at 15-25? Does ILB make sense from a value perspective to our team this year? And who would be the best selection?


Yet another draft thread, but didn't see one getting in depth on this topic and didn't want to thread-jack....Thanks fellas.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Minter would be more of a SILB....Lofton has tht on lock..in theory

U should b looking@ potential WILB....basically the will in a 4-3

Guys like Sio Moore or Zavier Gooden fit tht profile.



Even ogletree being a former safety...but hes also capable of playing SOLB....

Funny but he mentioned vitt grilling him@ the combine. So he could b a potential prospect.

 

[SaintStephen]

Minter would be more of a SILB....Lofton has tht on lock..in theory

U should b looking@ potential WILB....basically the will in a 4-3

Guys like Sio Moore or Zavier Gooden fit tht profile.

That's what I'm looking for. So yeah, Minter would def be out. Guess that was a horrible example.... You feel this is a need position? I forgot all about Chamberlain and Hawthorne during the post also it seems. It seems like a few on here have already written them off as far as the roster goes anyway. Would u take a WILB?

 

[JackDiesel]

With the restructuring of Hawthorne it is now clear he's in the teams long term plans. As is Lofton. Heck, we are even looking to bring back Vilma at a reduced cost. I think it'd be a poor use of resources to draft a ILB in the first few rounds.

 

[SaintStephen]

With the restructuring of Hawthorne it is now clear he's in the teams long term plans. As is Lofton. Heck, we are even looking to bring back Vilma at a reduced cost. I think it'd be a poor use of resources to draft a ILB in the first few rounds.

Yeah. I'm starting to think it would be more of a big-time BPA or even luxury pick at this point and we can't do that with our talent level and scheme change. I'm confident Vilma can have a productive year and look forward to what Hawthorne will bring to the table. I do think we need some LB depth, but I don't think we can afford to take one this soon since y'all reminded me about Hawthorne....at me

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

That's what I'm looking for. So yeah, Minter would def be out. Guess that was a horrible example.... You feel this is a need position? I forgot all about Chamberlain and Hawthorne during the post also it seems. It seems like a few on here have already written them off as far as the roster goes anyway. Would u take a WILB?

Yeah...but it depends on wht happens with Vilma.

Im a fan of gooden but i like sio moore

Moore is the only LB ive looked @ "film" on tht CONSISTENTLY jams receivers in his zone.

Something i havent seen our LBs do@ anytime. If they are not 5 yds down the field and cross his face they are getting knocked off the route.

Gooden is the most athletc..but needs to be coached up so he has a lot of upside

 

[Fleur de Lies]

I consider the ILB's to be ranked like this:
1. Minter
2. Ogletree
3. Brown
4. Riddick
5. Te'o

Assuming we stay at 15th overall in the first round, the only players out of that list we should consider are Minter or Ogletree. We for once have really good depth at ILB with Lofton, Hawthorne, and possibly Vilma, Chamberlain, and Tez all locked up for the next few years. If we go BPA in the draft and Minter or Ogletree is there when we draft then so be it, they'll be our guy. However I think we really should look at either an OLB considering how even the depth is at that group in this draft, we could get a great bargain and some real help in the front seven rather than a depth player like we'd get with an ILB.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

I consider the ILB's to be ranked like this:
1. Minter
2. Ogletree
3. Brown
4. Riddick
5. Te'o

Assuming we stay at 15th overall in the first round, the only players out of that list we should consider are Minter or Ogletree. We for once have really good depth at ILB with Lofton, Hawthorne, and possibly Vilma, Chamberlain, and Tez all locked up for the next few years. If we go BPA in the draft and Minter or Ogletree is there when we draft then so be it, they'll be our guy. However I think we really should look at either an OLB considering how even the depth is at that group in this draft, we could get a great bargain and some real help in the front seven rather than a depth player like we'd get with an ILB.

Im not sure u can clump tez in with the ILB's just yet....safer to assume hes an OLB for now

 

[MG3n2K5]

I think Vilma comes back & we go with a 3 man rotation at ILB consisting of Loften, Hawthorne, & Vilma with Chamberlain as a possible backup. With so few picks & so many needs I don't think MLB is addressed this year.

 

[Nightshade]

Given the needs and the value of the first round ILB's I don't see us drafting one at least not in the first round. Vilma and Hawthorne will be our MIKEs as it is basically the same in the 3-4 and 4-3. Their job will be to defend the run and drop in coverage on passing plays. Lofton and Chamberlain will be our TED's or SILB as their skill sets fit it best, their job is to defend the run and keep the MIKE clean on passing plays. Then you can rotate in Martez Wilson as a pass rush specialist at 3 of the 4 LB spots.

What we need is one JOKER or WILL to compete with Galette (more than likely Victor Butler in free agency) and 2 SAMs. Dion Jordan and Jarvis Jones would be the best fits as they can both defend the run, rush and drop into coverage.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Given the needs and the value of the first round ILB's I don't see us drafting one at least not in the first round. Vilma and Hawthorne will be our MIKEs as it is basically the same in the 3-4 and 4-3. Their job will be to defend the run and drop in coverage on passing plays. Lofton and Chamberlain will be our TED's or SILB as their skill sets fit it best, their job is to defend the run and keep the MIKE clean on passing plays. Then you can rotate in Martez Wilson as a pass rush specialist at 3 of the 4 LB spots.

What we need is one JOKER or WILL to compete with Galette (more than likely Victor Butler in free agency) and 2 SAMs. Dion Jordan and Jarvis Jones would be the best fits as they can both defend the run, rush and drop into coverage.

Chamberlain was brought in to compete@ the will in a 4-3

The wilb in the 3-4 under is the same as a will in a 4-3...its y SP talked about Vilma being able to play tht position cuz hes protected by the two tackles.

So I dont see y u have chamberlain as a SILB

 

[Fleur de Lies]

Im not sure u can clump tez in with the ILB's just yet....safer to assume hes an OLB for now

Yeah that's why I had him last. Personally I'd rather see him at OLB but I've heard rumblings here on SR and seen some rumors on Twitter and whatnot about him moving to ILB in the 3-4 so I'm just acknowledging the possibility by doing that.

My dream LB corps for us would be something like this. Obviously it's a pipe dream but I think it could be a really productive group. Note that I'm by no means a defensive guru so some guys may be out of possession. Italics are players drafted, underlined are free agents signed.

SAM: Anthony Spencer (S), Barkevious Mingo, Junior Galette.
MIKE: Curtis Lofton (S), Jonathan Vilma, Cornelius Washington
MOE: David Hawthorne (S), Larry Grant, Chris Chamberlain.
WILL: Martez Wilson (S), Will Herring, Jonathan Casillas.

This way we'd have good depth at all positions. If he can stay healthy (which shouldn't be a problem) Chris Chamberlain would be a great plug-and-play guy at any position because he has experience with all of them from his time with the Seahawks. I think Mingo is a little raw which is why I'd have us bring in Spencer to start at SAM with Mingo rotating in as a pass rushing specialist to get experience and learn from a really good OLB veteran. Larry Grant would be a relatively cheap pick up to be a veteran presence with 3-4 experience to help the younger guys learn on the job while also playing in a rotating role when needed. Vilma would be the nucleus of leadership while working on passing the torch to Lofton. Tez has all the pieces to be a fantastic outer linebacker.

 

[InTheFade82]

I hope Herring is cut. He's making too much money.

 

[SaintStephen]

Yeah that's why I had him last. Personally I'd rather see him at OLB but I've heard rumblings here on SR and seen some rumors on Twitter and whatnot about him moving to ILB in the 3-4 so I'm just acknowledging the possibility by doing that.

My dream LB corps for us would be something like this. Obviously it's a pipe dream but I think it could be a really productive group. Note that I'm by no means a defensive guru so some guys may be out of possession. Italics are players drafted, underlined are free agents signed.

SAM: Anthony Spencer (S), Barkevious Mingo, Junior Galette.
MIKE: Curtis Lofton (S), Jonathan Vilma, Cornelius Washington
MOE: David Hawthorne (S), Larry Grant, Chris Chamberlain.
WILL: Martez Wilson (S), Will Herring, Jonathan Casillas.

This way we'd have good depth at all positions. If he can stay healthy (which shouldn't be a problem) Chris Chamberlain would be a great plug-and-play guy at any position because he has experience with all of them from his time with the Seahawks. I think Mingo is a little raw which is why I'd have us bring in Spencer to start at SAM with Mingo rotating in as a pass rushing specialist to get experience and learn from a really good OLB veteran. Larry Grant would be a relatively cheap pick up to be a veteran presence with 3-4 experience to help the younger guys learn on the job while also playing in a rotating role when needed. Vilma would be the nucleus of leadership while working on passing the torch to Lofton. Tez has all the pieces to be a fantastic outer linebacker.

Whoa! Is this just how you see it or how it will most likely play out? I ask because I thought Vilma would be playing ideally along side Lofton according to SP. If I'm wrong on this, I've completely had our LB setup all wrong in my head. Edit: I see what u did now. That would be an ideal setup. Looks like we could definitely use 2 OLBs...

 

[Fleur de Lies]

Whoa! Is this just how you see it or how it will most likely play out? I ask because I thought Vilma would be playing ideally along side Lofton according to SP. If I'm wrong on this, I've completely had our LB setup all wrong in my head.

This is how I would like to see it playing out. SP has said that he wants Vilma at WILL to take advantage of the LDE swallowing up a blocker or two so he can get to the ball carrier, but if I understand it correctly you want your fastest linebacker at WILL and Vilma certainly isn't that. I could be wrong though, and SP may very well have been discussing a scheme variant where Vilma plugs into the WILL or something.

I'm of the opinion that Lofton and Hawthorne would be a better combination than Lofton and Vilma because they compliment each other better. Hawthorne is a better cover guy than Lofton or Vilma while Lofton lays the wood better than either of them. Vilma does have football smarts and is the leader of the defense, but I think he'd be better in nickel packages or as a rotational player because he's not as agile as he used to be, and that will make him a liability (look at Ray Lewis in the Super Bowl).