Saints planning to sign LB, Travis Feeney off Steelers' PS (1 Viewer)

[scott88]

#Saints are planning to sign LB Travis Feeney off the #Steelers practice squad, source said, pending physical. Depth and special teams help

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/807276658264838146

 

[Wisco Steve]

STEAL!

Steelers selected Washington OLB Travis Feeney with the No. 220 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
Feeney (6'4/230) made 32 starts at UW, tallying 33 career tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and four interceptions. He earned second-team All-Pac 12 as a senior. Also a prolific special teamer throughout his career, Feeney blew up the Combine with a 4.5-flat forty, 40-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump. A converted safety, Feeney's game lacks power and strength but he has top-shelf movement skills, long arms (33") and coverage prowess.

 

[Eman5805]

One of the best athletes in the 2016 draft. He's like an uncut lump of marble. Not sure what he could be crafted into though. Similar to Anthony Barr, athletically. Even in being a position convert.

6'4" 230+lbs with sub 4.6 speed, 40 inch vert, nearly 11 foot broad jump. Probably benches and squats a lot.

Also, obligatory highlight reel:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DeJzOq1iMzw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Do yourselves a favor, just mute the sound on it. NSFW, etc.

 

[Saints 4 life]

Analysis

Strengths

Production and consistency improved across the board. More confident, accurate tackler dropping his missed tackles from 11 (2014) to three this year. Rangy former safety who can cover ground in pursuit. Adequate lateral movement and uses hands to create separation from blockers. Uses arm*-over as his go-*to rush move. Competitive with an aggressive demeanor. Willing to mix it up. Able to stretch plays and push them towards sideline. 2015 team captain. Consistently productive over four years on coverage teams.

Weaknesses

Wiry frame produces very little speed*-to-*power potential as pass rusher. Spindly legs fail to hold their ground at point of attack. Won’t set a strong edge. Can be tilted due to lack of functional base. Doesn’t have the play strength to fight through redirect blocks. His elevated pad level and lean body type are usually indicators of inconsistent tackling on pro level. Has had multiple shoulder surgeries and issues with both shoulders that could red-*flag him at the combine.

 

[bobad]

A young Robertson with length?

 

[Trey W.]

Hopefully he's not a Martez Wilson clone. An athletic freak who plays like a little girl.

 

[rob22278]

Has had multiple shoulder surgeries and issues with both shoulders.

He'll fit right in here.

 

[eaglefreak]

As a USM alum, we played Washington last year in the bowl game. Feeney was all over the place and killed us. I like this pickup.

 

[LoE]

What does that say about our depth at LB...

Still strongly believe we'll pick up a WLB in the draft.

 

[Rdanderson91]

I remember quite a few people on here wanting him. We need all the speed we can get on this defense

 

[duckjr78]

What does that say about our depth at LB...

Still strongly believe we'll pick up a WLB in the draft.

It says what we all already know.

We have exactly 1 starting LB on this team. And he was brought in at the beginning of the year as a backup and is playing *somewhat out of position.

And he's still our best LB.

Look, the Saints most needed hole to fill is pass rusher.

But the biggest, deepest, and widest hole is at LB. Luckily, you can get by in this league with 2 true studs at LB, IF they stay healthy the majority of the year. One of our two passable LBs cannot.

I would expect at least 1 starting LB pickup in free agency and 1 middle to high round draft pick spent on an LB as well.

Pass rush takes away a lot of the deep throws - the Saints are missing 1 major piece here, but it can be fixed quickly and decisively
CBs/scheme take away a lot of the intermediate throws - the Saints have these pieces, when healthy
LBs take away the short and middle throws - the Saints look like the Cleveland Indians training camp roster from Major League.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

He looks sluggish/heavy footed. Wonder if we'd consider asking him to drop weight and then playing him as Hybrid SS/LB. Kind of like the Kid from USC we had in for a visit.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Not a bad get. But as of now, he's a ST player only, at best.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

With Vaccaro accepting his suspension the timing now makes sense.

Neg rep me all you want, he's a former safety why not utilize him in a hybrid safety role instead of as a full time LB?

 

[scott88]

What does that say about our depth at LB...

Still strongly believe we'll pick up a WLB in the draft.

get a MLB in the first two rounds and move Craig Robertson to WLB, where he should thrive