Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State

Here ya go

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...yan-shazier-runs-unofficial-436-40-at-pro-day

 

Aren't these guys all about the same?

ILB Rashaan Evans

ILB Leighton Vander Esch

ILB Oren Burks

ILB Darius Leonard

ILB Micah Kiser

ILB Jerome Baker



I left out ILB Matthew Thomas because of off the field issues.

ILB Shaquem Griffin has Shazier speed but not having a left hand is going to be a problem. I just don't see how you can draft him.

 

IMO, on the little tape I have watched on these guys Evans and LVE are ranked at the top. Then just below are Leonard and Burks and below them is Kiser. I do not like Baker, I watched the game vs Oklahoma and he was very unimpressive. McCray, Worley, C. Smith, Cabinda and Scales are guys I have looked at as mid round guys too. Worley is starting to move up for me and could end up being great value in the 3rd/4th(which we don't have) range.

 

I am now seeing some mocks that he might not make it to the Steelers at 28?

 

If Evans bombs his Pro Day redux tomorrow, I think you will get your wish.


If not, I expect we will see neither by 28.

 

Then we can have two guys that can't cover.

 

Looks like LVE draft profile disagrees with you on his coverage skills:

Very talented in coverage. Quick but smooth in his drops. Mirrors quarterback's eyes with ability to redirect from side to side as he follows. Uses active, catch-ready hands to breakup the pass or take it away. Shows real rush talent and instincts as a blitzer. May have enough ability to beat a tackle as edge rusher from time to time.


http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/leighton-vander esch?id=2560232

 

I was talking about Evans.

 

Sorry I miss understood who you was talking about in the plural, ask questions later set it up for my answer, no big deal

 

The important thing is not to draft a second or third round player in the first round because you need to fill a position. When a player is chosen in the first, you must pay them that type money and that will last several years which is not good business. The player from Boise is a questionable first round pick who lacks some speed and quickness. Not to put down the mountain west but the numbers he puts up there may not translate to the NFL. It’s not to say he will not be a good pro player, you just have to not over pay for players. I get that we need an ILB and a safety but we have to be smart about it.

 

No problem my friend. All's good.

 

We have a need for speed! I like the kid but not sure he is the best fit, the name is what is selling him, he does have good speed looking at the combine numbers, but is it enough? Can’t replace shaizer but we have to try!

 

I don't know, but from film I see Evans dropping quite often and making plays in the passing game....against top QB's in big games no less....

 

Not just the Virgina tape but the Wyoming tape as well do Vander Esch's shortcomings appear. One would assume someone of Esch's size and length could fight through the debris and stuff the ball carrier without much of an issue. Turns out this is not the case.


Why he behaves nearly identical to Roquan Smith is beyond me. Smith has the excuse but he plays with reckless abandon to mitigate his shortcomings wheras Esch uses his shoulder as a battering ram to attempt to smash through interior lineman; a massive no-no health wise.


That being said though, unlike Smith and even more so, unlike Malik Jefferson, I believe this is more so due to technical issues in leverage and hand placement; his core strength no less.


Should those quibbles get resolved, he has the capabilities to be a very good linebacker.

 

I just realized something. Something that may signal the beginning of the end for my draft crush.


Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and defensive coordinator Keith Butler all have links to Memphis. The Memphis Pro Day is April 3rd. Boise State's Pro Day is April 3rd.


Something has got to give I am afraid. We will know in two days time.

 

I've said in our mock draft voting that Lve reminds me of Luke kuechly and I'm not backing down from that.... but if we lose out on him, I have no problem with us grabbing shaquem Griffin later..
Of course he won't grab any int's, but he will be a difference maker in our defense, and has the freakish athleticism that shazier brought to the table

 

Esch will be a Pat at 23 if he falls to 23.

 

He's coming for a visit.