Khalil Hodge ILB Buffalo

I had this guy as a 6th rounder in the earliest of mock thread, but more projections have him going in the middle rounds. He's not the answer to our problems at ILB but he would be a nice addition to the room imo. If we have Fort for another year, he could definitely use that time to refine some techniques (like lose that annoying tendency to jump underneath blockers on outside runs essentially losing ground) and add strength.
He doesn't have Shazier speed sideline to sideline as you can see on some of the outside runs but he's got better than average it looks like. Will see at his pro day. He does make some nice plays in coverage which is a plus.

Definitely will need some more tape but I think he goes in that 4th to 5th round area.

Heres two profile links..

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft...-can-be-a-productive-three-down-nfl-defender/

https://www.draftblaster.com/2019-nfl-draft/khalil-hodge-ilb-buffalo/

 

Fort needs to add weight and muscle. I like him though. He hustles.

 

While doing my research for prospects in bowl games I came across this guy. To be honest I was kinda like hmmm a Khalil from Buffalo what if.....lol. So I watched him in the dollar general bowl and he really didn't show much imo and the same in the Shrine game. Depending what happens at the combine could be a steal later on in the draft. Here is what I found when I was looking for info on him:

Khalil Hodge has lit up the stat sheet for the Bulls the past three seasons. He has 414 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in his career. This year alone, he has amassed 138 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Hodge is a very good run defender, especially between the tackles. He loves to attack the line of scrimmage and fill run lanes with a purpose. He takes on blocks in the hole and can use his natural power to disengage. Hodge is an instinctive player that recognizes plays and opposing team keys quickly.

The Buffalo product is a liability in zone coverage due to lack of speed and athleticism. His range as a linebacker is only subpar, and that could hurt his draft stock a bit. Hodge does have many of the intangibles NFL teams look for in a middle linebacker, nonetheless. He could be an early Day 3 selection.

 

Could this LB be our pick at 52 second round?

52) Steelers: LB T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
The Steelers have been known for linebacker player throughout history, but are lacking in that area right now. Edwards would help plug that hole after eight sacks, 10 interceptions and 37.5 TFLs during his college career.

 

he's good but again his speed isn't great. we need some speed added at that spot. i'd love for edwards to be our thumper but we play so little of that defense now.

 

I love this kid too but am also worried about speed. If he is our pick you won't hear me complain. Another name to keep an eye on is the kid from Oregon who was awesome in the Shrine game LB Hollins. IMO he has it all

 

I’d take a plodder like Edwards any day if his football IQ is high enough. Based on his stats in college it sounds like he knows what to do. He’ll be one of those guys that we look back on and ask how he lasted until the 5th round!

If we do this draft right we should be able to set up our defense very nicely.

 

Yes, I like Fort too, but a lot of people forget he will be 30 next year or so. He's been with 5 or 6 teams and even though his Pitt. stint is the longest (I think) he languished on the bench for 2-3 years. Like most people here we need some speed and youth at ILB and this draft just doesn't have it imo.

I thought Hodges was faster but watching his tape more I am changing that opinion. I still think he's a solid 5th rounder and hopefully is the 2nd ILB taken in our draft to go along with a 1st or 2nd rounder.

 

I'd be all over it in the 2nd. I wouldn't be upset if they moved up for him in the 2nd either. Maybe its early in the process but I'm left wanting more from this year's ILB class.

 

Hanks, Grant and Pratt can all run and cover and play inside.

 

He is only 2 10ths of a second slower than the top line backer in the draft devin white but he is heavier at 247, I think if he lost 10 pounds he would be quicker, his career stats are good and he does get picks tracking the ball well..

1. T.J. Edwards, ILB, Wisconsin
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 247.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
   Projected Round (2019): 2-4.
   1/14/19: Edwards amassed 113 tackles with 11.5 for a loss, three sacks, two passes broken up and three interceptions in 2018. He put together underwhelming performances in the losses to BYU and Michigan, but played better late in the season, including in the bowl game versus Miami.
   
   8/29/18: According to NFL teams' preseason data provided by team sources, Edwards checks in at 6-foot, 247 pounds with 31.13-inch arms, 9-inch hands and a wingspan of 74.25 inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds.
   
   Edwards is an instinctive defender who is a physical presence in the tackle box. He also is dangerous in zone coverage, consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the ball. As a junior, he recorded 81 tackles with 11 for a loss, two sacks, seven breakups and four interceptions. In 2016, Edwards had 89 tackles with three interceptions, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and two passes batted. He totaled 84 tackles with four breakups as a freshman.

 

I have been a fan of his. Check back to when we drafted watt. I was saying then wait a couple of years and this kid will be in the draft. The way we use linebackers has changed though. I see the same problem if we used him as we use vince, though he would be better against the run. I'd love him and Pratt behind our d line.

 

If Tre Lamar does well at the combine, I would consider him. Within that same vein, that would buck quite a bit of trends. Not many 6'4 ILB's out there currently.

 

I was on the Cam Smith train last year then he went back to school. This kid is pretty good in pass coverage and I feel a guy like Hanks will jump him in the draft due to speed which may put Smith right in our sights for a 3rd round pick. Either way there are some nice options this year up and down the draft.

 

I guess teams are all looking for a 6-4 vander esch type LB this year, too bad we missed out on this probowl rookie tackling machine.......

 

Well we could have gotten Leonard but we passed on him. So now that is a double whammy lol. Maybe this is the year we find one like that.

 

Just realizing we have 2 6 round picks this year. It was part of the Switzer trade. Maybe that helps us move up a little somewhere

 

Yeah we lost the 5th but got a high 6th so no real loss.

 

Or....



We need a multi role linebacker; 6'4 or otherwise. Only reason I mentioned his size is because those types of players are rare breeds. Said players do not come around very often.

 

I will settle for the 6'3 Germain Pratt