Position’s demands bring down value
Miami Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly breaks down the 2018 NFL draft in a 10-part series. 1. Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds – Edmunds is built (6-5, 236 pounds) how teams would draw a linebacker up. He had a very productive two seasons at Virginia Tech (215 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble), but will need to play more instinctively to excel in the NFL.
2. Georgia’s Roquan Smith – Smith is an instinctive linebacker who lacks the ideal size (6-1, 225 pounds) for the position, but plays the game with a mental alertness that indicates that he could become an elite defender in a 4-3 scheme. The biggest concern is whether he can physically hold up in the NFL.
3. Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch – A former Boise State walk-on, Vander Esch is a reliable open-field tackler who has the size (6-4, 242 pounds) and makeup to excel in a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme. He’s very good in zone coverage and can often be spotted moving towards the play before the snap.
4. Alabama’s Rashaan Evans – Evans is the typical Alabama player who gained a reputation as a fierce defender against the run. He did a decent job in pass coverage in his one season as a full-time starter, but can often get lost in zone coverage, which indicates that he’s a two-down linebacker.
5. Texas’ Malik Jefferson – Jefferson was a consistent playmaker for the Longhorns for all three of the seasons he served as a starter, contributing 223 tackles, 12 sacks and two forced fumbles. He reacts quickly to plays, but can over pursue from time to time.
Best of the Rest: UCF’s Shaquem Griffin, South Carolina State’s Darius Leonard, Iowa’s Josey Jewell, Ohio State’s Jermone Baker, Arizona State’s Christian Sam, Virginia’s Micah Kiser, North Dakota State’s Nick Deluca, BYU’s Fred Warner, Clemons Dorian O’Daniel and South Carolina’s Skai Moore should all carve out a role for themselves in the NFL. Griffin is an intriguing talent, whose playmaking and athletic traits proves he belongs in the NFL, but him only having one hand will probably make him a late-round selection. Class grade: C+ As NFL offenses continue to evolve into pass-oriented schemes it has forced the linebacker position to evolve so much the need for a run-stuffing force has been minimized. Now teams need athletic linebackers who can cover seam-threat tight ends, and many teams have resorted to converting safeties like Mark Barron (26) and Deone Bucannon to linebackers in an attempt to fill that role. As a result, it’s brought down the value of this linebacker class.
Teams in Need: The Raiders, Dolphins, Colts, Redskins, Ravens, Chargers, Cowboys, Bengals, Titans, Steelers, Patriots and Eagles all need linebacker help immediately.
Dolphins’ focus: This has been the Dolphins’ most troublesome unit for years, and free-agent signees like Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler and Lawrence Timmons have only been Band-Aids. Miami needs to find a coverage specialist who has the range to lock down athletic tight ends and quick tailbacks while playing alongside Kiko Alonso and Raekwon McMillan.