Inside Linebacker Thread

[Steeltime]

The 2022 Steelers need to upgrade the ILBer position. Captain Obvious just shakes his head at the utter obviousness of this statement. So let's look at a few guys who will probably be around for pick 84, the Steelers 3rd round pick. (I wait until the 3rd since RT, CB, possibly C, demand early attention.) A couple guys I like at pick 84.

Leo Chenal Wisconsin 6'2", 261 lbs.
Benches more than 400, ran a 4.64 40 as a high school senior, takes on and beats blocks, is a run stuffer. Coverage skills not great despite his size and speed. In other words, a faster Vince Williams.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Leo Chenal | Prime Time Sports Talk

Leo Chenal has been the leader of Jim Leonhard's dominant Wisconsin defense. Mason Thompson shares his thoughts on Chenal in this scouting report.

primetimesportstalk.com

Darian Beavers Cincinnati 6'4" 252 lbs.
Very good at taking on blockers. Not as fast as Chenal, but fast enough for the ILBer position so long as he is not expected to cover a WR. Works well inside the tackles.

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Darrian Beavers | Prime Time Sports Talk

One of the most underrated players on the Cincinnati team is Darrian Beavers. Gio Damico takes a deeper look into his tape in this scouting report.

primetimesportstalk.com

Chad Muma Wyoming 6'3" 242 lbs.
Plays big, fast. Played CB in high school, so decent at coverage. Excellent pass rusher when blitzing. Decent speed, likely 4.65 40.

Chad Muma Scouting Report - Draft Dive |2022 NFL Draft Linebacker

Chad Muma scouting report and NFL Draft profile including 40 time and player comparison from your most trusted draft analysts. Wyoming, LB

www.draftdive.com

Not coincidentally all three guys I highlighted are 242 lbs. or bigger, can take on a defeat blocks, and do a good job stuffing the run. Get OL help in round 1, CB round 2, ILBer round 3, and improve the running game and rush defense.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

All of these guys are way too big and not nearly fast enough to fit Toml..., err, Austin's scheme.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I'm all in for muma, idc what Rd.. this upgrade is that important.

 

[Steeltime]

I highlighted three guys I like. One is likely to be there at 84. If you like others, add them here.

 

[Litos]

Could you compare those guys to our pick from last year? Buddy Johnson, wasn't he a run stuffer?

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Could you compare those guys to our pick from last year? Buddy Johnson, wasn't he a run stuffer?

Good point. But he can't crack the line up in front of the resident ballerina. So he's either not too good, or the starters draft position is considered in the decisions

 

[TDX27]

We do need ILB help but DL and OL should be our priorities in the 1st 2 and even 3 rounds. It all depends on if they draft a QB in round 1.

 

[Litos]

Good point. But he can't crack the line up in front of the resident ballerina. So he's either not too good, or the starters draft position is considered in the decisions

It's a lot to ask a rookie to start as that is one tough position to master, but as a 2nd year guy he should get a chance to compete for playing time.

 

[Drink IRON City]

We do need ILB help but DL and OL should be our priorities in the 1st 2 and even 3 rounds. It all depends on if they draft a QB in round 1.

AND


What free agents they bring in. Heavy Investment in the "Trench Warfare Unit"





Salute the nation

 

[Steeltime]

Could you compare those guys to our pick from last year? Buddy Johnson, wasn't he a run stuffer?

No, not even close. Buddy Johnson is 6'0", 229 lbs. He is not in the same universe as the guys I listed. In two of my many mock drafts in early 2021, I had Johnson as a 7th round pick, saying he could be a solid special teams contributor. That's it.

 

[Litos]

No, not even close. Buddy Johnson is 6'0", 229 lbs. He is not in the same universe as the guys I listed. In two of my many mock drafts in early 2021, I had Johnson as a 7th round pick, saying he could be a solid special teams contributor. That's it.

Terrible investment for a late 4th then

 

[Steeltime]

It's a lot to ask a rookie to start as that is one tough position to master, but as a 2nd year guy he should get a chance to compete for playing time.

Green was a 3rd round pick, Litos. Tomlin would play a can of tuna if he mistakenly drafted it in the 3rd round and announced, "This tuna is NFL ready."

 

[Steeltime]

Terrible investment for a late 4th then

No doubt. I get it - mocks don't mean much. But visit what slash, Supe, and I said about the 2021 draft. Available here:

First-pick.com - 2021 - and so it begins.

Settings: Speed - Fast Care for positional value - Less Randomness - More Draft for needs - Less Public vs PFF Board - middle Yeah, if Trey Lance falls to 24, have to do it. Also really like the Shaun Wade pick. Big CB to match up with TE's and bigger WR's.

www.steelernation.com

Supe had Humphrey as a 1st round pick several times (after trading down), and I had Humphrey as the Steelers 1st rounder in 3 mocks. I also pushed for the Steelers to take Kyle Trask, knowing this was Ben's last year.

But hey, Supe and I are not nearly as genius as the guys in charge, who did **** to line up a new QB and passed on Humphrey TWICE.

 

[madinsomniac]

So once more… the cover two schemes that tomlin adores requires two lbs to be in coverage much of the time.. when he adapted this coverage scheme from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 base, he basically switched to ilbs being large safeties…. Its why runstuffers get exposed in coverage so badly and smaller ilbs get eaten up by blocks in the run game…


We just chose to build a d that supposedly is strong against the short pass game at the expense of our runstopping abilities if the dline can’t do its job on its own

 

[SteelerFan448]

Muma is near the top of my list in the second round. I just don't like how much the Steelers have invested into the position to try to fix it. All of those picks to trade for Bush and then Schobert.