BGO Blind Pig: Commanders LB Draft Prospects

[Boone]

On today’s episode of BGO Blind Pig we look at some promising young LBs the Commanders may consider in the upcoming NFL draft. You may hear ‘high motor’ and ‘violent’ more than once…

 

[Om]

LB Marist Liufau (Notre Dame)

Marist Liufau Linebacker Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 80.7 Rank: #12 Forty: 4.64 Marist Liufau enters the NFL Draft with a solid foundation of athleticism and football IQ, shaped by his tenure at Notre Dame. As a linebacker, he has show...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

LB James Williams (Miami)

James Williams Sr. Linebacker Miami | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 77.0 Rank: #26 Forty: 4.65 James Williams enters the NFL Draft as a versatile defensive asset, with a skill set that makes him a dual threat at linebacker and safety. His tape from M...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

On Williams ... he was a safety at Miami. He's switching to LB for the NFL. Watch his tape and you'll understand what I was thinking.

 

[Boone]

 

[Neophyte]

 

[Bulldog]

With the addition of Luvu and Wagner I don't see Washington taking a linebacker before Round 3.

We have left the OT, CB and TE positions in a pretty weak position and OT/CB are along with QB some of the key 'moneyball' positions on the field in the era of the salary cap in terms of analytics value.

Linebackers like running backs are more plentiful and are often found late.

 

[Om]

I think each us of us on the podcast generally agrees with that. Many of the guys we discussed are possible high-upside developmental contributors who might be available in the mid- to later rounds.

 

[Bulldog]

That's why those third round picks are so valuable. You can at times get a guy that has Round 1-2 ability but falls and you have a solid talent on a cheap 4 year contract.

Belichick was smart in creating that style of setting up his draft board with trades and comp picks to maximize #3 and #4 selections.

It only came apart when the personnel evaluators that were so good early on for New England left the team to be front office executives on other teams and the quality of the selections came into question.

 

[Primus Porcus]

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think each us of us on the podcast generally agrees with that. Many of the guys we discussed are possible high-upside developmental contributors who might be available in the mid- to later rounds.

I think we all need to step back and look at the decision making beyond 2024. We're WEEKS into an entirely new front office and coaching staff. I don't think they're looking at the current roster, even after the moves they've made, and thinking ANYTHING is off limits.

This front office could very well love a LB at 36 and take him over an OT / IOL. I don't think 2024 is the absolute priority.

 

[Bulldog]

No, but keeping a rookie quarterback upright for 17 games IMO is the most important thing for 2024. Much more important to the franchise than picking up a linebacker, even a promising prospect. The guy would have to be a Roquan Smith type difference maker.

We all saw what a misaligned offensive scheme and an offensive line composed of replacement level players can do to the confidence of a young passer.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I'm not arguing against that point, just not painting myself into a corner that the only way to achieve that is a tackle at 36. My preference would absolutely be that we get OUR GUY at LT at 36 (actually i'd like to trade back up into the 1st and get a premium guy if we're really getting to my absolute preference), but it's not binary, and I absolutely don't want this front office and coaching staff to do ANYTHING out of desperation. I am not saying that the team is set in any sense, but I also dont want to sacrifice talent level. There is more than one way to address protection, and the sum of Junior Colson at 36, and Patrick Paul in the 3rd round very well may be a better combination than taking another guy at 36 who had a lower grade. If the LB and the OT have the same grade, yes you go OT.

 

[Knightingale]

Only thing that jumps to mind here, is that we brought in Wagner on a 1 year deal. I’m assuming that at least a part of that move is to provide a mentor for Davis (to see what they have in him) and to teach LB-X and try and set us up for the future. This, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them pick up an LB earlyish.

 

[Solitary Man]

Solid list. I still can’t believe we neglected linebacker for so long.

With a lot more action on the new kickoffs, I think teams are gonna need more depth at the position.

 

[burgold]

For whatever reason, Del Rio and Rivera decided they believed in small ball. I think they really wanted in their ideal world a DL and secondary. No linebackers at all.

 

[Bulldog]

Ironic considering Rivera's response to most of the other trends in the NFL was to ignore them.

Quinn is bringing in some ex-Cowboys but they are 26, 27 years old. Rivera brought in 38 year old Thomas Davis, 33 year old Trai Turner and 32 year old Andrew Norwell, all of whom were shells of their former selves.

The only younger veteran he brought in was Curtis Samuel and his role was IMO too limited and the team didn't get enough out of what he could do.