2018 NFL Draft: Linebackers
This has to be the best linebacker class I’ve ever seen. Future pro bowlers galore. It’s a toss up for me if Edmunds or Roquan Smith will go first. It’ll come down to what a team is looking for. Edmunds is in the Jamie Collins playmaker/freak role whereas Roquan Smith is the steady rock in the middle of the defense much like Bobby Wagner. Vander Esch also has a sneaky high ceiling. From the Patriots view, they already have Hightower who’s a versatility guy, they could use the center piece.
Roquan Smith-LB-Georgia-6’1”-236-1st-97
I’m not sure I have anything negative to say about this kid. Ok, it’d be nice if he were 2 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier. That’s about it. He does everything you can ask of a Will linebacker. Roquan has tremendous range displayed by the 4.51 second 40. He can cover downfield, make plays in the backfield, coordinate a defense, and maybe most importantly quickly process information and diagnose plays. Those last two attributes make him the number one linebacker in this loaded class for me. Roquan should be a 3 down fixture at the middle of a defense for years to come much like Sean Lee or C.J. Mosley. Many people would say an inside linebacker isn’t worth a top 10 pick, and in terms of individual play they might be right. But this is a guy that defines a defense and elevates all around him. His coach described him as a “tremendous leader”. I have a hard time imagining anyone being sorry about selecting him. Patrick Willis is a solid comparison.
Tremaine Edmunds-LB-Virginia Tech-6’5”-253-Top 15-96
Phenomenal size for the position. One of those guys that can play in any era. He tops that with exceptional athleticism clocking a 4.54 second in the 40! Why isn’t this dude playing tight end? Or rushing the passer? Regardless, as an off the line LB he is a solid tackler with terrific lateral mobility you don’t often see from someone his height. The big knock on him is taking too many risks. Junior Seau was famous for guessing and either making plays in the backfield or opening up holes for the offense. Edmunds does a fair amount of guessing and he can also be slow in his reads of play fakes and misdirection. We don’t know how he was coached, they may have asked him to just trust his instincts and make plays which he was able to do quite often evidenced by 32.5 tackles for a loss the last 2 years. At the next level I think it would make sense to take as many shackles off this kid as possible and let his gifts take over. And by the way he’s still 19! Kid played 3 years of big time college football as a teenager. He reminds me a bit of Jaylen Smith from Notre Dame and the above mentioned Jamie Collins, especially because he will grow so much as a player.
Leighton Vander Esch-LB-Boise State-6’4”-256-1st/2nd-94
Thad Castle come to life. And he wears the Bryan Cox humungo neck brace. Love it. Just terrific size and athleticism for the position clocking a 4.65 in the 40 only to be topped with a 6.88 second 3 cone and 39.5 inch vertical. He really didn’t play all that much college football missing half his sophomore season for the Broncos before earning conference defensive player of the year distinction as a Junior in 2017. This kid is a similar player to Edmunds, just has a tick less athleticism. But he also has a nose for the football causing 4 forced fumbles last fall. Medical questions around his neck are concerning. If that checks out he’s clearly a first round prospect and seeing as he only has about 20 games playing experience his potential growth is scary. He could absolutely be an Urlacher but he also has a high floor, medical questions notwithstanding somewhere near Bernardrick McKinney.
Rashaan Evans-LB-Alabama-6’3”-234-1st/2nd-91
Didn’t play a whole lot in Tuscaloosa after sitting behind Reuben Foster for a few years. He burst onto the scene as a starter in 2017 filling up the stat sheet with 13 TFL, 6 sacks, and 3 passes broken up. Rashaan didn’t run at the combine, but you don’t need a stopwatch to tell he’s an excellent athlete. The former 5 star recruit looks like he can play Mike or Will, cover downfield somewhat, and even brings pass rush ability. That type of versatility does not go unnoticed. He’s not quite the tackler or anchor that Roquan Smith can be for a defense, but Evans has more flexibility in roles. He’s an end of the first round player that should blossom in the league when he gets more experience. Could be a Shaq Thompson.