2018 NFL Draft Day 3 Game Thread (you got spoilers? we got spoilers!)
- Thread starter bsj
- Start date
Some potential silver linings:
- He's a captain
- The Pats rely on D-line to occupy blockers; perhaps this can free JB up to more cleanly pursue inside ball carriers
- The Purdue coaching staff is... not good. He will receive (far) superior coaching
From NFL.com:
"We look for speed at linebacker so he's probably not going to fit us, but I think he's going to play somewhere. He's got a lot of tape where he is just jacking guys up with his strength. He's big, strong, and tough so he'll stick around." - AFC area scout
"We look for speed at linebacker so he's probably not going to fit us, but I think he's going to play somewhere. He's got a lot of tape where he is just jacking guys up with his strength. He's big, strong, and tough so he'll stick around." - AFC area scout
You want funny? Then you should see the thread in the super secret forum devoted to picking apart your posts
Having Brady, often (always?) at a less than market salary really clouds the discussion.
BB the coach is a god. I’m not convinced BB the GM is anything special. Not saying he’s bad, but I’m not convinced he’s good.
Actually, Purdue has a new coach, Jeff Brohm, who did a really good job last year.
The game is too easy for BB The Coach. He needs BB The GM to make it challenging for BB The Coach.
Whose draft record would you choose over Belichick’s though? It’s easy to pick apart the drafts in hindsight but when you compare him to his peers is there anyone that actually gets more out of the draft then Bill? Even the guys that have great reps as drafters like Ozzie have their share of misses and busts. I don’t know if there is enough data to objectively say that Bill is or is not the best but I think there is enough evidence to say that he is in the upper echelon when compared to the rest of he leagues front offices
From Pat's Pulpit:
"The New England Patriots selected Purdue linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley with the 143rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Patriots finally made a selection after trading out of the fourth round.
Bentley is 6’2, 246-pounds, so he’s the prototypical size of a Bill Belichick linebacker. He also runs a 4.75s 40 yard dash and a 7.12s three cone, so he has quality speed, and put up a beastly 31 reps on the bench. He was a four-year starter.
That said, he is considered a run defender and not a coverage linebacker so his selection is an immediate challenge to Elandon Roberts. Bentley collected 97 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 3 pass break-ups last year as a All Big 10 Honorable Mention.
The NFL.com scouting report of Bentley is that he struggles to change direction and is better as a straight-forward tackler. He doesn’t seem to fit the Patriots need of a coverage linebacker.
Bentley will join Roberts, Nicholas Grigsby, and Harvey Langi in competition to back-up Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, and Marquis Flowers."
"The New England Patriots selected Purdue linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley with the 143rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Patriots finally made a selection after trading out of the fourth round.
Bentley is 6’2, 246-pounds, so he’s the prototypical size of a Bill Belichick linebacker. He also runs a 4.75s 40 yard dash and a 7.12s three cone, so he has quality speed, and put up a beastly 31 reps on the bench. He was a four-year starter.
That said, he is considered a run defender and not a coverage linebacker so his selection is an immediate challenge to Elandon Roberts. Bentley collected 97 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 3 pass break-ups last year as a All Big 10 Honorable Mention.
The NFL.com scouting report of Bentley is that he struggles to change direction and is better as a straight-forward tackler. He doesn’t seem to fit the Patriots need of a coverage linebacker.
Bentley will join Roberts, Nicholas Grigsby, and Harvey Langi in competition to back-up Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, and Marquis Flowers."
From Hammer and Nails:
"
After a long wait, Ja’Whaun Bentley was selected with the 143rd pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Bentley is a decorated middle linebacker that fought through bad teams, a revolving door and defense coordinator, and a knee injury to finish his Boilermaker career in style.
In the NFL, Bentley projects to be a between the tackles, run stuffing linebacker, and he will have an opportunity to excel in the Patriots hybrid 3-4 scheme that should be able to mitigate some of his issues in the open field. Bentley’s job in New England will be to find the running back and get him on the ground, and that’s the job he is best suited for in the NFL.
In addition, as the only 3 year captain in Purdue history, he has “Patriots player” written all over him. Bentley is a no nonsense, get the job done leader. He might not be a flashy pick, but he’ll be a productive pick and the Patriots are smart to pick him up in the 5th round.
I expect him the make the Patriots roster and push for playing time in his rookie year. I think he’ll eventually end up as a starter because of his physical tools and incredible work ethic.
Picking guys like Bentley in the 5th round is what keeps the Patriots on top, even with a revolving cast of characters on their defense."
"
After a long wait, Ja’Whaun Bentley was selected with the 143rd pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Bentley is a decorated middle linebacker that fought through bad teams, a revolving door and defense coordinator, and a knee injury to finish his Boilermaker career in style.
In the NFL, Bentley projects to be a between the tackles, run stuffing linebacker, and he will have an opportunity to excel in the Patriots hybrid 3-4 scheme that should be able to mitigate some of his issues in the open field. Bentley’s job in New England will be to find the running back and get him on the ground, and that’s the job he is best suited for in the NFL.
In addition, as the only 3 year captain in Purdue history, he has “Patriots player” written all over him. Bentley is a no nonsense, get the job done leader. He might not be a flashy pick, but he’ll be a productive pick and the Patriots are smart to pick him up in the 5th round.
I expect him the make the Patriots roster and push for playing time in his rookie year. I think he’ll eventually end up as a starter because of his physical tools and incredible work ethic.
Picking guys like Bentley in the 5th round is what keeps the Patriots on top, even with a revolving cast of characters on their defense."
Christian Sam, OLB. I like it. From what little I've read, he seems like the opposite of the other guy - a pretty good athlete who can cover but might not have the best instincts and has some questions about his work ethic.
All these guys have warts and are basically lottery tickets. Buy as many as possible and hope one of them pans out.
All these guys have warts and are basically lottery tickets. Buy as many as possible and hope one of them pans out.
I like the Sam pick quite a bit. Great downfield quickness, foot speed on outside runs, good in zone against curls, solid ST. This is your quick guy that everyone wanted. Would like to see him be stronger at the point of attack though, in full disclosure.
From nfl.com's draft profile:
Sam is an inside linebacker who has the ability to swing over to a WILL spot if needed. He absolutely "looks the part" and he's got the play strength necessary for handling inside linebacker duties. Scouts have questions about his overall football character and his play speed is a little below the NFL norm for the position. Sam's athletic numbers were average at the Combine, but they look good enough on tape. His timed speed could cause him to drop a round or even two, but he has enough talent to become a solid NFL backup who can step into starting reps if needed.
I'm not saying you're wrong, I have no clue, but the descriptions I've seen on twitter describe him as a true "MIke" linebacker who isn't good in space and isn't a great athlete.
"Sam finished his career at Arizona State, where he played in 40 career games, had 242 tackles, 17.0 for loss, 7.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 7 pass breakups, and 3 forced fumbles. He has good size, he has good speed, and he was a tackling machine. He is a tough nosed player, and has good instincts. He gets good pressure on the quarterback, and is a good pass rusher. He is a good cover linebacker, and a hard hitter. He is also a defensive play maker, and a difference maker on defense. On the other hand, he is not known as a big sack guy, he has issues with fast backs, and quarterbacks at times, and while he has good speed, he does not have elite linebacker speed, but that does not hurt his game. With that said, I view Sam as a day 3 pick when it is all said and done."
pigskinprospect.com, FWIW
pigskinprospect.com, FWIW
Play speed doesn't always match timed speed. Scouts say he's not the alpha leader in the locker room and doesn't love to practice. Will need to become more effective taking on blocks with hands instead of shoulders. Still learning to digest blocking schemes. Gets out of position when he starts guessing. Can run himself out of plays by running under blocks
Reads runner's initial steps at times rather than sticking with his keys.
Reads runner's initial steps at times rather than sticking with his keys.
Not a Will or a Mike, but more of a Sam... amirite?
P.S. Didn’t BB bring on the ex-ASU head coach (Todd Graham)? Sounds like some helpful inside info as well.
P.S. Didn’t BB bring on the ex-ASU head coach (Todd Graham)? Sounds like some helpful inside info as well.
And he’s not back to his 2015 self yet - 2017 was first year back from 2016 injury. Some really tantalizing upside here I think.
Well to be fair, there's plenty in my posts to pick apart, super secret forum or not.
I'm on board with this.
Edit: Actually, if they take a QB at 198 then it figures he'll be better than TB12, no?
