2013 NFL Draft: Examining the middle linebacker class

[SonOfLe-loLang]

What do you guys think of Khaseem Greene.

[Drunken.Broncoholic]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

What do you guys think of Khaseem Greene.

Not sure but read his weaknesses and "over run plays and gets lost" sounds more of what we've had to endure. But I haven't seen much of him on film to really form an opinion. Are you high on him?

[DENVERDUI55]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

MLB or OL in the first round.

You wouldn't hear me complain about that one bit. Late in the first is great place for stud guards and centers. Denver needs the depth.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Drunken.Broncoholic

Not sure but read his weaknesses and "over run plays and gets lost" sounds more of what we've had to endure. But I haven't seen much of him on film to really form an opinion. Are you high on him?

I'm certainly no expert, but he's pretty athletic. I dont think he's a mike necessarily, but seems like he can do a bit of it all. Seems like a playmaker on D.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

This is why you don't draft for need. Just because your team needs something doesn't mean it's there. And teams that make the mistake of taking what they need hoping it's going to turn into more than it ever was are teams that are hovering around 4-8 wins every year.

It might just be me, but it seems like there haven't been very many great middle linebackers lately. It seems almost harder to find than a pass rusher.

I think Manti T'eo will amount to something pretty good. In a couple years no one is going to remember this whole girlfriend thing.

[pricejj]

Originally Posted by MariusPontmercy

I think Manti T'eo will amount to something pretty good. In a couple years no one is going to remember this whole girlfriend thing.

Teo is one of the top 5 MIKE prospects in the last 5 years, even though he doesn't have elite speed.

The others are: Luke Kuechly, Dont'a Hightower, probably Rolando McClain, and Kevin Minter.

I'm hoping Irving takes one giant leap forward, because it sucks to waste draft picks.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by pricejj

Teo is one of the top 5 MIKE prospects in the last 5 years, even though he doesn't have elite speed.

The others are: Luke Kuechly, Dont'a Hightower, probably Rolando McClain, and Kevin Minter.

I'm hoping Irving takes one giant leap forward, because it sucks to waste draft picks.

I highly disagree on Te-O. He will show that he is not a top 5 MLB in this draft. He misses tackles, he leaves his feet too early and he cannot get off of blocks. Just wait and see. He is going to disappoint.

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

I highly disagree on Te-O. He will show that he is not a top 5 MLB in this draft. He misses tackles, he leaves his feet too early and he cannot get off of blocks. Just wait and see. He is going to disappoint.

I have not been impressed with either him or olgetree in the games I have seen them in..

but having the national spotlight on one will warp the weak minded..

[Kaylore]

I want to see what Teo's numbers are when he runs - or even if he runs at all. If he doesn't, that will smell of a red flag to me. It seems anytime a prospect refuses to run at the combine they end up busting.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

I want to see what Teo's numbers are when he runs - or even if he runs at all. If he doesn't, that will smell of a red flag to me. It seems anytime a prospect refuses to run at the combine they end up busting.

I'm really expecting closer to 4.7 than 4.6, if not creepin on 4.8

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

I'm really expecting closer to 4.7 than 4.6, if not creepin on 4.8

I would be very surprised at anything better than 4.65, I am expecting low 4.7s like you. I think Minter could really use the combine to jump up in the middle of the 1st if he runs even a high 4.5 time.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

I would be very surprised at anything better than 4.65, I am expecting low 4.7s like you. I think Minter could really use the combine to jump up in the middle of the 1st if he runs even a high 4.5 time.

I don't think there's much chance of that. I haven't seen anyone claim Minter as a special athlete, just a damn good football player with awesome field awareness.

I'd bet that of the three top ILB prospects Ogeltree will post by far the best 40 time, followed by Te'o, and Minter close behind him.

I don't expect any of them to measure out on par with Keuchly across the board, Ogeltree will be capable in the speed/agility drills but his bench is likely to be pretty low. Te'o likely is comparable or maybe even a bit better on the bench/strength skills but he'll likely come up short in speed/agility drills. Minter likely trails across the board.

Te'o throwing up a freakish series of speed/agility drills is the only real chance for a combine beast from the big three ILBs. But then we don't really want to see any of them do that anyway. A 4.4-4.5 40 and good numbers across the board from any of these guys likely pushes them out of our range. Right now we probably get our pick in the first.

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by Drek

I don't think there's much chance of that. I haven't seen anyone claim Minter as a special athlete, just a damn good football player with awesome field awareness.

I'd bet that of the three top ILB prospects Ogeltree will post by far the best 40 time, followed by Te'o, and Minter close behind him.

I don't expect any of them to measure out on par with Keuchly across the board, Ogeltree will be capable in the speed/agility drills but his bench is likely to be pretty low. Te'o likely is comparable or maybe even a bit better on the bench/strength skills but he'll likely come up short in speed/agility drills. Minter likely trails across the board.

Te'o throwing up a freakish series of speed/agility drills is the only real chance for a combine beast from the big three ILBs. But then we don't really want to see any of them do that anyway. A 4.4-4.5 40 and good numbers across the board from any of these guys likely pushes them out of our range. Right now we probably get our pick in the first.

Minter ran sub 4.6 before. I doubt he'll do it again, but it's certainly not impossible.

[Tombstone RJ]

IMHO Te'o will have to have a freakishly good combine to boost him into the first round.