Kansas City Chiefs Laddie Morse

Chiefs: Evaluating Linebackers in the Draft

LadnerMorse March 22, 2020 No Comments

Chiefs: Evaluating Linebackers in the Draft – with the NFL draft coming up in about one month from now, and the Kansas City Chiefs in need of a good linebacker, it’s time to take a look at the process of evaluating the linebacker position and some of the prospects who might be available in this draft.

 

Scheme Fit

The first issue when selecting a LB for the Chiefs would be to see whether or not they played in a 3-4 defense, or a 4-3. Since the Chiefs primary set is the 4-3, meaning, four DL and three LBs it would be best if the prospects we look at come from a 4-3. Since many college teams play in a 4-3, that shouldn’t be a problem, generally speaking. What the Chiefs need right now is an amazing “MIKE” LB. MIKE refers to the middle-linebacker position. Although K.C. may need a MIKE and we’ll examine two of them in this draft, I’ll also be looking at two OLBs today as well.

 

Setting a Standard

Many who write about the Chiefs use Derrick Johnson as a basis for comparison. In many ways, that’s natural, but often unfair, as DJ was an exceptional LB. The question is, just how was DJ exceptional? What skills did he possess that made him a standout while he was in his prime?

 

Run and Cover

The really good linebackers are what’s called a “3-down” linebacker. That means a LB can stay on the field not only to defend running plays but in obvious passing situations. Here, speed is not only important, but the three-cone drill at the combine plays a role in helping to identify LBs who can maintain speed while turning, open their hips, so they can turn their body quickly and smoothly, like when they need to move with an offensive player in coverage.

 

Instinctive Linebackers

Instinct is an often misunderstood term. While it would seem that some players have a built-in radar who are able to assess a play before it happens, the reality is closer to being, those are the players who study the opponent the most. However, it’s not all about “knowledge” of the plays of other teams, it’s more about instantaneously diagnosing those plays and making the right moves to counteract the offense. Safety Eric Berry was very good at this but it should also be said that Berry studied a lot. A few years back Berry intercepted a two-point conversion pass from Matt Ryan in Atlanta and ran it the length of the field to score two points for the Chiefs. That resulted in the Chiefs winning 29-28 but Berry said afterwards that he’d seen Matt Ryan make that throw on tape and decided to jump the route. LB Derrick Johnson had that same ability to diagnose a play and hit the gap making a tackle in the backfield.

 

Playing Downhill

We often talk about a LB playing downhill which refers to him attacking the line of scrimmage instead of waiting for the ball carrier to come at him. A LB might set up 4 or 5 yards deep behind the DL but once the ball is snapped I like to see him rushing the rusher or the play is lost, in my mind. Of course, I’m referring to running plays only. Good LBs are able to instantly detect a run play vs a passing play and move appropriately. So many times I watch tape of a college prospect and he seems to be caught in no mans land waiting for the play to happen around him instead of arriving at the point of attack before anyone else. The good ones can do that.

 

Learning, Competing, Smarts

It’s been said that the Inside Linebacker is the quarterback of the defense. In the absence of such a guy in 2019, the Chiefs turned to Safety Tyrann Mathieu. That’s a plus for any LB coming into Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme this year because they won’t have to shoulder that responsibility right away. The best LBs are competitive and have that flair for competing. They’re also smart and the smartest one become students of the game. Luke Kuechly, who retired after 8 great season with the Carolina Panthers, said that while he was preparing for the combine and taking speed lessons for the 40 yard dash:

 

“A lot of it’s technique. You got to get yourself to run the right way. You got to get yourself to start the right way. You’ve got 6 weeks of time to change how you’ve been running for the past 20 years.”

 

Change how you’ve been running for the past 20 years? Yes, absolutely. He learned! Kuechly appears to have made that adjustment. He also ran a 4.5 at the combine and then made the Pro Bowl 7 times and was an All-Pro 5 times. 

 

Comparisons

Many analysts like to make comparisons of prospects to previous players but that doesn’t always work either. While it may not be fair to compare potential LB prospects to Luke Kuechly, taking a look at his skills does provide a baseline of excellence in performance at this position. For Chiefs fans, Derrick Johnson can provide a similar standard. While Kuechly ran a 4.5 at his combine, DJ ran a 4.52. Another LB who should be in this conversation is the Colts Darius Leonard. He not only ran a 4.58 but has become one of the league’s best LBs while being selected with the 36th pick just two years ago. Picking a good LB outside of the first round should be encouraging for Chiefs fans.

 

Tape is King

While many like to watch highlights of prospects, and I watch plenty, it’s not the final word on a players performance: his game tape performance is. The only way to get a complete feel for a player on the field is by watching game tape of him… in game action.

 

Who’s at 32?

While recent drafts have provided a better selection of LBs who deserve to be taken high in the draft, there’s plenty of talent in this draft class. So, let’s take a look:

 

LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

Murray is ranked:

  • 25th overall by DrafTek
  • 25th overall by CBS Sports
  • 21st overall by Sporting News

 

While a good cornerback can recognize a WR’s route patterns and then run the route before the WR does… similarly, a good LB can recognize blocking schemes and move to defeat those blocks or blockers before a play develops. The Draft Network calls this: “Block Deconstruction” and says of Murray:

 

“Odd struggles here. Will initiate contact with length and look to shock with aggressive hand placement, but doesn’t maintain control over his opponent and rag doll or shuck with any consistency.”

 

While The Draft Network reveals many positives about Kenneth Murray, it’s usually Block Deconstruction that worries me about a LB prospect. A player can do all the mental work they want, but if they allow an OL to get a hold of them and get into their body, that mental work is wasted. Murray does have many fine qualities too, like: great athleticism, makes plays downhill, can shoot a wide open gap, and has good speed. Here, a homer breaks down his skills:

 

 

I’m not saying Murray may not be worth it at #32, but don’t expect him to be Derrick Johnson if the Chiefs select him.

 

 

LB Patrick Queen, LSU

Queen is ranked:

  • 26th overall by DrafTek
  • 34th overall by CBS Sports
  • 28th overall by Sporting News

 

Years ago I evaluated LB Nico Johnson prior to the Chiefs choosing him in the 4th round of the 2013 draft. What stands out in my memory about Nico was that, he was just a part time player at Alabama. Well, Queen started 12 of 15 games for the 2019 LSU National Champs this past season and in my book, that’s not good enough. Plus, 37 solo tackles for the year? Once again, that’s not good enough.

 

Queen was in on 85 total tackles in 15 games in 2019. By comparison, Derrick Johnson was in on 130 total tackles in 12 games in 2004 (his last year at Texas). The Chiefs value experience and production in their prospects and Queen may not have enough of either.

 

On the field, I’ve noticed that Queen likes to pick a hole between the offensive linemen and dive into it, only, so many times it’s not the hole the RB is coming through. So, he may be guessing and guessing is not what you want to see in your ILB. Green Bay is looking for a good ILB too, and Packers.com had this to say about Queen,

 

“Just one year as a starter has raised experience questions, though, and Queen also has heard doubts about his run-stopping ability between the tackles.”

 

Once again, I’m pointing out his imperfections first and although I could share some positives on Patrick Queen (God save the Queen), I’ve ruled him out and am hoping that Brett Veach and crew have done the same. That being said, here’s some of his positives in a tweet highlight:

 

 

 

LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin

Baun is ranked:

  • 41th overall by DrafTek (as an OLB)
  • 35th overall by CBS Sports
  • 37th overall by Sporting News

 

Baun played in a system where he mostly was a stand-up defensive end but also dropped back to cover routes. He has a non-stop motor and plays until the echo of the whistle stops bouncing off the crowd. His 40 time is a pedestrian 4.65 but he plays faster than his 40 time.

 

Remember how Derrick Johnson used to be able to slip tackles and that was one of his best attributes. Well, even good ILBs don’t always share the same positive traits and DJ didn’t have the Ray Lewis gene in which he tried to outhit everyone he’d come in contact with. However, Zack Baun does have that gene and I suppose his playing on the DL much of the time has him geared up for hitting. IOW, I like his ability to play smackdown football. Here’s a favorite hit:

 

 

 

At 6-foot-3, and 235 lbs. Baun would not be asked to line up in Steve Spagnuolo’s base 4-3 as a DE. However, since we know Spags loves versatile guys, I could see Baun being sent on a blitz and with his hitting ability run right through opposing RBs.

 

 

If you can catch a hint of preference for Zack Baun… you don’t even have to be related to Sherlock Holmes.

 

 

LB Troy Dye, Oregon

Dye is ranked:

  • 54th overall by DrafTek (as an OLB)
  • 84th overall by CBS Sports
  • 94th overall by Sporting News

 

LB Troy Dye is my Sleeper (or you could call him my Sleeping Beauty). Kyle Crabbs of the Draft Network says of Dye:

 

“This dude can get downhill in a hurry and when he decides it is go time, he’s going to blow someone up. Fluid. He’s got quick feet and transitional quickness doesn’t suffer at steep angles. Dynamic range of motion through his hips and his rotational range of motion.”

 

 

 

Sounds great right? So then why is he projected to be a late second or third rounder by the ranking services? At 6-foot-4 inches and 225 pounds he’s considered on the thin side and it’s been predicted that NFL teams will worry about his ability to take the pounding that a LB will take or dish out. Also, he’s projected to be an outside linebacker in a 4-3 as his best position.

 

 

Now, I have no problem with any of that because his tape is good. Plus, he’s been a four-year starter and even enrolled a semester early so he could be there and play during his freshman season. Not only did he start his first year but he made the freshman All American list. NFL.com says,

 

“Dye was a three-star prospect out of Norco High School in California but has played like a five-star for the Ducks since his true freshman season.”

 

While Dye appears to have some work to do in the coverage area of his game, many LBs do when they enter the league. He may be a bit of a project, and outside LB may be his best position, but I’m impressed and think he deserves a look. Also, there may be a bias against West coast players because so many of the East coast analysts are in bed by the time they play their games. Hopefully, the Chiefs West coast area scouts were not sleeping on this beauty. Here’s Troy Dye’s game tape vs Auburn in 2019. Dye wear #35.

 

 

The top LBs taken in the first round of recent drafts appear to be better than the crop available this year. With guys like Rashaan Evans, Leighton Vander Esch, Devin White, Devin Bush, Haason Reddick, and T.J. Watt… it looks like there have been at least two LBs better in each of the past three drafts, than the best this year has to offer. The Chiefs may need a good MIKE – LB but, it may not happen this year.

 

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

 

 

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