2019 ROOKIE Linebacker rankings

[lukkynumber13]

1. Devin White - So much tackle opportunity in Tampa... I expect him to get the same numbers Kwon did, with a few sacks per year thrown in.

2. Devin Bush - He plays LB like Keanu Neal plays safety. He is the only other guaranteed 3-down LB in this class.

3. Jahlani Tavai - Big-time jump after the big 2. But there’s another falloff after Tavai, so you may have to snag him if you are DESPERATE for LB help & you don’t have many rookie picks. His tape is good, he’s fun to watch and has a lot of potential. I expected him to go early day-3 tho, this pick by Detroit seemed like a reach. He might be a full time player for the Lions in his rookie year, tho. He reminds me of a poor man’s Rueben Foster.

4. Bobby Okereke - I liked his tape a lot, and he SHOULD be a definite upgrade over Anthony Walker. He might have a similar rookie season to Kenny Young for the Ravens last year. His upside is Zach Cunningham.

5. Germaine Pratt - Considering he is a converted safety, he sure lacks explosion and speed. He looks so very tentative & lacks instincts. This ranking is purely based on his high-draft pedigree, and the Bengals’ need for a LB upgrade. If he busts, color me not surprised.

6. Cody Barton - I guess he’s KJ Wright’s replacement? Not sure if that will be this year or down the road...

7. Quincy Williams - I’ll admit, I don’t think I even knew this dude existed when Jax took him in the 3rd round! Now there are rumblings that Telvin Smith may be riding in the Fournette carpool on his way out of Jacksonville sooner rather than later... another stash, yay.

8. A stash I’m actually EXCITED about, albeit - still definitely a stash, is Vosean Joseph. The bills took him in round 5, which is a couple rounds later than I expected him to go. His flashes on tape look like Telvin Smith, but he’s raw. Could be the replacement for the WLB spot next year.

[Pullo Vision]

Devin White concerns me with L David and D Buchanan there. Having two starting LBs feels like having both starting WRs. Are my concerns completely unfounded?

[lukkynumber13]

Devin White concerns me with L David and D Buchanan there. Having two starting LBs feels like having both starting WRs. Are my concerns completely unfounded?

Buccanon is a non-factor, IMO. Just bench depth for them.

As for starting 2 LBs from the same team, sure it does limit your ceiling some. It also raises your weekly floor, IMO.

[failblazer]

So where do the Devils stack up in comparison to last year’s draft class? I feel like Roquan Smith is a better prospect than either of this year’s top rookies.

[lukkynumber13]

So where do the Devils stack up in comparison to last year’s draft class? I feel like Roquan Smith is a better prospect than either of this year’s top rookies.

Me personally, I think I might have White just a hair above Smith, with Bush right behind.

All same tier tho

[lukkyseven]

I have to say lukky that you have Tavai above where a ton of other people have him as far as the LB's go. I looked briefly at him pre-draft. Post draft it seems that the Lions think he fits their scheme very well.

I don't love a ton of LB's after the top two, so I may have to take some chances on him

[lukkynumber13]

I don’t see any Leonard in this draft, but Tavai might be this year’s Fred Warner

[Space Cowboy]

Tough call @ 5.07 between Barton and Okereke but went with Barton. I can see why they went back to back picks in real life.

[millworkguy]

Lukky,

How much do you bump q Williams after t smith decided to "step away" today?

[lukkynumber13]

Lukky,

How much do you bump q Williams after t smith decided to "step away" today?

LB5 in this class, right after Okereke

I still think Okereke is the better prospect, and has almost as much opportunity as Williams. He has to beat out Anthony Walker, Williams has to beat out Ben Jacobs (I think that’s his name, the athletic freak from Wisconsin last year).

[problemsolver]

Where do you see Josey Jewell and Oren Burks fitting with the rookies?

[lukkynumber13]

Where do you see Josey Jewell and Oren Burks fitting with the rookies?

I like Jewell a lot coming into 2019. I think he plays 80%+ snaps and is at least an LB3 this year. He would be over Okereke, or side by side with him, in the rookie ranks.

Burks on the other hand, man I have no clue. I thought he would be able to win the starting job last year but he barely played (he also struggled with injuries). Now GB is saying they will be playing Josh Jones as a LB - ok, but is he starting? Is Burks? Perhaps it’s a 50-50 split...?

[lukkynumber13]

I have to say lukky that you have Tavai above where a ton of other people have him as far as the LB's go. I looked briefly at him pre-draft. Post draft it seems that the Lions think he fits their scheme very well.

I don't love a ton of LB's after the top two, so I may have to take some chances on him

Was just able to grab Tavai at 4.12 in my rookie draft, thrilled to get him that late! Now HOPEFULLY Okereke falls to the late 5th, but I doubt it.

EDIT: Okereke fell, so I traded up (gave up 3 picks in the middle of the 6th) to 5.05 and scooped him.

[problemsolver]

Lukky.....where you lead, I will follow.


Trade

Gave: Kyle Fuller (in a non CB required league)
Got: Pick 8.08 OTC

Used 8.08 to take Tavai, Jahlani LB Det

[lukkynumber13]

How did Tavai drop to the 8th?!

When I took him at 4.12, I had 2 people immediately (and separately) send me PMs lamenting the fact that he was their next pick.