official 2014 nfl draft thread

[red]

here's an interesting idea that i haven't seen anywhere yet

shazier at safety?

he's obviously athletic and fast enough

he played around 230 this year, a bit lite for any LB, but big for a safety

what are his cover skills like? anyone know?

ok, he's pretty good in the passing game

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000331632/article/ohio-state-lb-ryan-shazier-reinjures-hamstring-at-pro-day

Mayock said Shazier is a great fit for today's NFL because "he's so good in the pass game."

[run pMc]

Nah, you play him inside at Brad Jones' spot, and find a bigger athlete for Hawk's spot. If he can run like a deer you'd think he could play pass coverage...but you never know. IMO the ILBs lack speed and range.

[smuggler]

Ryan Shazier is also named Aaron Maybin if you jump into a time machine and go back a few years. But seriously, he's too small, and most likely will never be effective because of it (as a pass rusher). As a traditional linebacker, he might not be bad.

[Joemailman]

I'd think with that 42 inch vertical you've at least got to give him a chance to be Cam Wake and let him rush the passer. I love that there is a plan B with him where you could easily move him inside though. Super easy to get him on the field.

Wake outweighs him by about 20-25 pounds. My concern with Shazier at OLB would be whether he could set the edge on running plays. I wouldn't mind seeing him lining up next to Hawk though. Hawk is solid, but needs an explosive player to team with. He had it a couple of years with Bishop, but hasn't had it since.

[PlantPage55]

Not surprised, he put on a show at the combine. Some guys on here were already groaning about the thought of another Ohio State LB with through the roof measureables.

You might notice he's got that can't grow hair disease. Makes him aerodynamic.

I hope he brings a replacement bowl of candy beans with him.

Wouldn't be opposed to Shazier, but I'm hoping for a more marquee guy to slip to #21, rather than a high-ceiling reach.

[3irty1]

Wake outweighs him by about 20-25 pounds. My concern with Shazier at OLB would be whether he could set the edge on running plays. I wouldn't mind seeing him lining up next to Hawk though. Hawk is solid, but needs an explosive player to team with. He had it a couple of years with Bishop, but hasn't had it since.

Not when he came out he wasn't. Wake was weighed at 236 LBS at the combine, nearly identical to Shazier.

[3irty1]

Ryan Shazier is also named Aaron Maybin if you jump into a time machine and go back a few years. But seriously, he's too small, and most likely will never be effective because of it (as a pass rusher). As a traditional linebacker, he might not be bad.

That comparison begins and ends with their ability to jump and have long arms. Shazier is a lot faster and changes directions much better. Even accounting for the size difference. Shazier does enough things well that a Von Miller comparison is better.

The Packers played Brad Jones at OLB in their first year as a 3-4 and he was lighter and thinner than Shazier.

[Joemailman]

That comparison begins and ends with their ability to jump and have long arms. Shazier is a lot faster and changes directions much better. Even accounting for the size difference. Shazier does enough things well that a Von Miller comparison is better.

The Packers played Brad Jones at OLB in their first year as a 3-4 and he was lighter and thinner than Shazier.

And there's a reason Jones was moved inside. He was too small to play OLB. Unless Shazier could get up to about 250, I don't think he can play outside in a 3-4.

[3irty1]

He's on the low end for sure but he wouldn't be the first to do it. James Harrison was about his size. I just think if you had an athlete like that you'd have to give them a shot to use that speed on the edge where it can do maximum damage. Is it likely he'll succeed at it? No it isn't, but then again the odds of any edge rusher hitting their potential outside of the top 10 are pretty slim. The beauty of Shazier though is that he's also a very safe choice to play inside as well where his all-around game could shine. If MM is serious about cross-training defenders in order to move them around then Shazier has a lot of value because of how easy he is to get on the field.

[red]

at 247 pounds, hawk had a 40 inch verticle at the combine and at his pro day, some folks there clocked him running the 40 in 4.38, his official time at his pro day was still in the 4.4's

OSU, has historically run their pro days on a very, very fast track

[mraynrand]

The beauty of Shazier though is that he's also a very safe choice to play inside as well where his all-around game could shine.

[wist43]

here's an interesting idea that i haven't seen anywhere yet

shazier at safety?

he's obviously athletic and fast enough

he played around 230 this year, a bit lite for any LB, but big for a safety

what are his cover skills like? anyone know?

ok, he's pretty good in the passing game

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap200...ing-at-pro-day

That what I thought of him too... would only want him as a safety.

The Packers don't like physical safeties though... they want their safeties to be corners. The Packers have never cared if their DB's could tackle or not. If they can? then great, but it certainly isn't a priority for them. They want all their DB's to be able to cover, and that's it.

[wist43]

Nah, you play him inside at Brad Jones' spot, and find a bigger athlete for Hawk's spot. If he can run like a deer you'd think he could play pass coverage...but you never know. IMO the ILBs lack speed and range.

I'd like to see Mulumba on the field more... I'd prefer he start over either Jones or Hawk.

[The Shadow]

Are you old enough to remember Blackhawk?
Andre, Stamislaus, Olaf, etc?

[mraynrand]

A more likely TT pickup will be Denicos Allen from MSU. Guy played LB and hit like a hammer at 218. I was worried he was gonna bulk up to try for LB, but word is he is going the safety route. Got snubbed by the combine; will have to find pro day numbers, but his speed was around 4.5. (elsewhere listed as 4.6-8; if he's really that slow it's a no-go). Otherwise, a good SS prospect I think.