Strong Side OLB

[Number19]

If Brooks Reed were to be moved inside, who do we have to replace him?

The SLB, or "Sam", plays opposite the TE and has coverage responsibility, as well as setting the edge against the run. Rushing the QB is not a primary responsibility.

Before being placed on IR, Trevardo Williams was going to be tried at the Sam position, but at 6'-1" and 241 lbs is normally considered undersized for the position.

Has Mercilus developed any coverage skills?

I've been giving thought to Barr being our first pick, but he projects to the Will position; so where does that leave Mercilus?

Something similar applies to Clowney. He really doesn't project to Crennel's 2-gap 34 as a DE. His best position would be as a pass rush specialist from the Will position because he lacks the coverage skills to project to Sam.

Who in the draft has the coverage skills and size to play (edit) Sam?

 

[JB]

I'm all confused by your question. Are you looking for Will or Sam?

 

[bah007]

Kalil Mack would be awesome as a SOLB in a 34. I like Kyle Van Noy and Carl Bradford there too.

 

[Number19]

I'm all confused by your question. Are you looking for Will or Sam?

My bad. Most of the LB's I've focused on are projected more toward Will, but I'm now looking more at the Sam position.

Although over aged, I'm looking at Utah's Trevor Reilly - 6'-5" and 255 lbs. He's described as having "proven coverage skills against opposing TE's". He's being projected to the 2nd round.

 

[Number19]

Kalil Mack would be awesome as a SOLB in a 34. I like Kyle Van Noy and Carl Bradford there too.

Kalil Mack is being projected as a high first round selection; so unless you like him as our first pick, he is out as a possibility.

At 6'-1", I consider Bradford too undersized to be covering TE's at the next level.

Now, Van Noy is a good prospect to be considered with our second pick. But he won't last to the 3rd round. He has borderline size at 6'-3" against TE's and has problems setting the edge against larger linemen but is still a solid run defender. He is instinctive with good coverage skills.

 

[badboy]

My bad. Most of the LB's I've focused on are projected more toward Will, but I'm now looking more at the Sam position.

Although over aged, I'm looking at Utah's Trevor Reilly - 6'-5" and 255 lbs. He's described as having "proven coverage skills against opposing TE's". He's being projected to the 2nd round.

FWIW, I followed Reilly early as I liked his size but was not impressed; moved him off my board. There is no consensus that Reed could be successful inside.

 

[powda]

FWIW, I followed Reilly early as I liked his size but was not impressed; moved him off my board. There is no consensus that Reed could be successful inside.

Is there a consensus that he's not successful outside?

 

[WolverineFan]

Kalil Mack would be awesome as a SOLB in a 34. I like Kyle Van Noy and Carl Bradford there too.

I agree that Mack and Van Noy are the prototypes this year. Barr could be, but he's very raw. I would employ Bradford as a weak side pass rusher personally.

 

[Number19]

I agree that Mack and Van Noy are the prototypes this year. Barr could be, but he's very raw. I would employ Bradford as a weak side pass rusher personally.

Barr would be an excellent fit at Sam, but with his speed, it would be a waste of pass rush talent. He needs to be set loose to go after the QB every down.

 

[kiwitexansfan]

Kalil Mack would be awesome as a SOLB in a 34. I like Kyle Van Noy and Carl Bradford there too.

Mack and Van Noy are great prospects.

Will have to look into Bradford.

 

[leebigeztx]

Colvin and mcginnist were the olbs under romeo. The sam and the will can be the same in the 3-4. If both guys can cover and both can rush,then you have the steelers from a few yrs back. That's what make an awesome 3-4.

 

[Wolf6151]

I like Kyle Van Noy at SOLB, Barr is another guy that I think would be good at the SOLB, and I think Mack is better at the WOLB.

 

[infantrycak]

Colvin and mcginnist were the olbs under romeo. The sam and the will can be the same in the 3-4. If both guys can cover and both can rush,then you have the steelers from a few yrs back. That's what make an awesome 3-4.

Colvin was not a starter for Romeo. He became a starter after Romeo's departure. Vrabel was the starter opposite McGinest in Romeo's 3-4. He was also LOB for Romeo in the 4-3 with McGinest at DE.