Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Welp..

Was just climbing onboard that Landry train and feelin good about it when suddenly... ERRRRP!!

The R Smith train pulled up into the station. Turns out I need to go where that train is headed more than I did yesterday.

To all the new fans on the bandwagon, welcome :-). Looking forward to the Smith Brothers, version two (Malcolm and Roquan).

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

I would take both if they could manage it. Evans at MLB, LVE at weakside, that would be a LB corps with a ton of potential.

Call it an over reaction, but I would too. Seems like Evan's stock is down lately.. if we could like trade 9 and 59 with the Pat's for 23, 31 and 46 I'd be ecstatic. Then if you trade back from 31 to say the Broncos who want a qb with a 5th year option, you could get even more picks, say a 4 and a 6...

1. LVE, WLB
2. Rashaan Evans, MLB
2. Isaiah Oliver, CB
3. Josh Sweat, WDE
3. Genard Avery, SLB
4. PJ Hall, DT1T
4. Kemoko Turay, EDGE
5. Alex Cappa, OG/OT
6. Colby Gossett, OG
6. Michael Joseph, CB
7. Dylan Cantrell, WR
7. Mark Thompson, RB

2019
1. Jonah Williams, OT
2. Caleb Wilson, TE
3. WR




LB party.

Originally posted by investasi:
Roquan at #9 is where BPA meets fit. Last year our rush defense still ranked #22 in the NFL with Reuben. In a division with David Johnson and Gurley playing great defense starts with stopping the run.

Not only that but our LB's without Foster leave a lot to be desired in coverage. I just don't think we're going to find a 3 down LB that can cover and run sideline to sideline that's also ready to have an immediate impact like Roquan in the second or third rounds. I think we have to draft this kid.

Just based on what Saleh has shared publicly we know he values run defense and without Foster for who knows how long we are relying on a LB core of Eli, Coyle and M.Smith who didn't take a single snap last season....It's gotta be Roquan at #9.

Originally posted by jcs:

Just based on what Saleh has shared publicly we know he values run defense and without Foster for who knows how long we are relying on a LB core of Eli, Coyle and M.Smith who didn't take a single snap last season....It's gotta be Roquan at #9.

Saleh, also said he values getting off the field on 3rd down.

Obviously we need to upgrade both positions and we will probably attempt to do so. If we can't, which position would you be most comfortable walking away from this draft without a clear cut upgrade?

LB (Mike and Will) - M. Smith, Coyle, Elijah Lee

Edge (Sam and Leo) - Eli, Marsh, Pita, Watson,

(I excluded Toomer and Attaochu because I have no idea where the coaching staff plans to play them but feel free to factor them in to your decision.)

Originally posted by jcs:
Just based on what Saleh has shared publicly we know he values run defense and without Foster for who knows how long we are relying on a LB core of Eli, Coyle and M.Smith who didn't take a single snap last season....It's gotta be Roquan at #9.

That would easily be one of the worst group of starting LB's in the league.

Originally posted by investasi:

We need that #7 for the whole year, even improve to top 3 if possible. Make the opponent's offense one dimensional. Roquan will make sure there is no dropoff.

Why can't it be for the whole yr next yr? We had a whole new coaching staff and a new scheme...players need time/reps to get s**t down. Plus like I said once we put pts on the board teams couldn't run the ball 30+ times a game on us.

We couldn't get off the field on 3rd down and that's the top priority on defense.

Originally posted by wailers15:

This!! With so many holes I really don't see how we can go wrong at 9. We should be looking at a handful of guys they targeted. But agreed teams get all caught up And reach.

I don't get what are all these holes though (this yr) currently we have two starters at CB, we have two young starters at safety, we have a good nickle CB, Ward can play every position in the secondary. We have a good young core on the interior and on base. We have nothing at edge outside of two backup caliber guys(lost out leading sack guy). There is a hole at LBer, but there is also a s**t ton of talent at LBer.

If smith is the guy sweet he's my #2...I'm not changing my big board because of Foster, we all knew having him on the field this yr was gonna be a luxury.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Call it an over reaction, but I would too. Seems like Evan's stock is down lately.. if we could like trade 9 and 59 with the Pat's for 23, 31 and 46 I'd be ecstatic. Then if you trade back from 31 to say the Broncos who want a qb with a 5th year option, you could get even more picks, say a 4 and a 6...

1. LVE, WLB
2. Rashaan Evans, MLB
2. Isaiah Oliver, CB
3. Josh Sweat, WDE
3. Genard Avery, SLB
4. PJ Hall, DT1T
4. Kemoko Turay, EDGE
5. Alex Cappa, OG/OT
6. Colby Gossett, OG
6. Michael Joseph, CB
7. Dylan Cantrell, WR
7. Mark Thompson, RB

2019
1. Jonah Williams, OT
2. Caleb Wilson, TE
3. WR




LB party.

LVE is overrated IMO. Outside of that Oregon game meh

I don't think much has changed with the draft strategy. You take the edge rusher with the 9th pick(Landry) then try to trade back up or take linebackers later in the draft. The odds of hitting on a serviceable linebacker later in the draft are better than hitting on a serviceable edge rusher.

Originally posted by MTninerfan:
I don't think much has changed with the draft strategy. You take the edge rusher with the 9th pick(Landry) then try to trade back up or take linebackers later in the draft. The odds of hitting on a serviceable linebacker later in the draft are better than hitting on a serviceable edge rusher.

agreed...people gotta remember Robert Saleh was a LBer coach for a while and was part of the group that brought in guys like Smith and Jack. He was around Seattle when they got Wright in the 4th and Wagner in the 2nd. Dude knows his LBers along with what he needs at the position. I think Smith is literally an ideal fit for this scheme BUT there are A LOT of very good LBers that can fit the bill later in the draft... ALSO Landry fits like a glove at a more important position.

IMO I don't see how or why they couldn't get Landry and still not end up with another good LBer prospect (or 2) in this draft

I'm all for taking advantage of the depth at interior OL, CB, and LBer in this draft by attacking players that are scheme fits at those positions later and taking a more impactful position in the 1st, where there's not a l lot of talent down the board.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:
I don't think much has changed with the draft strategy. You take the edge rusher with the 9th pick(Landry) then try to trade back up or take linebackers later in the draft. The odds of hitting on a serviceable linebacker later in the draft are better than hitting on a serviceable edge rusher.

agreed...people gotta remember Robert Saleh was a LBer coach for a while and was part of the group that brought in guys like Smith and Jack. He was around Seattle when they got Wright in the 4th and Wagner in the 2nd. Dude knows his LBers along with what he needs at the position. I think Smith is literally an ideal fit for this scheme BUT there are A LOT of very good LBers that can fit the bill later in the draft... ALSO Landry fits like a glove at a more important position.

IMO I don't see how or why they couldn't get Landry and still not end up with another good LBer prospect (or 2) in this draft

I'm all for taking advantage of the depth at interior OL, CB, and LBer in this draft by attacking players that are scheme fits at those positions later and taking a more impactful position in the 1st, where there's not a l lot of talent down the board.

I'm not as optimistic as you we're going to find a instinctive 3 down LB that can cover later in the draft that will have an immediate impact like Roquan. Saleh did a good job in Jacksonville but that doesn't make him some LB whisperer that can coach up anything you give him.

Really like this kid but man I just don't want to spend a top 10 pick on a ILB/WLB. I'd rather spend it on a pass rusher or even take a guy like Fitzpatrick if he is available.

Originally posted by Hopper:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by MTninerfan:
I don't think much has changed with the draft strategy. You take the edge rusher with the 9th pick(Landry) then try to trade back up or take linebackers later in the draft. The odds of hitting on a serviceable linebacker later in the draft are better than hitting on a serviceable edge rusher.

agreed...people gotta remember Robert Saleh was a LBer coach for a while and was part of the group that brought in guys like Smith and Jack. He was around Seattle when they got Wright in the 4th and Wagner in the 2nd. Dude knows his LBers along with what he needs at the position. I think Smith is literally an ideal fit for this scheme BUT there are A LOT of very good LBers that can fit the bill later in the draft... ALSO Landry fits like a glove at a more important position.

IMO I don't see how or why they couldn't get Landry and still not end up with another good LBer prospect (or 2) in this draft

I'm all for taking advantage of the depth at interior OL, CB, and LBer in this draft by attacking players that are scheme fits at those positions later and taking a more impactful position in the 1st, where there's not a l lot of talent down the board.

I'm not as optimistic as you we're going to find a instinctive 3 down LB that can cover later in the draft that will have an immediate impact like Roquan. Saleh did a good job in Jacksonville but that doesn't make him some LB whisperer that can coach up anything you give him.

Maybe not. But what good is a LB that can cover if the the pass rush never gets home? But if you have a guy who takes no time getting to the QB, then you might be able to get away with a guy at LB who doesn't have to cover for long.