03-22-2020, 06:57 PM
(03-20-2020, 03:51 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: I posted this article because of the relevance for the Cincinnati Bengals...
https://landryfootball.com/scouts-take-evolution-safetylinebacker-hybrid-todays-nfl-free/?print=print
The evolution of the safety and linebacker position has been occurring for several years and seemed to be more related to the personnel rather than the actual position per se, until the last few years.
Linebackers need to be more nimble and faster due to the mobility of the new wave of NFL QB. The need for Big relatively quick linebackers are being replaced with somewhat large, much faster safeties.
A concern for me and some fans of the Bengals is the lack of talent at the backer position in the 2020 NFL draft. There are some backers that may be available but it is a thin class this year.
Harrison, Dye, Queen, and Simmons are now the prototypical linebackers today. So with this in mind, do not be surprised if the Bengals draft one linebacker and 2 or more safeties. Here are some safeties that I like a lot:
McKinney
Dugger
Chinn
Muse
Burgess
Brookes
How could you not add Antoine Winfield Jr. to that Safety list?
Here's how NFL.Com grades them out and I'm a big fan of blood lines and players. Just look at our own Geno Atkins. I hope Winfield falls to them somewhere. He was the most impressive to me in the combine drills as well.
McKinney---Graded of 6.38
Winfield Jr---Grade of 6.36
Ashtyn Davis---Grade of 6.33
Kyle Dugger----Grade of 6.32
Grant Delpit----Grade of 6.30
