Suitable Edmunds Replacements in the draft

[MrEpsYtown]

3 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Like I said in the other thread, if you want a replacement for Edmunds you better get Campbell or Drew Sanders. If you don’t get one of those two, you’re better off rolling with Bernard/Spector and seeing what they have. I like Dorian Williams but he’s also undersized. Pappoe, Sewell, Overstreet were all high end recruits who are good athletes but bad football players who can’t tackle. 
 

This LB class is that bad 

I disagree. I think there are really good players at LB all over the draft. I think Campbell and Simpson are 1-2, Sanders is a unicorn who could get drafted before both, but may not be ready to start right away, then I think there is a little gap, I love Sewell, Henley…there are some very good players who are better than the guys from last year imo. 

[Xwnyer]

So let’s see we drafted edmunds in first and ya thinks 3rd rounder is his staring replacement and play caller 

[Chaos]

6 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Like I said in the other thread, if you want a replacement for Edmunds you better get Campbell or Drew Sanders. If you don’t get one of those two, you’re better off rolling with Bernard/Spector and seeing what they have. I like Dorian Williams but he’s also undersized. Pappoe, Sewell, Overstreet were all high end recruits who are good athletes but bad football players who can’t tackle. 
 

This LB class is that bad 

The unusual way the Bills use LBs compounds the challenge. 

[gonzo1105]

6 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

I disagree. I think there are really good players at LB all over the draft. I think Campbell and Simpson are 1-2, Sanders is a unicorn who could get drafted before both, but may not be ready to start right away, then I think there is a little gap, I love Sewell, Henley…there are some very good players who are better than the guys from last year imo. 

Henley I can get behind. Sewell no

[Eastport bills]

Silly thread for the simple reason that in a 2 LB configuration with so much responsibility for playing primary run defense and having underneath pass defense, you’re asking a rookie to play every down competently . Why would anyone think a 3 rounder could replace a 5year all pro . I guess the Edmunds derangement syndrome has reduced his value in our defense. If we try to shoehorn a middle round draft choice as our new Edmunds, our already suspect defense will be a real weakness.

[Bookie Man]

Don’t see it in Campbell. Can close in on plays decently. Doesn’t seem to fight off blocks well though. 
 

Simpson

Sanders

Overshown

[BearNorth]

The Pats have McCourty with the green dot.  Is this the year to perhaps have Poyer or Hyde be the defensive signal caller, to take some load off the newbie at MLB.  With a new DC going to hopefully be a lot of changes in how we play D.

[T master]

55 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

You must have him confused with someone else. 
 

 

Whoops okay i took his shuttle time as his 40 time my bad well this is the exact reason why i drive entertainer coach & am not a NFL - GM Right ?? 😜

[MrEpsYtown]

Just now, T master said:

 

Whoops okay i took his shuttle time as his 40 time my bad well this is the exact reason why i drive entertainer coach & am not a NFL - GM Right ?? 😜

None of  us are! But we like to think we are! I was excited about Carter and he just had a terrible workout. So I think he will drop a ton. 

[Drew21PA]

Surprised no one is talking about zeke

 

starting to feel he may end up in buffalo 

[Yantha]

Hello fellow draft geeks.

I'm hoping to enlist some help in evaluating MIDDLE linebacker prospects in this upcoming draft.  Jack Campbell is the leader of the positional group, but outside of Campbell, the Bills may need to target prospects beyond the #1 guy...

What I'm looking for is TRUE middle linebacker prospects only.

Please post your players, with some brief explanation as to why they fit (either that was their position in college, or if they could transition in the NFL).  It would also help if you could project which round they are graded.

Much thanks!

[Johnny Hammersticks]

That Biffie Simpson fella from Clemson.  That boy good.

[gonzo1105]

There are not many true MLB prospects in this draft. A lot of undersized guys masquerading as MLBs 

 

Campbell and Drew Sanders 

 

Then it’s Trenton Simpson who I don’t think is a Mike but others will disagree. 
 

Daiyon Henley from Washington State would be a good consolation prize in round 2. 
 

Dorian Williams is slightly undersized but covers well and can be groomed in that spot probably round 3 or 4. 
 

After that it gets into a what’s your flavor to fill a spot. 
 

Pappoe from Auburn and Overstreet from Texas both highly recruited and undersized possess great athleticism but have never put it together as football players. 
 

Noah Sewell from Oregon looks the part but plays like cheap tissue paper and processes slowly. 
 

Ivan Pace Jr from Cincinnati looks the part of a MLB but he is 5’10 and has yet to run a 40 yard dash time. Can he overcome his limitations? He was a hell of a college player in an aggressive defense at Cinci. I’m intrigued as I was very high on Malcolm Rodriguez who was drafted round 6 last year and ended up starting for the Lions. 
 

Last guy I’ll bring up is Anfernee Orji from Vanderbilt. Played outside there but think he can definitely play Mike in the NFL has ideal height weight speed and had good production in college. Think he could be a good NFL player

[Simon Says]

Bills have run a 2 LB set with Milano and Edmunds and Edmunds was not a tradiotnal "middle linebacker ". Will the Bills adjust their scheme or look for a replacement that can do what Edmunds did? Is that Campbell?

[BuffAlone]

2 minutes ago, Herb Nightly said:

Bills have run a 2 LB set with Milano and Edmunds and Edmunds was not a tradiotnal "middle linebacker ". Will the Bills adjust their scheme or look for a replacement that can do what Edmunds did? Is that Campbell?

Milano played alot of "traditional" mlb last year. They may just replace the wlb in the draft,and interchange the two in McD's scheme...just a thought. Milano can be an all pro again with the right running mate

[Aussie Joe]

1 hour ago, Yantha said:

Hello fellow draft geeks.

I'm hoping to enlist some help in evaluating MIDDLE linebacker prospects in this upcoming draft.  Jack Campbell is the leader of the positional group, but outside of Campbell, the Bills may need to target prospects beyond the #1 guy...

What I'm looking for is TRUE middle linebacker prospects only.

Please post your players, with some brief explanation as to why they fit (either that was their position in college, or if they could transition in the NFL).  It would also help if you could project which round they are graded.

Much thanks!

 

Anything in this thread?

[BillsFanForever19]

On 2/17/2023 at 5:25 PM, newcam2012 said:

You think 3rd round draft choice Bernard can get it done? 

 

Personally, I don't. Not yet at least. But to spend a 3rd on a guy and then immediately make him a career backup by drafting someone in the 1st after 1 year of barely being worked in the system doesn't really add up to me.

 

My guess is they bring in a vet for a year for Bernard to learn from him and see if he can grow into the role in Year 3. And/or take another Day 2 MLB and have them compete with Bernard. But I'd be surprised to see them just plug and play a 1st Round Rookie after spending a 3rd last year on Bernard.

Edited March 20, 2023 by BillsFanForever19

[John from Riverside]

I don’t think there’s a doubt that they’re going to take a linebacker in the draft the question is, who will it be?
 

Baylon Spector, anyone?

[GolfandBills]

I think they’ll salivate over Campbell.  I expect him to be the pick at 27

[noacls]

20 hours ago, Eastport bills said:

Silly thread for the simple reason that in a 2 LB configuration with so much responsibility for playing primary run defense and having underneath pass defense, you’re asking a rookie to play every down competently . Why would anyone think a 3 rounder could replace a 5year all pro . I guess the Edmunds derangement syndrome has reduced his value in our defense. If we try to shoehorn a middle round draft choice as our new Edmunds, our already suspect defense will be a real weakness.

Edmunds was never all pro

[MrEpsYtown]

9 hours ago, GolfandBills said:

I think they’ll salivate over Campbell.  I expect him to be the pick at 27

 

I think they salivate over Simpson. I think that he their flavor of modern coverage backer. He may seem on the smaller side, but he's the same as Lavonte David, a bit taller. I prefer Campbell, but it's close. I really think Campbell is going to be special. 

Edited March 20, 2023 by MrEpsYtown

[Allen2Moulds]

6 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

I think they salivate over Simpson. I think that he their flavor of modern coverage backer. He may seem on the smaller side, but he's the same as Lavonte David, a bit taller. I prefer Campbell, but it's close. I really think Campbell is going to be special. 

I want the instinctive guy, as the new QB of our defense. Whoever that might be. Tremaine sorely lacked that, and it's a big reason he never made splash plays. Basically, give me another Milano

Edited March 20, 2023 by Allen2Moulds

[MrEpsYtown]

6 minutes ago, Allen2Moulds said:

I want the instinctive guy, as the new QB of our defense. Whoever that might be. Tremaine sorely lacked that, and it's a big reason he never made splash plays. Basically, give me another Milano

 

That is definitely Campbell imo. Simpson is kind of still learning the in box position, but his instincts are awesome as well, he just isn't as plug-and-play as Campbell imo. Simpson is probably the better playmaker. 

[Doc]

Campbell being tutored by Kuechly will hopefully give them some more insight into him.

[Dr. Who]

3 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

That is definitely Campbell imo. Simpson is kind of still learning the in box position, but his instincts are awesome as well, he just isn't as plug-and-play as Campbell imo. Simpson is probably the better playmaker. 

I have speculated Simpson because he does seem to match up perfectly with their ideal. Jack Campbell is closer to the Platonic ideal of LB, though. I think when God thinks LB, he thinks Jack Campbell. (I'd be happy with either. Drew Sanders is probably in the conversation, too.)

[MrEpsYtown]

20 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

I have speculated Simpson because he does seem to match up perfectly with their ideal. Jack Campbell is closer to the Platonic ideal of LB, though. I think when God thinks LB, he thinks Jack Campbell. (I'd be happy with either. Drew Sanders is probably in the conversation, too.)

 

Campbell feels like a guy who is going to be drafted by the Steelers or the Patriots or Seahawks or something and be the best linebacker in the league for 10 years and it will annoy me every day. 

 

We seem to ignore these types of blue-chippers, but as Doc mentioned, hopefully, the Kuechly connection pushes the envelope. You will have to take him at 27 though. He won't get to our round 2 pick imo. As crazy as it sounds, I could see Ron Rivera and Washington taking him at 16. Ideally, you can trade back a bit and take Campbell or Simpson. 

 

Nice little article on Campbell: 

https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/iowas-jack-campbell-is-a-middle-linebacker-nfl-scouts-destined-to-love/article_4159d946-b933-11ed-ad5c-2f2d2aa26cab.html

Edited March 20, 2023 by MrEpsYtown

[Eastport bills]

1 hour ago, noacls said:

Edmunds was never all pro

He went 2 pro bowls and most NFL Analysts agree he was snubbed last season. What’s your point?

[BrainwashedBillsFan]

The more I watch Drew Sanders the more I think he is our guy 

[MrEpsYtown]

1 minute ago, Eastport bills said:

He went 2 pro bowls and most NFL Analysts agree he was snubbed last season. What’s your point?

 

The general consensus is that the pro bowl is complete BS, see Rodger Saffold. Whereas The All-pro team is legit, the real deal. Tremain has not been an all-pro, though he has gotten votes in the past. 

[NewEra]

8 minutes ago, BrainwashedBillsFan said:

The more I watch Drew Sanders the more I think he is our guy 

Just wondering why?  
 

athletically sure.  He’s kind of like Tremaine in that he has very little experience playing the Mike and is probably better off playing outside. So I guess he makes sense in that regard….. but I think Dodson would be our starter all season if Sanders is the pick.  

[nucci]

49 minutes ago, Eastport bills said:

He went 2 pro bowls and most NFL Analysts agree he was snubbed last season. What’s your point?

this is not a knock on Edmunds but going to the pro bowl doesn't mean anything anymore

[BrainwashedBillsFan]

41 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Just wondering why?  
 

athletically sure.  He’s kind of like Tremaine in that he has very little experience playing the Mike and is probably better off playing outside. So I guess he makes sense in that regard….. but I think Dodson would be our starter all season if Sanders is the pick.  

He’s all over the field, the guy can cover and get to the ball carrier. Has enough size to play Mike, 6’4” 235lb. And from my eye test he plays with instinct, something Edmunds lacked bigly. Also we wouldn’t have to use our first pick on him either. Does that work for ya? Also Dodson is a joke in coverage. 

Edited March 20, 2023 by BrainwashedBillsFan

[GunnerBill]

52 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

The general consensus is that the pro bowl is complete BS, see Rodger Saffold. Whereas The All-pro team is legit, the real deal. Tremain has not been an all-pro, though he has gotten votes in the past. 

 

He does have votes but only a handful. Think it was single figures over 5 years. 

[NewEra]

26 minutes ago, BrainwashedBillsFan said:

He’s all over the field, the guy can cover and get to the ball carrier. Has enough size to play Mike, 6’4” 235lb. And from my eye test he plays with instinct, something Edmunds lacked bigly. Also we wouldn’t have to use our first pick on him either. Does that work for ya? Also Dodson is a joke in coverage. 

Yeah, thanks.  A couple SEC guys that I know and trust disagree with the instincts portion of your assessment, but they could be wrong. I’ve only watched highlights to this point, so I can really comment on him.

they think he’s too often caught out of position due to where he thinks the play is going- but he’s wrong.  Often fooled by the QB’s eyes and playaction.  Mahomes will have a field day working him over in the middle of the field.  Things that can be improved upon with experience and good coaching 
 

I like the athlete and think he’s ok value in rd 2.  He’s like the 2nd rd version of Tremaine minus the wingspan.  

[MrEpsYtown]

Just now, NewEra said:

Yeah, thanks.  A couple SEC guys that I know and trust disagree with the instincts portion of your assessment, but they could be wrong. I’ve only watched highlights to this point, so I can really comment on him.

they think he’s too often caught out of position due to where he thinks the play is going- but he’s wrong.  Often fooled by the QB’s eyes and playaction.  Mahomes will have a field day working him over in the middle of the field.  Things that can be improved upon with experience and good coaching 
 

I like the athlete and think he’s ok value in rd 2.  He’s like the 2nd rd version of Tremaine minus the wingspan.  

 

I agree with this. I am not sure what to make of him. I feel a lot more confident in Campbell and Simpson, but I do think Sanders can be really good eventually. Is he coming in and wearing the green dot? No way. Campbell yes. Simpson maybe.  

[Eastport bills]

29 minutes ago, nucci said:

this is not a knock on Edmunds but going to the pro bowl doesn't mean anything anymore

I agree with that, but the point was you can’t replace a speedy, talented LB in a 2 LB defense with just anyone. Even the All Pro designations are mostly rep and political.

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

I agree with this. I am not sure what to make of him. I feel a lot more confident in Campbell and Simpson, but I do think Sanders can be really good eventually. Is he coming in and wearing the green dot? No way. Campbell yes. Simpson maybe.  

Yeah…and that’s why I think Sanders is the only option rd 2.  The other guys will be gone.  He might be too

[MrEpsYtown]

Just now, NewEra said:

Yeah…and that’s why I think Sanders is the only option rd 2.  The other guys will be gone.  He might be too

 

Yeah I think Sanders makes a lot more sense for a 3-4 team...he would fit awesome in Wink Martindale's defense because he can do so many things. I don't love him as a tampa 2 mike. 

[BrainwashedBillsFan]

28 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Yeah, thanks.  A couple SEC guys that I know and trust disagree with the instincts portion of your assessment, but they could be wrong. I’ve only watched highlights to this point, so I can really comment on him.

they think he’s too often caught out of position due to where he thinks the play is going- but he’s wrong.  Often fooled by the QB’s eyes and playaction.  Mahomes will have a field day working him over in the middle of the field.  Things that can be improved upon with experience and good coaching 
 

I like the athlete and think he’s ok value in rd 2.  He’s like the 2nd rd version of Tremaine minus the wingspan.  

Do you feel that jack campbell is that much better than him and would you take him at 27?

[noacls]

2 hours ago, Eastport bills said:

He went 2 pro bowls and most NFL Analysts agree he was snubbed last season. What’s your point?

All pro and pro bowl are not the same thing. Look it up. My point is Edmunds is overrated. Addition by subtraction