I’d assume that how he looks in space during the draft process will matter a lot for Herbig.
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Unless the scheme changes… I think it is unlikely to see a 2-down thumper with this staff.
We could use Sewell… if he drops 20 pounds and is committed to staying at that weight.
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He was All Pac 12 in 2021 first team. He was defensive freshman of the year in 2020. IMO, something was off this year. I couldn’t tell you what exactly. Might have been a combo of things.
He may not be a 1st rounder. But I think he runs quite well. I actually think he is a freak physically. He was a five star recruit coming into Oregon. He ran a 4.75 before college during the recruiting phase at 250+ lbs. Typically by the time the draft arrives that number improves a little. He ran a short shuttle faster than a WR. He was 99% in SPARQ rating for athleticism coming into college.
I think his combine will be very good.
He could fall though if teams think he is only a 1st and 2nd down guy. But our team needs a 1st and 2nd down guy. That is the thing we don’t have. Personally, I think he moves pretty well in space and has a decent grip on zone coverages. But well see if he moves fast enough to play all three downs. Seems like an incredible athlete to me, but if you are looking for a coverage backer this ain’t your guy.
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Scheme change. Tim DeRuyter’s defense was built around funneling everything back towards the ILBs to clean up. Lanning’s scheme put Sewell in space more often. Sewell went from a see ball, hit ball responsibilities to something of a more varied read and react sort of role.
I think Noah could be great as an early down specialist but unless you can figure out a 3rd down pass rushing role he’s clearly a two down player IMO.
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Leo Chenal, at 6’3, 250, ran a 4.53 with a 1.5 10 second split, a 4.28 shuttle, 6.98 3-cone, a 40.5 inch vert and a 10’8 inch broad… and had a much better final year than Sewell…
and he still wasn’t drafted until almost the 4th round. That style of LB just isn’t what the NFL wants anymore.
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Hey if I can get Sewell that late, sign me up. The problem with that hope is, as others pointed out, he is more valuable to a traditional 3-4 team.
Rodrigo
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I would like to have a thumper to stand up against the run. $ Thor gets tossed around pretty badly. It just has to be at the right cost from a draft capital stand point.
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Are we basically saying that there is no value in a 250 lb? I’m a bit confused by the premise. These LBs are as athletic as any LB that weights 230 lbs. Or are we saying that its not because he is 250 lbs its because he simply doesn’t have the skills and awareness for coverage?
I think he’s valuable just not in man coverage situation.
Yeah, sometimes I think I’m looking for a unicorn when it comes to a MLB. Like they have to be great at coverage zone and man, great instincts vs the run, big enough to shed an OG, man up on TEs, etc. Its almost laughable what we expect from these guys at some point.
I mentioned his weight earlier… but thought I should provide some visual context. Some pics aren’t great resolution…
but it is clear that Sewell played with a lot of weight this year.
He looks almost as thick as some of O line in these shots…
.
.
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He’s Levon Kirkland.
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I think we’re saying coverage matters first, then run defense. That’s the way the current NFL operates. So how these guys test doesn’t actually matter that much if they look like 2-down guys on tape (which both Chenal and Sewell did). And scouts should go off the tape more than the testing. The reason I brought Chenal’s numbers up was to show it probably wouldn’t matter if Sewell tested well or not.
I think there’s still a place for 2-down LBs, but like fullbacks most FOs will want to find them for cheap.
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Or Jahlani Tavai Part Deux
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Possibly. I don’t think Levon Kirkland would have much along a place in today’s league either.
Noah heard that people didn’t value off the ball linebackers, so he is starting the switch to left tackle.
I’m half serious here:
He might be a cool Cabinda type.
You could sell me on the idea of beefing up Noah Sewell for Right Guard if we pass on Skoronski
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