They redid Harris and Romeo’s deals so they will be back. Lots of edge guys to rotate snaps now. Hutch, Houston, Paschal, Romeo, Harris and Cominsky and even Julian. That’s 7 dudes.
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If he was being drafted as our Micah Parsons and he was replacing Rodrigo as an every down LB I could get behind it. But we are not allowed to draft off ball LBs in the 1st round.
Sure, this season. Both of them aren’t under contract after this season. Same with Julian.
Moving forward, I see:
True Ends:
Hutch
Big Tweeners (that can also play inside):
Commish/Paschal
SAM-type Rush LB:
Houston
I agree with @Thats2 that they need another end. However, I see Nolan Smith as redundant with Houston filling the same type of rush LB role (although Smith can probably do more, I don’t see him as a true “end”). I see him as a Houston who can offer more.
If it were me, I’m probably leaning at adding a end like Wilson/Van Ness/Murphy over Smith just based on roster comp moving forward. I wouldn’t be upset with Smith at all. I just don’t see a lot of ways to keep Smith and Houston on the field at the same time.
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His production shows he isn’t any of those guys. He is the underware games winner.
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2019 Georgia SEC FR LB 11 10 8 18 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 1 0 0
*2020 Georgia SEC SO LB 7 10 11 21 2.5 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Georgia SEC JR LB 12 29 24 53 8.0 4.5 1 -2 -2.0 0 1 1 3
*2022 Georgia SEC SR LB 8 14 4 18 7.0 3.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Career Georgia 63 47 110 20.0 12.5 1 -2 -2.0
Production does not always tell the whole story. College football is littered with athletes who had unbelievably productive careers, but went nowhere in the NFL.
It has been detailed out here many times before about Georgia’s system. Nolan was even asked in his combine interview about it and he said how he is all about the team and isn’t worried about stats. He could’ve transferred somewhere else for a chance to showcase his skills, but he stayed because he believes in loyalty and finishing where you started.
This kid will be a special indivual on and off the field in this league, IMO. I think he is a top 5 defender from this class in 3 years. I also think he has a good shot at being a better pro than Will Anderson. Carter will be the best defensive player in this class though.
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No Georgia lineman will ever put up big numbers as long as Kirby Smart is in charge. He uses his linemen to take on blockers and clear space so his linebackers and safeties can make plays.
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I am struggling with the idea of drafting a more tradtional 4-3 DE. Only two at a time typically see the field. We have Hutch, Houston, and Paschal who we drafted last year, and Cominsky who we just made an investment in. To top that off we just had Charles Harris and Romeo take massive pay cuts and fully guaranteed their 2023 base salaries.
Oh yeah, lets not forget Romeo’s brother, Julian.
Of course guys like Paschal, Cominsky, Romeo, and Hutch can play inside at times so maybe that gets more of these guys on the field at once, but where the hell does another player fit?
At least Nolan Smith has the ability to play the strongside LB’er spot in certain packages to get on the field as much as possible.
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I guess it depends on how you view each player. I look at the roster currently and break them down like this:
Traditional Ends:
Hutch, Romeo, and Harris (though he really struggles in a man 4 alignment. He was much better as a OLB in a 3 man alightment)
Big Ends (who can also slide inside):
Paschal, Commish
Rush LB/SAM:
Houston, Julian
If you view them differently, it probably changes what you want to add on the DL. But to me, Houston isn’t a traditional end, and neither are Paschal/Commish.
In my view, the Lions have one traditional end under contract after this season, which is why I would lean towards adding another Hutch-type opposite him that can anchor the other end of the line for the next 4-5 years. Then you can have Paschal/Commish rotate in and even inside for situational football, and have Houston as the 5th guy who can be moved around from the rush LB spot to bring additional pressure.
That’s just how I see the edge makeup of the team and why I’d add another one.
Of course, even in this view, there is a discussion to be made about whether you pass on a Nolan Smith just because you have a James Houston.
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Who is talking big #s, I’ll would be willing to bet anything that Smith could be the # 1 pic and play every snap and will not produce what Houston did his first year. Once again because there not a good pic at 6 people are trying anything to move a guy up. Before the underware games he was from 20 to into the 2nd Rd. Now he is a top player with out really doing much, I like the guy he is just not a good fit because he will be a less productive Houston
Its like having the TE in the 1st round discussion every year around this time. 
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You literally posted his career stats at Georgia. Why would you post those if you weren’t talking numbers?
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Where does that leave Hutchinson who is an olb…as well
Lol yeah you said Georgia players don’t have big Numbers. And I posted his #s because his # are so small how could anyone mistake that for big #s You wanna replace Houston with this ?
I guess I just don’t understand what you mean. I said they don’t have big numbers after you posted his college stats.
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