Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) The two linebackers often mocked in Round 1 that Atlanta is scheduled to meet with are Rashaan Evans from Alabama and Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State. I'm not as high on Leighton as some, but personally I love the idea of Rashaan Evans at 26. He's going to be a killer pro. Has scheme versatility, can play inside and outside and is a plus pass rusher for an off-ball linebacker. Big guy, 6'2 around 240lbs. He didn't run at the combine so I don't know about his straight-line speed but the tape speaks for itself and the scouting community seems to love him, not sure why he hasn't gotten more hype. He's every bit as good as a Roquan Smith in my opinion. Looking at our linebacker depth outside of Deion Jones, do we really have a "sure thing"? De'Vondre Campbell is good, but still has a lot of growth to go through. Duke Riley's rookie year was a bit underwhelming to a lot with tackling issues. He was relegated to special teams by mid-season after beginning the year in the starting lineup. I'm interested to see how he looks in year 2 but he isn't a sure thing either and our linebacker depth isn't exactly a team strength. With that being said, how would you feel if we went linebacker at 26 if all of the Round 1 DT's are off the board? (Vea, Payne, Hurst, Bryan). Rashaan Evans would be a slam dunk pick imo and a Day 1 upgrade over Riley and possibly even Campbell imo. A down-hill, aggressive attacking linebacker exactly what Dan Quinn loves. His tape speaks volumes. Vander-Esch, I'm not as sold on but I maintain that LB is in-fact a position of need. What do you guys think? Edited April 3, 2018 by Arkridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Link? The only thing that I've seen says "meeting" with Vander Esch which doesn't necessarily infer a Top 30 visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, hjerry said: Link? The only thing that I've seen says "meeting" with Vander Esch which doesn't necessarily infer a Top 30 visit. It was Cory Woodroff from Falcoholic and Rise Up Reader on twitter, let me try and find a link though. Edited April 3, 2018 by Arkridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Vander Esch would’ve been a fantastic, pro bowl type LBer 10-15 years ago. Now.... not so much. Not a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
⚡Slumerican⚡ Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I'd definitely scratch my head if we go lb'er in the first when we don't even have a DT atm.. But maybe TD and Quinn has found a way to play without being able to stop the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) 11 minutes ago, hjerry said: Link? The only thing that I've seen says "meeting" with Vander Esch which doesn't necessarily infer a Top 30 visit. Here's the Vander-Esch bit. Stand-by for the Rashaan Evans one, just asked Cory and he's good at replying quickly. Edited April 3, 2018 by Arkridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 The only report that I've seen thus far which specifically says they are coming to us for a visit is Siran Neal Nick Chubb doesn't count since he's local Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, hjerry said: The only report that I've seen thus far which specifically says they are coming to us for a visit is Siran Neal Nick Chubb doesn't count since he's local Maybe I'm confusing "meeting" and "visiting". I honestly didn't think there was a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Sorry to be such a stickler about this, but it's a major distinction. Private visits where prospects come to us are limited to only 30 total (not counting local prospects) while we can meet with as many prospects as we want as long as it's off campus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, hjerry said: Sorry to be such a stickler about this, but it's a major distinction. Private visits where prospects come to us are limited to only 30 total (not counting local prospects) while we can meet with as many prospects as we want as long as it's off campus. Gotcha. Here's a link. What do you think? This one specifically says visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, Arkridge said: Gotcha. Here's a link. What do you think? This one specifically says visit. Yeah, that and the other seem legit. I have no reason to doubt them. FTR, I never really doubted you either; I just wanted to see the report since I had yet to hear this had happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 There's been very few reports of the Falcons bringing in players for top 30 visits so far. Falcons are playing this very close to the vest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, hjerry said: Yeah, that and the other seem legit. I have no reason to doubt them. FTR, I never really doubted you either; I just wanted to see the report since I had yet to hear this had happened. No problem man! Can I get your thoughts on how you'd feel about Evans or Vander-Esch at 26 if the top DTs are unavailable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, Arkridge said: No problem man! Can I get your thoughts on how you'd feel about Evans or Vander-Esch at 26 if the top DTs are unavailable? They'd be interesting picks for sure. The thing is, and another poster touched on this in another thread, it isn't really guaranteed that we'll take/go after a Poe clone. I mean, I'm sure Quinn would love to get a rookie who could do what he did for us, but they at very least likely won't pigeonhole themselves into needing that specifically. What they really want is a way to produce on the field in a similar manner, and upgrading our LB core would be one possible means to that end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-train Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 11 minutes ago, hjerry said: The only report that I've seen thus far which specifically says they are coming to us for a visit is Siran Neal Nick Chubb doesn't count since he's local Oh d@mn! @Knight of God gonna be doing backflips when he sees that news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEIST Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 15 minutes ago, Falcanuck said: Vander Esch would’ve been a fantastic, pro bowl type LBer 10-15 years ago. Now.... not so much. Not a fan. He's pretty darn athletic at least from the combine #s. I haven't watched him but sheesh his numbers are sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_The Iceman_Ryan Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I don’t see either in play for us at 26...I think 2nd round is more likely... Evans showed below avg lower body explosiveness at combine and he never ran a 40...highly doubt we draft him Vander is a possibility in 2nd as SLB...we can upgrade there over Campbell. Just due diligence here, nothing alarming... @hjerryI’m still not finding many links to any 1st round DL talent. Keeping close to chest or not meeting with them? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 (edited) 10 minutes ago, HEIST said: He's pretty darn athletic at least from the combine #s. I haven't watched him but sheesh his numbers are sick. The workout and tape don't completely translate imo. He doesn't play with his feet in quicksand, he's quick for a big dude not QUITE as athletic as the numbers say, in my opinion. I much prefer Rashaan Evans, who plays like he's on fire. Edited April 3, 2018 by Arkridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.B.N. Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I would be down with this. Not a fan of Vander Esch, but evans at 26 is a real possibility. Get ryan extension done, sign Bennie Logan, draft Evans at 26. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEIST Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 Just now, Arkridge said: The workout and tape don't completely translate imo. He doesn't play with his feet in quicksand, he's quick for a bit dude not QUITE as athletic as the numbers say, in my opinion. I much prefer Rashaan Evans, who plays like he's on fire. Yeah I've only read on Vander Esch. I've seen people say he's really athletic and then some say he's slow too (before workouts, too). I'm not against LB because I don't like these DTs. I like Hurst but Falcons aren't gonna consider him with his workout. Payne is overhyped, Bryan is another Shede type, Vea is probably a 2 down guy. Grab the #BPA in round 1 and then grab Shepherd or Nichols.. or both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkridge Posted April 3, 2018 Author Share Posted April 3, 2018 4 minutes ago, HEIST said: Yeah I've only read on Vander Esch. I've seen people say he's really athletic and then some say he's slow too (before workouts, too). I'm not against LB because I don't like these DTs. I like Hurst but Falcons aren't gonna consider him with his workout. Payne is overhyped, Bryan is another Shede type, Vea is probably a 2 down guy. Grab the #BPA in round 1 and then grab Shepherd or Nichols.. or both. That's a great comp on Taven Bryan. I've also comped him to Robert Nkemdiche. All the athletic ability but way too often looks like he has absolutely no idea what he's doing. Chicken with his head cut off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSalmon Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 I rather like Evans. Debo, Campbell and Evans would be a fantastic trio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcanuck Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 16 minutes ago, HEIST said: He's pretty darn athletic at least from the combine #s. I haven't watched him but sheesh his numbers are sick. Valid, but so was Paul Worrilow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconJim Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Arkridge said: The two linebackers often mocked in Round 1 that Atlanta is scheduled to meet with are Rashaan Evans from Alabama and Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State. I'm not as high on Leighton as some, but personally I love the idea of Rashaan Evans at 26. He's going to be a killer pro. Has scheme versatility, can play inside and outside and is a plus pass rusher for an off-ball linebacker. Big guy, 6'2 around 240lbs. He didn't run at the combine so I don't know about his straight-line speed but the tape speaks for itself and the scouting community seems to love him, not sure why he hasn't gotten more hype. He's every bit as good as a Roquan Smith in my opinion. Looking at our linebacker depth outside of Deion Jones, do we really have a "sure thing"? De'Vondre Campbell is good, but still has a lot of growth to go through. Duke Riley's rookie year was a bit underwhelming to a lot with tackling issues. He was relegated to special teams by mid-season after beginning the year in the starting lineup. I'm interested to see how he looks in year 2 but he isn't a sure thing either and our linebacker depth isn't exactly a team strength. With that being said, how would you feel if we went linebacker at 26 if all of the Round 1 DT's are off the board? (Vea, Payne, Hurst, Bryan). Rashaan Evans would be a slam dunk pick imo and a Day 1 upgrade over Riley and possibly even Campbell imo. A down-hill, aggressive attacking linebacker exactly what Dan Quinn loves. His tape speaks volumes. Vander-Esch, I'm not as sold on but I maintain that LB is in-fact a position of need. What do you guys think? Honestly, I don't know a whole lot about these two players. But on the subject of visits --- WR Vyncint Smith was supposed to meet with the Falcons on Monday, and I was wondering if that did in fact take place.....haven't seen anything about it, anywhere! I sure hope they get a good look at this guy, 'cause he can get it done! Plus, he's actually over 6 ft. tall --- what a concept! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEIST Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 11 minutes ago, Falcanuck said: Valid, but so was Paul Worrilow. Truuue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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