With the Eagles set for changes on both sides of the ball, here are 8 linebackers via the draft or free agency that the Eagles could target or pursue.
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1. Isaiah Simmons — Clemson
Howie Roseman could decide to look around on the draft day, breathe in all the success that Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tyrann Mathieu have had and finally decides to trade up for a gamechanger on defense who can disrupt an offense’s flow from any position.
The Eagles don’t normally put a ton of value into the linebacker position, but Simmons isn’t your typical linebacker. A versatile hybrid, Simmons can play linebacker or safety, Philadelphia to be one of the most versatile teams in the league.
In this new era of spread offenses and mobile quarterbacks, having a guy like Simmons who can go from elite pass rusher to locking down the middle on a pass play makes him extremely valuable for any style of defense.
The Houston Texans need to add pass covering linebackers. Here are three college prospects the club needs to target in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Houston Texans have an issue with the performance of their linebackers in pass coverage. The Texans desperately need to find a linebacker who can cover in today’s NFL. With the 2020 NFL Draft a little over two months away, here are a few linebackers that fit this mold. Keep in mind, the Texans don’t have a first-round pick, and won’t have a chance to address the issue until No. 57th overall in the second round.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
(AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
The Draft Network is pretty high on Davis-Gaither’s athleticism and length:
Akeem has very good reactive athleticism for the position. He shows his versatility by aligning as a stacked backer, as an OLB in an odd front scheme, walked out over a WR in sub packages and even aligned in the box. He’s an undersized LB but is extremely physical, contact seeking LB against the run. He has good length and very good lateraled agility for the position. Easily gets through trash and to the football in the run game. He’s a contact seeker and shows good explosion in his hips as a tackler. He also has good coverage upside on RBs and TE’s. Has excellent range for the Linebacker position. His skill set suggests he is ideally suited to play WLB in an even front scheme and projects to be a core special teamer, as well.
Davis-Gaither might be one of the most athletically gifted linebackers in this year’s draft. He also had the stats to back up his playing tallying 101 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and eight passes defensed during his junior year. He would be a great fit with Zach Cunningham and even Benardrick McKinney to provide some versatility at the ILB position.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Appalachian State linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither
The 2020 NFL draft has some big-name linebacker prospects from powerhouse programs, but if your favorite NFL team is looking for the most underrated player at that position in this year’s class, their search should end with Appalachian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither.
A athletic, versatile defender, Davis-Gaither recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the Senior Bowl, how he’ll answer concerns about his level of competition, and how he’ll look back in his career with the Mountaineers.
JM: What was your experience like at the Senior Bowl?
ADG: I had an awesome experience out there. I really just took things day-by-day. I didn’t really know what to expect. I was the first person in my family to make it down there. I had some teammates at App State that went, we had a running back that went last year but he didn’t get to play in the game due to injury. He was able to give me a little advice about the interviews and what not. For the most part though, it was a brand new experience for me. I went out there with a positive mindset. I was ready to go to work. I went down there and showed them what I’m capable of. It was an awesome experience. I had a chance to meet a bunch of players out there. We’re all working towards the same goal. I got to work with some fantastic NFL coaches and training staffs. It was awesome.
JM: What did you set out to achieve out there? Do you believe that you accomplished your goal?
ADG: I told everybody the same thing all week. My message stayed consistent. I told them in the interview room that I went out there to compete against guys from the biggest schools around the nation. I know that they view App State as a small school. I believe that I showed them that I can play inside the box at my current size. I know they had some doubts about me being able to play inside linebacker and playing in the box in the NFL. My ultimate goal was to quiet those whispers and prove those doubters wrong. I went down to the Senior Bowl and I competed against those guys. I played inside the box with great success.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What do you think is your best position at the next level?
ADG: I’m definitely an inside linebacker.
JM: Is that consistent with the feedback you’ve received?
ADG: They asked me the same question. They wanted to know what position I think I’ll play at the next level. I told them inside linebacker. They thought I was an inside linebacker as well. That’s where I practiced at all week. I think it paid off.
JM: Linebackers have been getting smaller and more athletic for years now, and you certainly fit the bill. You look and play like today’s linebacker.
ADG: For sure. We don’t need to pigeonhole linebackers into a single position anymore. Look at the guy from Clemson, Isaiah Simmons. He’s playing every position on the field! The title of position, I don’t think that really matters anymore. We can play at different spots. It’s all about being versatile nowadays.
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Earlier you mentioned that you realize that App State is a smaller school. Did any scouts ask you about the lack of competition? How will you answer those questions throughout this process?
ADG: I had a similar question to that down at the Senior Bowl. They asked me how I felt I measure up with some of these bigger school guys. I told them I’ve had a chip on my shoulder my entire life. I came out as a 2-star recruit. I wasn’t highly recruited. I’ve always played with a chip. I’ve always felt that I belong on the biggest stage. I’ve continued to carry that attitude around with me. I’ve been playing with that attitude for five years now. When I step on that field, I know I belong there. I know I can compete with anybody. That’s basically what I told them.
JM: The NFL Scouting Combine is quickly approaching. Are you looking forward to any drills in particular?
ADG: I’m definitely looking forward to the bench press. I’m eager to show everybody how strong I am. It goes back to the position question a little bit, us linebackers are getting smaller and more athletic but we still need to be strong. I’m just as strong as those other guys. I’m a smaller inside linebacker but I have to show that my functional strength isn’t a weakness.
JM: What’s the best lesson any coach ever taught you?
ADG: My dad is actually a coach. I’ve been receiving those lessons my entire life (laughs). He always told me to be better today than I was yesterday. He’s been drilling that into my head since I was a little boy. I really keep that mindset in everything I do. Whether that’s in football or regular life, I try to keep that same energy. That’s what being a dad is all about. Just take things as they come and be better than yesterday. I try to bring that attitude with me into every drill and practice. I do that when I’m reading books in school. It’s all about being consistent.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Is there one NFL player in particular that you’re looking forward to squaring off with?
ADG: I would love to play against Deshaun Watson. I’ve met him once, we actually played against him during my freshmen year in college. He’s one of my favorite collegiate players of this era. I always wanted to meet him and play against him.
JM: How will you look back on your time at App State?
ADG: Wow. That’s tough. I’ll be able to smile about it at the end of the day. I’ve said that since the first time I stepped onto campus. I enjoyed going through the entire process of college. I enjoyed everything about it. I know in my heart that I never took a day off. I never took a shortcut. That was my goal throughout college. I don’t have any regrets. I played every game like it was my last. I’ll look back at my time at App State with a smile because I know I gave it my all.
Two four-round mock drafts for the Buffalo Bills at the 2020 NFL Draft.
The NFL offseason has been underway for the Buffalo Bills for some time now. The league year does not officially end under March, but Super Bowl LIV between the Chiefs and 49ers is one day away.
Once the final whistle blows and the confetti hits the turf in Miami on Sunday, that’s the unofficial start of the NFL offseason for everyone.
To celebrate, Bills Wire’s Kyle Silagyi and Nick Wojton pushed Bills Mafia into the offseason with two dueling four-round mock drafts for Buffalo.
Take your pick between both below:
Kyle’s pick:
22. RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor. Credit: Richard Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Though unlikely, there is a scenario where the top four-or-five wide receivers are off the board when Buffalo goes on the clock at pick No. 22.
Should this situation occur, the team should take a long look at Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.
Though his stock has fallen in recent weeks, Taylor is still widely looked at as a top-three ballcarrier in this year’s class. A well-rounded back with elite vision, Taylor rushed for 6,174 yards and 50 touchdowns throughout his three years at Wisconsin, winning the Doak Walker Award as college football’s best running back in 2018 and 2019.
Taylor was a high-usage player in Madison; there was nothing creative about the way the Badgers got the ball into his hands. The majority of his runs went up the middle or off-tackle, and this suited the 21-year-old, as he was often able to identify holes with his first-class vision and make the most of them with his strong footwork.
Taylor has solid speed and power, and he projects to be an impactful running back at the next level straight away. He would immediately make Buffalo’s backfield one of the league’s brightest, as his downhill-style of running would effectively complement the open-field shiftiness of Devin Singletary.
Though wide receiver is undoubtedly a bigger need for the Bills, selecting Taylor would perhaps unintentionally help address that positional deficiency. With Taylor and Singletary manning the backfield, Buffalo would become a ground-oriented team, relying on the two backs to consistently move the ball. This would open up opportunities in the play-action passing game, creating more chances for wide receivers to get open on called passes through a commitment to the ground game.
Jonathan Taylor makes everything look smooth. Great footwork here to jump cut on this and break it the house.
Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tee Higgins. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The writing on the wall just seems too apparent ahead of April’s draft. The Bills needing a wide receiver isn’t anything new. The last time the Bills had a premium No. 1 wideout was back in Sammy Watkins’ days with the team.
While John Brown and Cole Beasley had profitable seasons with the Bills in 2019, Buffalo needs a top, young prospect in that group. Tee Higgins would be exactly that.
That writing has been there because for about a season or two, many draft pundits predicted the 2020 draft will be one of the deepest classes for the position, The Bills knew that too, so they’re going to take their swing and that’s why they didn’t last season.
In Higgins, Buffalo would get exactly what they need. That big-bodied target that quarterback Josh Allen has lacked. While the Bills would be smart to not just pin-point a guy that’s tall, realistically, Higgins’ pre-draft selection in mock drafts has been right around where the Bills pick. It wouldn’t be a reach and early outlooks appear the Bills choosing between Higgins and Colorado’s Laviska Shenault here, both talented receivers the Bills could use.
Raiders Wire does a 3 round mock draft after the Senior Bowl week
The Senior Bowl has come and gone, and scouts are grinding the tape. The Raiders scouts were out in full effect looking at the best players performing in Mobile and now know who to keep an eye on with their five top 100 picks. The Raiders can indeed load up and add talent to already a very young group.
With that said, let’s do a three-round mock draft and see what talent the team can add to get them over the hump in the AFC.
The natural thought is receiver here and seems like every mock draft has penciled in a wideout here. But last year everyone penciled in Josh Allen, and we saw how that went. The Raiders continue to play it safe and take Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina. K
inlaw’s upside as a 3-tech is tremendous and could move to the 1- technique on passing downs with Maurice Hurst at the 3. Kinlaw adds power and athleticism to the front four.
Raiders finally grab their receiver, and we all know that speed kills. The fastest player in the draft could be the Junior wide receiver from Alabama, Henry Ruggs.
Ruggs is dynamic with the ball in his hand, plus his skill set is hugely underrated. While he can work on his releases, teams will be scared to press him with that speed. Ruggs would force Carr to throw the ball deep.
Raiders fans have been begging for the team to take a linebacker the past decade with none being taken before day three. This year the Raiders decide to change that and take speedy linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither from Appalachian State.
Gaither was the best linebacker at the Senior bowl and shined all week in coverage and during 9 on 7 sessions. The young linebacker is undersized, but he could be like a Darius Leonard for the Raiders defense helping slow down the passing game.
All we heard the past season is how Derek Carr needs help outside, and the Raiders double up at wide receiver by selecting Denzel Mims from Baylor University.
Mims week at the Senior Bowl helped his stock tremendously, and he might not be here at this position, but the draft is loaded enough at WR that teams may wait on individual players. The big body receiver exhibited he can beat press coverage during his time in Mobile and will give Carr a playmaker he can trust in the red zone.
The Raiders secondary requires a playmaker after finishing in the bottom half of the league in interceptions. On day two, Mayockmake the call to a young man who comes from NFL pedigree, Antoine Winfield Jr from Minnesota.
After fighting off injuries the previous two seasons, Winfield intercepted the quarterback seven times displaying range to help roam the backend at free safety. The former Golden Gopher is a welcome addition.
Potential 2020 NFL Draft targets for the Buffalo Bills from Draft Wire’s 2020 All-Senior Bowl team.
Our friends at Draft Wire broke down the 2020 Senior Bowl in a second-to-none fashion (even though we may be biased).
Regardless, this year’s event for upperclassmen is in the books. Following the game last weekend, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling tabbed his full 2020 All-Senior Bowl squad.
Of those, there are a few guys that might have caught the attention of the Bills.
North running back Joshua Kelley of UCLA. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
RB Joshua Kelley| UCLA
Joshua Kelley finished with a game-high 105 yards on 15 carries. Memphis rusher Antonio Gibson was the next closest running back to his totals with 68 yards on 11 carries. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott already said this offseason he wants a one-two punch in his running game. Could that be Devin Singletary and Kelley?
Here’s how Draft Wire discussed Kelly’s output in the game:
This year’s running back group was less than inspiring on both squads, but Kelley looked the most impressive. He showed off a well-rounded skill set, and displayed the patience and vision NFL teams want to see from their backs. Kelley boosted his draft stock as much as any runner we saw in Mobile this week.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason. Here are 7 prospects on defense they should be watching this week.
The road to the 2020 NFL Draft starts in Mobile with the Senior Bowl, where Bears scouts will have the chance to get to know some of the top prospects in this draft class.
More than 100 of the top collegiate seniors from schools all over the country will participate in this year’s Senior Bowl, which will take place on Jan. 25.
But prior to then, practices during the week leading up to the game give front offices a chance to evaluate players on the field and meet with them off the field.
The Bears have several needs they need to address this offseason. Let’s take a look at seven prospects on defense they should be watching closely this week.
1. CB Lamar Jackson, Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears could be facing changes in the secondary this offseason, especially with cornerback Prince Amukamara a likely cap casualty. If that’s the case, the Bears will be in the market for a new starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller.
Maybe that cornerback is Nebraska’s Lamar Jackson, who had a breakout senior season that has shown that he could be a solid and dependable cornerback in the NFL. Jackson had 40 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 12 pass breakups in 2019.
With Senior Bowl week in full swing, the Bears have been meeting with prospects from across the country, including LB Akeem Davis-Gaither.
There are no shortage of needs for the Bears this offseason. Even though a lot of the focus is on overhauling the offense, the defense definitely needs some attention.
Davis-Gaither has impressive athleticism and speed — not to mention his stats have been staggering. In 2019, he had 104 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, eight pass breakups, six quarterback hits, and an interception in 2019.
Given the Bears have three inside linebackers set to become free agents this offseason in Danny Trevathan, Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis, Chicago would do well to find potential replacements.
Buffalo Bills prospects to watch at the 2020 Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl is upon us, which means the beginning of the draft season. Plenty of first and second day draft picks end up taking part in the festivities.
Josh Allen, anyone?
In 2019, 10 first-round picks took part in the game and since his tenure as Buffalo’s head coach, Sean McDermott has taken a liking to seniors due to their extra year of maturity and experience. There’s a good chance the Bills dip back into the Senior Bowl pool in 2020 with nine total draft picks currently slated to them at the upcoming draft.
With that, here are 13 Senior Bowl prospects to monitor for the Bills at the event as practices begin on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s game:
Clemson Tigers offensive lineman John Simpson (74). Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
OL John Simpson, Clemson
The Bills might have an opening for starting spot on their offensive line via Quinton Spain. He’s a free agent and where he struggled according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics were as a run blocker. Clemson’s John Simpson is described as a powerful blocker who could improve a bit as a pass blocker at the next level.
Simpson is currently projected as a mid-round pick that could use a big week at the Senior Bowl. Playing at a powerhouse school and using football to pull himself out of a tough upbringing. That could attract the Bills to him. Simpson can play both guard position, but only lined up at left guard in 2019.
