Tag: Francis Bernard

5 mid-round linebackers Chargers should consider in 2020 NFL Draft

These linebackers should interest the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Last offseason the Chargers made the point to address the linebacker position, in which they did. A year later, they’re in a spot.where they need to add more depth, especially after releasing Thomas Davis and knowing Denzel Perryman only has one more year left on his contract.

I don’t think that the position will be addressed in the early rounds, simply because quarterback, left tackle and wide receiver are more glaring needs. But there will be a few options in the middle rounds that should intrigue Los Angeles.

Here are five that the team could consider:

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State

After a productive career for the Yosefs, Davis-Gaither put himself on the map with a solid week at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-1 and 224 pounder is a great athlete with the speed and acceleration to make stops in the running game out in space. Even though it doesn’t show up much in the box, he makes plays behind the line of scrimmage by weaving his way through traffic. Davis-Gaither is strong in both zone and man coverage where his change-of-direction skills and range standout, showing the ability to stay on the hip of faster receivers in the slot. He projects as a Will linebacker, but he could serve as an additional blitzer, too.

Troy Dye, Oregon

Dye, the 6-foot-3 and 231 pounder has plenty of experience under his belt,  starting 48 of 50 games for the Ducks. He has on the thinner side, which correlates to the lack of power when taking on blockers. However, Dye has encouraging athleticism, speed to cover ground in the running game and has the movement skills and intelligence against the pass in zone coverage, which is where he’s at his best, projecting best as a Will linebacker.

Davion Taylor, Colorado

Davion, the 6-foot and 228 pounder is a former All-Pac-12 sprinter. That track-speed is evident on the field where he is found making tackles sideline-to-sideline and in the backfield in the snap of a finger, making sound tackles. In the passing game, Taylor is smooth in his dropbacks and can stick with most position players down the field. Like Dye, he is built on the smaller side for the position. But he is a tough player that has a skillset to translate smoothly to a Will linebacker.

David Woodward, Utah State

Woodward, the 6-foot-2 and 230 pounder was having a heck of a junior campaign where he tallied 93 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and two passes defensed before an injury ended his season seven games into the 2019 season. He has dealt with some injuries since high school, drawing some durability concerns. But when he is on the field, he raises some eyebrows. Woodward is an explosive athlete with the range to make plays sideline-to-sideline, always seeking contact, and he is stout in man coverage, showing the speed to mirror and run with running backs and tight ends.

Francis Bernard, Utah

After spending two seasons at BYU, another at the JUCO level and last season as a Utah reserve, Bernard shined in the starting role. The 6-foot and 234 pounder plays with plus instincts against the run, and shows terrific skills as a tackler. Bernard needs to gain a better feel for passing concepts, but he has the play speed, high motor demeanor to be an impactful, productive linebacker at the next level, projecting as a Mike linebacker and key special teamer.

Meet Francis Bernard, Utah’s 3-down weapon at LB

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Utah linebacker Francis Bernard

Today’s NFL demands much from its linebackers, from getting their hands dirty in the trenches against the run, to making plays out in space against some of the best athletes on the planet.

If your favorite team is looking for a three-down playmaker who can do it all, they should look no further than Utah’s Francis Bernard.

A versatile defender with all the mental and physical tools to make a big splash in the NFL, Bernard recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the long predraft process, playing for one of the nation’s top defenses, and why a team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.

JM: You decided to stay at Utah for your senior season. You also recently played in the Senior Bowl. How do you reflect on the last couple of months?

FB: It’s been great. I’ve been very busy, but I’ve also been very fortunate to have those opportunities. I was blessed to play a role in what was a very successful Utah defense in 2019. That lead to me capturing the attention of some very important people and I was privileged to first receive an invite to the Senior Bowl, and now to the combine as well. It’s truly been a blessing. I’m incredibly thankful to be in the position that I’m in right now. I’m grateful for every single one of these opportunities and I’m grateful for my teammates and coaches who helped put me in this position. It’s been a busy time for me but I’m just soaking it all in.

JM: It sounds like you’ve been busy, but that’s a good thing this time of year. What are you most excited for throughout this process?

FB: I’m just excited to show everyone in the country who I am. I’m excited for the general managers and scouts to continue familiarizing themselves with me and my skill set. I’m excited to showcase what I bring to the table as a football player. Not everyone knows who I am as of right now, nor do they know what my skill set is all about. My combine preparation has been huge for me. I know that it’s a huge opportunity. It gives me the chance to check off a lot of boxes. I’m taking things one day at a time. I’m excited for everything that comes with this process. I’m hopeful that it will pay off come draft day.

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

JM: You mentioned that not everyone is familiar with your skill set. How would you describe it?

FB: I’m one of the more athletic linebackers in this draft class. I can play all three downs. I’m very instinctive and super explosive. I’ve played in all phases of the game. I actually played running back during my freshmen year. I also played on every special teams unit that year as well. I moved to defense during my sophomore year. I’ve been playing on the defensive side of the ball ever since. I’ve still been playing on special teams.

I’m a versatile player that can be moved around. I learned rather quickly that that was a part of my game that I could be rather proud of. I’m always in the film room and trying to get better. I’m a student of the game that tries to make life difficult for my opponents. When you add all of these things up, you have a great linebacker on your hands.

JM: Speaking of versatility, do you prefer to play in coverage, or would you rather come downhill and play in the run game?

FB: It doesn’t matter to me. I can’t choose. If we’re playing a team that likes to run the ball, that puts a smile on my face because that means more action for me. When a team gets pass-happy, I have the ability to play out in space and even cover the slot receiver. I can pick up a running back that motions out. I’m comfortable either way.

JM: What are three traits a successful linebacker must possess?

FB: You have to be a great tackler, first and foremost. You have to be a dependable player with a versatile skill set that allows you to stay on the field for all three downs. Lastly, you have to be smart. Your mental processing skills have to be A1 at this position. If you have those three skills at your disposal, you should be able to become a successful linebacker.

JM: We touched a little on how great that Utah defense was in 2019. You were facing some pretty stiff competition on a weekly basis. Who are some of the best players you’ve played against?

FB: We played against Arizona State earlier in the year. Eno Benjamin was terrific. I know that he didn’t have as big of a season as he did during his junior year but he’s an absolute freak. He reminded me a lot of our own running back, Zack Moss. They’re both super tough to tackle. They fight and crawl for every inch of yardage out there. We played against Oregon and Justin Herbert later in the season. He might be the best football player I’ve ever played against. He’s way up there.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

JM: If you could tackle one NFL running back behind the line of scrimmage, who would it be and why?

FB: I would probably go with Saquon Barkley. He’s the first one that comes to mind. He’s a freak, man. He can do it all. He’s 230 pounds, at 6-foot-something. He’s just a machine. If I were able to get my hands on him in the backfield and bring him down, that’s saying something. He’s amazing. Derrick Henry would be another one. He’s the hot name at the moment. He’s a workhorse. The league is always looking for linebackers that can tackle guys of that nature. I’m excited to get to the next level and show what I’m all about.

JM: You mentioned your teammate earlier, Zack Moss. I know that you guys don’t really tackle in practice anymore, but how did practicing on a daily basis against a running back of his talent make you a better run defender?

FB: It’s funny. He has a linebacker background and I have a running back background. He’s able to sift through the holes and he understands the right holes to hit. He sees the field exactly the way a linebacker does. It’s crazy. He has such excellent vision. He’s obviously a very physical runner. He prepared me to play against any running back in college. I wasn’t scared to tackle anybody. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever played against a running back with better vision than Zack Moss. He’s right up there.

JM: Why should an NFL team use one of their draft picks on Francis Bernard?

FB: A team should use one of their draft picks on Francis Bernard because they’re gonna get the best linebacker in the draft. That’s first and foremost. I’m gonna come in and work my butt off from the very beginning. I can’t wait to get to rookie mini-camp. I plan on having a long career. I can play on all three downs. Whether we have to stop the run or the pass, I can help in both phases. I’m a smart, physical linebacker. They’re getting a very versatile player when they draft me.

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