39 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Didn't they announce Stevens as a LB?

Yes they did. I read somewhere (can't remember where exactly) that Stevens intentionally dropped weight down to 212 to prepare for Pro Day/Draft. If true he could get into the 220's fairly quick over the coming months. That's the hope anyway.

13 minutes ago, PoconoDon said:

Yes they did. I read somewhere (can't remember where exactly) that Stevens intentionally dropped weight down to 212 to prepare for Pro Day/Draft. If true he could get into the 220's fairly quick over the coming months. That's the hope anyway.

Why did he drop weight though? To run faster? If so then perhaps he thinks he's better at S?

Just now, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Why did he drop weight though? To run faster? If so then perhaps he thinks he's better at S?

That exactly what was written. He chose to test as a Safety because that's where his experience was. The Eagles will make him a LB'er nonetheless.

Just now, PoconoDon said:

That exactly what was written. He chose to test as a Safety because that's where his experience was. The Eagles will make him a LB'er nonetheless.

Never understood that thinking. If you want a LB, why not take a LB?

Just now, EagleJoe8 said:

Never understood that thinking. If you want a LB, why not take a LB?

I don't know. The only reason I can think of is that in the team's view, his athleticism and instincts are better than the available LB'ers, and all he needs is to add muscle mass to complete the change. We'll see what happens.

32 minutes ago, EagleJoe8 said:

Never understood that thinking. If you want a LB, why not take a LB?

My speculation is because very few college LBs can cover at an NFL level. The LB position is becoming the exploit in today's pass happy NFL.

I grade this pick an B

I liked this pick in the spot. I really wanted Narideen from FSU to plug in at LB due to his leadership skills, coverage skills, size to make the move. Plus he was a great Sp Teams player. Stevens is a mirror image to him. His size was smaller but I found out because he dropped weight for his pro day. Love his leadership on the field, and also a very good Sp Teams player. i'm rooting for this kid. 

3 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Why did he drop weight though? To run faster? If so then perhaps he thinks he's better at S?

In his interview he said that he played LB but was labeled at S at school. He said he can play both. His game tape shows that. He is versatile. 

On tape, looks sluggish for a top Safety, but great for WLB and can cover Kyle Pitts

1 hour ago, jsdarkstar said:

In his interview he said that he played LB but was labeled at S at school. He said he can play both. His game tape shows that. He is versatile. 

Seems he needs to either bulk up to play LB or stay as he currently is to play S though. 

45 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Seems he needs to either bulk up to play LB or stay as he currently is to play S though. 

There are more LBs then you think at the 210-220 range. The Browns new guy from ND is 212 pounds. Just think of it as a sub package that we have used the last 3 years with 3 CBs and 3 safeties(1 lined up as a LB or in the box). Its the direction the league is going, more safeties then LBs to get speed on the field but one of them safeties playing in the box. That is Stevens. 

He is a tweener but in the games I watched he is around the ball a lot and makes plays.  I would hate this pick if Schwartz was still the DC because of little confidence he would adjust the D to maximize talent.

How good this pick is will depend on coaching and scheme flexibility to maximize each players talents and protect weaknesses.

Feels like a Malcolm Jenkins type of pick.  A tweener who can hit and cover.  Could be a great pick because those players are in high demand nowadays.

 

There shouldn't be any concerns about him at LB due to size, he played at LSU around 225-230. He's listed at 6'1" 212 at weigh in and you want him around 225-230 which should be easy for him to put back on.

Eric Kendricks 6' ~230

Darius Leonard 6'2" ~230

This is the kind of player i expect they want, With his athletic profile its very much worth a shot.

On 5/2/2021 at 8:01 AM, EagleJoe8 said:

Never understood that thinking. If you want a LB, why not take a LB?

I think with each season, we are witnessing the increasing blurring between the two positions.  

9 hours ago, Miami said:

Feels like a Malcolm Jenkins type of pick.  A tweener who can hit and cover.  Could be a great pick because those players are in high demand nowadays.

 

Guys aren't "tweeners" any more when teams are specifically scheming that skillset into defenses because of how passing offenses have flourished. Teams are putting 6+ DB's onto the field often. If some of them can even be called "DB's", because they are actually hybrid LB's. Nickel and Dime defenses are the norm now. And that means these "tweeners" are now playing more of a traditional LB role, but in nickel and dime defenses.

On 5/2/2021 at 7:59 AM, PoconoDon said:

That exactly what was written. He chose to test as a Safety because that's where his experience was. The Eagles will make him a LB'er nonetheless.

He played both Safety and LB at LSU. He can pass defend, hit, tackle and sack the QB. His coach said he was the toughest player on the team. I am most excited by this player. I think he could be used like Brian Dawkins was. 

42 minutes ago, jsdarkstar said:

He played both Safety and LB at LSU. He can pass defend, hit, tackle and sack the QB. His coach said he was the toughest player on the team. I am most excited by this player. I think he could be used like Brian Dawkins was. 

Would rather go with present day comps to a comparable position. Budda Baker comes to mind.

Ouch.

Jacoby Stevens hit on Devonte Smith

Jacoby Stevens hit on Amari Rodgers

4 hours ago, Philthy Jawn said:

Ouch.

Jacoby Stevens hit on Devonte Smith

Jacoby Stevens hit on Amari Rodgers

Jeez this guy likes to hit hard. I'm somewhat encouraged that he played for a good program and he clearly likes to hit hard. I think he may be an OK player. 

he's definately been watching jenkins. That hit on rodgers actually took his soul.

1 hour ago, rrfierce said:

he's definately been watching jenkins. That hit on rodgers actually took his soul.

Yeah that was a nasty one. I’d love another guy back there with a mean streak. Let Hurts and DeVonta be the friendly faces of the franchise. I want some mauler aholes at OL, and on D. 

10 hours ago, Philthy Jawn said:

Ouch.

Jacoby Stevens hit on Devonte Smith

Jacoby Stevens hit on Amari Rodgers

I like clean hitters a lot. Stay within the rules, nothing dirty, and shatter opponents like china dolls. It breaks their will to play the game, and that translates to wins every time you play them going forward.

On 5/2/2021 at 5:01 AM, EagleJoe8 said:

Never understood that thinking. If you want a LB, why not take a LB?

It's just what teams are doing these days. They want a cover guy that can offer run support since typical offenses have dropped the extra blockers in favor of extra receivers. More and more teams are employing the hybrid S/LB which is why a team like Baltimore is having a lot of success against most NFL defenses. 

On 5/3/2021 at 1:00 PM, Gator 12 said:

There shouldn't be any concerns about him at LB due to size, he played at LSU around 225-230. He's listed at 6'1" 212 at weigh in and you want him around 225-230 which should be easy for him to put back on.

Eric Kendricks 6' ~230

Darius Leonard 6'2" ~230

This is the kind of player i expect they want, With his athletic profile its very much worth a shot.

Nate Gerry 6’2” ~ 230. Oops. 😂