Pack-A-Day Podcast - Episode 2081 - Is Isaiah McDuffie the Answer at Linebacker?!
On today's show, Andy takes a deep dive into the scouting report for Isaiah McDuffie and puts his notes together after re-watching McDuffie's film from 2022 & 2023. Don't miss it!
By AndyHerman
On today's show, Andy takes a deep dive into the scouting report for Isaiah McDuffie and puts his notes together after re-watching McDuffie's film from 2022 & 2023. Don't miss it!
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Andy is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh and owns & operates the Pack-A-Day Podcast. Andy has taken multiple courses in NFL scouting and is an Editor for Packer Report. Andy grew up in Green Bay and is a lifelong season ticket holder - follow him on Twitter @AndyHermanNFL!
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Comments (10)
golfpacker1
April 06, 2024 at 11:05 am
Our hand is forced now after whiffing completely on the FA LBs. Thats a real mistake because now we have a big hole with very limited options to fill it. McDuffie is a serviceable backup at best. We really shouldn't wait past #41 to solve this huge problem. #58 might be too late for any of the Top 3, and we are playing with fire if we do.
Cooper and Colson are probably 8-10 year starters so they will upgrade the position. Anything more than 4 years with Wilson will be a bonus with his injury history.
Cedric Gray could be a steal. He is described as a poor tackler, but somehow managed 370 tackles in only 3 years. That is impressive and against top flite competition too. He has great hands as he was a 147 catch-2500 yard-27 TD WR also in high school. He might last until pick #80.
Later draft LBs with potential are Jaylen Ford-Texas and Nathaniel Watson-Mississippi State.
An earlier article about trading a late round pick for a younger, high rated LB suggested trading for Chad Muma-Jaguars, Nakobe Dean-Miami, or Drew Sanders-Broncos.
WD
April 06, 2024 at 02:40 pm
Good Job by Andy stating the obvious. We desperately need at least TWO starting quality ILBs. There are two and only two legitimate starting ILBs in the draft. Opinions vary, but the two are Payton Wilson and Edgerrin Cooper. Teams use their poker faces until the time they make a selection. If anyone thinks we will get one of these LBs later than pick 42 they are naive. They both may be gone by 25. In terms of potential, Payton Wilson wins hands down. The only thing that might keep him down is injury, In reality his injures occurred over three years ago. Since his full recovery he has played two full successful seasons. And, put on a fantastic show at the recent combine. He is prime time now! As far as I am concerned he is the steal of the draft wherever the Packers can get him. If they don't get him or at least E.Cooper this will be a failed draft and the Packers will not make the playoffs. They should have signed ILB White out of Tampa. But, they did not. So, I figure they are looking to pick high. They will have too to get Payton Wilson. This despite all the talk from the "experts" that he will fall into the second round.It is not going to happen. I also like Payton because of his height and speed. He could also play Edge on passing downs That would help our secondary and eliminate rushing QBs with his 4.4 speed. When in coverage his speed in combination with his 6'4 height will neutralize any and all TEs as well.
LLCHESTY
April 06, 2024 at 05:07 pm
McDuffie has a head start from his time in the system and will be playing downhill more which is better for him. His problem is dropping into coverage but he's ok covering the flats and backs out of the backfield.
Someone made the point this week that McDuffie is a better LB than Rhyan is a RG and I believe they're right. If they draft someone that can push him to LB3 great, if the rookie is LB3 that's ok too as long as they protect McDuffie from having to take deep drops. But every DC in the league has to protect one or two of their players, some many more than that.
https://twitter.com/AndyHermanNFL/status/1776070371122290871?t=jby-eB5I4...
golfpacker1
April 06, 2024 at 01:54 pm
A rare draft that Fautanu and Murphy fell just right and very few trades offered.
25. Troy Fautanu-OT Washington
41. Byron Murphy II-DT Texas
58. Payton Wilson-LB NC State
88. Jaden Hicks-S Washington State
91. Jaylen Wright-RB Tennessee
126. Khyree Jackson-CB Oregon
184. Myles Cole-EDGE Texas Tech
198. DeCamerion Richardson-CB Mississippi State
219. Ryan Watts-S Texas
241. Nathaniel Watson-LB Mississippi State
245. Tylan Grable-OT UCF
255. Walter Rouse-OT Oklahoma
WD
April 06, 2024 at 02:50 pm
This mock would be a dream come true. That is why it won't happen. You will never get Payton Wilson at 58. We currently have good O and D lines. The critical need is at ILB. Move up 58 Wilson to 25 it would be possible. Moreover I don't see a need for DT at all. I really like our young DTs.
golfpacker1
April 06, 2024 at 06:48 pm
WD, I would hate to use #25 on a LB. OL lines up better with picking all the way from pick #25 to #40 for us. OL and LB are co-equal biggest needs. I strongly believe we can't wait past #41 for a LB, or we might be down to Trevin Wallace-Kentucky. #58 really fits Safety and most should be on the board then.
You hit it on the head with not even showing interest in Devin White. He is still young and very talented. We could have gotten the best out of him which is saying something since the guy averaged 110 tackles per year. Big mistake.
SicSemperTyrannis
April 07, 2024 at 11:33 pm
Waiting until #245 for the second O lineman would be disastrous.
GregC
April 06, 2024 at 04:10 pm
That seems awfully low for Byron Murphy. I've been seeing him projected in the first round: late teens and early 20s. And waiting until #58 for a linebacker seems risky. Pick #41 seems like the sweet spot for a top linebacker. Also, that's a long time to wait for a second offensive lineman. (A couple of seventh rounders: Would they be able to beat out Royce Newman?) Awfully nice to have Troy Fautanu, Jaden Hicks, and Jaylen Wright though.
GregC
April 06, 2024 at 04:01 pm
I don't study this stuff like Andy does, but I'm still inclined to believe that McDuffie would be a pretty good #3 linebacker, and it would be a luxury to have him at #4. Seems like he would be a natural to have on the field in base defense to defend against the run.
golfpacker1
April 06, 2024 at 06:52 pm
The ILB needy teams with medium to high need are Cowboys, Colts, Titans, Chargers, Eagles, Panthers, Bucs, and Seahawks.
The Chargers, Bucs, Titans, and the Chargers (twice) pick between us from #25 to #41. Thats if everyone stays put.
#41 is the sweet spot for us to choose a starting, contributing LB.