Jewell only makes sense if Phins miss out on Smith & Edmunds AND if Kiko & McMillian play OLB
Many analysts and fans rave about Jewell, who can be had for a 3rd or 4th rounder
The 2018 NFL Draft is just a week away.
Can you feel it?
This time of year is ‘Football Christmas’: The days slowly tick down as you wait in desperation for all your new gifts. You just pray that your parents don’t screw it up by giving you more shoes and clothes than toys.
This Draft draft though isn’t going to be fun and games, especially for Adam Gase. No, siree. Given the schedule Miami is looking at, this draft could potentially make or break Gase and Co. And after an offseason of gutting talent, there’s very little margin for error. Miami has several holes to fill, so anything less than a B+ with their picks will make 2018 very tough. And heaven forbid they end up with draft coal in their stocking… can you say crippling? Or fired?!!
Grier and Gase must show poise with their picks despite the desperate needs
Sure many people focus on the 1st Round Pick, but in reality that’s just one selection. It’s your best bet with AcePerHead.com the best football betting software provider to hit big–no doubt. But it’s still just one selection.
Miami has a total of 8 picks. It will be imperative for them to make the most of each of them. But it’s the mid-round picks are where their money will be made. Yet due to Gase’s close proximity to the hot seat, they may end up reaching on a need or leaving good players on the board that doesn’t fit a ‘win or bust’ mindset.
The Leonte Carroo pick still stings and that overreach may have cost Miami a few good players
Iowa Linebacker Josey Jewell is likely to be a mid-round gem. He gets a lot of love from fans and analysts. As a four-year starter on Iowa, one of the best Conferences in all of College Football, he produced… and produced big time. In those four years, he accumulated 433 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 6 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles.
Try saying that in one breathe.
Because he’s exclusively a middle linebacker, he was never on my radar. Also, Miami spent a 2nd on Raekwon McMillian. So I’ve had my eyes on a Strong Side Backer. But at the behest of some Phins Fans, I took a longer look at Jewell.
Jewell is exceptional in diagnosis, read and react, Zone Coverage technique and understanding, and short area quickness.
Jewell’s state-machine, 2017 Season:
- Did not allow a touchdown across 55 targets this season, the largest
number of targets among all linebackers in the class. - 7 pass breakups last season which is the most of any linebacker in this draft class.
- 61 defensive stops over the season, 6th among all linebackers in the draft
class. - PFF 2017 Grade: 87.9, 6th ranked LB
Despite all this production, Edmunds is obviously the much better pick. I still don’t see Smith as a good fit in the Wide-9 scheme… but long term, he’d be the better choice as well. BUT, if neither Smith or Edmunds is available and Miami decides to go with Vea at #11, Jewell would be a good move, especially for the right price of a 3rd or 4th.
McMillian is big enough to play the SAM, which would allow Jewell to play the Mike. Many projected him outside in the NFL, anyway. Jewel could very easily be a better Mike than McMillian… that is, if he’s protected–much like Zach was.
Filling LB in the draft could end up a sticky situation if things don’t fall right for the Phins
My biggest problem with Jewell is that he isn’t a great stack and shedder… and neither is Anthony, Kiko, or McMillian. That’s a lot of LB’s that need protection. Like Smith, who is THE worst stack and shedder of all viable LB’s, Jewell could very well get exposed, especially in the Wide-9. The reason why I’m considering him is that he could be had along with Vea due to his lower round value. Vea will absolutely command doubles and free up the LB’s. In combination, it could be a nice direction for Miami to go.
In the passing game, Jewell would be a large upgrade over Kiko in Zone Coverage–who wouldn’t, right. Matt Burke prefers zone, so this is a sizable deal. He would also be an upgrade over McMillan, although McMillan would have an edge in Man Cover.
A starting LB unit of Anthony at Will, Jewell at Mike and McMillian at SAM would be a very feasible lineup. Chase Allen could back up the Mike and SAM with Kiko backing the WILL… and getting cut in 2019. Jewell could play the Nickel with Anthony, who I’m very high on ( no, not high, smart alec ). If you haven’t checked out the method to my madness, you can see it here.
Would this be my preferred draft path? No. Edmunds would be my first choice, then Minkah and Vea neck-in-neck for 2nd. But I do see it as a successful path. I don’t see Edmunds making it to #11, and he’s the only LB Miami should take with their 1st, unless they trade back. And at the moment, I’m not very excited at any other LB who’ll be taken in the 2nd-4th. So in this regard, I also warmed up to Jewell. If I am missing something please let me know.
In the end, a move like this will only come about through long-term thinking. Will this regime be that patient? Can they afford to be? The draft is so close, I can almost taste it. Why do I get the feeling that this will end up memorable or cringeworthy? Either way, GO PHINS!!!