Felger & Mazz Big Board 2020: Inside linebackers for the Patriots in the NFL Draft
The 2020 NFL Draft is still expected to happen on time, which means the Felger & Mazz Big Board is back and bigger than it’s ever been. And if you’ve been following the Big Board over the years, you know it’s a prognostication tool to take more seriously than any draft “expert”.
Mike & Tony decided to expand the Big Board and include more positional groups in their pre-draft analysis, which consists of chucking markers at draft magazines. Now they’re doing it in the comfort of their own homes, and we’re providing the results right here at 985TheSportsHub.com.
Felger & Mazz continued to look at the Patriots defense after picking some defensive tackles and defensive ends last week. Now it’s time to look at inside linebackers to back up Dont’a Hightower on the depth chart. Here’s a quick look at who Mike & Tony hit, along with their instant analysis.
Patrick Queen, LSU
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 28: Linebacker Patrick Queen #8 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a defensive stop against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
From NFL.com: “While other Tigers received more attention, Queen has some of the most eye-opening tape of the bunch. He plays fast, physical and with impressive field confidence for a one-year starter. His ability to diagnose and flow are both very rapid, and he operates with excellent body control and balance to gobble up runners as an open-field tackler. His inexperience will show itself in taking on blocks and finding optimal pursuit angles, but that will get cleaned up in time. Queen is next up from LSU’s linebacker factory, possessing the same three-down ability to hunt, cover and tackle as those before him. He’s an early starter with a sky-high ceiling.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “Too small for their defense. Ehh, OK, he’s on the board either way.”
Mazz: “Ooh, small. Ooh, small.”
Kamal Martin, Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes the ball under pressure from Kamal Martin #21 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
From NFL.com: “Angular linebacker with decent straight-line twitch who takes too long to diagnose and flow, making him a viable block for climbing linemen. He plays upright and a little stiff in his scrapes and doesn’t find his run fits as efficiently as he needs to. He can gather and wrap as a tackler, but will struggle to finish elusive backs in the open field and he’s unimpressive as a passing-down participant.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “This feels a little bit like more their kind of guy. Sturdy, big.”
Mazz: “Love ‘violent’.”
David Woodward, Utah State
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: David Woodward #9 of the Utah State Aggies dives to tackle Cade Carney #36 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
From NFL.com: “Woodward doesn’t look the part of NFL linebacker with short limbs and an underdeveloped frame. He has below-average athletic traits and lacks the speed to range from sideline to sideline. However, he’s instinctive and plays with a bird dog’s sense of tracking with a consistent ability to find the football. He’s active and tough but may not have the necessary physical tools to translate into an NFL job.”
ANALYSIS
Felger: “He’s got slow feet and he gives up. That’s not very promising.”
Mazz: “And bad eyes.”
LISTEN: Felger & Mazz Big Board 2020 – Inside Linebackers in the NFL Draft
BIG BOARD 2020: Guard | Center | Tackle | Defensive Tackle | Defensive End
The Felger & Mazz Big Board continues Tuesday, April 14.
