Cats Ready To Bake
Zaven Collins – Linebacker – Arizona Cardinals
Collins will see the majority of defensive snaps at MLB. He is a downhill LB that will fit right in with the run-heavy NFC West and rack up high tackle numbers immediately. Collins shows skills as a blitzer, we can count on a handful of sacks being added to his point totals.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Linebacker – Cleveland Browns
One of the most aggressive defensive players in this draft class, JOK flies from sideline to sideline and loves to blow up tacklers at the point of contact. Count on high tackle numbers from JOK. He also gets a boost similar to Collins in that he plays in the run-heavy AFC North.
Jayce Horn – Defensive Back – Carolina Panthers
Jaycee Horn is an incredibly grabby corner but does an excellent job making plays working back to the ball. He is going to be tested very often until he establishes himself. Horn has the ability to lock up WR 1’s and rack up INT’s or get beat badly by double moves.
I’m interested in learning which corner he will be in the league. I believe he is a Lockdown CB 1, but even if he struggles to defend passes he should still have high tackle numbers.
For more defensive adds (deeper talent) I will be breaking down some of my favorite day 2 and day 3 draft picks and their landing spots in my next article.
Cats You Need To Shake
Leighton Vander Esch – Linebacker – Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys declined Leighton’s 5th-year option on his rookie contract meaning he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Leighton is a great linebacker but his health has been an issue. He suffered a broken collarbone in 2020 and previously had neck surgery in 2019.
It’s unlikely you’re going to get a lot for Vander Esch but if you hurry you might be able to catch someone napping. The clock has been ticking for close to a year, however.
Jonathan Abrams – Safety – Las Vegas Raiders
It’s clear that Safety was a position the Raiders wanted to address in the 2021 draft. The Raiders resigned their former first-round pick (2016) Karl Joseph, who was replaced by Abrams in the 2019 draft. In addition to signing box safety Karl Joseph, the Raiders drafted three safeties with their seven picks.
I do not expect the Raiders to pick up Abrams option at the end of 2021 season and that is why I am proposing trading him before we see him suffer a LVE value drop.
Montez Sweat – Defensive End – Washington Football Team
Montez Sweat had a big statistical year but he benefitted greatly from the talent around him on the DL. Many of Sweats sacks were the result of other players causing pressures and Sweat being able to clean up. I expect his sack numbers to come down in year 3.
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