COMBINE 2024: DAY ONE
Defensive Linemen and Linebackers
And away we go! It's NFL Combine time and we are ready to launch into the players we want to watch as Joe Schoen and the Giants look to improve Big Blue in April's Draft. The activities kick off at 3:00 pm when Defensive Linemen and Linebackers go through their on-field measurements and drills.
I previously highlighted Eedgerrin Cooper, LB from Texas A&M, as a potential target at the top of the second round. Now we take a look deeper into the LB class, which could offer valuable depth for new Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen.
JUNIOR COLSON | LB MICHIGAN | ADP: 67
Junior Colson will hit the NFL combine at 6’ 3” 247 LBS and an expected 4.58 40 time. He Plays physically in coverage, capable of taking runnings and tight ends on as needed. He is a smart pre-snap player and communicator that should also put himself in a sound position to make a right play down over down.
If Junior can show good change of direction movement at the NFL combine it will mitigate the concerns that he might be a bit tight to react to the flow of play. While he will need to grow in his block-shedding and run-game impact, Colson brings an excellent football IQ and immediate coverage contributor at the next level.
JEREMIAH TROTTER JR. | LB CLEMSON | ADP: 85
Pedigree is not everything but it sure doesn’t hurt. Jeremiah Trotter Sr. had a 12-year career that included two Pro Bowl seasons. For Trotter Jr., it is all about maximizing every ounce of his 6’ 0”(18%) 230-pound (15%) frame to be successful at the NFL level.
Trotter Jr. has sideline-to-sideline potential, shows good burst and closing speed in blitz packages, and navigates well in run support. That said, his tendency to avoid, rather than taking on the blockers leads to indecision at times, putting him out of position. He likely needs to pop on nearly every drill to increase his Draft profile but still presents top-100 value.
NOTABLES:
Dallas Turner | LB/EDGE Alabama - Needs to bulk up and improve hand technique (ADP: 12)
Chris Braswell | LB/EDGE Alabama - Raw athlete elite first step in pass rush (ADP: 47)
The bottom line, if the New York Giants want to add to the LB core, expect it to happen with their 39th, 49th, or 70th selection in the 2024 draft class. The position thins out considerably in the middle and late rounds, though players who profile as LB/Edge combos should offer value for opportunistic teams in the later rounds.