The New NFL Trend: Hybrid Linebackers

Bill Edwards

Hello all. My name is Bill Edwards, aka Fantasy Prophet. This is my first article for Dynasty League Football. I hope you enjoy my perspective as this season moves along. This article is about what I see as the next dramatic change in NFL defenses and where we live – in IDP land!

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Over the past few NFL seasons, some players who were drafted or played college football as a defensive back have been able to make a switch to linebacker. These players are usually in the 6’0”-6’3” range and weigh in between 205lbs and 225lbs. Their combine 40 yard dashes are typical between a 4.50 and a 4.60. The first two that come to mind are Deone Bucannon of the Cardinals and Mark Barron in Los Angeles. Both began their NFL careers as defensive backs, and both have made the switch to linebacker and had success there too. Barron, who is 6’1” 213lb and turned a 4.54 40yd time, and Bucannon (6’1” 211lb, 4.49) are both about 20lbs to 30lbs lighter than most NFL linebackers. They are only a few tenths of a second faster in the 40yd dash than most other linebackers.barron

So why put smaller, only slightly faster defensive backs down in the box full-time at linebacker? I think this is a reactive measure, due to a few things. First, the Patriots showed the entire NFL what could be done with stud tight ends. Back in 2011, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for 169 receptions and 2,237 yards. It was obvious then that your average linebacker couldn’t cover them. Those two tight ends were mismatches every play and every game. Whether it was a slower linebacker, or a faster yet undersized defensive back, they couldn’t match the two tight ends physically. Now few, if any, defensive players can cover Gronk, he’s a freak athlete. To my second point, NFL tight ends are morphing into that Gronk mold. NFL teams are drafting tight ends that match his physical attributes. The obvious plan is to utilize their athletic tight end mismatches against slower, traditional linebackers.

Here’s the proof. In 2015, there were ten tight ends with more than 60 receptions, and 17 with more than 50 receptions. Compare that to 2002, when there were only four tight ends with over 60 receptions and only six with more than 50 receptions. NFL teams are targeting tight ends more and more. My last point on this is that we live in a different NFL world now. No longer can defenses touch receivers when they are running their routes. NFL defenses are trending to more sub packages and nickel defenses that need faster, more agile players in coverage. Gone are the days of straight downhill tacklers.

NFL defenses have been trying to find a way to slow these tight ends down, and the answer is the new breed of NFL linebacker. They are faster than the past linebackers we’ve seen and bigger than your average defensive back. They are capable of covering that tight end in man coverage and not be a liability. Think of Gronkowski in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seahawks. Everyone knew where the ball was going as soon as he split out wide right and linebacker KJ Wright followed him out there in man coverage. It was too easy for the Patriots to take advantage of that mismatch.

This new breed’s relevance to us in IDP land is that they do not come off the field. They are your every down linebackers. They play in most every defensive sub package. In the IDP world, this is gold. Aside from the tackle opportunities that come with these every down linebackers, there is an added bonus if your league awards points for passes defended or tackles for loss. Barron had 16 tackles for loss in 2015, which ranked him number eight overall in the NFL. Bucannon finished with 11. I believe the new trend we are starting to (and will continue to) see will be linebackers that are closer to your traditional strong safety’s size and speed – playing every down, and making plays all over the field.

Who could make this transition next? I have a short list of guys who could fit this new mold. These are my best guesses for who could be next. Buyer Beware!

Morgan Burnett, GB

He has always been in and around the box. He’s someone that has a lot of potential to take up residency there permanently.

Landon Collins, NYG

There was rumor early in the preseason that Collins would be making the switch, but now it sounds like he’ll be staying at safety. He’s someone to monitor closely.

Su’a Cravens, WAS

The rookie has reportedly dropped to 215lbs. Cravens has played inside linebacker for the Skins during the preseason totalling eight solo and four assisted tackles.

Jeremy Cash, CAR

Cash played both linebacker and defensive back while at Duke. He’s penciled in at linebacker for the Panthers.

Keanu Neal, ATL

He is set to play strong safety at this point. His 6’0”, 211lb frame and physical tackling make him a prime candidate to slide into a linebacker role. Either way, Neal will spend plenty of time in the box, banging along side the linebackers.

Follow me on twitter @ffprophet247

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bill edwards
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