We've read about Harbaugh's affinity for stud safeties manning the secondary. Sy had a good post on X about the high value he also places on MLBs.
"In Baltimore, John Harbaugh had All-Pro Ray Lewis as the man in the middle.
He retired after 2012 - and the Ravens then used a first round pick on the next man in the middle, All-Pro CJ Mosley in 2014.
He left in free agency in 2019, and the Ravens used a first round pick on the next man in the middle, Patrick Queen in 2020.
He underwhelmed, leading to a trade for All-Pro Roquan Smith in 2022 and was made the highest paid off-ball linebacker in league history.
The one constant to the Harbaugh defenses - the man in the middle.
Sonny Styles is very-much in the picture for NYG at 5."
Is the distinction between pass rushers and non-pass rushers?
It’ll certainly indicate a complete shift in philosophy
Im still saying Downs or WR
It's one thing to take a linebacker in the first round when you're picking in the middle of the round or later, it's another thing to do it at #5. Same with taking Downs at #5. He loves having a great safety but he's never had to use a #5 overall pick on one.
I could see them trading down and taking one of those positions. Even trading down a couple of spots could garner a nice extra pick, depending on who's on the board.
https://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=665178&show_all=1#17101915
That deal tells me that a player like Sonny Styles also could be the guy, as they really valued off-ball LB as well.
It's one thing to take a linebacker in the first round when you're picking in the middle of the round or later, it's another thing to do it at #5. Same with taking Downs at #5. He loves having a great safety but he's never had to use a #5 overall pick on one.
I could see them trading down and taking one of those positions. Even trading down a couple of spots could garner a nice extra pick, depending on who's on the board.
If Harbaugh is willing to send a 2nd rounder plus a 5th rounder plus a useful linebacker AND THEN immediately extend Roquan in the richest position deal in NFL history to that point, then yeah, he values the position enough to take one at #5 overall.
Is the distinction between pass rushers and non-pass rushers?
Yes, pretty much. OLB have been grouped as edge defenders with DE. Basically anyone that plays on the edge of a defense and can get to the QB. Off ball LB is basically more of an ILB that plays off the LoS. It doesn't mean they cannot rush the passer but think of an off ball LB that can run sideline to sideline and help in pass coverage. If they can blitz, that is an added bonus.
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
This is quite a funny post . Dude is the best LB easily in this draft as well as the best defensive player at OH ST.
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
Also drives me crazy that he is an arm tackler. He grabs instead of running through the the target. Complete opposite of his teammate Downs.
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Reminds me of Isaiah Simmons
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
This is quite a funny post . Dude is the best LB easily in this draft as well as the best defensive player at OH ST.
I’m entitled to my own opinion. I think Styles is overrated. I’m not sure what games you’ve watched, but he hardly stands out aside from the size and speed.
Hardly anyone would agree he’s a better player than Downs. So that is quite funny.
I am not sure most people would even agree he’s the best LB in the team.
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In comment 17108420 Breeze_94 said:
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Reminds me of Isaiah Simmons
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
This is quite a funny post . Dude is the best LB easily in this draft as well as the best defensive player at OH ST.
I’m entitled to my own opinion. I think Styles is overrated. I’m not sure what games you’ve watched, but he hardly stands out aside from the size and speed.
Hardly anyone would agree he’s a better player than Downs. So that is quite funny.
I am not sure most people would even agree he’s the best LB in the team.
Couldn’t agree with you more.. vastly overrated.. btw comparison to Simmons is not far fetched.. I do think he’s slightly better than Simmons since Simmons did shy away from being physical but see him being blocked easily and remember he was surrounded by lots of talent which helped with his play.. I was correct about Simmons and there is always at least one player each year that I fear we could take and is rumored to be one of our possible selections . This year it’s Styles.
Round 2, trade down for an extra 3rd round pick.
draft Josiah Trotter
Reese and Trotter would certainly add a physical identity in the middle for NYG.
It is a pipe dream, but Harbaugh has been known to double-dip at positions in the draft.
Styles has a position and is really experienced.
He is an experienced playcaller for Ohio State. He has the size, speed, physicality and coverage.
Compared to say Roquan Smith, Styles is bigger and faster.
Another decision I am glad Harbaugh will be making.
It’ll certainly indicate a complete shift in philosophy
Im still saying Downs or WR
Downs would eh as much of a shift as Styles. Back to LB. The Giants got lucky w A Pierce but this anti LB stance goes back to the David Wilson over Bobby Wagner days. Giants needed a MLB and took Wilson over Wagner who is still FUCKING playing. Then they go out often and need to sign guys like Okereke who while pretty solid they generally have to pay a premium on. Wouldn’t be so bad if hey didn’t miss on the guys they did pick so bad in the first 3 rounds so often
The whole “off the ball” stuff bothers me too. People love to coin new names when there’s no need. Rush end was the old term for edge. An ILB is an inside LB.
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Reminds me of Isaiah Simmons
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
Also drives me crazy that he is an arm tackler. He grabs instead of running through the the target. Complete opposite of his teammate Downs.
This was my exact takeaway and concern on Styles after watching both
FWIW, Sonny Styles may be the guy that gets me to pay for a service where I have access to more film. I wanted to start doing homework on him and all I can find is highlight plays where he's running through wide open gaps, I need to see how my MLBs work when things get muddy to fully evaluate.
It’ll certainly indicate a complete shift in philosophy
Im still saying Downs or WR
The receivers are not worth the fifth pick, nor are the OL - they all have warts. Styles does everything you want out of an ILB and he's only played there two years. He will only get better and offers the Giants the largest immediate upgrade over Okereke or whoever is in the other spot. He has been my choice for three months and the IU game solidified it. I cringe to think of him in DC or Dallas for the next 10 or 12 years.
For those who want offense, how many losses in the fourth quarter were the result of the offense failing. I'd go defense in 1 AND 2 (DB) then use every other pick on offense. Sign at DT and OG in free agency.
I do know in the biggest games OSU played last year, Styles and Downs were the core of that defense. Reese scares me because he completely disappeared.
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In comment 17108420 Breeze_94 said:
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Reminds me of Isaiah Simmons
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
Also drives me crazy that he is an arm tackler. He grabs instead of running through the the target. Complete opposite of his teammate Downs.
This was my exact takeaway and concern on Styles after watching both
Not even close. He is not scared of contact like Simmons. Styles want to play LB. Simmons wanted to be a safety or a nickel corner. And he still has room to get bigger and better.
He is not making the highlight hits Reese does but he is always in position and makes the tackle.
I was liking Styles too but after reading some of the negatives he sounds more like a late 1st round pick (at best) than a top ten pick.
Another decision I am glad Harbaugh will be making.
Downs was awesome in the playoff, both years. 8 tackles and 2 FF vs Miami this year. Styles had 2 tackles. Think you are mixing games up.
Rodriguez was the heart of the Texas Tech defense. He would be a great value if we had our early 3rd round pick. I encourage everyone to go back and look at the CFC game of TT vs. Oregon. That TT defense was so good. Rodriguez was all over the field.
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or heard Downs, but I sure as hell heard Styles name called a lot and more than Reese..
Another decision I am glad Harbaugh will be making.
Downs was awesome in the playoff, both years. 8 tackles and 2 FF vs Miami this year. Styles had 2 tackles. Think you are mixing games up.
Check the other two games and also your stats on the Miami game aren’t correct
I am one of the few that thinks Reese will be a very good off ball LB. Too many are saying he will be strictly an Edge in the NFL. Please watch his angles, footwork and his natural breakdown. Super impressive. Styles is a modern day NFL do it all LB and I would be very happy with him at 5.
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PERIOD.
It’ll certainly indicate a complete shift in philosophy
Im still saying Downs or WR
The receivers are not worth the fifth pick, nor are the OL - they all have warts. Styles does everything you want out of an ILB and he's only played there two years. He will only get better and offers the Giants the largest immediate upgrade over Okereke or whoever is in the other spot. He has been my choice for three months and the IU game solidified it. I cringe to think of him in DC or Dallas for the next 10 or 12 years.
For those who want offense, how many losses in the fourth quarter were the result of the offense failing. I'd go defense in 1 AND 2 (DB) then use every other pick on offense. Sign at DT and OG in free agency.
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In comment 17108444 section125 said:
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or heard Downs, but I sure as hell heard Styles name called a lot and more than Reese..
Another decision I am glad Harbaugh will be making.
Downs was awesome in the playoff, both years. 8 tackles and 2 FF vs Miami this year. Styles had 2 tackles. Think you are mixing games up.
Check the other two games and also your stats on the Miami game aren’t correct
What other 2 games? I am talking about this year.
I got the stats from Miami game from espn. They are correct.
And if you are referring to last year, Downs was elite in the playoff. Best defensive player on the field. His coverage tape against Oregon is as good as it gets, and then he followed it up by baiting Ewers for the game sealing INT to move to the final.
Okereke stinks, and McFadden looked OK because we're used to seeing shitty linebackers. We've forgotten what top LB play actually looks like on the field.
Our ILB depth chart right now is abysmal. I can't speak for using the 5th overall pick to solve it, but it's a HUGE area of need if this team is going to turn things around.
Absolutely
We need reinforcements for Dart but we really need to stop opposing team in Q4
Barren at ILB for a decade plus is ridiculous
U know JH values ILB. Would not be surprised if we sign a big ticket ILB and draft one too
Even if he is better at taking on blocks, hes not a top 5 pick.
Downs is more of a player to me. Styles arm tackles but reads the game while Reece have the physical traits but doesn't read the game.
I only saw them a against a physical Hurricane team and Reece was nonexistent and Styles was ran over by Fletcher.
https://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?mode=2&thread=665178&show_all=1#17101915
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Also, think about this...the Ravens traded a 2nd and a 5th and A.J. Klein to Chicago for Roquan Smith, then gave him the richest contract in NFL history for an off-ball linebacker in 2023, 5-years, $100M.
That deal tells me that a player like Sonny Styles also could be the guy, as they really valued off-ball LB as well.
Wow
Is the distinction between pass rushers and non-pass rushers?
The ppl who use this term are basically admitting Edge is just a linebacker with his hand in the dirt.
Note: this is AI driven (I am not an expert), but it does seem that Sonny Styles fits most of (if not all) of these.
Across his various NFL coaching stops, including with the Titans and Falcons, Bush has consistently valued several key traits:
Attacking Mindset: He looks for "attacking" and "aggressive" players who play with high passion and fly to the football to create turnovers.
Intelligence and Instincts: Bush places a heavy emphasis on a player's football IQ. He has specifically praised players like Zach Cunningham and Kenneth Murray for being "really, really smart" and "instinctive," noting that high intelligence allows them to react faster on the field.
Versatility and Modern Range: He has a history of developing "modern" linebackers—often former safeties or athletic hybrid players—who possess sideline-to-sideline range, can cover tight ends, and are effective three-down players.
Physicality and Motor: He prefers a "physical style" of play and values players who exhibit a high motor and the ability to strike and shed blockers effectively.
Discipline: He has publicly stated he wants players who are "disciplined enough to do the job" within the structure of the defensive scheme.