LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

(Mike Triplett)

If we're ranking the New Orleans Saints' top needs in the draft based on where they could use the most immediate help, then the top three are probably center, wide receiver and cornerback.

The need at center is obvious in the wake of Brian De La Puente's departure. Meanwhile, a first-round draft pick at receiver or cornerback could step in right away in a rotational role while being developed as a future starter.

That's why cornerbacks like Jason Verrett, Kyle Fuller and Bradley Roby and receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks and Marqise Lee make a lot of sense as possible Saints targets.

However, when it comes to New Orleans' long-term future, the linebacker position isn't far behind.

The Saints will eventually need to replace veterans like David Hawthorne and Parys Haralson. And in the meantime, they could really use a dynamic athlete to rotate into the mix in that spot.

After the 2013 season, I chatted with ESPN scouting analyst Matt Williamson about how much the Saints could benefit from their own version of NFC South studs like Tampa Bay's Lavonte David and Carolina's Thomas Davis -- guys who can chase down speed backs in the open field, cover running backs and tight ends in the passing game and occasionally blitz.

That's why I find myself gravitating toward Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier as a top prospect for the Saints with their 27th pick in Round 1 of the draft.

The Saints primarily run a 3-4 defense under Rob Ryan, so Shazier isn't an ideal fit on the surface. He's not really a pass-rushing outside linebacker, and he's a bit small for a traditional 3-4 inside linebacker at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds.

But as we've learned about Ryan, he's about as versatile and multiple as any defensive coordinator in the league. Give him a playmaker, and he'll find room for him (see: Kenny Vaccaro).

Shazier is certainly a playmaker. He ranked among the top three players in the country last year with both 144 tackles and 23.5 tackles-for-loss, in addition to seven sacks and four forced fumbles. He was reportedly timed at a blazing 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Ohio State's pro day.

And ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said, "You can make an argument he's one of the best 10 football players in this draft just on being a pure, instinctive football player."

Shazier's dimensions are almost identical to those of David and Davis -- and to former Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, for that matter. And the one knock on Shazier's scouting report is the same one that always stuck to Vilma: that he has trouble shedding blockers at times.

But everything else on Shazier's scouting report is extremely tantalizing.

"I love Shazier," Kiper said when I asked him if Shazier could fit in the Saints' defensive scheme. "It's just where is the best scheme fit? [He is] a guy that I think is a 4-3 outside linebacker but can play inside in the right scheme in a 3-4. And he could possibly, as you say, be that run-around chase athletic guy who can do so much with that 4.39 speed and that incredible athleticism."

That includes dropping back in pass coverage, Kiper affirmed.

"Yeah, Shazier's a tremendous athlete who can do everything you want," Kiper said. "The only thing he lacks is the kind of size you look for as a 3-4 inside linebacker. And he might not be an elite pass rusher, but he can certainly close and chase and pursue and do all the things you want. Heck of a football player."

Alabama's C.J. Mosley is another tantalizing athlete at the inside linebacker position. But Kiper said he doesn't expect him to fall far enough for the Saints to have a shot at him.

Kiper also mentioned Auburn pass-rusher Dee Ford as the kind of athlete that could fit the Saints as an outside linebacker. Kiper has paired Ford with the Saints in each of his past two mock drafts. Although Ford (6-foot-2, 252) played defensive end in college, he projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker. And he some experience dropping back in coverage, though it's not his specialty.

Kiper also mentioned Georgia Tech's Jeremiah Attaochu as a pass rushing outside linebacker -- though he is generally considered more of a second-round prospect. Attaochu has 22 sacks over the past two years and probably fits best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

i've like this pick for a while.

Fast. Instinctive. Versatile. Confident.

Reminds me of a Vaccaro type LB which Rob Ryan should be able to move all over the field.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

42" vertical

Can cover TE's like a blanket.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

I would like either Ford or Shazier with our first pick. I'm pretty stuck on those two.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

I'd rather Dee Ford over Shazier; he projects as the better 3-4 OLB... Shazier would be the better 4-3 OLB and would have to pack a few pounds on for the 3-4 (15 or so)

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

I still think Shazier is too crazy with his body, the way he hits to last very long in the pros.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

They said Shazier wasn't really a perfect match for the 3-4 but that Rob Ryan could use him to his strengths. That's great. What happens in a year or two when Ryan gets offerred a head coaching job?

We are just starting to get filled in with the experience and talent to run a 3-4. We don't need to keep moving players to new positions. Find a stud who already plays the position.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

Mosley would be a great upgrade to our LB group . His ability to cover ,rush , and fill . Top intangibles ,leader. LB tend to fall and Mosley is trending down. He might even be worth trading up for . IMHO a future pro bowler .

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

I like Shazier a lot but IMO our first-round pick should be something we really need, not a luxury pick. I know everybody always says BPA, but as deep as this year's draft is, we could almost certainly pick a player at a position of need and be fairly certain he would turn out well.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

ILB is a big need for the Saints, especially one who can cover.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

I've been saying these past few weeks that we need to address wide receiver in the first round. But I must admit that I like the idea of either Shazier, Ford or Mosley in the first round. Ford I think makes more sense because we can use as much pressure on the qb from our front 7 with the talent that we have accumulated in the defensive secondary. Adding more pressure will only make our secondary that much more stronger.

With that said, I agree with lsutigerfan, we can use a Shazier type who can cover from the inside backer position in the worst way. Although not as painful to watch Lofton cover as it was Harper... but its right up their with a dental visit.

Pending upon who has been selected by the time we get to pick 27, a part of me is also wondering if trading down is not a better solution. I've never been a huge advocate of trading out of the first round, but this is a deep draft and the cap will be an issue in the future. Food for thought...

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

New Orleans Saints | #27
Mosley's awareness and reliable open -field tackling skills make him an easy projection to the NFL but, like a lot of Alabama players, his checkered medical history could lead to a slight slip on draft day. Pairing Mosley with the Saints' already formidable duo of safeties of Kenny Vacarro and Jairus Byrd, however, would make New Orleans as athletic and instinctive up the middle as any defense in the league.


STRENGTHS: Mosley does a nice job using his length and lower body fluidity to keep himself clean through a crowd and finishes at the ball, wrapping and driving through his target. He is very smart and keeps his eyes on the ball to track and attack and rarely makes mental mistakes, which is a result of his high football IQ and preparation skills.

WEAKNESSES: Isn't always fundamentally consistent as a tackler, at times opting to throw himself at his target or drop his head on contact. Missed time in 2011 with a dislocated elbow.

COMPARES TO: Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Like David, Mosley's combination of toughness, elite instincts and superb athleticism offer the versatility of lining up inside or out, and have enabled him to be one of the nation's top all-around linebackers.

--Ron Rang

Player Overview
The leader of the Crimson Tide's suffocating defense, Mosley is highly thought of among the scouting community and could end up as a top 10 pick in May. Mosley is as well-rounded and disciplined a linebacker as this draft class has to offer.

His 107 tackles in 2012 were the second-highest total by an Alabama linebacker in the past 25 years (DeMeco Ryans had 126 in 2003) and 48 more than the next Tide defender last season (fellow inside linebacker Trey DePriest). Mosley also recorded eight tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions.

Tough and athletic, with the keenest instincts of any linebacker I've scouted since Lofa Tatupu, Mosley is constantly around the ball and is often making big plays as a result. (11/14/13)

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

+1. I would take Mosley over Shazier any day and I have a feeling he (CJ) will be a solid pro for years to come.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

if none of the top teir talent falls into our laps. i think i am starting to jump on the Jeremiah Attaochu band wagon. 6033 252

I am tired of trying to make smaller players into something they are not.

let try a gifted bigger player that has almost as much media hyped upside as any of the others.

plus he is now starting to move up boards and has been listed as the #1 OLB in the draft. media hype ratings i know.

Plenty of defensive line, linebacker talent outside first round

1. Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech: Here's a 21-year-old kid born in Nigeria who is still a work in progress as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has played as an end. I thought he was just average at the Senior Bowl but after watching his 2013 game tapes my opinion changed. Attaochu had 72½ plays behind the line of scrimmage between sacks (31½) and tackles for loss (41). He ran an unofficial 4.5 in the 40 at his pro day and had a 37½-inch vertical. There's no doubt he needs to develop a counter move to his edge rush but he has the tools to be a fine pass rusher. He had more sacks in college than Khalil Mack or Anthony Barr.

Plenty of defensive line, linebacker talent outside first round - CBSSports.com

Because Attaochu was hurt for the NFL Scouting Combine, 40 NFL scouts from all 32 teams showed up to Tech’s Pro Day, including two from the hometown Atlanta Falcons and three from the New Orleans Saints.

blah blah blah

Attaochu also ran an impressive 40. He was clocked by scouts around 4.55. However, his 1.55 10 yard split was far more impressive as it would be the best time for any defensive end or outside linebacker in the Combine. That was the first time Attaochu had run the 40 at full speed since tearing his hamstring.

Attaochu, football seniors perform at Pro Day | Technique

tearing his hamstring. there is my number 1 concern.

Re: LB Shazier intriguing prospect for Saints
 

Head coaches don't slam beers in local dive bars after games. I don't see him leaving New Orleans unless he's thrown out.