Each year at Lions Wire we examine the athletic testing scores of the upcoming NFL draft class, looking for prospects who qualify for our Quinn Influenced Benchmarks (QIB) system. In a nutshell, QIB is designed to identify common athletic characteristics Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has previously targeted at each position, with the focus on finding similarly athletic prospects that could be offseason targets for the Lions.
In the Lions 3-3-5 base scheme, they use three linebackers, JACK (Devon Kennard), MIKE (Jarrad Davis) and WILL (Christian Jones). The JACK position is primarily an edge rusher and players capable of filling this role can be found in the QIB qualifiers: EDGE rushers article. The MIKE and WILL spots fall under the off-the-ball linebacker category and players who fit these positions will be the focus here.
The MIKE linebacker lines up in the middle of the defense and in the Lions base scheme will typically be shaded over a guard. In a 43 scheme — like the ones previously run by the Lions — the WILL linebacker lines up outside the offensive tackle, but under Coach Matt Patricia, the Lions scheme mimics more 34 concepts and the WILL also typically stack inside over the guard.
In the clip below, you can see Davis (MIKE #40) lines up over the left guard while Jones (WILL #52) is over the right guard.
QIB Benchmarks
For the off-the-ball linebackers in the Lions scheme, QIB examines players ability to be explosive (10-yard-split, vertical and broad jump) and have lateral quickness (short shuttle). The ability to bend the edge isn’t as significant because of positioning and thus the 3-cone drill doesn’t appear to be as high a priority as it has been in past QIB versions.
In addition to the measurable benchmarks, the Lions also tend to prefer prospects who weigh at least 230-pounds in order to handle the rigors of playing inside and off-the-ball.
Prospects can become a full QIB qualifier is they pass all four benchmarks or a partial QIB qualifier if they pass three of the four. For the purposes of this piece, QIB will be broken up into three sections:
- Full QIB: Contenders
- Full QIB: Depth
- Partial QIB: Depth
Full QIB: Contenders
If the Lions are looking for competition for Christian Jones, there are two instant impact linebackers in this draft class, Devin Bush and Devin White. Both are expected to go in the first round — possibly in the top-half — and both are Full QIB qualifiers. More often than not, White is regarded as the higher rated prospect, but on the Lions draft board, that may not be the case.
One of the reasons the Lions may hesitate to target White (6-0, 237, LSU) is his similarities to Jarrad Davis. White is an extraordinary athlete who can bring the wood with authority. He has sideline-to-sideline speed, can track his target through the wash, and in zone coverage.
While those Davis-like traits are very appealing, White also has a lot of the same flaws to his game that Davis has, including troubles reading/selecting proper gaps and an overaggressive nature that can lead to missed tackles.
White is a terrific player but the Lions would likely be looking to diversify their linebacker unit, which leads us to Bush.
Bush (5-11, 234, Michigan) has a lot of the same intangibles as White — like sideline-to-sideline speed and tackling through the ball carrier — but he is more instinctual in gap reading and is rarely fooled by play-action, screens or jukes. Bush gets knocked for being undersized, but in the Lions system, his ability to shoot gaps and cover will mitigate those concerns.
Blake Cashman (6-1, 237, Minnesota) is a rising prospect who should hear his name called on Day 2 of the draft. He projects as a MIKE or WILL in the NFL and would be a solid fit as competition for the inside WILL position with Jones. Cashman doesn’t have the speed like the Devin’s, but he’s close, and he utilizes it to operate in space and coverage on tight ends and running backs. Surgeries on both shoulders in the last calendar year are worth monitoring.
Side note: Emeke Egbule (6-2, 245, Houston) was a featured sleeper in the QIB edge rushers article as a potential JACK linebacker option, but his ability to play off-the-ball also lands him in this category as well.
Full QIB: Depth
The players in this section should all find themselves in an NFL training camp, either after being drafted sometime on Day 3 or as a priority free agent.
Bobby Okereke (6-1.5, 239, Stanford) has a chance to challenge for a starting role down the road but he still has some developing to do in 2019. He reads gaps well, finds his way through them and has the speed to make plays in space. He needs to get stronger and hold his ground better but he will likely start out as a reserve defender and a starter on special teams.
Drue Tranquill (6-2, 234, Notre Dame) is physical and isn’t afraid to mix it up, but the converted safety looks like he may not be able to add much more muscle and that could be a problem in the NFL with his frame and style of play. His future could be as a nickel linebacker and special teamer.
Cameron Smith (6-2, 238, USC) found the starting lineup as a freshman for the Trojans and held down the MIKE spot for four years. He tested very well but that athleticism doesn’t always show up on the field. Smith wins with his intelligence and with good coaching, he could grow into a larger role with time and patience.
Sione Takitaki (6-1, 238, BYU) has the range to play at multiple linebacker spots and the instincts to carve out a role as a multi-purpose reserve that teams covet. His special teams play alone could help him a player who outperforms his eventual draft position.
Ryan Connelly (6-2, 241, Wisconsin) lacks elite traits, but like most Badger linebackers he will probably find himself on an NFL roster or practice squad come fall. Special teams could be an early ticket to the 53-man roster.
Ty Summers (6-1.5, 241, TCU) continues the theme of this linebacker class where measured success in drills doesn’t match athleticism on the field, but his motor and special teams ability will get him attention from NFL teams. If the Lions acquire Summers he would likely challenge Steve Longa for a spot on the roster.
Ben Burr-Kirven (6-0, 230, Washington) and Cole Holcomb (6-1, 233, North Carolina) use their instincts and speed to find success but their future looks to be on the outside in the NFL which will make them less appealing to a team like the Lions.
Dakota Allen (6-1, 232, Texas Tech) is a developing inside-Will linebacker who could compete for snaps with Jalen Reeves-Maybin once he cleans up some technical flaws. He’s coachable and has shown progress in gap discipline and in coverage but he needs more patience and to show he can play faster than his 4.77 40-yard-dash time, like Jones (4.74) and Longa (4.73) have.
Partial QIB: Depth
Cody Barton (6-2.5, 237, Utah) has experience playing both inside and out, which will help his appeal, and his desire to compete will likely earn him an early job on special teams.
Jordan Jones (6-2, 234, Kentucky) is a quick outside linebacker that will likely land at WILL in a 43 scheme. Unless his special teams play stood out, the fit with the Lions is a difficult projection.
Kaden Elliss (6-3, 240, Idaho), son of former Lions great Luther, blew up his Pro Day and has already had top-30 visits with the Ravens, Saints, Seahawks, Dolphins and Packers. With NFL bloodlines, above average athleticism, and on-field production, Ellis will find his way into an NFL camp and get an opportunity to earn a job.
