alabamagrizzly said:
Gaeilge1 said:
Mid third to high fourth round. There is really no downside to Dante.
My thoughts too. Would be disappointed if he fell past the 4th. If he played at an FBS school, he’d easily be a 3rd rounder or better.
If he played at an FBS school, with the same numbers, he might be even higher than that. The only other “tackling machine” out there – Evan Weaver of Cal – has always been rated a solid 3rd round pick in that DraftSite.com Mock Draft. Dante, of course, has been steadily rising.
The Draft Network site – which called him a “late round steal” above – did not seem to have a full scouting report on Dante. The did, however, have one for Weaver which I found very interesting:
https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/evan-weaver
The first line of the scouting summary says:
Evan Weaver is most definitely a starting linebacker at the NFL level, although his three down skills are going to be limited based on his [in]ability to fulfill coverage reps with consistency and efficiency.
They praise Weaver’s tackling skills (well, Duh!), upper body strength, motor, and so on. But what makes this interesting are the weaknesses they list:
Lateral Mobility - Sideline to sideline range isn't a strength and plays working outside the numbers can challenge him to maintain his fits.
Coverage Skills - Limited. Doesn't have the most dynamic hips to play turn and run coverage and was tested up the seam in both zone coverage to open and react to the ball or in man to work eyes back to the football. Ideally he's off the field on obvious passing situations.
Feet/COD - He isn't the most dynamic and his range shines better when it isn't in short spaces, he isn't the most springy or explosive in COD situations …
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t these skills where Dante shines, or is pretty damn good? How many times have we raved about how Dante “is all over the field” and has great feet. And he’s not too shabby in coverage. Not sure how many Interceptions and Break-Ups he has, but I recall they’re not bad for a linebacker.