Throughout the
summer, 3GML beat writers from across the country will be breaking down the
position groups for each of the seven 3GML franchises. The assigned point
values will assist with our 2017 3GML pre-season rankings and projections!
LINEBACKERS
BUFFALO BILLS
2017 Top 3
LBs: Shaq Thompson (83), Dont'a Hightower (87),
& Preston Brown (74)
Breakdown: Buffalo's defensive coordinator had to be doing backflips over the off-season acquisitions of Shaq Thompson (trade from Carolina) and Dont'a Hightower (free agent). When the team jettisoned Luke Kuechly, it looked as if the team may have been considering a tanking, but the GM had a plan and used the Kuechly 'picks' to get the top pick in the draft (to select Myles Garrett).
Writer #1: 9
Writer #2: 9
MIAMI DOLPHINS
2017 Top 4
LBs: Markus Golden (81), Bobby Wagner (92), Eric
Kendricks (80), Reggie Ragland (73)
Breakdown: Bobby Wagner is a top LB in the league and leads this strong unit. Eric Kendricks and Markus Golden are solid in their own right. We don't know what they'll get from Reggie Ragland yet due to his injury, but he is a 1st round talent. This team loves the blitz and it's pretty much guaranteed at least one of these guys is blitzing on every play. The defensive coordinators job will be like preparing for a game of black jack where the house hits 21 every time.
Writer #1: 9
Writer #2: 9
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2017 Top 3
LBs: Gerald Hodges (82), Reuben Foster (Rookie),
& Danny Trevathan (84)
Breakdown: This team looked weak at LB a week before the draft. Two moves later they've turned it into a position of strength. Drafting Reuben Foster and signing Gerald Hodges (a sneaky good move) completely remade the second level of this defense.
Writer #1: 9
Writer #2: 9
NEW YORK JETS
2017 Top 4
LBs: Brandon Marshall (87), Zach Brown (85), Myles
Jack (75), Shane Ray (79)
Breakdown: Ugh. Are we still talking about the Jets defense? How do they have this much talent? Someone at the commissioners office was asleep approving all these trades. ]Myles Jack is their weak link if you can call him that. Adding Zach Brown was another great move by this salary savvy GM.
Writer #1: 9
Writer #2: 9
CURRENT 3GML POINTS (LEAGUE RANKING)
New
York Jets: 133
Buffalo Bills: 128
New
England Patriots: 122
Miami
Dolphins: 121
Tomorrow: Corner breakdown...
