Round 6: Isaiah McDuffie

[ReasonablySober]

Finally, a linebacker.

[Profound23]

Jackpot! Love it

[ReasonablySober]

STRENGTHS: Active tone-setter because of his play speed and aggressive motor…covers ground with open-field acceleration…makes plays at both sidelines…quick to key and flow, understanding football geometry to stay ahead of blocks…faces up the ball carrier and runs his feet at contact to drive through tackle attempts…smooth weight transfer to turn and run with backs in coverage…has some pop in his upper half to shed tight end blocks…flashes a closing burst as a blitzer…son of a coach and wired right for the position (BC head coach Jeff Hafley: “He’s got the right attitude, the right makeup, the right mentality”)…high-volume tackler, averaging 8.2 tackles per game the last three seasons.

WEAKNESSES: Slightly smaller frame and lacks ideal length or growth potential for the position…struggles to extend and take on climbing blockers…tends to react before reading, leading to wasted steps…will occasionally arrive too hot and needs to stay disciplined as a tackler…struggles to get his head turned to locate in coverage, leading to premature contact downfield…his combative play personality will show itself past the whistle, leading to fouls…missed most of the 2019 season after knee surgery during spring drills.

SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Boston College, McDuffie played weakside linebacker in head coach Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 base scheme. After missing most of the 2019 season with a knee injury, he returned strong in 2020 and finished fifth in the FBS with 107 total tackles, averaging 9.7 tackles per game. A run-and-hit style defender, McDuffie is an alert, determined chaser who looks to tune up his target. However, he needs to improve in coverage and struggles to match up against climbing blockers with his average size. Overall, McDuffie needs to play with better discipline, but he only knows one speed and flies around the field with a touch of insanity to him. He projects as a special teamer and linebacker depth.

GRADE: 4th-5th Round

4.58 guy.

[Matches Malone]

Sounds like a good special teamer.

[LittleRooster]

Read on Twitter

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[M-C-G]

6'1 227 lbs
4.59 40 yard dash

Positives

Slightly undersized, an athletic linebacker with good instincts. Quickly locates the ball, correctly reads the action, and shows good awareness in coverage. Remains disciplined with assignments, gets depth on pass drops, and keeps the action in front of him. Works hard getting to the action, sells out, and wraps up tackling. Displays a great head for the ball and makes a lot of athletic plays.

Negatives

May be tapped out physically and does not possess great growth potential. Lacks elite play speed for a smaller linebacker.

Analysis

McDuffie was a tough, hard-nosed defender who showed athleticism but comes with some limitations. He'll be a solid run-and-chase linebacker who is best suited on the inside of a 3-4 alignment, and he makes plays with instincts and hustle.

[tski1972]

Sounds like a good special teamer.

This

[ReasonablySober]

Watch on YouTube

[Balls2TheWalls]

Doesn't look like Kamal Martin coming downhill, but he flows to plays well and he tackles under control. He still finds thump in his hits.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Awful, won't make the team, practice squad player and I heard that he hates puppies.

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[Balls2TheWalls]

I actually think that this gives us some room to play base 3-4 if Berry goes that way and wants to play something more traditional. He looks like a classic WILB in the 3-4 to me. I think he will make the roster. Outside of Krys Barnes and Kamal Martin, I don't think anyone is assured of making the roster at MLB.

[FAH1223]

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[chonestown]

Kind of bizarro version of Patrick O'Bryan where you're like "Oh, he looks like this?"

[M-C-G]

Kind of bizarro version of Patrick O'Bryan where you're like "Oh, he looks like this?"

I'd like to formally nominate you for poster of the year.

[M-C-G]

Do you guys think they may ask him to be more of that Raven Green hybrid role? I kind of suspect they will, even though I thought it would be easier to get a big safety to play the role, seems a small LB might work too.

[Treebeard]

6'1 227 lbs
4.59 40 yard dash

Positives

Slightly undersized, an athletic linebacker with good instincts. Quickly locates the ball, correctly reads the action, and shows good awareness in coverage. Remains disciplined with assignments, gets depth on pass drops, and keeps the action in front of him. Works hard getting to the action, sells out, and wraps up tackling. Displays a great head for the ball and makes a lot of athletic plays.

Negatives

May be tapped out physically and does not possess great growth potential. Lacks elite play speed for a smaller linebacker.

Analysis

McDuffie was a tough, hard-nosed defender who showed athleticism but comes with some limitations. He'll be a solid run-and-chase linebacker who is best suited on the inside of a 3-4 alignment, and he makes plays with instincts and hustle.

That assignment discipline and tackling skill are winning attributes for the Special Teams

[M-C-G]

6'1 227 lbs
4.59 40 yard dash

Positives

Slightly undersized, an athletic linebacker with good instincts. Quickly locates the ball, correctly reads the action, and shows good awareness in coverage. Remains disciplined with assignments, gets depth on pass drops, and keeps the action in front of him. Works hard getting to the action, sells out, and wraps up tackling. Displays a great head for the ball and makes a lot of athletic plays.

Negatives

May be tapped out physically and does not possess great growth potential. Lacks elite play speed for a smaller linebacker.

Analysis

McDuffie was a tough, hard-nosed defender who showed athleticism but comes with some limitations. He'll be a solid run-and-chase linebacker who is best suited on the inside of a 3-4 alignment, and he makes plays with instincts and hustle.

That assignment discipline and tackling skill are winning attributes for the Special Teams

I do think Jean-Charles and McDuffie are ST primary guys with upside of slot (J-C) duties and whatever we call the Raven Green role (McDuffie). Amari Rodgers seems to be the Ervin + ST returner this team has lacked for a really long time as well.

[chonestown]

Kind of bizarro version of Patrick O'Bryan where you're like "Oh, he looks like this?"

I'd like to formally nominate you for poster of the year.

1) Dammit, it's Patrick O'Bryant. The thrill of the post is no excuse to forego assignment sureness

2) The poster of the year, and every subsequent year, is Daver.

[M-C-G]

2) The poster of the year, and every subsequent year, is Daver.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[IrishRainbow]

Weird. I’ve been spelling Blake Martinez wrong for a long time.