Maybe he seems like a bigger reach than he was because he is playing like a bigger reach.
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That is defintely true, thats why I dont like the idea of reaching for DAn Williams because i know he's gonna take a couple years to get used to the level of play in the NFL.
However, as we saw last year with Clay Mathews, Orakpo, and Brian Cushing Linebackers usually make an immediate impact and generally the transition is very easy for them.
The difference between Dan Williams and Cam Thomas is not the same as the difference between McClain and Sean Lee.
McClain will be an instant playmaker, run stopper, leader, and pro bowler.
I will say though we have had a great deal of luck from another linebacker out of Bama.
I heard over on AP that we have a private workout scheduled in AL with McClain on April 10th.
We ain't taking McClain at 5. Positional value. Safeties and ILB's no go for top 15. My guess would be Baluga if Okung is gone...
If Pioli took Jerod Mayo 10th overall, I wouldn't put it past him to take an ILB with the 5th. Bulaga would be a terrible 5th overall pick. He'd be a good player, but definitely not worth #5 overall.
We need an ILB badly. DJ will either get traded or relegated to Nickel LB/3rd down linebacker. That's just what you do with his skill set in a 3-4. So we are going to lean on Williams and Mays? Maybe throw Vrabel in at ILB? No way. McClain plays hard, lives for football and is a leader on the field. He is also projected to go early/mid 1st, just like BULAGA. And our Oline is easily good enough to wait until the 2nd round to address. Even then, we need the most help at G/C. Ducasse and Saffold will be front runners I'm guessing.