Tyler Linderbaum is a tempting yet tricky prospect for the New York Jets
If New York Jets fans assumed the best-case scenario with the No. 4 pick of the 2022 NFL draft, dreams of a studly edge rusher would dance in their heads (or Ahmad Gardner, for obvious reasons).
Considering the organization hasn’t employed a world-class edge rusher since John Abraham, coupled with the solid state of the offensive line, an edge at four (instead of an offensive lineman) has to be the best-case scenario.
If Joe Douglas is on the Kayvon Thibodeau bandwagon and he falls to No. 4, the Jets then have a chance to solidify that position—courtesy of Carl Lawson’s impending return to boot.
The full Tyler Linderbaum film breakdown is available to all readers and can be found at the bottom of this article
When thinking about the interior of the offensive line, however, No. 10 is the more likely spot, and Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum has been a name bandied about for quite some time.
Sure, Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu are possibilities at No. 4, but George Fant and Mekhi Becton are no slouches as the bookends. Although Ekwonu could most likely make the move to guard, Alijah Vera-Tucker and newcomer Laken Tomlinson make for an excellent duo at guard.
Linderbaum is certainly possible at No. 10, but this would mean one too many players are present. Connor McGovern would have to shift to guard (or even be shifted out of town, as AVT and Tomlinson are going nowhere).
So, the question, as usual, is, “Just how good is this specific prospect?” The only way to get a true feel for Tyler Linderbaum’s overall talent and fit is to break down the tape, and that’s exactly what Blewett’s Blitz did in this latest episode.
Is Tyler Linderbaum worthy of the No. 10 overall pick? Is he worth moving on from the Jets’ current center, Connor McGovern, while potentially recouping a mid-round pick in the process? Is Linderbaum truly an elite prospect at the center position?
We answer those questions and dig into much more in this edition of Blewett’s Blitz (the full film breakdown is available at the bottom of this article).
YouTube clip and podcast episode
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Quickness
- Quick feet
- Ability to regain balance when thrown off balance
- Wide base, good feet in pass pro
- Active drag hands
- Technician
- Can reach block 3-techs
- Core strength
- Short area quickness
- Speed
- Acceleration
- Flexible
- Gritty
- Lateral movement
- Good feel for the zone scheme
- Blocks defenders to where they’re going (when allowed)
- Understands “lose to gain”
- Plays with hands on guard
- Active eyes
- Looks to hammer/plow
- Comes off of combo blocks with good timing (usually)
- Keeps defenders tight to him (maintain power/wrestling background)
- Quick hands
- Attacks hip on combo
- Quick to “wrench”
- Awareness of immediate threats in pass pro
- Grip strength
- Alternates hands in pass pro
- Initial leverage in the run game
Weaknesses
- Light
- Not overly strong
- Punch doesn’t “pack punch”
- Could struggle vs. big-time NFL nose tackles (1-techs)
- He’s a center-only prospect
- Doesn’t create much movement while base blocking or singled up
- Didn’t experience many true pass sets
- Length
- Can get caught with feet crossed (needs to learn scooch tech)
- Hands can land wide/high when squared up
- Can chase combos and/or peel off late
- Can lunge/overrun on the second level
- Gets initial pop on defenders but the block can stall afterword
- Should be on a zone heavy team
- Anchor
- Didn’t see many plays vs stunts/blitzes
- Tends to “push vs lift” while in pass pro
- Want to see more patience on the second level
- Can duck head into pass blocks
- Full Tyler Linderbaum film breakdown
I never thought he was as “can’t miss” as some of the experts say because he’s not very big. Comapre him to Creed Humphrey and it’s not close at this point. He may be a very good NFL player but with him, I “don’t believe the hype.” There is way too much use of the new term “generational talent” which has always seemed laughable to me. Not saying anybody has said that about Linderbaum, but when people are saying best center prospect in 5 years etc. that’s just hype. I think Joe likes the OL and will look elsewhere early, but will draft someone more “developmental” in this draft. I’d rather have Devin Lloyd than Linderbaum.