Is this a fair NFL comp for Pooh Paul Jr. ?

[OnceARam]

I am still trying to get my head around how we drafted an actual linebacker (and signed a productive UDFA).

The only knock on Pooh is his size, so it got me thinking about NFL comps. I did not know any off the top of my head. However I stumbled upon a youtube comment which got me researching. Anyway, what do you guys think about a comp to Jamien Sherwood of the Jets? He is undersized, like Pooh, but has been highly effective on the NFL level. Could Pooh Paul Jr. have that high of a ceiling?

Anyway, here is a video of Jamie Sherwood`s highlights:


View: https://youtu.be/b8DWjoEL_LI?si=qS_xvzQXFyek4Li6



Pooh Paul Jr. highlights for reference:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbkdeKcJTgg



Also, Pooh Paul Jr. interview about his maturation process. Super impressive football character. Shula must be over the moon.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VOtvaqqMw

 

[Faceplant]

Remember, this guy was "undersized" as well. Also, Paul can and will stack more weight onto his frame in this league. I think he'll be just fine!!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I am still trying to get my head around how we drafted an actual linebacker (and signed a productive UDFA).

The only knock on Pooh is his size, so it got me thinking about NFL comps. I did not know any off the top of my head. However I stumbled upon a youtube comment which got me researching. Anyway, what do you guys think about a comp to Jamien Sherwood of the Jets? He is undersized, like Pooh, but has been highly effective on the NFL level. Could Pooh Paul Jr. have that high of a ceiling?

Anyway, here is a video of Jamie Sherwood`s highlights:


View: https://youtu.be/b8DWjoEL_LI?si=qS_xvzQXFyek4Li6



Pooh Paul Jr. highlights for reference:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbkdeKcJTgg



Also, Pooh Paul Jr. interview about his maturation process. Super impressive football character. Shula must be over the moon.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VOtvaqqMw

I heard a few guys use the Matt Milano comp.

It’s so difficult to project college LBers to the NFL though. The position isn’t the same because offenses in college are so different from the NFL. I listened to Oliver Connely talk about LBers from this year and he doesn’t like any of them, but said he was very high on Speights, Sherwood, and a few others last year. If he’s as good at evaluating them as he thinks he is, then it’s not a good sign for any of this years rookie LBers. I hope he’s wrong.

 

[I like Rams]

Kinda crazy to think that we have a good amount of competition at the LB position considering it was abysmal before the draft. Speights, Paul Jr, Landman and Dolac will be a fun watch this training camp.

 

[Ramstien]

My favorite pick of this draft for the Rams.

 

[TheTackle]

I am still trying to get my head around how we drafted an actual linebacker (and signed a productive UDFA).

The only knock on Pooh is his size, so it got me thinking about NFL comps. I did not know any off the top of my head. However I stumbled upon a youtube comment which got me researching. Anyway, what do you guys think about a comp to Jamien Sherwood of the Jets? He is undersized, like Pooh, but has been highly effective on the NFL level. Could Pooh Paul Jr. have that high of a ceiling?


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VOtvaqqMw

The comparison during his interview was Drew Greenlaw which is a nice comp if true

 

[ramfan46]

The comparison during his interview was Drew Greenlaw which is a nice comp if true

This. Played in the SEC and both went in the 5th round. He seems to have the same motor as Dre without the dirty bs. Excited to see what Paul can do.

 

[Pupped]

I don't know how good he can be.. but it is great seeing a LB who is listed as lighter than him having so much success.

I feel like the Rams could have some really GOOD LB play by the end of the season. Might be the best combo the Rams have had in many years.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Why not rotate Paul and Dolac and see what they can do. Run stop wise.

 

[Merlin]

You let them compete and start the winners. I enjoyed last preseason due to Speights stepping up, this year should be much more entertaining.

 

[Jacobarch]

The comparison during his interview was Drew Greenlaw which is a nice comp if true

If he's even close to as good as Greenlaw the rams scored the diamond of the draft. Let's see how he plays tho or if he even gets a starring role. You know mcvay doesn't like to play late draft picks right away.

 

[Merlin]

It's kind of ironic that we got Paul from my own draft expectation/perspective. Because I figured Paul would be off the board round 3, and it felt like we would probably take a corner before ILB, so I watched a ton of these guys looking for later round options and Martin (who was listed routinely in late rounds on many media boards) really stood out. Who then went to SF round 3, while Paul fell to us. Goes to show the media boards are not gospel.

If I had to guess why SF took Martin I would go with his blitzing ability. Dude is ultra aggressive and hard to track since he's a little MFer like Fletch was. But Paul is very smooth in his drops and he's pretty damn good across the board so idk. Either way I am very happy we ended up with what looks like a backer with a legit chance to be a player for us because one area we have struggled with these guys is vs the pass.

It feels weird to look at this depth chart at ILB right now and see real competition. Been a long time since we had that, probably back to '98 when we had Fletch coming in as an unheralded UDFA. That roster had Mike Jones, with Roman Phifer still hanging on. Turns out the defense made the big jump in the '99 season of course, with Fletch centering Jones and Collins. But it was the speed of Fletch and his elite open field tackling/range that helped that defense make that jump. He was a grossly undervalued part of the surge of that unit.

So looking ahead here with this depth chart, albeit with one less offball role in this scheme, we have young and fresh legs mixed in with a couple vet options. What really matters is a couple of them elevating out of that competition to produce high end play. At least one. But preferably we end up with a very strong starting pair. And for once we're gonna have good depth.

 

[Ground Chuck]

I am still trying to get my head around how we drafted an actual linebacker (and signed a productive UDFA).

The only knock on Pooh is his size, so it got me thinking about NFL comps. I did not know any off the top of my head. However I stumbled upon a youtube comment which got me researching. Anyway, what do you guys think about a comp to Jamien Sherwood of the Jets? He is undersized, like Pooh, but has been highly effective on the NFL level. Could Pooh Paul Jr. have that high of a ceiling?

Anyway, here is a video of Jamie Sherwood`s highlights:


View: https://youtu.be/b8DWjoEL_LI?si=qS_xvzQXFyek4Li6



Pooh Paul Jr. highlights for reference:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbkdeKcJTgg



Also, Pooh Paul Jr. interview about his maturation process. Super impressive football character. Shula must be over the moon.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57VOtvaqqMw

LOVE this guy. I am not a College football guy as much as some of you, so I don't see enough for comps, but I love the attitude and style of his play. And the character of the man. Hard to see a situation where he gets nailed for stealing crab legs.

 

[dang]

When the Rams traded EJIII last year they went from being one draft pick away from fielding a decent ILB tandem to signaling to the NFL you can have your way with our defense. Just get the ball past the LOS and attack our 2 traffic cones Reeder/Rozeboom. IMO McVays response was “Never again”. Im confident he’s got the Rams heading in the right direction.

 

[Ramrasta]

One thing is certain. Chris Paul Jr. is a massive upgrade over Reeder and Roseboom. ILB was a big reason why we didnt go farther last season.