With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders Should Move Bruce Irvin Inside

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dances after making a defensive stop during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Oakland 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) dances after making a defensive stop during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Oakland 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) intercepts a deflected pass during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated St. Louis 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) intercepts a deflected pass during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated St. Louis 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Fits at MIKE or WILL

In today’s game, an inside linebacker has to be able to do more than thump and stuff the inside run. They have the speed to chase plays from sideline to sideline and the speed and agility to cover. Inside linebackers that can’t cover tight ends, backs or an occasional slot receiver are 2-down players, therefore don’t have high value.

That’s why Miles Jack and Jaylon Ramsey went early in the second round in the draft despite their injuries. Irvin has shown he can play the run from inside as he was a nickel linebacker in the Seahawks’ 3rd-down sub-packages. NFL teams are in their sub-packages 70 percent of the time so Irvin has saw plenty of running plays from there.

Irvin is thought of as a pass-rusher but he’s a great overall linebacker and better at other things than rushing. Out of the 97 qualified linebackers, ProFootballFocus has him graded No. 15 overall. He’s graded No. 22 against the run,  No. 30 in coverage, and No. 73 when it comes to rushing the passer.

So the Raiders need to seriously look at more tape before they turn him into a simple pass-rusher. With all that speed he has, he should definitely get more chances but that’s not what he does best. He has a versatile blend of talents at 6’3″, 260 pounds, he will make a special MIKE or WILL.

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