Rounds 4 to 7: Players Who Fit Reggie McKenzie’s Mold
Round 5
Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh – Failed the broad jump threshold by five inches.
Jeremiah Ledbetter, DE, Arkansas – Only failed the 3-cone by 0.03 seconds.
Ifeadi Odenigbo, DE, Northwestern – His arm length measured at 32 5/8″ and the McKenzie threshold for defensive end arm length is 33 1/4″.
Carroll Phillips, DE, Illinois – Missed the weight threshold by nine pounds.
Ben Gedeon, ILB, Michigan – Checks 100% of the boxes, with the exception of he was not a team captain. However, only 18 of 41 of McKenzie’s previous picks had been captains, so it’s more of a preference than a requirement.
Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin – Checks 100% of the boxes, with the exception of he was not a team captain.
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Gedeon and Biegel standout in this group due to them meeting/exceeding every minimum threshold for their position. It depends what happens in Round 4, of course, so it’s difficult to predict without knowing that. But let’s say the Raiders get Blair Brown or Jalen Reeves-Maybin in Round 4 — that would make Vince Biegel the ideal pick here.
But if McKenzie had yet to address inside linebacker by the time this pick comes around, it’d be tough to pass on Gedeon considering the need. But personally, I think this would be a round too early on Gedeon. And there are other options projected to go later I’d rather go with.
Bisnowaty would be good value at this spot as well.
Round 6
Sean Harlow, OT, Oregon State – Only missed the height threshold by one inch. Also is a team captain.
Fadol Brown, DE, Mississippi – Reaches 100% of the thresholds, including being a team captain.
Bryan Cox, DE, Florida – Only missed the broad jump threshold by one inch.
Noble Nwachukwu, DE, West Virginia – Missed the height threshold by one inch. Did not complete the 3-cone or 20-yard shuttle.
Jayon Brown, ILB, UCLA – Checks all of the boxes that he tested in. He did not complete the 3-cone or 20-yard shuttle.
Devonte Fields, OLB, Louisville – Checks all of the boxes that he tested in. He did not complete the bench press.
Marquel Lee, OLB, Wake Forest -Reaches 100% of the thresholds, with the exception of not being a team captain.
Brian Allen, CB, Utah – Failed the broad jump threshold by three inches.
Considering we are in Round 6, the prospects projected to be drafted here actually did quite well with the thresholds. Each of these players seems like a legitimate option.
If Reggie wants to double dip at cornerback, Brian Allen fits the lengthy, athletic mold he looks for at the position.
There were several defensive end options listed in Round 4 and 5, so even though the three listed here did well with the thresholds, it’s difficult to predict them until we know what happens in the earlier rounds.
Jayon Brown would be the best pick if McKenzie still hadn’t drafted a linebacker, assuming he was still available here. Again, I’m slotting players in rounds based on their NFL.com projection.