5 NFL Teams Jordyn Brooks Would Help Immediately
The NFL Draft is always a crapshoot and impossible to predict, especially past the first round, but I think there are some clear options for Texas Tech's Jordyn Brooks in either the 2nd or 3rd round.
Brooks is a guy who can fit in multiple schemes as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 or 4-3. He might even be able to work at the will backer in some 4-3 schemes. It's that versatility, intangibles and his production in college that has him climbing up draft boards.
In fact, don't be shocked if Brooks slips up into the first round with this first team on the list.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers lost Blake Martinez this offseason and haven't had a great linebacker on the roster since Clay Matthews split a couple of seasons ago. It's a definite need, and Brooks is a guy who can start immediately in the NFC North.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are in win-now mode and they don't have holes on offense. The defense, on the other hand, needs some work. If the team picks up a corner in the 1st round, they could find a day one starter to plug and play in the second with Jordyn Brooks.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs return 20 of the 22 starters from last season's Super Bowl team. The offense is bloated with talent. The defensive line is set. The rest of the defense? Not so much.
If there was a weakness on the 2019 Chiefs' roster, it was a linebacker unit that struggled the first two-thirds of the season before finding a second gear. Brooks could bring athleticism to the front seven and is already used to playing for a defense that plays fast because it's offense scores so fast. It's a perfect fit, really.
New England Patriots
The Patriots LOVE Red Raiders, and they desperately need a linebacker after losing both Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy this past offseason. Easy to see the fit here.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are a lot like the Chiefs heading into the 2020 draft. There aren't a ton of holes, but there are some places they could upgrade. The Ravens are also a defense that could make Jordyn Brooks a star. Brooks' ability as a blitzer and his speed sideline to sideline would be a perfect fit for the Baltimore defense.
Bonus: Dallas Cowboys
I know I said 5 teams, but the Dallas Cowboys have a sneaky big need for a linebacker early in this draft. Sean Lee is at the end of his career. Jalen Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are obviously high risk moving forward as far as injuries go. In Dallas' new multiple scheme with Mike Nolan and Mike McCarthy, Brooks could be a safety net and might even win a job over Sean Lee before Day one rolls around.
The first round of the NFL Draft is Thursday, April 23rd, 2020.