NY Giants: 5 Linebackers to consider in the 2020 Draft
By Matt Clark
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4. Troy Dye-University of Oregon
NY Giants linebackers were often a liability in pass coverage last season. If the team is looking to improve upon that in the draft, Troy Dye from the University of Oregon may be a potential draft target in the upcoming draft.
The 6’4″ and 225-pound Dye is incredibly athletic at the linebacker position. However, he is a bit undersized, which limits some of his abilities. Currently, he projects best as a WILL linebacker in a 4-3 scheme.
In addition to being an excellent athlete, strong communication skills, awareness, plus speed, and great instincts allow Dye to excel in coverage. In addition, he has extremely fluid hips and is very agile for a linebacker, which allows him to keep up with shiftier receivers.
Dye presents another high-motor option at the linebacker position. He has excellent burst, quick feet, great range, and the quickness to eventually succeed in the pass rush. However, he will need to add mass if the wants to become an effective blitzer at the next level.
Teams may view Dye as a bit of a developmental project at linebacker. He has very long arms that allow for a large tackling radius, but his smaller stature prevents him from making tackles against bigger-bodied ball carriers. If Dye can add mass to his lean frame without negatively impacting his athleticism, he could be a steal in the draft. However, he needs to refine his skills and improve upon his football IQ if he hopes to excel at the next level.
That said, he possesses the toughness and high motor skills that are necessary to succeed as an NFL linebacker. Last season with the Ducks he totaled 84 tackles, two and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and four pass deflections while demonstrating his playmaking abilities.
Draft analysts currently project that Dye will be drafted between the third and fifth rounds of the draft, making him a potential target later on in the draft for the NY Giants.