2019 NFL Draft: Valuation of positional tweeners in class

Linebacker/Safety: B.J. Blunt, McNeese State

McNeese State’s star linebacker B.J. Blunt is someone you are going to want on your football team. The undersized linebacker demonstrates a non-stop motor and physicality to be a dynamic special teams weapon without even digging into scheme fit/versatility. The problem is that the 6-0, 203-pound defender is far too small to take any meaningful snaps as an off-ball linebacker anytime in the near future.

Not due to a lack of aggression and endless want-to, Blunt’s frame limits the dynamic ability he can bring to the defensive side of the football. The next logical transition would be a potential strong safety transition for Blunt. Aside from lack of experience, Blunt’s biggest hurdle may be his mindset for how he plays the game. The safety position is one that is built off of patience, with an ability to stay disciplines in keys to both the pass and run game.

B.J. Blunt plays the game like his hair is on fire. We can just see Blunt now attacking too hard downhill on play action, exposing his zone to potential harm. The good thing for Blunt is the NFL is a league that is now built off of versatility. Besides special teams ability, Blunt may be the perfect candidate as a dime linebacker to affect games on third downs.

A player like Blunt may not have been a player to receive a serious look several years ago, but now he is the type of player that can potentially thrive as a special teams ace and specialized defensive weapon.

Projected Round: UDFA