- Thread starter dbair1967
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Love this pick. Never seen him play. Never really heard of him. But he absolutely reminds me of Derrick Brooks. I truly believe he has that kind of ability. I didnt personally scout this guy, or even tip the Cowboys on him, but Stephen did mention his name while we spoke leading up to the draft. This guy isn't a guy that will get beat bc of lack of effort. I promise you that. Mr. Carter, step up or step out
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WILL MCCLAY RUNNING THE BOARD!!!!!!
Nolan Nawrocki: 32nd rated OLB, Not on top 150 value board, Priority free agent.
An active, undersized, run-and-hit weakside linebacker , Hitchens is at his best in a scheme where he is protected and free to run to the ball. Has shown gradual improvement and could stand to compete for a backup role.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 37th rated OLB, Not on top 300 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 33rd rated OLB, Not on top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Hitchens is an instinctive run-defender with decent range and the finishing burst to deliver big hits. He's not as effective in coverage as he lacks the fluid hips to hold up in man and doesn't show great awareness in underneath zone.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 24th rated OLB, Not on top 100 value board, 6th-7th round projection.
Hitchens isn't an ideal speed/strength player, but he plays decisive and physical, getting the most out of his ability. He was productive in college and showed versatility vs. the run and the pass and also on special teams coverage. He is limited in some areas, but is a classic overachiever who offers terrific football intangibles. Borderline draftable who might have trouble making the 53-man roster.
Nolan Nawrocki: 32nd rated OLB, Not on top 150 value board, Priority free agent.
An active, undersized, run-and-hit weakside linebacker , Hitchens is at his best in a scheme where he is protected and free to run to the ball. Has shown gradual improvement and could stand to compete for a backup role.
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Frank Coyle, Draft Insiders Digest: 37th rated OLB, Not on top 300 value board, Undrafted free agent.
No write up
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Scouts Inc., ESPN: 33rd rated OLB, Not on top 318 value board, Undrafted free agent.
Hitchens is an instinctive run-defender with decent range and the finishing burst to deliver big hits. He's not as effective in coverage as he lacks the fluid hips to hold up in man and doesn't show great awareness in underneath zone.
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Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout: 24th rated OLB, Not on top 100 value board, 6th-7th round projection.
Hitchens isn't an ideal speed/strength player, but he plays decisive and physical, getting the most out of his ability. He was productive in college and showed versatility vs. the run and the pass and also on special teams coverage. He is limited in some areas, but is a classic overachiever who offers terrific football intangibles. Borderline draftable who might have trouble making the 53-man roster.
boozeman
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There is exactly one and the first play shows him on punt coverage units.
boozeman
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I pity the fact that you cannot see what is being built here.
boozeman
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And that draws a 15 yard penalty in the NFL.
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Scouting Report: Iowa's Hitchens A Compact, Tough LB
Posted 13 minutes ago
Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
Follow BryanBroaddus on Twitter All Bryan Broaddus Articles
IRVING, Texas – Here’s a scouting report on former Iowa outside linebacker and Cowboys fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens.
Anthony Hitchens Iowa 31 6003 240 4.74
He’s a compact looking player on tape. You can see that there is a lot of weight packed on his body. For his bulk, felt like there were some times where he was very physical at the point of attack and then others where he could have done a little bit better job with his shed. He’ll extend his hands. He does a nice job of finding the ball. Big fan of the way that he reacts. He’ll take on in the hole with his shoulder, then work to the ball.
When he lowers his pads, you see a much better player. There were some snaps where he unloaded on the ball carrier. There is some pop with him. He does a nice job of handling the puller on the trap. He needs to get off the block a tick quick at times, but something he will get better at. Will close down in the hole. He’s able to flow to the ball. There were times where he over ran the ball and was very aggressive.
When he can see it, he can make the play. He’s not a fluid-moving athlete in space when it comes to coverage. He’s more of open, drop and float. Didn’t see him drive back to put himself in position. Think he would be a much better player if he didn’t weigh 240 pounds. That might help his quickness, but he’s extremely tough
Posted 13 minutes ago
Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout
Follow BryanBroaddus on Twitter All Bryan Broaddus Articles
IRVING, Texas – Here’s a scouting report on former Iowa outside linebacker and Cowboys fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens.
Anthony Hitchens Iowa 31 6003 240 4.74
He’s a compact looking player on tape. You can see that there is a lot of weight packed on his body. For his bulk, felt like there were some times where he was very physical at the point of attack and then others where he could have done a little bit better job with his shed. He’ll extend his hands. He does a nice job of finding the ball. Big fan of the way that he reacts. He’ll take on in the hole with his shoulder, then work to the ball.
When he lowers his pads, you see a much better player. There were some snaps where he unloaded on the ball carrier. There is some pop with him. He does a nice job of handling the puller on the trap. He needs to get off the block a tick quick at times, but something he will get better at. Will close down in the hole. He’s able to flow to the ball. There were times where he over ran the ball and was very aggressive.
When he can see it, he can make the play. He’s not a fluid-moving athlete in space when it comes to coverage. He’s more of open, drop and float. Didn’t see him drive back to put himself in position. Think he would be a much better player if he didn’t weigh 240 pounds. That might help his quickness, but he’s extremely tough
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He will probably never see the field to draw a 15 yd penalty
boozeman
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Fair point.
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Cowboys pick Anthony Hitchens in fourth
May, 10, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The pick: Anthony Hitchens, outside linebacker Iowa.
My take: It looks like the Cowboys picked up a weakside linebacker to compete with Bruce Carter and to get some time on special teams. The Cowboys liked Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round but when Pittsburgh took him, they moved on and selected Zack Martin, a tackle from Notre Dame. The Cowboys wanted Shazier to play weakside linebacker and pair him up with Sean Lee, the middle linebacker. But now, the Cowboys have taken Hitchens, who averaged 8.6 tackles per game in the Big Ten. The Cowboys not only want to improve the depth along the defensive line, but at the linebacker position as well. With Justin Durant and Carter entering important seasons with the Cowboys in 2014, creating competition at that position has become an important deal for the Cowboys.
Notable: Last season at Iowa, Hitchens finished with a team-leading 112 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. ... He earned Iowa's MVP, Defense in 2013 and he won the Hayden Fry "Extra Heartbeat" Award, defense.
May, 10, 2014
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- The pick: Anthony Hitchens, outside linebacker Iowa.
My take: It looks like the Cowboys picked up a weakside linebacker to compete with Bruce Carter and to get some time on special teams. The Cowboys liked Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round but when Pittsburgh took him, they moved on and selected Zack Martin, a tackle from Notre Dame. The Cowboys wanted Shazier to play weakside linebacker and pair him up with Sean Lee, the middle linebacker. But now, the Cowboys have taken Hitchens, who averaged 8.6 tackles per game in the Big Ten. The Cowboys not only want to improve the depth along the defensive line, but at the linebacker position as well. With Justin Durant and Carter entering important seasons with the Cowboys in 2014, creating competition at that position has become an important deal for the Cowboys.
Notable: Last season at Iowa, Hitchens finished with a team-leading 112 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. ... He earned Iowa's MVP, Defense in 2013 and he won the Hayden Fry "Extra Heartbeat" Award, defense.