Thought he could have been an ILB last year as he lacked the superb arm length/wingspan and agility metrics most successful edge players possess. But at ILB, he has exceptional play strength as he straight-up man-handled dudes last pre-season with a powerful bull-rush, so I know he has that Mike in him. Lacking ideal arm length, he seemingly had to rely on developing and winning with leverage and a strong hand game technique which is gonna play up on the inside against shorter armed IOL.
Athletically, he has enough of everything to be at least an excellent backup. Taking in consideration, he might play closer to 235-240 (dropping 15-20 pounds) as is McDonalds preference for his ILB, his athletic traits he tested at are going to be boosted. Although you might keep enough of the weight if MacDonald’s role for him is being a short-yardage thumper.
I’ll do the same thing I did with Ouzts give him .01s for every 2 pounds lost and .25 inch for every 2 pounds lost and compare him at 254 vs 234 and to Knight who tested at 233.
PL: Sheriff (Sheriff) / Knight
HT: 6’1/ 6’1
AL: 31.25/32.5
WS: 75.75/ 80.5
BR: 27/ 21
WT: 254 (234) / 233
40: 4.73 (4.63)/ 4.63
20: 2.70 (2.60)/ 2.68
10: 1.63 (1.53)/ 1.59
VJ: 33 (35.5)/ 34.5
BJ: 9’10 (10-10’01)/ 9’11
SH: 4.49 (4.39)/ 4.40
3C: 7.19 (7.09)/ 7.25
Sheriff’s 20 and 10 yard splits are already pretty good at 254, might be more accurate just giving him a .05 boost giving him 2.65s and 1.58s splits as 2.6 and 1.53 are border-line elite testing numbers.
But by moving Sheriff to ILB you are basically copying Tyrice Knight athletically speaking. Biggest difference is Sheriff looks better suited downhill being bigger, stronger, a little more agile to navigate the box, and has better pass rush tools. While Knight possessing almost 5 inches of more Wingspan is probably going to more capable in coverage and as a tackler. However, Emmanwori’s presence is going to steal opportunities most likely from the WILB especially in legit passing situations. So, it’ll be interesting to see if there is now an open competition opposite Jones. I thought Knight did well enough last year all things considered but Sherriff’s physical game is much more violent compared to non-Jones incumbents at ILB. That is if Sheriff can obviously make the mental transition. For now, I already had him penciled in at ILB#3 in my post draft rosterbation when I saw he made the switch prior to rookie minicamp.
And it’s okay to have doubts and just pass this move off as nothing, but two years ago my draft crush was Ivan Pace, JR. I’m not going to do a comparison as you probably been done with my post awhile ago but Pace was a player I selected in every mock, he went undrafted, and has been absolute quality for the Vikings. Sherriff is now the Seahawks version of Ivan Pace, JR but in a body that is bigger, stronger, a bit lengthier, more athletic (given the 32 pound difference) and might hold up better long-term durability wise.
