Back to Draft Talk: Keith Rivers Private Workout

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the Adam Jones talk, aren’t you, seriously? One very interesting tidbit of news that seems to have been overlooked has been the scheduled private workout of USC’s Keith Rivers. Keith Rivers is an explosive linebacker, and would be projected as a middle linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. The interesting thing about this is the “private workout” Typically, when a team is giving you a private workout, you’re in their scope for serious consideration at being drafted.

Some of you may say we’re stacked at LB, and probably don’t need another LB, especially in the first round. For me, I still think there’s a 50% chance of this actually happening; in which, the Cowboys draft CB with #22, and LB with #28. You do have to remember that LBs are gold in a 3-4, and you can never have enough, and this is where Rivers comes into play.

Think about the depth we have…we have the obvious starters, Ware, Ellis, Ayodele, and James. I would say with the exception of Ware, all these guys are upgradeable, but mainly Ayodele. Phillips has stated that Ayodele’s position in his 3-4 usually has more production and impact, Ayodele has not done this, he’s been a solid stop-gap. Akin has become another Al Singleton, he’s good, he’s serviceable, but he’s not remembered, he doesn’t make plays that make you remember he’s even there…its weird.

Yes, we have Zach Thomas, but like I said before, he’s one bad tackle or one bad concussion from an in-season retirement. Plan as though he is not here. Kevin Burnett will not be re-signed, he’s injury prone, we all know this. Greg Ellis has maybe 2-3yrs left in the tank, and he too has some durability issues creeping up on him now. And do we know what to do with Carpenter yet? I would like to see him at MLB instead of Ayodele, but who even knows.

Keith Rivers is a first round talent, and would be a very good addition to the linebackers for sure, but I still think cornerback trumps all positions with our first pick this year. I think a corner late in the first would be scraps, we need a premiere corner to groom at nickel and prep to replace Henry when he gets his yearly nagging ankle injury.