This is Part II of a three part series. You can read Part I here.
Tackles – DeMarcus Couins (GSW), Boban Marjanovic (PHI)
The defensive tackles are often the largest players on a football team, but they fall into two broad categories. There are muscular guys who can penetrate the pocket and flush the QB outside (i.e. Aaron Donald and “Mean” Joe Greene). Then, there are hefty guys that take up blockers and stuff the run (i.e. Geno Atkins and Vince Wilfork). A great DL has both, and that’s is what’s happening here.
In my eyes, DeMarcus Cousins is perfect for a versatile defensive line. He’s pretty average, in terms of speed, but he’s an absolute monster of muscle. This allows him to throw away opposing linemen with ease. On top of that, his general athleticism means he can shift to DE in a 3-3 nickel package. H
Boban Marjanovic, meanwhile, is here to just take up room. He weighs nearly 300 lbs and stands 7’3″, which would make him the tallest NFL player by three inches. His wingspan is only fractions of an inch off of the longest in NBA history, which would come in handy to both draw a double-team to open a hole to blitz through as well as to swat down any over the top passes.
Ends – Blake Griffin (DET), Derrick Favors (UTA)
In my eyes, defensive ends are a combination of the two defensive tackle prototypes. They need to hold their own on run plays while also being able to get around the outside of the opposing tackle/tight end.
Griffin is perhaps the most athletic big in the league and has shown that time and time again. His recent career revival in Detroit hasn’t promoted the masterclass of agility and power he showed in LA when he was getting lobs every other possession, but the flashes we have seen (especially in the All-Star Game) old Blake is still there.
Favors checks the boxes Griffin doesn’t but not to the same extent. He ranks as the thirteenth fastest center and is a mammoth in the post, which compliments his counterpart’s agility and finesse well.
Linebackers – Guerschon Yabusele (BOS), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), DeMar DeRozan (SAS)
If WR is the easiest offensive position to pick up for an athlete, then LB is the easiest defensive position. That’s not by any means to say it’s an easy position. It’s arguably the second-most cerebral position on the field. However, it’s a great position for athletes to pick up because it requires more well-roundedness than any other position.
The strongside linebacker (Sam LB) is often the heftiest of the three, which here is Boston’s Guerschon Yabusele. Although he’s stuck hopping between Boston and their G-League affiliate Maine Red Claws, Yabusele, in all honesty, resembles an incredibly rough LeBron James. The Frenchman is 6’8″, 260lbs and is tied with Aron Baynes (6’10”) as the heaviest Celtics’ player. There’s a debate for him as the most muscular NBA player, making him a great option to match-up against blocking TEs to blow up runs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is, in essence, Brian Urlacher on steroids. He’s incredibly smart and can read a play (he pretty much runs point in Milwaukee), which is possibly the most important trait for a middle linebacker (Mike LB). He has the length to break up passes in a Tampa 2 scheme and is more than capable to either drop deep in coverage or blitz the quarterback.
DeRozan, like Antetokounmpo, is a stellar athlete that works well defensively. Unlike Yabusele and Anteokounmpo, he’s more of a swing SG-SF than a pure forward. As a result, he’s had to deal with his fair share of quicker guards and smaller forwards; a match-up mimicked by weakside linebackers (Will LB). He’s as well-rounded as Giannis in terms of skill-set and honestly could patrol the middle if need be. However, putting him on the weakside allows him to capitalize on his defensive and athletic prowess.
Cornerbacks – Russell Westbrook (OKC), Chris Paul (HOU), Avery Bradley (MEM)
Westbrook isn’t very revered when it comes to his defensive capability, but he possesses all the attributes necessary to play in the secondary. He’s taller than most NFL receivers but is still quick enough to keep up with the best of them. As an added bonus, he’s no stranger to chirping in his opponent’s ear, à la Jaguars corner Jalen Ramsey
Chris Paul isn’t as quick or physical as Westbrook, but he’s far smarter and a better team player. There’s less room for error in the defensive backfield than any other position because one blown coverage results in a 40-yard touchdown. CP3 has one of the highest ball-IQs ever, which will prove useful when working with a more reckless Westbrook.
As for the nickel corner, I’ll admit, I have a little bit of bias here. Avery Bradley is my favorite active player and has been since he played in Boston.
Don’t let that take away from his mastery of defense, however. His mentality is: stop them first, score second. He’s very content having an empty box score so long as his match-up was equally barren. His side-to-side quickness is atop the league and ranks third in average speed on defense among NBA starters. AB will be playing in our nickel package and guarding mainly slot receivers, so his speed will come in handy.
Safeties – Patrick Beverley (LAC), Victor Oladipo (IND)
Patrick Beverley, like Bradley, is an incredibly consistently underrated defender. He has more weight than any other 6’1″ player in the league, but he’s also the fastest player at his weight. Strong safety is a position built on two main focuses: sit in the box and blow up the run, or hang back in the shallow secondary. Having extra bulk while also being able to chase down some RBs makes Beverley a good pick for that spot.
Unlike strong safety, free safety is more built on speed and ability to patrol the deep part of the field. The position is often compared to centerfield. Prior to rupturing his quad, Oladipo was one of the most exciting players in the league. In terms of the type of electricity he brings to a court, I’d compare him to a younger Vince Carter. He’s faster than most players at his height and weight, which lets him track down opposing receivers with ease. Not only that, but Oladipo had also shown a knack for reading an offense… he ranks eleventh in steals per game.
There is Part II – The Defense of my All-NBA football lineup. Is there anyone else you would’ve chosen? Part III will be released soon. Do you have any predictions for those parts of the team? Let me know, either on Twitter (@zekepersources) or Instagram (@zekepersources)