2016 NFL Draft: Exclusive interview with Steve Longa

Heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, linebacker Steve Longa will have a few teams interested in what he brings to the table. Does he make sense for the NY Jets?

With outside linebacker Demario Davis set to hit the open market, the Jets may need to consider choosing his replacement via the 2016 NFL Draft.  Rutgers University’s outside linebacker Steve Longa, skipping his senior year, may be a welcomed surprise for Jets Nation.

I recently interviewed him to get his thoughts as he entered the 2016 NFL Combine and his journey into the NFL. In our conversation from last week, Longa and I talked about the McCourty’s Casino Night Fundraiser for Tackle Sickle Cell, his mindset for the combine, his training regimen for the various specific events (40-yard dash, shuttle runs, etc.), advice given to him by other professional athletes, what to expect at the combine, the timeline for NFL teams’ follow-up, his dream team and my famous 30 second blitz!

Click below to listen (interview begins at 33:13):

According to NFL.com, under the watchful gaze of head coach Todd Bowles, Longa’s combine performance earned him a 5.27: “NFL backup or special teams potential.”  When it comes to the Jets, he would be a nice addition to their defense or even special teams since he has the skill-set to contribute the moment he steps foot on the football field.

According to a CBS Sports scouting report, here is what they had to say about his abilities:

“Longa is well-put-together with a powerful lower body to drive through and finish tackles, breaking down with focus and control in open space. He is quick to read and react with the natural instincts and accurate first step to always be around the ball.”

Their projection is for Longa at 6’1″ and 220 pounds, to be chosen in the seventh round, 314th overall.  Should the Jets see him available when they’re on the clock towards the end of the draft, he would be worth investing in to help bolster their abysmal special teams unit that is in need of better talent.

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Remember, do not discount seventh rounders. Take a glance at some impressive seventh round alumni: Shannon Sharpe (1990), Donald Driver (1999), Jay Ratliff  (2005) and Marques Colston (2006).  Should Longa get chosen earlier, he will join a fraternity of impressive sixth rounders: Joe Klecko (1977), Terrell Davis (1995), and Matt Hasselbeck (1998) and Tom Brady (2000).

As Longa said, “It only takes one team to fall in love with you”. Maybe Cupid will shoot the Jets’ arrow to Longa this coming April.