Mid-Season Defensive Sleepers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some defensive playmakers that are flying under the radar!<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"DJ Estes ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hoover","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br>Estes is an extremely physical safety who plays significantly bigger than his listed weight. He's highly explosive on contact and is one of the hardest hitters in the state. With great closing speed when getting downhill, he has a linebacker mentality when playing the run. He also possesses an uncanny ability to blitz as a secondary player and can generate pressure when coming off the edge - making him a chess piece in obvious passing situations. In pass coverage, Estes is great at reading the QB's eyes and reacting promptly. He translates his physicality to his coverage style and causes incompletions/ deflections by playing the receiver and delivering crushing blows across the middle. Though his name isn't amongst the elite yet, Estes is a baller and can be an impact player at the next level.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DjEstes6/status/1566418368739123200?s=20u0026t=-7V43Vve5K4y0V3ZYGc3xA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DjEstes6/status/1566418368739123200?s=20u0026t=-7V43Vve5K4y0V3ZYGc3xA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gavin Moody ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Moody","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Baker is outside a solid overall skill set and can be a three-down backer. Throughout the season, Baker has made plays as a rusher and run defender. With a nice blend of size and athleticism, he can effectively take on blocks and still get to the ball. Baker does an excellent job of protecting the perimeter with discipline and fights to keep his outside shoulder free. He's also highly effective in defending the option and making quick reads. Martin also displays solid long speed when running down ball carriers from behind and generating tackles for losses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GavynBaker13/status/1572657666102542345?s=20u0026t=oUE4616AnIeKTtJwYQZmeQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GavynBaker13/status/1572657666102542345?s=20u0026t=oUE4616AnIeKTtJwYQZmeQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Martin McDonald ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grissom ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mcdonald is a three-down linebacker who is always around the ball. With solid closing speed/burst, he's excellent at getting downhill against the run and shooting gaps. In the backfield, he's fundamentally sound and is a great form tackler. Mcdonald's speed also translates to the passing game, where he can generate pressure on delayed blitzes. In addition to his speed, Mcdonald's anticipation enables him to play fast and fly to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Martin_mcd20/status/1572800337773215744?s=20u0026t=-7V43Vve5K4y0V3ZYGc3xA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Martin_mcd20/status/1572800337773215744?s=20u0026t=-7V43Vve5K4y0V3ZYGc3xA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dylan Stewart ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bob Jones ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is an interior lineman who can consistently disrupt plays. Though he doesn't have the typical size, he shows a good snap off the ball and compensates with instant pressure. Stewart does an excellent job of using opposing linemen's leverage against them with pull moves and often the low man. He doesn't frequently get moved off his spot and shows solid activity with his hands. This broad skill set allows him to be an asset as an interior rusher or run-stopper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Dy1anJS/status/1572381843881873412?s=20u0026t=RoYoxu0tqLDzvWU1jOWWcA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Dy1anJS/status/1572381843881873412?s=20u0026t=RoYoxu0tqLDzvWU1jOWWcA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325994"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack is a high-motor linebacker who is consistent with his effort, fundamentals, and production. In the run game, he's ultra-effective and disciplined. He sets the edge consistently, makes good reads against the option, and is an excellent open-field tackler. He doesn't get caught being flat-footed and has enough strength to bring ball carriers down when he gets his hands on him. This strength also translates to him working through blockers and actively finding his way to the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","mode":"preview"} /-->