Best potential landing spots for USC linebacker Eric Gentry
· Yahoo Sports
Eric Gentry has the size, intangibles, and skill set to be a linebacker who gives his defense a unique advantage. His success may depend on where he lands in the NFL draft, and if that organization can use him to the best of his ability. If he lands in the right fit, the sky is the limit for what he can be as a defender.
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Here are the best NFL draft destinations where Eric Gentry can reach his ceiling the most:
Seattle Seahawks
Mike Macdonald is a wizard and one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. He has proven he can develop and get the most out of the players he has on defense. I think he would be able to get the most out of the unicorn of a prospect that Eric Gentry is. Gentry has shown he can be a blitzing linebacker and be solid vs both the run and pass. Nobody draws up blitzes better than Macdonald. Gentry would be a steal for Seattle.
Chicago Bears
The Bears are trying to get more athletic, versatile, and be a better unit in coverage. Gentry checks all of those boxes. He also ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at his pro day and fits the mold of the Bears trying to get faster on defense. He can be a chess piece for Dennis Allen and move around the entire defense. If he puts on some more weight he could become a building block for Chicago on defense.
Baltimore Ravens
Jessie Minter was a great hire for the Ravens as he will bring back tough, physical, defensive-minded play for Baltimore. Roquan Smith is getting older, and he seems to be losing a step. The Ravens got good play from their rookie linebacker last season in Teddye Buchanan. Having Eric Gentry being developed and reaching his ceiling on a defense that already has Kyle Hamilton seems really scary.
Buffalo Bills
Jim Leonhard, as the new Bills defensive coordinator, should help the Bills' defense play at a higher level. The linebacker depth for the Bills is not where it needs to be, and the guys they had originally were older. I expect the Bills to attack that position in the draft, and they could get a steal late with Eric Genty. More than any other team, Gentry would have a good opportunity to come in, have a great camp, and potentially be a guy who could win a job.
Houston Texans
The Texans have already had success when it comes to taking USC Trojans. Calen Bullock is a star at safety for the Trojans, and Woody Marks has been better than expected. Why not take another one, who has a huge upside and will fall late? Demeco Ryans is another defensive guru, and he is a players' coach that everyone wants to play for. He would be the perfect coach to help develop a potential defensive talent such as Eric Gentry.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 2026 NFL draft - development will be vital for USC's Eric Gentry