Similarly, the Shanahan offense is a west coast style system, but it’s one in which the versatility of the players employed can be exploited to create mismatches. Some have described it as a “positionless offense” with the ultimate goal of having all five eligible receivers being more or less interchangeable.

Let’s consider some potential draft targets who could be ideal fits for the offensive and defensive schemes:

Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

Shanahan-style offenses typically employ a lot of wide-zone blocking schemes, which require blockers to be athletic. Slater, who is regarded as capable of playing all five offensive line positions, fits the bill as he has good feet and is expected to test well at the combine. Slater is highly regarded by some draft analysts but doubts over whether he has the length and pass protection abilities to play tackle at the NFL level could cause him to drop into the back end of the first round or into the second.

Nick Bolton, ILB, Missouri

The flexibility of Saleh’s defensive scheme enables him to mix up coverages, but you need linebackers who are good in coverage to be able to effectively implement some of the zone packages he tends to use. Bolton is extremely athletic and did an outstanding job in coverage in 2019, although he perhaps wasn’t as effective this season. If CJ Mosley returns and can handle the communication and organizational aspects of his role, Bolton could be an ideal linebacker to pair him with.

Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

Nasirildeen missed most of the 2020 season as he was rehabbing a torn ACL but returned late in the season and looked like his old self. He’s regarded as one of the most versatile players in the nation, as he’s rangy enough to match up in coverage but big enough at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds to contribute in the box. The Jets drafted Ashtyn Davis last year and have said that bringing Marcus Maye back is a priority. But could Nasirildeen’s combination of versatility, length and athleticism be too good to pass up?

Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Toney could be the kind of Swiss-army knife that would add a flexibility and dynamic to the Jets’ offense in the same vein as Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. Toney had been a utility player throughout his career, but caught 70 passes for almost 1,000 yards in his first season as a full-time receiver. He still also added 161 rushing yards and a touchdown and made good contributions as a return man, though.

Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame

One key feature of the 49ers’ recent offensive success has been the versatility of fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Tremble’s blocking ability, untapped potential as a pass catcher and athletic profile could make him a candidate to be the Jets’ version of Juszczyk. The 6-foot-4 Tremble is more of a tight end but has lined up in the backfield at times.

Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa

In order to make Saleh’s scheme work, you need a reliable strong-side linebacker who is versatile enough to rush off the edge, drop into coverage and set the edge against the run. Collins, this season’s Bronko Nagurski trophy recipient, had four sacks and four interceptions in just eight games in a breakout campaign that suggests he could thrive in such a role.

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