2010 Outside Linebacker Reports
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 250
40: 4.71
Year: 4Sr
Kevin Alexander
School: Clemson
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter at both outside linebacker and defensive end. Senior totals included 54/6/3.5 after 3-4 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Size/speed prospect with an undeveloped game. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself, and chases the action hard. Fires up the field in run defense and shows ability in pursuit.
Negative: Indecisive and shows hesitation in his game. Overruns the action and removes himself from plays.
Analysis: Alexander is a relatively athletic prospect yet marginally productive on the college level. He's a developmental prospect who must quickly pull the pieces together to make it out of summer.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 244
40: 4.89
Year: 4Sr
Jason Beauchamp
School: UNLV
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a junior. Senior totals included 95/12/6.5 after posting a career-high 127 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Strong, disciplined linebacker best defending the run. Explosive moving up the field to fill gaps, plays with a nice degree of suddenness, and wraps up tackling. Diagnoses the action, stays with assignments, and gets depth on pass drops. Effectively collapses laterally, rarely off his feet, and displays ability in space. Occasionally lined up in a three-point stance and used as a pass rusher.
Negative: Slow readjusting off blocks and getting back to playing balance. Shows marginal skills in pass coverage.
Analysis: Beauchamp is a solid linebacker and an underrated prospect at this point in time. He possesses good size/speed numbers, as well is an excellent feel for the position. He's been a solid player on the college level and offers good upside as a potential NFL starter.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 231
40: 4.72
Year: 4Sr
Caleb Bostic
School: Miami-Oh
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter who struggled with injury as a senior and totaled just 23 tackles. Posted 40 tackles as a junior after a career-best 103 during his sophomore season.
Positive: Fluid, athletic linebacker who is productive when healthy. Displays good range, plays with a large degree of quickness and covers a lot of area on the field. Effective special teams player who stands out on coverage units and displays a willingness to make the tackle.
Negative: Struggled with injuries recently, including a foot ailment which required surgery. Has watched his play regressed the past two seasons.
Analysis: Bostic is a size/speed prospect who's shown ability in the past yet a linebacker who must stay healthy and make an immediate impact this summer. He's special teams skill and could find a spot as an inexpensive backup.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 236
40: 4.69
Year: 5Sr
Kyle Bosworth
School: UCLA
Position: OLB
Bio: Started 12 games as a senior posting 77/7.5/1.5. Totaled nine tackles as a junior before a knee injury shelved him after the second game of the year. Totaled 74 tackles in 2007.
Positive: Hard-charging linebacker with marginal measurables. Fires up the field filling gaps defending the run, moves well to the sidelines, and is aggressive. Displays quickness in his overall game, breaks down well, and gets his hands up to protect himself. Works hard to make the tackle. Effectively diagnoses the action.
Negative: Marginal skills in coverage or moving in reverse. Has a history of injury.
Analysis: Bosworth is an aggressive linebacker with the attitude to play special teams at the next level. He possesses limited upside yet his approach to the game will gives him a chance.
Navorro Bowman
School: Penn State
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors last season after finishing second on the team in tackles, posting 93/17/3, while intercepting two passes and breaking up three more. Sophomore totals included 45/16.5/4.
Positive: Athletic weak-side linebacker prospect who makes plays sideline to sideline. Plays with a large degree of quickness, immediately alters his angle of attack, and fluid moving in reverse. Easily redirects to the action, fast to the flanks, and flashes on the scene showing suddenness in his game. Displays skill in coverage and speed in every direction of the field. Displays a lot of ability in pursuit.
Negative: Undersized, gets caught up in the wash rather easily and slow regaining his balance off the initial block.
Analysis: Bowman is an athletic prospect best chasing the action in pursuit. He's efficient and effective in coverage and offers starting potential in a conventional 4-3 alignment.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 244
40: 4.81
Year: 5Sr
Denzel Burrell
School: Virginia
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who posted 49/3/2 as a senior after 48 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Nice-sized linebacker who displays the ability to make plays in space. Breaks down well, collapses to the inside against the run and fluid getting to the flanks to cut off the corners. Quick up the field on the blitz, uses his hands to protect himself, and above-average strength at the point of attack.
Negative: Often slowed at the point by the initial block. Does not consistently take proper angles to the action and overruns plays.
Analysis: Burell has displayed steady progress the past two seasons and offers possibilities as a backup in a 3-4 alignment. Productive special teams player at Virginia, a skill he must show this summer.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 245
40: 4.65
Year: 4Sr
Donald Butler
School: Washington
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after posting career numbers oh 94/15.5/1. Junior totals included 69 tackles.
Positive: Instinctive and athletic linebacker who can be used at a number of positions. Explosive filling gaps up the field in run defense, squares into ball-carriers and wraps up at the point of attack. Displays skill in coverage, fluid turning his hips to transition with opponents, and works to keep the play in front of him. Remains disciplined with assignments and stays with the action. Effectively diagnoses plays and rarely caught out of position.
Negative: Possesses more of a short area burst of speed which he cannot sustain. Struggles getting off blocks once engaged at the point of attack.
Analysis: Butler has his game on an upswing and has moved up draft boards the past seven months. He plays bigger and faster than his size/speed numbers, and he would be effective as a run-defending middle linebacker but also shows enough coverage skills to be placed on the outside. Offers a good degree of upside potential and is a solid developmental prospect who will eventually see action on the next level.
Height: 5-11.5
Weight: 235
40: 4.75
Year: 5Sr
Reggie Carter
School: UCLA
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after leading the team in tackles posting 79/8.5/1.5. Junior totals included 48 tackles after 40 as a sophomore.
Positive: Aggressive, run-defending linebacker who moves well about the field. Fluid scraping laterally, moves well to the flanks, and has a burst of speed. Aggressively puts his shoulders into ball handlers and wraps up tackling. Breaks down well and uses his hands to protect himself.
Negative: Easily blocked from the action and gets caught up in the wash. Not a strong, sturdy linebacker. Slow reacting and struggles in coverage. Gets caught out of position.
Analysis: Carter is a relatively athletic linebacker best in pursuit. He has a slight chance to make it as a backup in a one-gap system if he starts to play to his potential.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 231
40: 4.75
Year: 4Sr
Coleby Clawson
School: BYU
Position: OLB
Bio: Junior college transfer who started the two seasons he played for BYU. Senior totals included 63/8/5 after 55/11.5/4 as a junior. Served a church mission from 2002 to 2005.
Positive: Two-down linebacker best making plays up the field. Effective in the box, quickly locates the ball and slides down the line to make plays. Breaks down well, aggressively takes on blocks and relatively instinctive. Shows ability standing up over tackle.
Negative: Lacks lateral speed and does not cover a lot of area on the field. Struggles in coverage and does not get much depth on pass drops.
Analysis: Clawson is an undersized run defending linebacker who really does not play to his size/speed numbers. He has the playing style of a standup linebacker in a 3-4 alignment yet has the size for conventional lineup.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 229
40: 4.59
Year: 5Sr
Keenan Clayton
School: Oklahoma
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who totaled 75/5.5/1.5 as a senior after 84/11/4.5 the prior year.
Positive: Athletic weak-side linebacker prospect who plays with quickness, explosion, and speed. Gets depth on pass drops, quickly changes direction and covers a lot of area on the field. Explodes to the action with a burst of speed, plays with a large degree of suddenness, and flashes on the scene. Uses his hands to protect himself, quickly recovers off the initial block, and is a solid open-field tackler. Effective in coverage and shows ability in pursuit. Fast enough to cut the corners off for ball-carriers.
Negative: Struggles getting off blocks once engaged the point. Really does not show much force on the blitz.
Analysis: Clayton is an athletic prospect who makes plays sideline to sideline and shows a lot of skill in space. His size will limit him to certain schemes, yet he can be very effective as a starting weak-side linebacker.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 242
40: 4.76
Year: 5Sr
Justin Cole
School: San Jose State
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Senior totals included 57/9/3 after 68/8.5/5 as a junior.
Positive: Athletic defender who's been moving down draft boards since September. Fluid moving about the field, plays with good knee bend, and strings plays out laterally. Terrific movement skills, gets depth on pass drops, and displays a quick change of direction. Occasionally lined up in a three-point stance, quick off the snap, and fast off the edge. Has a burst of speed and can run ball-carriers down from behind.
Negative: Slow getting off blocks and all too often easily handled at the point. Lacks top instincts and very slow to react at times.
Analysis: Cole was a prospect NFL scouts had high hopes for coming into the 2009 season, yet at times he looked as though he was just going through the motions as a senior. Marginally productive, he did not elevate his level of play and underachieved. Cole offers potential at defensive end or as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, but he must quickly get back on track to have any chance of a long career in the NFL.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 255
40: 4.85
Year: 5Sr
Antonio Coleman
School: Auburn
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Senior totals included 45/15.5/9 after 46/10.5/6 as a junior. Sophomore totals included 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Positive: Undersized college pass rusher who had an up-and-down college career. Breaks down well, gets leverage on opponents, and works his hands throughout the action. Quickly changes direction, plays with good body control, and is fluid getting laterally to chase the ball-carrier. Plays with a nice degree of overall quickness and occasionally asked to drop off the line and cover the tight end.
Negative: Showed minimal intensity, explosion, and productivity the past two seasons. Easily controlled at the point of attack by a single blocker. Seemingly gave up on plays last year as a senior and disappeared for stretches.
Analysis: Coleman looked like an up-and-coming prospect as a sophomore, when he was one of the better pass rushers in the SEC. Possesses marginal size/speed numbers for the next level, and he projects to linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Showed flashes of his old self during Senior Bowl week and must consistently play at a high level to make an NFL roster.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 242
40: 4.59
Year: 5Sr
Kavell Conner
School: Clemson
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who led Clemson in tackles since his junior season. Senior totals include 103/7/2 after 125 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Athletic linebacker best in a one-gap system. Breaks down well, very active in his all-around game, flies around the field. Quickly changes direction, plays sideline to sideline, and covers a lot of area on the field. Physical, and works to get involved in the action. Shows ability in pursuit, chasing from the back side. Runs downfield with tight ends or even receivers in coverage.
Negative: Undersized and engulfed at the point of attack. Must improve his playing balance.
Analysis: Connor is a prospect who significantly improved his game the past two seasons. He has size limitations and would be best as a weak-side linebacker in a one-gap system. He should be a serviceable backup at worst.
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 266
40: 4.72
Year: 4Sr
Jermaine Cunningham
School: Florida
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after totaling 34/12/7. Junior totals of 52/10/6 came after career numbers of 64/12/6.4 as a sophomore.
Positive: Terrific college defensive end expected to make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. Quickly gets off the snap with a nice first step, uses his hands to protect himself, and bends off the edge, showing the ability to pursue the action from the back side. Plays with a great amount of explosion, immediately alters his angle of attack, and is fluid moving in all directions of the field. Plays with good balance, pad level, and stays on his feet. Fast off the edge and beats opponents off the corner. Consistently gets leverage on blockers, which gives him an advantage. Better-than-average instincts and does a solid job diagnosing the action.
Negative: Lacks bulk and overpowered by tackles or pushed from the line. Rarely asked to play in space or do anything other than rush up the field during his Florida career.
Analysis: Cunningham has been a consistent player for the Gators the past three years. He plays hard and possesses the necessary physical skills to stand up over tackle as a 34 rush linebacker. Cunningham should also bring value to special teams.
Height: 5-10.5
Weight: 235
40: 4.65
Year: 3Jr
Rennie Curran
School: Georgia
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Led Georgia in tackles posting career numbers of 130/.5/5 last season. Sophomore totals included 115/3/10.
Positive: Small yet explosive one-gap linebacker drawing comparisons to former Dallas Cowboy Pro Bowl player Dexter Coakley. Plays with terrific quickness, intelligence, and stands out in pursuit. Uses his hands to protect himself, quickly adjusts off blocks, and immediately gets back to playing form. Displays speed moving in every direction of the field, explodes filling gaps in run defense, and makes plays sideline to sideline. Aggressive, flies around the football, and works very hard. Remains disciplined with assignments, quickly diagnoses the action and plays hard until the whistle blows. Fluid pedaling in reverse, gets depth on pass drops, and displays good instincts. Wraps up tackling and gives effort.
Negative: Looks incredibly small on the field and really cannot get off blocks once opponent gets their hands on him. Relatively unproductive in pass coverage.
Analysis: Despite his size, Curran plays big and fast on the field. He's a hard working defender with a passion for the game and a player who can produce at the next level in a variety of ways. Really best suited as a one gap defender, Curran could start at the next level if placed in the proper system.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 262
40: 4.58
Year: 5Sr
Alex Daniels
School: Cincinnati
Position: OLB
Bio: Transfer from Minnesota who became a full-time starter last season then posted career numbers of 56/11/8.5 from his defensive end position. Junior totals included 16 tackles and one sack. Began his career at Minnesota as a running back.
Positive: Quick, explosive athlete moving up draft boards. Bends his knees, plays with leverage, and works his hands throughout the action. Fast off the edge, wedges between blocks on the inside, and rarely off his feet. Breaks down well using his hands to protect himself and chases hard to get involved in the action. Fluid if asked to twist or stunt, immediately alters his angle of attack and pursues the play from all directions.
Negative: Lacks natural bulk, easily knocked off balance by the first block or out-positioned by opponents. Primarily used up the field and rarely asked to make plays in reverse. Average instincts.
Analysis: Daniels stepped up his last season after primarily being a backup the prior Three-years. He possesses the size and athleticism to make the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and could be an indispensable pass rush specialist for a squad at the next level.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 244
40: 4.62
Year: 5Sr
Dexter Davis
School: Arizona State
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his freshman season. Senior totals included 23/6/3.5 after a career best of 40/15/11 as a junior.
Positive: Undersized college defensive end expected to make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. Quick in all his actions, fluid changing direction and makes plays in every area of the field. Breaks down well, plays with good balance and rarely off his feet. Covers a large amount of area on the field, and works his hands to get off blocks. Fast off the edge, can flatten and pursue from the back side.
Negative: Easily controlled at the point of attack and handled by a single blocker. Lacks the great pursuit speed. Slow to react. Struggled making plays in coverage when used at outside linebacker during the Shrine Game.
Analysis: Davis is a relatively athletic college prospect with no true position at the next level. Effective as a pass rusher throughout his college career, Davis must now learn to make plays going in reverse rather than just straight ahead. Seems to have the attitude to accept his new assignment.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
40: 4.65
Year: 4Sr
Darius Dewberry
School: Georgia
Position: OLB
Bio: Part-time starter his senior and sophomore seasons. Posted 24 tackles as a senior and 24 as a sophomore in 2007.
Positive: Athletic linebacker who displays flashes on the field yet has never lived up to expectations. Displays terrific movement skills, breaks down well, and fast up the field or out to the flanks. Easily cuts off the corners from running backs, quickly changes direction, and works his hands to protect himself. Gets depth on pass drops, shows strength at the point of attack, and makes a lot of athletic plays on the field.
Negative: Marginally instinctive and very late to react. Constantly a half step late arriving on the scene.
Analysis: Dewberry possesses the size/speed numbers to play at the next level, yet throughout his college career he never displayed himself to be a playmaker. Needs a lot of work on his game, yet he offers an upside and should be brought into camp this summer.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 230
40: 4.71
Year: 4Sr
Dustin Doe
School: Florida
Position: OLB
Bio: Part-time starter at the past two seasons totaling 51/1.5/1 as a senior after 30 tackles during his junior campaign. Posted a career-high 85 tackles as a sophomore when he started the entire year.
Positive: Athletic linebacker built for a one gap system. Fluid moving laterally, fast collapsing from the outside and shows the ability to cut corners off from running backs. Covers a lot of area on the field, plays with a good degree of quickness and shows skill in coverage. Can run downfield with tight ends and effectively positions himself to make a play on the ball. Slips past blocks to get to the action. Effective in pursuit.
Negative: Bites on play-action passes and gets caught up the field and out of position. Easily blocked from plays and gets lost in the traffic.
Analysis: Doe has displayed the athletic ability and football skills to play at the next level, yet he struggled seeing playing time at Florida due to the quantity of talent at the linebacker position. Potential eight linebacker/special teams player.
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 246
40: 4.65
Year: 4Sr
AJ Edds
School: Iowa
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter who totaled 78/4.5/.5 as a senior when he intercepted five passes and broke up four more. Junior totals included 59/4.5/2 after a career best 80 tackles as a sophomore.
Positive: Athletic linebacker with nice size and upside potential. Efficient, takes proper angles to the action and shows good instincts in his overall game. Effectively reads plays, fluid moving to the sidelines, and wraps up ball-carriers at the point of attack. Strong, defeats blocks and brings ball-carriers down on initial contact. Holds his ground when block by large offensive lineman. Breaks down well and uses his hands to protect himself. Above-average skills in pursuit. Plays with a nasty attitude and attacks assignments.
Negative: Not fluid or quick pedaling in reverse. Lacks the explosive change of direction. Struggles making plays with his back to the ball.
Analysis: Edds possesses solid size/speed numbers and plays with a large degree of strength. Best up the field or in the box, he must improve his play in coverage and has the skill to eventually develop into a starter at the next level.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 237
40: 4.82
Year: 5Sr
Dane Fletcher
School: Montana State
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his junior campaign and named as an All-American last year. Senior totals included 66/17/6.5 after 44/14.50/6.5 as a junior when he missed the last three games of the season with a knee injury.
Positive: Terrific college pass rusher with marginal size and speed. Plays with good pad level, quick off the snap and keeps his feet driving up the field. Works his hands throughout the action, displays a quick change of direction and rarely off his feet. Resilient, he stays with the action and works hard to get off blocks. Fluid if asked to twist or stunt, fast off the edge and shows ability in pursuit.
Negative: Easily controlled at the point of attack by a single blocker. Struggles to get back into his pass rush angle off the initial block. Possesses limited growth potential.
Analysis: Fletcher has been very productive on the college level yet does not have a true position in the NFL. He will be tried at one of the linebacker positions yet must really make his mark on special teams any chance of playing on Sundays.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 238
40: 4.73
Year: 4Sr
Jarvis Geathers
School: UCF
Position: OLB
Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 29/13.5/11. Junior totals included 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
Positive: Relatively athletic college pass rusher whose game is on the upswing. Lined up in a three-point stance at Central Florida, plays with good knee bend and pad level. Explodes off the snap with a great first step, keeps his feet moving on contact, and fluid changing direction. Effectively drops off the line on zone blitzes and makes plays in every direction of the field.
Negative: Lacks size and is engulfed at the point of attack. Really had only one productive year since transferring Central Florida.
Analysis: Geathers was not on the scouting radar coming into the season, yet he made a name for himself with a terrific senior campaign. He lacks classic size but has good bloodlines and may have a home at rush linebacker for 3-4 alignment.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 243
40: 4.73
Year: 4Jr
Thaddeus Gibson
School: Ohio State
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a junior. Totals last season included 45/13/4 after 26/9/5.
Positive: College defensive end who projects to outside linebacker at the next level. Plays with a good degree of quickness, immediately alters his angle of attack and shows a burst of closing speed bearing down on the play. Effectively uses his hands, breaks down well and gives a lot of effort hustling around the field. Makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage yet also flashes ability dropped off the line in space. Solid instincts and overall awareness.
Negative: Lacks bulk, strength and handled by fullbacks at the point of attack. Possesses solid speed but not truly an explosive player.
Analysis: Gibson is a hard-working defender who gets the most of his abilities and plays a smart brand of football. Lacks the great upside yet is polished in many aspects of the game with will see the field as a rookie in the NFL.
Height: 5-10.5
Weight: 228
40: 4.71
Year: 4Sr
Sedric Griffin
School: Georgia Tech
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who totaled 73 tackles as a senior after 53 during his junior season.
Positive: Small but explosive linebacker who makes plays in every direction of the field. Fluid, displays terrific quickness and explosion in his game as well a speed pursuing the action. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself, does a solid job diagnosing the action, and remains disciplined with coverage assignments. Fluid turning his hips to run with opponents and covers a lot of area on the field. Makes plays in space and flies around the football.
Negative: Undersized and struggles getting off blocks or easily taken from the action. Does not time well in the 40.
Analysis: Griffin could well be one of the most underrated linebackers in this April's draft. He has the skills and mentality to be used as a backup on the weak side, and he should be very effective on special teams.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 220
40: 4.7
Year: 6Sr
Adam Gunn
School: Pittsburgh
Position: OLB
Bio: Sixth-year senior awarded All-Conference honors last season after posting career numbers of 77/7.5/5. Suffered a season-ending neck injury during the opening game against Bowling Green in 2008. Broke into the starting lineup as a junior in
Positive: Physical, explosive linebacker with a solid game. Breaks down well, fast up the field in run defense, and flies around the football. Collapses laterally to defend the run and aggressive in all aspects of his game.
Negative: Possesses poor size/speed numbers. Has had injuries in his past, which must be checked out.
Analysis: Gunn really stood out as a senior and elevated his game. He's a potential strong side linebacker in a one-gap system and has a special teams mentality.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 225
40: 4.82
Year: 4Sr
John Haley
School: Temple
Position: OLB
Bio: Moved into the starting lineup as a senior and totaled 55/2.5/1.5. Junior numbers included 68 tackles.
Positive: Athletic linebacker who plays faster than his listed 40 time. Effectively collapses from the outside defending the run, fluid getting to the sidelines and easily changes direction or alters his angle of attack. Aggressive and works hard to make plays. Gets depth on pass drops.
Negative: Overmatched by tight ends. Not a strong or stout linebacker.
Analysis: Haley is a hard-working linebacker who's shown a good level of improvement over the past two seasons. He offers promise in a one-gap system but really needs to make his mark on special teams this summer for any chance.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 255
40: 4.65
Year: 4Sr
Jerry Hughes
School: TCU
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference and all American honors since his junior season. Named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after totals of 58/16.5/11.5. Junior totals included 52/19.5/15 with two interceptions.
Positive: Explosive college defensive end who projects to outside linebacker at the next level. Displays terrific first step quickness off the snap, plays with good knee bend and gets leverage on opponents. Quickly changes direction, fluid moving to every area of the field and strings plays out laterally, getting to the flanks to tackle ball-carriers. Shows ability in pursuit, keeps his feet and hands active throughout the action and fast up the field or out to the sidelines. Constantly doubled by opponents, plays with good balance and displays a degree of explosion in his game. Forceful, deceptively strong in his lower body and gets push up the field.
Negative: Lacks bulk, struggles against large blockers and will be engulfed at the point of attack. Out-positioned from the play and gets caught up in the trash. Relatively effective in space yet has not been asked to make plays in reverse all that often in college.
Analysis: Hughes was an impact defensive player on the college level and has a lot his skills for the NFL. His height is a limiting factor, yet he'll offer possibilities as a one-gap pass rusher or outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Possesses a good degree of upside, and has starting potential at the next level.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 250
40: 4.65
Year: 4Sr
Sergio Kindle
School: Texas
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his junior season. Lined up at defensive end as a senior and finished the year with 70/22/5.5. Junior totals included in a 3/14/10, when he was used primarily at outside linebacker.
Positive: Fierce, explosive defender who creates a lot of problems for the opposition. Strong in his lower body, keeps his feet moving up the field, and pushes tackles off the line. Gets leverage on opponents, plays with a great degree of explosion, and immediately alters his angle of attack, losing no momentum when he must quickly change direction. Fast off the edge, displays the ability to pursue from the back side, and rarely off his feet. Athletic, covers a lot of area on the field, and shows ability dropped off the line of scrimmage.
Negative: Displays a marginal feel for coverage when asked to play in space. Lacks true size and bulk to hold down the defensive end position at the next level.
Analysis: Kindle has been a disruptive player on the Texas defense and a pass rusher who makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He could be used as a one-gap defensive end but is likely better off standing up over tackle as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Kindle offers a good degree of upside potential, yet it may be necessary to put him in his system that reduces his read and react assignments.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 232
40: 4.63
Year: 5Sr
Tim Knicky
School: Stephen F. Austin
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter who also saw extensive action with the first team as a freshman. Awarded All-American and All-Conference honors the past two seasons. Senior totals included 41/15/12.5 after 74/20.5/12 the prior year.
Positive: Undersized yet explosive college defensive end who makes a lot of plays up the field. Bends his knees, gets leverage on opponents, and flashes power in his lower body. Fast off the edge, keeps his feet moving on contact and works his hands throughout the action. Quick to diagnose the action and chases plays hard. Rarely off his feet and does a solid job holding his ground at the point of attack. Relatively effective when asked to drop off the line of scrimmage the play in space.
Negative: Lacks bulk and handled at the point of attack. Just average first step quickness.
Analysis: Knicky has been a pass-rushing terror throughout his college career and a disruptive force who alters the momentum of games. He lacks the size to hold down the defensive end position in the NFL yet has enough skill and athleticism to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 234
40: 4.7
Year: 4Sr
Keaton Kristick
School: Oregon State
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after leading the team in tackles posting 95/7.5/1. Junior totals included a 4/14/3.5.
Positive: Relatively athletic weak-side linebacker coming off a disappointing season. Gets depth on pass drops, plays sideline to sideline, and covers a lot of area on the field. Fast in every direction, aggressive, and goes after the ball-carrier. Sells out on the blitz, flies around the field, working to make plays, and does an above-average job diagnosing the action.
Negative: Undersized and easily blocked from the action. Did too much play-chasing rather than play-making as a senior. Does not always play with great control and takes himself from the action.
Analysis: Kristick possesses the skills and athleticism to back up on the weak side at the next level. Must get his game back on track, as expectations were high after his junior season. Possesses a special teams mentality, which should help to make it.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
40: 4.75
Year: 4Sr
Patrick Lavine
School: Oklahoma State
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter who finished with 79/8.5/2.5 as a senior when he also broke up five passes. Junior totals included 70/.5/1.5 with two interceptions.
Positive: Complete college linebacker who lacks the size/speed numbers for the next level. Tough, physical and stacks well against the run. Scrapes well laterally, aggressively puts his shoulders into ball-carriers and plays with a large degree of explosion. Always looking to get involved, remains disciplined with assignments, and effectively reads the action. Forceful up the field and hustles to make plays. Gets depth on pass drops and shows a feel for coverage.
Negative: Not a strong tackler. Displays little in the way of pursuit speed. Worked out poorly in the off-season.
Analysis: Lavine has been very productive the pass four seasons at Oklahoma State and offers enough skill to be an eighth linebacker/special teams player for an NFL team.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 232
40: 4.59
Year: 4Sr
Simoni Lawrence
School: Minnesota
Position: OLB
Bio: Junior college transfer who moved into the starting lineup upon arriving at Minnesota in 2008. Senior totals included 85/8/2 after 66/10/4 as a junior.
Positive: Athletic, weak-side linebacker who
Negative: Does more hitting than wrap-up tackling. Easily blocked from the action by opposing tight ends. Must improve his skills in coverage.
Analysis: Lawrence is an explosive linebacker yet undersized and can play only in certain systems at the next level. He's more of a chase and run down type of defender best suited in a one gap scheme.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 238
40: 4.94
Year: 4Sr
Boris Lee
School: Troy State
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his sophomore season. Led Troy State in tackles the past three seasons, posting a career-best 143/19/4 as a senior after 126/9.5/4.5 as a junior. Sophomore totals included 82 tackles.
Positive: Smallish, chase-and-run-down linebacker best in pursuit. Breaks down well, plays with a great amount of quickness and immediately alters his angle of attack to chase the action. Makes plays sideline to sideline, fast to the flanks, and nicely redirects to ball-carriers. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself.
Negative: Does not consistently take proper angles to the action and is inefficient. Late reacting in coverage and better making plays moving forward than in reverse.
Analysis: Lee has been a tackling machine for Troy State and one of the more productive linebackers in college football the past three seasons. Physically, he looks like an outside linebacker, yet he must improve his play in coverage to be anything other than a backup at the next level.
Height: 6-0
Weight: 260
40: 4.73
Year: 4Sr
Jeremy Maddox
School: Alabama A&M
Position: OLB
Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior after totaling 44/16.5/12. Initially All-Conference as a junior after posting 14 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Positive: Short, explosive college defensive end who's been a terrific pass rusher the past three seasons. Plays with a good degree of quickness, is fast off the edge and quickly alters his angle of attack or changes direction to pursue plays laterally. Breaks down well, plays with good lean, and keeps his feet moving on contact. Displays an array of moves and works hard to get off blocks.
Negative: Lacks size, gets caught up in the traffic, and is easily blocked at the point of attack. Rarely asked to drop into space, and he usually just pins his ears back and rushes up the field.
Analysis: Maddox has been very productive on small-school level yet will be limited by his size and speed. Could project as a rush linebacker or 3-4 defense or even line up in a three-point stance in a one-gap defense.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 253
40: 4.75
Year: 4Sr
Andy Mattingly
School: Washington State
Position: OLB
Bio: Senior totals included 70/4 when he was a full-time linebacker. Career totals of 91/11/8 came as a sophomore in 2008. Also experienced at defensive end.
Positive: Well-built college prospect best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Competitive, works hard and is forceful up the field. Aggressive, throws his body around the action, and displays a good head for the ball. Adequate speed to the flanks and has a quick closing burst.
Negative: Possesses poor skills in coverage. Bites on play action passes, slow reacting to the pass and beaten downfield.
Analysis: Mattingly showed a lot of flashes of ability as a sophomore but never elevated his game. He has the size/speed numbers and the strength to play on the outside of a 3-4 alignment if he gets his game back on track.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 246
40: 4.8
Year: 4Sr
Sam Maxwell
School: Kentucky
Position: OLB
Bio: Moved into the starting lineup as a senior and was awarded All-Conferences honors, after posting totals 80/5.5/1.5. Also intercepted six passes and broke up seven more. Junior totals included 25 tackles when he started one game.
Positive: Athletic, well-sized linebacker whose game is on the rise. Plays with a lot of quickness, fluid moving to the sidelines, and remains disciplined with assignments. Effective in coverage, displays a burst of speed bearing down on the play, and flashes on the scene. Fluid pedaling in reverse and has a feel for coverage.
Negative: Marginally productive until last season. Struggles taking on blocks. Did not perform well at the combine.
Analysis: Maxwell answered the call as a senior and is a prospect who performed above the expectations of everyone. He's a potential candidate on the weak side at the next level, and should only get better as he physically matures and sees more playing action.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
40: 4.78
Year: 5Sr
Chris McCoy
School: Middle Tennessee
Position: OLB
Bio: All-Conference selection as a senior and named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year after totals of 64/20/7. Junior numbers included 25/5/3.
Positive: Athletic college defensive end finally hitting his stride. Plays with good balance, fires off the snap, and tough to knock off his feet. Shows terrific quickness in his overall game, fierce moving up the field and effectively diagnoses the action. Plays with good lean, immediately alters his angle of attack and makes plays down the line of scrimmage. Fluid if asked to twist or stunt and works hard to make plays.
Negative: Possesses more of a short area burst of speed, which he struggles to sustain. Slowed by blocks or handled by tight ends.
Analysis: McCoy comes off a tremendous senior season and went from draft afterthought to potential late round pick. He now projects to outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment and is a solid developmental prospect.
Height: 5-10
Weight: 215
40: 4.69
Year: 5Sr
Rico McCoy
School: Tennessee
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors after his sophomore and senior seasons. Led Tennessee in tackles last season with 100, while also breaking up five passes. Junior totals included 87 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Posted 106 tackles as a sophomore.
Positive: Small, quick linebacker who makes plays in every direction of the field. Gets depth on pass drops, displays ability in coverage, and displays speed sideline to sideline. Moves well laterally, nicely flows to the action, and shows a good change of direction, with the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack.
Negative: Not a sure-handed tackler and has ball-carriers running through his tackles. Not forceful up the field on the blitz. Bites on the ball fakes and marginally instinctive. Game has been steadily declining the past two years.
Analysis: McCoy looked like a top prospect after what was a terrific sophomore season, yet his play has tapered off since. He lacks size for the next level and is built more like a strong safety rather than outside linebacker. McCoy could back up in a one-gap system if he makes his mark on special teams this summer.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 220
40: 4.75
Year: 5Sr
Jaevery McFadden
School: Wisconsin
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who led Wisconsin in tackles as a senior totaling 74/8.5/1.5. Junior numbers included 84 tackles, which also led the team.
Positive: Small, explosive linebacker who makes plays in every direction of the field. Breaks down well, fluid changing direction, and effortlessly moves to the sidelines. Plays with a degree of quickness, gets depth on pass drops, or fast up the field. Brings ball-carriers down on initial contact.
Negative: Possesses a thin build and easily taken from the action by fullbacks. Lacks great instincts.
Analysis: McFadden has been a productive player at Wisconsin the past two years yet lacks the size/speed numbers to be anything other than a backup on the next level. He must improve his skills in coverage to find a home on a roster.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 246
40: 4.64
Year: 4Sr
Arthur Moats
School: James Madison
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who also saw action with the first team as a sophomore. Awarded All-American and All-Conference honors as a senior, while also being named CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Finished his senior season with numbers of 90/23.5/11, leading the team in tackles. Junior numbers included 65/18.5/11.5.
Positive: Explosive college defensive end expected to transition the linebacker in the NFL. Explodes off the snap with a terrific first step, fast off the edge, and shows ability in pursuit. He quickly changes direction, displays speed to the sidelines, and cuts the corner off from running backs. Breaks down well, playing with good knee bend, fast in every direction of the field, and always on balance. Keeps his feet driving up the field and works hard until whistle blows.
Negative: Undersized and handled by tight ends at the point of attack. Rarely asked to make plays moving in reverse and was able to pin back his ears and rush the quarterback in college.
Analysis: Moats has been one of the better small school pass rushers the past two seasons and has been a disruptive force, consistently blowing up plays in the backfield. He's a pass rush specialist who will be brought onto the field in third-down situations and lined up as either a one-gap defensive end or outside linebacker for an NFL team.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 246
40: 4.75
Year: 5Sr
Roddrick Muckelroy
School: Texas
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his junior season. Led Texas in tackles as a senior, when he posted 102/11/2 lining up at middle linebacker. Junior totals included a team-leading 112 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Positive: Underrated linebacker coming off a disappointing senior season. Explodes up the field in run defense, sells out on the blitz and wraps up tackling. Quickly changes direction, covers a lot of area on the field, and fast out to the sidelines. Gets depth on pass drops, remains disciplined with assignments, and is a solid athlete. Effective in pursuit and makes plays sideline to sideline.
Negative: Does not consistently take proper angles to the action. Undersized and gets caught up in the trash. Shows hesitation in his game.
Analysis: Muckelroy was justifiably one of the higher-rated outside linebackers coming into the 2009 season, but injuries necessitated his move to the middle, where he was out of position. He possesses the skills to start on a weak side for an NFL team in the near future as he develops his game.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 220
40: 4.71
Year: 4Sr
Mike Nixon
School: Arizona State
Position: OLB
Bio: Full-time starter the past two seasons, posting 73/6/.5 as a senior after career numbers of 90/8/1 as a junior.
Positive: Quick, athletic linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Displays speed in every direction of the field, fast to the flanks, and effective in space. Fluid opening his hips, gets depth on drops, and covers a good amount of area on the field. Displays awareness in coverage and solid ball skills. Effectively diagnoses the action and shows good burst to the ball.
Negative: Undersized and easily taken from the action by a single blocker. May not have the pure speed to play in a one-gap system.
Analysis: Nixon is an underrated linebacker prospect who possesses a nice combination of football intelligence and athleticism. Unlikely to be drafted, he has a special teams mentality and could back up in a one-gap system.
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 245
40: 4.71
Year: 4Sr
Eric Norwood
School: South Carolina
Position: OLB
Bio: Four-year starter awarded varying degrees of All-Conference honors since his freshman season. Named several all-American teams as a senior, after totaling 71/11.5/7, also intercepting two passes. Junior totals included 75/14.5/9. Lined up at defensive end as a sophomore and totaled 69/19.50/6, setting a school record for tackles for loss.
Positive: Disruptive college defender who can play only in certain systems at the next level. Plays with good lean, pad level, and forceful up the field. Fast off the edge out of a three-point stance, quickly changes direction and shows ability in pursuit. Shows good awareness on the field, pursues the action with speed, and fast to the sidelines. Easily redirects to ball handlers then wraps up tackling. Gets depth on pass drops.
Negative: Slow shedding blocks and controlled by a single opponent. Not a strong tackler. Struggles in coverage and trails opponents too much rather than making plays on the ball.
Analysis: Norwood has been a pass-rushing terror for South Carolina, and he is a defender who made a large number plays behind the line of scrimmage the past four seasons. He has size limitations and has not shown ability in coverage. Norwood is best suited as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment who occasionally puts his hand on the ground and comes out of a three-point stance on passing downs.
Height: 5-10
Weight: 238
40: 4.7
Year: 4Sr
Will Patterson
School: Indiana
Position: OLB
Bio: Full-time starter the past three seasons after seeing extensive action with the first team as a freshman. Totals last year included 67/4/1.5 after 55/8.5/1.5 as a junior. Posted a career-best 104 tackles as a sophomore.
Positive: Short yet athletic linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Effective in pursuit, displays a burst to the action and covers a lot of area on the field. Nicely collapses from the outside to defend the run, immediately alters his angle of attack and breaks down well.
Negative: Undersized and easily caught up in the trash. Late reacting to the action.
Analysis: Patterson is a chase and run down linebacker who will have a chance in a system that allows him to freely flow to the action. Possesses the skills necessary to be productive on special teams, which is the way he
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 228
40: 4.91
Year: 5Sr
Cory Reamer
School: Alabama
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who totaled 47/7/2 as a senior when he also intercepted one pass and broke up three more. Junior totals included 35 tackles.
Positive: Well-rounded linebacker who plays bigger and faster than his listed size/speed numbers. Hard-nosed football player who displays a good head for the game and consistently puts himself in a position to make plays on the ball. Shows skill in coverage, gets depth on drops, and has a nice burst to the action. Plays with good lean, quickly changes direction, and effectively redirects to the action. Relatively instinctive, with the ability to diagnose the action. Wraps up tackling.
Negative: Easily knocked from his angle of attack and struggles taking on blocks. May have difficulty playing over tight end at the next level and does not have the pure foot speed to be used on the outside.
Analysis: Reamer did a solid job the past two seasons. Lacks the great athleticism and upside for the next level, yet he has enough ability to be used as a backup linebacker/special teams player.
Height: 6-1
Weight: 239
40: 4.69
Year: 5Sr
Perry Riley
School: LSU
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter coming off a career senior season in which he totaled 92 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Also broke up five passes last year. Junior numbers included 60/7/1.5.
Positive: Hard-working linebacker prospect who plays bigger and faster than his size/speed numbers. Breaks down well, fluid moving laterally, and shows ability in pursuit. Smooth turning his hips to drop into coverage, gets depth on pass drops, and displays skill defending the pass. Remains disciplined with assignments and effectively makes plays in space. Fires up the field in run defense then wraps up tackling.
Negative: Lacks classic size, easily blocked from the action or has tackles broken.
Analysis: Riley is a linebacker prospect on the rise and a defender who could effectively backup on the weak side for an NFL team. His average size/speed numbers will downgrade him on a number of draft boards, yet Riley has all the skills necessary to make a roster.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 250
40: 4.61
Year: 5Sr
O'Brien Schofield
School: Wisconsin
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after posting 62/24.5/2 when he ranked second in the NCAA in tackles for loss. Junior numbers included 40/8.5/45. Tore a knee ligament during Senior Bowl practices.
Positive: Explosive college defensive end who plays with a great degree of athleticism. Possesses tremendous first step quickness, keeps his pads low to the ground, and gets leverage on opponents. Quick and fluid changing direction with the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack and pursues the action with speed from all directions. Effectively makes plays in space when drop off the line of scrimmage. Relentless and plays with a nonstop motor. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Wraps up tackling.
Negative: Easily engulfed or pushed from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Inefficient and at times takes incorrect angles to the play.
Analysis: Schofield was a player on the rise and a prospect who had improved his game the past two seasons before sustaining his knee injury. His game is predicated on speed, and after returning from the injury, he must prove he has lost none of his explosive nature.
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 207
40: 4.81
Year: 5Sr
Samuel Scott
School: West Chester
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who also saw action with the first-team as a sophomore. Senior totals included 62/17/7.5 after 50/7/3.5 as a junior, when he was of All-Conference selection.
Positive: Undersized yet explosive linebacker who makes plays sideline to sideline. Forceful up the field, effective with his hands and displays a good degree of suddenness in his game. He slides off blocks laterally and gets to the sidelines, showing ability in pursuit.
Negative: Inefficient and does not always take proper angles to the action. Shows some indecision in his game.
Analysis: Scott has size limitations yet plays bigger than his measurements and faster than his 40 time. Must produce on special teams this summer but has an outside shot to make it for a one-gap defense.
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 236
40: 4.92
Year: 4Sr
Cameron Sheffield
School: Troy State
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after totals of 66/10.5/7. Junior numbers included 66/12.5/5.
Positive: Undersized college defensive end who projects to outside linebacker at the next level. Keeps his pads low to the ground, explodes off the snap and shows good speed in every direction. Fast off the edge, quickly changes direction and displays the ability to cut the flanks off from running backs. Strong for his size, keeps his feet moving on contact, and gets some force going up the field. Rarely off his feet, fights with his hands and plays hard.
Negative: Small, smothered by blocks or easily handled at the point of attack.
Analysis: Sheffield has been a tremendous college player and a defender with a non-stop motor. He projects as a one-gap pass rusher or outside linebacker in a 3-4, and he has all the necessary skills to make the roster at the next level.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 237
40: 4.88
Year: 5Sr
Ryan Stamper
School: Florida
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after career numbers of 79/5.5/1.5. Posted 45 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Hard-working, run-defending linebacker with poor size/speed numbers. Remains disciplined with assignments, effectively diagnoses the action, and moves well laterally to the sidelines in pursuit of the ball handler. Aggressive, works hard to get involved, and is an effective open field tackler. Breaks down well, effectively uses his hands to protect himself, and displays a good change of direction.
Negative: Displays limited quickness to his game and shows little burst. Blocked from the action by tight ends. Struggles in coverage.
Analysis: Stamper is a hard-working prospect and productive college linebacker who does not project all that well to the next level. He has a special teams mentality and could back up on the inside for 3-4 alignment.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225
40: 4.8
Year: 5Sr
Broderick Stewart
School: Vanderbilt
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter who posted 28/4.5/2 as a senior after 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks of the prior year.
Positive: Fairly athletic college defensive end who projects to outside linebacker in the NFL. Displays good first step quickness, get a lot of momentum going up the field, and displays speed pursuing the action. Quickly changes direction, effective dropping off the line, and shows ability in space. Covers a lot of area on the field, and works his hands to protect himself.
Negative: Marginal strength at the point of attack and all too easily knocked to the ground by blockers. Lacks balance, over-runs the action and marginally productive in college.
Analysis: Stewart is a defender who has flashed abilities the past two seasons out of a three-point stance. Possesses the size/speed numbers to stand up over tackle at the next level, yet he must play well in camp to make a roster of any kind.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 231
40: 4.73
Year: 4Sr
Stevenson Sylvester
School: Utah
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since a sophomore season. Led the team in tackles as a senior, posting 81/5/2 after 73/8/3.5 as a junior and 86/10/3 during his sophomore campaign of 2007.
Positive: Productive college linebacker with limited upside for the next level. Breaks down well, quickly gets his hands up to protect himself, and displays a nice burst of speed bearing down on the play. Remains disciplined with coverage assignments, covers a good amount of area on the field, and nicely redirects to ball handlers. Slides laterally to defend the run, and quickly fills gaps up the field. Effectively makes the defensive calls and quarterbacks the defense.
Negative: Shows hesitation in his game. Very slow getting off blocks and gets caught up in the trash rather easily.
Analysis: Stevenson put up good stats at Utah, yet he lacks the true size and speed to be anything other than a backup on the NFL level.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 220
40: 4.69
Year: 5Sr
Patrick Trahan
School: Mississippi
Position: OLB
Bio: Junior college transfer who moved into the starting lineup as a senior and posted 69/12/5, while also intercepting two passes. Junior totals included 29 tackles.
Positive: Undersized yet relatively athletic linebacker who makes plays all over the field. Breaks down well, resilient, and stays with the action. Gets depth on pass drops, forceful up the field, and quickly changes direction without losing momentum. Fluid moving to the sidelines, wraps up tackling, and plays with an aggressive streak.
Negative: Undersized and easily blocked from the action. Was productive only one year in college.
Analysis: Trahan really stepped up his game last year as a senior and is one of the more underrated linebackers in this year's draft. Unlikely to be selected at any point in the draft, he's a free agent prospect who could find a home in a one-gap defense.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 250
40: 4.7
Year: 5Sr
Nathan Triplett
School: Minnesota
Position: OLB
Bio: Former walk-on who broke into the starting lineup as a senior then posted career numbers of 104 tackles as well as intercepting two passes and breaking up five more. Junior numbers included 31 tackles.
Positive: Smart, hard-working linebacker who took his game to another level last year. Plays heads-up football, effectively diagnoses the action and very efficient. Remains disciplined with assignments, takes proper angles to the play, and wraps up tackling. Works his hands to protect himself, shows skill in coverage and good hands for the interception. Flies around the field trying to make positive plays and wraps up tackling. Immediately alters his angle of attack and flashes ability in pursuit.
Negative: Lacks strength at the point of attack and handled by a single blocker. Possesses just an average burst of speed, which he does not sustain. Not fast to the flanks.
Analysis: Triplett is a heady defender whose game really took off last season. Lacks the great athleticism for the next level yet does enough things well to find a home as a backup.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 230
40: 4.58
Year: 4Sr
Daryl Washington
School: TCU
Position: OLB
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after leading the team in tackles posting 109/11/2. Also recorded three interceptions and broke up a pass last season. Junior totals included 63/5.5/3. Special teams standout as a sophomore.
Positive: Explosive weak side linebacker whose game is on the rise. Breaks down well, quickly gets his hands up to protect himself, and makes plays in all directions of the field. Effectively collapses to the outside defending the run, immediately alters his angle of attack, and loses no momentum changing direction. Plays with a good degree of explosion, works hard get involved in the action yet remains disciplined with assignments. Gets depth on pass drops and shows ability playing over tight ends.
Negative: Not forceful on the blitz. Struggles taking on blocks and gets caught up in the trash scraping laterally.
Analysis: Washington is an athletic prospect who significantly improved his game the past two seasons. His size is a limiting factor, yet he'll offer possibilities in a one-gap defense and should be a special teams standout at the next level.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 240
40: 4.51
Year: 4Sr
Dekoda Watson
School: Florida State
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior after totals of 65/13/6.5. Junior numbers included 46 tackles and eight tackles for loss after 50 tackles as a sophomore.
Positive: Undersized yet athletic linebacker coming off uninspired play the past two seasons. Fluid moving in every direction of the field, scrapes well laterally, and displays ability in pursuit. Finds his way through the trash to make tackles, and wraps up at the point of attack. Gets depth on pass drops, remains disciplined with assignments and has a nice burst to the action.
Negative: Marginally instinctive and very late to react. Must improve his playing balance. Shows marginal explosion in his game.
Analysis: As a sophomore starting on the Seminole defense, Watson displayed a lot of potential and looked like he would be the next top linebacker prospect from the program. His play has leveled off, and Watson has played marginal football the past two season. He possesses the basic athleticism to succeed at the next level, yet his size limitations will only fit certain schemes. He must get his game back up to par to have any chance of making a final roster.
Height: 6-1.5
Weight: 239
40: 4.55
Year: 4Sr
Sean Weatherspoon
School: Missouri
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter awarded All-American and All-Conference honors since his junior season. Late Missouri in tackles the past two seasons posting 111/14.5/4.5 as a senior, a career best 155/18.5/5 the prior year and 130/9.5/3 as a sophomore.
Positive: Undersized yet athletic weak side linebacker prospect who makes plays sideline to sideline. Fluid moving about the field, plays with good balance and nicely flows to the action. Shows a good head for the ball in run defense, has a burst to the action, and wraps up tackling. Uses his hands to protect himself, covers a lot of area on the field, and makes a lot of plays in space. Fast on the flanks and easily cuts off the corners from running backs. Shows a nastiness in his game.
Negative: Lacks overall size and easily blocked from the action or gets caught up in the traffic. Bites on play-action passes and occasionally comes up the field to quickly.
Analysis: Weatherspoon has been ultra productive on the college level and possesses the speed and movement skills to start as a weak side linebacker in the NFL. He's a terrific prospect and a three-down linebacker.
Height: 5-10.5
Weight: 219
40: 4.73
Year: 4Sr
Marlon Williams
School: Texas Tech
Position: OLB
Bio: Three-year starter with senior totals of 73/8.5/3.5 after 65/3/2 as a junior.
Positive: Undersized yet fierce linebacker who makes plays sideline-to-sideline. Nifty, breaks down well and covers a lot of area on the field. Displays good footwork moving in reverse, remains disciplined with assignments and gives effort. Slides down the line to make plays, shows good head for the ball and wraps up tackling. Can run with tight ends in coverage and plays faster than his 40 time.
Negative: Easily blocked from the action or gets caught up in the traffic. Has not been very productive in coverage the past four seasons.
Analysis: Williams has the makings of a potential backup linebacker and should be very productive on special teams. His poor measurables will keep him from being selected in the draft
Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 239
40: 4.87
Year: 4Sr
Kion Wilson
School: South Florida
Position: OLB
Bio: Junior college transfer and two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors as a senior. Totals last season included 105/9/1 after 66 tackles as a junior.
Positive: Swift, flowing linebacker who hustles to make plays on the field. Effectively quarterbacks the defense, scrapes well laterally, and flies around the football. Uses his hands to protect himself, quickly changes direction and shows speed moving in every area of the field. Gets depth on drops, quick pedaling in reverse and shows a nice feel in coverage.
Negative: Undersized and gets caught up in the trash or easily knocked from his angle of attack. Inefficient and takes extra steps to the action.
Analysis: Wilson is an average-sized linebacker with solid instincts and field awareness. Offers possibilities as a backup and can be used on the weak side.
Updated 4/28
| Rank | Rnd | Name | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st | Marcell Dareus Alabama | DT |
| 2 | 1st | Patrick Peterson LSU | CB |
| 3 | 1st | A.J. Green Georgia | WR |
| 4 | 1st | Von Miller Texas A&M | OLB |
| 5 | 1st | Nick Fairley Auburn | DT |
| 6 | 1st | Julio Jones Alabama | WR |
| 7 | 1st | Robert Quinn North Carolina | DE |
| 8 | 1st | Prince Amukamara Nebraska | CB |
| 9 | 1st | Blaine Gabbert Missouri | QB |
| 10 | 1st | Cameron Jordan California | DE |
| 11 | 1st | Da'Quan Bowers Clemson | DE |
| 12 | 1st | Aldon Smith Missouri | DE |
| 13 | 1st | Cam Newton Auburn | QB |
| 14 | 1st | Tyron Smith USC | T |
| 15 | 1st | J.J. Watt Wisconsin | DE |
| 16 | 1st | Ryan Kerrigan Purdue | DE |
| 17 | 1st | Anthony Castonzo Boston College | T |
| 18 | 1st | Mark Ingram Alabama | RB |
| 19 | 1st | Cameron Heyward Ohio State | DE |
| 20 | 1st | Michael Pouncey Florida | G |
| 21 | 1st | Muhammad Wilkerson Temple | DT |
| 22 | 1-2 | Phil Taylor Baylor | DT |
| 23 | 1st | Gabe Carimi Wisconsin | T |
| 24 | 1st | Akeem Ayers UCLA | OLB |
| 25 | 1st | Nate Solder Colorado | T |
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