Outside Linebackers
This year, the OLB class looks very solid. A number of them will be drafted in round 1. There are even some possible sleepers in the later rounds and could make this, not an unforgettable class, but a very solid one. With quite a few teams switching to 3-4's this season, there are a fair amount of DE's not on this list that will play OLB in some of those 3-4's. Listed below are heights and weights, 40 times, reps of 225 lbs, and vertical leaps
1. Aaron Curry - Wake forest (OLB/ILB)
6'2 254, 40-yd dash: 4.56, reps of 225: 25, vertical leap: 37 in
projected: top 10
overall: Curry is the premier player in this entire draft class in my opinion. He has unbelievable athleticism and strength. He can play in any defense and could play either outside LB or inside LB. Curry is a playmaker that terrorizes offenses from sideline to sideline and makes big plays when his team needs them. No doubt he will be the leader of a defense and a field general in the future. Only one weakness about him is that he's isn't as comfortable dropping back into coverage. However, he's a future Pro bowler and the safest pick in this draft.
2. Clay Matthews - USC
6'3 240, 40-yd dash: 4.57, reps of 225: 23, vertical leap: 35 in, broadjump: 10-1
projected: 1st round
overall: Matthews is one of 4 LB's from USC that will be drafted and it's very possible he has just passed up his Linebacking buddy Cushing to be the 2nd OLB chosen due to a better upside. Matthews displays outstanding quickness off the ball and his workouts were nearly better than Curry's. He also has great genes as his dad played in the NFL for almost 20 years. Only question is if he was just a product of all the other outstanding prospects around him. I think he should be fine and have a good long career like his dad did.
3. Brian Cushing - USC
6'3 243, 40-yd dash: 4.68, reps of 225: 30, vertical leap: 35 in
projected: 1st round
overall: Cushing is a good, athletic, high motor OLB. He displays outstanding strength, gets a solid jump off the ball, and is good at taking on blockers. The knocks on him are that he struggled in coverage and wasn't a dominating playmaker in college. Cushing is a boom or bust prospect.
4. Clint Sintim - Virginia
6'3 253, 40-yd dash: 4.8
projected: early 2nd round
overall: Sintim is a versatile OLB who shows good strength that enables him to shed blockers with regularity. He is a great fit for a 3-4 defense as he's one of the few OLB prospects that actually played it in college. He does not look completely comfortable when dropping into coverage and will more than likely have to step up and be better against the run then in the past. Sintim is a solid prospect who could use some work but could be very good if coached by the right guys.
5. Gerald McRath - Southern Miss
6'2 228, 40-yd dash: 4.61, reps of 225: 21
projected: 2nd-3rd round
notes: Has excellent speed and tackling ability....questionable pass rushing ability...will also have to add some weight and will switch positions from MLB to OLB in the pros...a project
6. Cody Brown - Uconn (DE/OLB)
6'2 244, 40-yd dash: 4.6, vertical leap: 36.5 in
projected: 2nd-3rd round
notes: His good pass rushing ability makes him very valuable...very strong and fast...could also switch to DE in pass rushing situations...possible star
7. Tyrone McKenzie - South Florida
6'2 243, 40-yd dash: 4.78, reps of 225: 27, vertical leap: 32.5 in
projected: 3rd round
notes: a tackling machine in college....wasn't as quick and didn't show the best athleticism that the scouts like
8. Marcus Freeman - Ohio st
6'0 239, 40-yd dash: 4.51, reps of 225: 30, vertical leap: 37 in
projected: 3rd round
notes: Versatile LB with good speed and solid tackling ability...really showed a lot in his workouts..good in coverage but his pass rushing ability needs some work...very solid
9. Zach Follett - California
6'2 238, 40-yd dash: 4.75, reps of 225: 21, vertical leap: 37 in
projected: 4th-5th round
notes: good pass rusher and hard hitter who put up some solid numbers at Cal...not overly quick..will have to contribute on special teams first
10. Jonathan Castillas - Wisconsin
6'1 228, 40-yd dash: 4.5 (projected), reps of 225: 24
projected: 4th-5th round
notes: extremely quick OLB who could make a career out of special teams...a lack of size could make him not be able to shed blockers easily
11. Brandon Long - Michigan st (DE/OLB)
6'3 254, 40-yd dash: 4.61, reps of 225: 32, vertical leap: 37.5 in
projected: 4th-5th round
notes: ultra athletic DE/OLB tweener who is shooting up the draft boards...possible sleeper based on his nice blend of size and speed
12. Jason Williams - Western Illinois
6'1 235, 40-yd dash: 4.55 (projected)
projected: 5th round
notes: bigtime tackler who showed solid pass rush ability in college...small school project who's knock is facing a lack of bigtime competition
13. Kaluka Maiava - USC
5'11 229, 40-yd dash: 4.68, reps of 225: 30
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: USC's "other" LB...plays low to the ground...2nd team All Pac-10 last year...his lack of size and a slow 40 time could hurt him
14. Henry Melton - Texas
6'4 269, 40-yd dash: 4.64, vertical leap: 34.5 in
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: Coverted from RB at Texas...shows good quickness and shows good toughness from his OLB position..versatile, can play DE or OLB...likely a project
15. DeAndre Levy - Wisconsin
6'2 236, 40-yd dash: 4.55 (projected), reps of 225: 19
projected: 6th round
notes: Struggled at times during college career, usually against bigger lineman....extremely quick and tough against the run
16. Lee Robinson - Alcorn st
6'2 249, 40-yd dash: 4.78
projected: 6th round
notes: Tackling machine who was big against the run and showed good hands in coverage...showed an extreme lack of quickness at the combine and doesn't play sideline to sideline
17. Victor Butler - Oregon st (DE/OLB)
6'2 248, 40-yd dash: 4.72, reps of 225: 26, vertical leap: 33 in
projected: 6th round
notes: put up huge numbers senior year...big playmaker who excelled at stopping the run....will need to adjust to the speed of the NFL and will be a project
18. Robert Francois - Boston College
6'2 244, 40-yd dash: 4.59, reps of 225: 18, vertical leap: 35.5 in
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Average LB at best who will garner interest from teams because of his speed and athleticism...possible special teams player
19. Anthony Heygood - Purdue
6'0 225, 40-yd dash: 4.67, reps of 225: 18, vertical leap: 33.5 in
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: a tackling machine...played well despite limited experience at OLB...may need to put on some weight...long-term project
20. Solomon Elimimian - Hawaii
6'0 225, 40-yd dash: 4.7 (projected)
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Co-defensive player in the WAC last year...solid tackler and all-around productive linebacker...lack of size will hurt him
21. Mortty Ivy - West Virginia (OLB/MLB)
6'1 248, 40-yd dash: 4.94, reps of 225: 18
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: solid tackler who ran an extremely slow 40...really should be at MLB...special teams only player likely
Others:
Corey Smith - Cincinnati 6'1 224, 40-yd dash: 4.71, vertical leap: 34.5 in (projected: 7th)
Adam Leonard - Hawaii 6'0 235, 40-yd dash: 4.75 (projected) (projected:7th)
Dan Skuta - Grand Valley st 6'3 249, 40-yd dash: 4.76, reps of 225: 20, vertical leap: 35 in (projected: 7th) (DE/OLB)**
Tyrell Sales - Penn st 6'2 231, 40-yd dash: 4.57, reps of 225: 22 (projected: 7th-FA)
Brad Jones - Colorado 6'3 232, 40-yd dash: 4.54, reps of 225: 19, vertical leap: 33 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Steve Davis - Minnesota 6'2 230, 40-yd dash: 4.55 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Kevin Akins - Boston College 6'2 226, 40-yd dash: 4.55 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Russell Allen - SD st 6'3 230, 40-yd dash: 4.63, reps of 225: 24, vertical leap: 33.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
James Holt - Kansas 6'3 226, 40-yd dash: 4.6 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Brian Toal - Boston College 6'0 228, 40-yd dash: 4.65, reps of 225: 15, vertical leap: 37.5 in (7-FA)
Braxton Kelley - Kentucky 6'0 227, 40-yd dash: 4.7 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Moise Fokou - Maryland 6'1 233, 40-yd dash: 4.76, reps of 225: 21, vertical leap: 33 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Jared Brock - W.Texas A&M 6'1 228, 40-yd dash: 4.85 (projected) (projected: 7th-FA)
Other positions:
QB's RB's and FB's WR's TE's Tackles Guards/Centers DE's DT's
