Ranking outside linebackers has become increasingly tricky since the advent of the 3-4 defense. The rush linebackers preferred in the 3-4 system vary drastically from the 4-3 linebackers. Making matters worse, ranking 4-3 outside linebackers was hard enough to begin with because the strong and weakside linebackers have different responsibilities requiring different skill sets. For instance, Shawn Crable played linebacker at Michigan, but has some experience as a rush end. At the NFL Combine, he ran with the defensive lineman (turned in the second best time) and likely projects as a rush linebacker in the 3-4. However, he almost certainly will not play end in the NFL and has therefore been placed here. Players like Cliff Avril and Quentin Groves played with their hands on the ground in college and could play true defensive end or rush linebacker in the NFL. For that reason, they are ranked as defense ends. It is worth nothing that Crable's lack of flexibility to play linebacker in both systems, or defense end in either hurts his stock overall.
1. Keith Rivers 6-3 241 USC
Keith Rivers has been the consensus top outside linebacker all season long. While not overly physical, Rivers has the vision to get to the ball carrier. Rivers was an elite recruit coming out of high school (do any other players go to USC?) and hasn't disappointed in the least. He has tremendous athletic ability and range, even though his timed speed may not be great. Rivers has a knack for making big hits and jarring the ball lose. However, big hits do not necessarily mean strength. Rivers has some issues shedding blocks at times due to a weak anchor. His pass rush moves are limited and he may be enveloped by the massive NFL offensive lineman. The former USC standout was making plays all over the field at the Senior Bowl and solidified himself as the top linebacker either inside outside in this year's draft class. He did not run at the combine, but we will get a chance to see him at the USC Pro Day. Anything under 4.7 will be satisfactory and if he can get run in the low 4.6's he could be a top 15 pick.
2.Erin Henderson 6-3 244 Maryland
This spot had been occupied most of the year by Ali Highsmith from LSU. Both Henderson and Highsmith were somewhat disappointing in their Combine workouts. However, Henderson moves up because his game is not predicated on speed and burst. Henderson's skills are his lateral quickness and his ability to make plays in space because of his ability to break down and take down ball carriers with impeccable consistency. He can also seriously bring the wood by using his natural strength and excellent timing on receivers and tight ends coming into his area. While Henderson's coverage skills can be improved, he could line up in the slot against tight ends and even slot receivers and be adequate in coverage. He makes up for his lack of top end speed with his long, lean frame which allows him to disrupt receivers routes and concentration. He also does an effective job of using his body to get into passing lanes. Henderson takes good angles in pursuit, particularly to the quarterback, but he has a penchant for running around blockers and as such must develop additional moves to shed blockers and maintain position. In a weak linebacker class, Henderson will likely come off the board in the mid-second round. If the Bengals don't transition to the 3-4, Henderson could really help a weak linebacking core and 46th is essentially right where he belongs.
3.Ali Highsmith 6-0 230 LSU
After Highsmith's lackluster work outs, it would be fair to say his stock has slipped. It would be unfair to say it was necessarily warranted. Anyone who watched Highsmith play at LSU saw a player who was lightening on that fantastic defense. His vicious hit on OSU QB Todd Boeckman in the BCS Championship game was essentially the end for the Buckeyes and capped a fantastic season for that defense. Highsmith's impact for arguably the best defense in the nation cannot be quantified in his 40 yard dash time. Obviously, a 5.02 40 time is not what scouts were looking for, but the phrase "Plays faster on film" fits perfectly. Highsmith was not a guy you were going to line up in the slot and run with receivers, but his game did seem to rely heavily on his quickness. He does have tremendous quickness, as well as fluidity in his hips. His lack of bulk certainly means he will need some big boys up front to protect him, something he did have in college. Highsmith actually played all three linebacker spots at some point in his career at LSU, but will be a weakside linebacker in the NFL, ideally in a cover-2 scheme. He will likely go mid to late second round maybe even to a team like Tampa.
4.Xavier Adibi 6-2 232 Virginia Tech
The parade of weakside linebackers continues. This is about where Adibi has been ranked all season long for outside linebackers. Right when he'd have a couple of mediocre games, he'd come up with momentum changing plays in key games, like in the ACC Championship Game against Boston College (And Top 5 Pick Matt Ryan). Adibi is another player who would likely excel in a Cover-2 scheme where he is not necessarily asked to take on a ton of blockers. At barely over 230 pounds, he does not have the kind of strength needed to take on and shed blockers, nor does he have great hands when fighting off potential blocks. However, he uses his quickness and athleticism to make plays. He may be the most natural cover linebacker in the draft and has good hands and ball skills. He plays with tremendous passion, but has been known to lose his cool, leading to flags. Another guy who did not run as well as expected(But still solid), in the 4.7 range, Adibi must hope scouts will see the leadership and production on an excellent defense at Virginia Tech more than that single workout. Could go anywhere from the middle of the second round to the middle of the third, depending on who falls.
5.Bruce Davis 6-2 252 UCLA
Our first strongside linebacker makes an appearance on the list, and he's not even a true strongside linebacker. In the NFL, more and more teams are taking undersized college defensive ends and turning them into SAM linebackers. Bruce Davis fits that mold and worked at linebacker at the Senior Bowl. He could play SAM or rush linebacker in the 3-4 and that versatility is part of why he stands ahead of Shawn Crable. He showed better than expected dexterity in coverage as well as good instincts in play recognition, which has lead to his rise on draft boards. As a pass-rusher, no player on the list has this kind of upside. Davis was dominant off the edge at UCLA and saw top-tier talent in the Pac-10. He uses his hands effectively to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier. His ability to break down in the open field and make tackles highlights his versatility. If asked, he has shown the ability to do just about anything defensively, although his M.O. is getting the quarterback. Much like Adibi, teams will have him rated differently based on their defensive system and the position they see him playing. He will fall anywhere from the second to late third, even early fourth round.
6.Geno Hayes 6-1 226 Florida State
Florida State used to turn out players to the NFL as often as any team in the country. Unfortunately for Seminole fans, they just have not had the talent it used to get in the 1990's. Geno Hayes is one of the few standouts for Seminoles, and has been starting since his freshman year. Hayes brings fantastic cover skills showing good instincts in space. Showed his speed and quickness with a 4.65 40 at the combine and he should be able to run with tight ends and backs out of the backfield in coverage. Again, his base could use strengthening and will need bigs in front of him to help shield pulling guards and lead backs. He also does not use great technique shedding blocks or getting to the quarterback. His experience and instincts will make him an impact special teams player right away. A team in the second round may consider reaching if they need a linebacker, particularly with the draft so deep at other positions. The third or fourth round seems more likely.
7.Shawn Crable 6-5 245 Michigan
Shawn Crable's off-season has been rather tumultuous. He showed up to the off-season circuit absolutely ripped and impressed teams with his physical skills. However, his stiff hips and mediocre coverage skills lead to placemet with the defensive linemen at the NFL Combine. Crable then turned in an impressive workout running a 4.64 40, on par with guys 20 and 30 pounds lighter. Physically, Crable is everything you'd ask for in a 3-4 linebacker. In terms of a 3-4, he is probably one of the top 3 rush linebacker prospects. However, as a SAM linebacker he does not quite measure up. He is slow to read and react reading his keys. However, when he does make the right reads, he has the tools to be dominant, wrecking havoc in opposing backfields. Both his work ethic and his intelligence have been questioned. While Crable was a "t'weener" at Michigan, he is certainly a 3-4 linebacker in the pro's. His pass rush moves are limited and must improve to rush the passer effectively. With a premium on pressuring the quarterback, Crable could go in the late second round, but the third round is probably more realistic.
8.Wesley Woodyard Jr. 6-0 237 Kentucky
Wesley Woodyard is a fast-rising prospect and one of my favorite players in this year's draft. He reminds me a little bit of Green Bay Packer LB Nick Barnett. Fast, athletic, but undersized, Woodyard flies around the football field. He put on weight for the combine, but still turned in the second best 40 time of the linebackers at 4.51 and had the fastest 60 yard shuttle time among linebackers. Much like Barnett, he was was extremely productive in a top-tier conference and played his best in big games. He has excellent feet and quickness which give him superior burst in and out of cuts as well as extra pop when tackling. He has played every linebacker position as well as some safety(again like Barnett) although he'll need to get stronger to play linebacker in the NFL. Size remains his only knock, and his frame should allow him to get bigger and stronger. He can play WILL in any 4-3 scheme, although a cover 2 would be ideal. Derrick Brooks is only 6-0 235 and he's been one of the best WILL linebackers in the league for the last 10 years. A team in the third or fourth round could get a steal with Woodyard.
9. Jordan Dizon 6-0 229 Colorado
From here on things get a little murky because the talent pool drops off significantly. Dizon is a four year starter at Colorado who plays with a constant motor and the kind of toughness coaches covet in a linebacker. However, at barely 230 pounds, Dizon does not have the bulk or the strength to play linebacker on Sundays, nor does he have anywhere near the ball skills or hips to play safety. As it is, his coverage skills for a linebacker are marginal. He makes up for his physical deficiencies with physicality. Despite not being overly strong, Dizon will run through players on the way to the ball carrier and plays with a mean streak. However, he can be slow to diagnose plays and does not read his keys particularly well. A leader with great intangibles and experience, he may never be a starter at any position in the NFL. However, every team needs "glue guys" who keep the team together and do the little things to help a team win. If you asked this kid to go hold for a field goal, he would do it with pride. Somewhere in the 4th or 5th round, a team looking to add depth at linebacker or safety as well as pick up some additional special team help should find what they are looking for with Dizon.
10.Gary Guyton 6-1 245 Georgia Tech
Gary Guyton was overshadowed by Phillip Wheeler at Georgia Tech and did not get attention until he ran a ridiculous 4.47 40 and put in a 36.5 inch vertical jump at the combine. Guyton's athletic potential does not always translate onto the football field as he can be slow in his back pedal in coverage. However, Guyton plays with great range and side to side speed, particularly in the run game. His athletic ability offers versatility and he could play either linebacker spot in the pro's. Tenth may seem too high for Guyton, but at this point the 10th best linebacker is probably a 4th round pick and isn't going to challenge for a starting job on most teams. That means special team duty, which happens to be Guyton's forte (Just look at the youtube video of his block against VTech). With some coaching Guyton's tremendous athletic potential could be realized. Even if he only serves as a backup and a special team regular, you have not wasted a mid-round pick. That means Guyton will likely come off the board in the 4th or 5th round.
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