Jene Bramel
Footballguy
With free agency all but settled now and the draft just three weeks away , it’s time to start working on firming up some scouting reports on the incoming newbies. I figured I’d be the guinea pig and kick it off with the linebackers since that’s where the money is. I’m just collating my favorite scouting reports to form an initial opinion; hopefully the FBG scouts (Bloom, CC, Magaw, coolnerd, nshelat1, etal) can come in and clean up my mistakes.
I tried to project a player inside or outside, but it’s hard to pigeonhole most linebackers as clear ILBs or OLBs anymore. Plenty of undersized, quick players who look like WLBs have been successful as three down MLBs in recent seasons. And I made a semi-educated guess as to a current NFL comparison. Of course, the usual disclaimer that opportunity is more important than talent applies. With that in mind, I put these guys into tiers rather than making a top to bottom rank list.
And I left the ‘tweeners for another day.
NEAR LOCKS TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IDP IMPACT
Patrick Willis, Mississippi (6’1”, 240)
Would be a serious upset if Willis isn’t the #1 IDP prospect after the draft. All around player with the size/speed combination to play inside or outside in any scheme.
Comparison: Mike Peterson
Paul Posluszny, Penn State (6’2, 235)
Has some experience inside in a 3-4, but projects best as a WLB. Not as explosive a playmaker as Timmons, but has the instincts and skill set to be a stud all around backer.
Comparison: AJ Hawk
HIGH RISK-HIGH REWARD – DRAFT SPOT WILL MAKE OR BREAK
Lawrence Timmons, Florida State(6’1”, 235)
Could be the best all-around playmaking LB in this draft. Can run, hit, cover, and rush. Fits at either outside position in a 4-3 and some 3-4 teams are looking at him as well, presumably as an OLB. IDP value very dependent on opportunity/scheme.
Comparison: Donnie Edwards
Jon Beason, Miami (6’0”, 235)
Sideline to sideline backer who plays a little bigger than his size and can contribute in coverage immediately. Plays with enough leverage that some 3-4 teams have brought him in for interviews. Might work as a 4-3 MLB. Could be a stud Tampa-2 WLB or get sent to 3-4 RILB IDP purgatory.
Comparison: Jonathan Vilma
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma (6’1”, 230)
Instinctive, rangy OLB with good pass rush ability and cover skills. Needs to be protected as a WLB as he’s not effective at taking on blockers.
Comparison: Demorrio Williams
Justin Durant, Hampton (6’1”, 230)
Small school stud who could be the total package. Has the skill set to be a solid MLB if he proves himself able to get off blocks. May need a little work in coverage, but is a potential IDP stud as a WLB in a scheme that gives him room to roam.
Comparison: Omar Gaither
SAFE BETS TO HAVE GOOD OPPORTUNITY
Brandon Siler, Miami (6’2”, 240)
Stock has been up and down due to concerns over athleticism and range. Solid between-the-tackles type inside linebacker who probably isn’t good enough in coverage to hold a three down role immediately, if ever.
Comparison: Bradie James
David Harris, Michigan (6’2”, 245)
Another ILB prospect with coverage blemishes. Lack of speed makes it very likely that he’ll land inside. Has enough size to fit as a 3-4 ILB. Questionable whether his playing instincts can make up for the lack of speed in coverage and keep him on the field in the nickel.
Comparison: Ed Hartwell (the younger, healthier version)
Buster Davis, Florida State (5’10”, 245)
Short, but powerful MLB prospect with good speed. Scouting reports differ on his ability to succeed in coverage, but I think most will end up positive in that area. Potential for very nice tackle stats in the right scheme.
Comparison: London Fletcher
FLAWED PROSPECTS WHO COULD HAVE VALUE IN THE RIGHT SCHEME AND SITUATION
Jon Abbate, Wake Forest (5’10”, 235)
This guy could be interesting. His scouting reports suggest he’s worth watching (good instincts, willing run defender who plays with good leverage, decent cover ability), but many summaries see him as too flawed to start. Would like some more opinions on him.
Comparison: Kirk Morrison
H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh (5’10”, 235)
Similar to Buster Davis as a small, instinctive, run supporting ILB but may not have the same lower body strength, speed, or cover skills. Instincts may help his playing speed enough to allow him to have an impact in the NFL.
Comparison: Zach Thomas
Earl Everett, Florida (6’2”, 235)
Prototypical rangy WLB who does everything well but may not have an elite skill that will allow him to become an elite OLB in the NFL.
Comparison: More Ian Gold than Keith Bulluck
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska (6’4”, 255)
Very good OLB prospect who may get stuck in a SLB role given his combination of size, strength, and decent cover ability. Not quick enough to be a sideline to sideline WLB or MLB. Longshot to have good IDP value.
Comparison: Scott Fujita
***Guys with one or more big weaknesses/injury who’ll need to be in a perfect situation to have immediate IDP value might include Justin Warren (Texas A&M), Zak DeOssie (Brown), Zach Latimer (Oklahoma), Desmond Bishop (Cal), Tim Shaw (Penn State), Quincy Black (New Mexico), Juwan Simpson (Alabama), Anthony Waters (Clemson).
I tried to project a player inside or outside, but it’s hard to pigeonhole most linebackers as clear ILBs or OLBs anymore. Plenty of undersized, quick players who look like WLBs have been successful as three down MLBs in recent seasons. And I made a semi-educated guess as to a current NFL comparison. Of course, the usual disclaimer that opportunity is more important than talent applies. With that in mind, I put these guys into tiers rather than making a top to bottom rank list.
And I left the ‘tweeners for another day.
NEAR LOCKS TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IDP IMPACT
Patrick Willis, Mississippi (6’1”, 240)
Would be a serious upset if Willis isn’t the #1 IDP prospect after the draft. All around player with the size/speed combination to play inside or outside in any scheme.
Comparison: Mike Peterson
Paul Posluszny, Penn State (6’2, 235)
Has some experience inside in a 3-4, but projects best as a WLB. Not as explosive a playmaker as Timmons, but has the instincts and skill set to be a stud all around backer.
Comparison: AJ Hawk
HIGH RISK-HIGH REWARD – DRAFT SPOT WILL MAKE OR BREAK
Lawrence Timmons, Florida State(6’1”, 235)
Could be the best all-around playmaking LB in this draft. Can run, hit, cover, and rush. Fits at either outside position in a 4-3 and some 3-4 teams are looking at him as well, presumably as an OLB. IDP value very dependent on opportunity/scheme.
Comparison: Donnie Edwards
Jon Beason, Miami (6’0”, 235)
Sideline to sideline backer who plays a little bigger than his size and can contribute in coverage immediately. Plays with enough leverage that some 3-4 teams have brought him in for interviews. Might work as a 4-3 MLB. Could be a stud Tampa-2 WLB or get sent to 3-4 RILB IDP purgatory.
Comparison: Jonathan Vilma
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma (6’1”, 230)
Instinctive, rangy OLB with good pass rush ability and cover skills. Needs to be protected as a WLB as he’s not effective at taking on blockers.
Comparison: Demorrio Williams
Justin Durant, Hampton (6’1”, 230)
Small school stud who could be the total package. Has the skill set to be a solid MLB if he proves himself able to get off blocks. May need a little work in coverage, but is a potential IDP stud as a WLB in a scheme that gives him room to roam.
Comparison: Omar Gaither
SAFE BETS TO HAVE GOOD OPPORTUNITY
Brandon Siler, Miami (6’2”, 240)
Stock has been up and down due to concerns over athleticism and range. Solid between-the-tackles type inside linebacker who probably isn’t good enough in coverage to hold a three down role immediately, if ever.
Comparison: Bradie James
David Harris, Michigan (6’2”, 245)
Another ILB prospect with coverage blemishes. Lack of speed makes it very likely that he’ll land inside. Has enough size to fit as a 3-4 ILB. Questionable whether his playing instincts can make up for the lack of speed in coverage and keep him on the field in the nickel.
Comparison: Ed Hartwell (the younger, healthier version)
Buster Davis, Florida State (5’10”, 245)
Short, but powerful MLB prospect with good speed. Scouting reports differ on his ability to succeed in coverage, but I think most will end up positive in that area. Potential for very nice tackle stats in the right scheme.
Comparison: London Fletcher
FLAWED PROSPECTS WHO COULD HAVE VALUE IN THE RIGHT SCHEME AND SITUATION
Jon Abbate, Wake Forest (5’10”, 235)
This guy could be interesting. His scouting reports suggest he’s worth watching (good instincts, willing run defender who plays with good leverage, decent cover ability), but many summaries see him as too flawed to start. Would like some more opinions on him.
Comparison: Kirk Morrison
H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh (5’10”, 235)
Similar to Buster Davis as a small, instinctive, run supporting ILB but may not have the same lower body strength, speed, or cover skills. Instincts may help his playing speed enough to allow him to have an impact in the NFL.
Comparison: Zach Thomas
Earl Everett, Florida (6’2”, 235)
Prototypical rangy WLB who does everything well but may not have an elite skill that will allow him to become an elite OLB in the NFL.
Comparison: More Ian Gold than Keith Bulluck
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska (6’4”, 255)
Very good OLB prospect who may get stuck in a SLB role given his combination of size, strength, and decent cover ability. Not quick enough to be a sideline to sideline WLB or MLB. Longshot to have good IDP value.
Comparison: Scott Fujita
***Guys with one or more big weaknesses/injury who’ll need to be in a perfect situation to have immediate IDP value might include Justin Warren (Texas A&M), Zak DeOssie (Brown), Zach Latimer (Oklahoma), Desmond Bishop (Cal), Tim Shaw (Penn State), Quincy Black (New Mexico), Juwan Simpson (Alabama), Anthony Waters (Clemson).