The 2012 Linebackers class is above average with the help of some defensive ends sliding outside in a 3/4 defense. My highest rated ‘backer is Boston College’s inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. I love everything about the way he plays the game. He is a complete inside linebacker that is the best coverage ‘backer I’ve seen in a long time. On the outside I have Courtney Upshaw of Alabama (who I also included in w/ the DL evaluations) as the top OLB, but think Oklahoma’s Ronnell Lewis could be the most impactful outside linebacker from this class when it is all said and done.
Here are my Top 10 OLB:
1. Courtney Upshaw – Alabama – 6-1 – 273:
One of the top pass rushing prospects in this year’s draft who offers excellent versatility at the next level, Courtney Upshaw leaves Alabama after having been one of the most valuable players on the top-ranked Crimson Tide defense in 2011. A two-year starter for the Tide, Upshaw finished his career in Tuscaloosa having produced 141 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came his senior year in 2011 when he tallied 52 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and his lone interception. Lining up in Alabama’s “Jack” linebacker position, Courtney is experienced lining up both with his hand on the ground at end in a four-man front as well as playing outside linebacker in the Tide’s 3- 4 defense; he projects well to either position at the next level. An intimidating defender who plays with the type of tenacious and fiery attitude that I love to see out of a pass rushing prospect, Courtney is a relentless player who offers a non-stop motor; his persistence and motor as a pass rusher are what makes him such a good player. As a pass rusher, he offers the acceleration and speed off the ball needed to beat the tackle to the edge as well as the flexibility and fluid athleticism needed to redirect quickly in the open field. Although he doesn’t possess an elite burst or explosive get off that you see with some other top pass rushers, Upshaw’s ability to line up anywhere in the box and create pressure is what makes him so valuable. He’s displayed a unique ability to consistently beat the tackle to the edge before dipping his hips and lowering his shoulder to get underneath the tackle and turn the corner in pursuit of the quarterback. He also owns very good vision, quickly finding an open crease in the offensive line and accelerating through it with the agility to elude blockers as he chases down the quarterback. Although this is nitpicking, I’d like to see Courtney continue to develop his swim and rip moves in his pass rush repertoire, as this will allow for him to continue to improve as a pass rusher in the NFL. He’s got a great start, owning polished hand use with a very good swim move, however he has great potential here and still has room to improve. An instinctive defender who reads and reacts very well to what he sees in front of him, Courtney locates the ball very quickly outside, showing a great ability to close down the line to meet the running back as he’s entering the hole. He plays with great leverage out on the edge in the run game, displaying a consistent ability to give the offensive lineman a violent punch at the point of attacking before setting the edge against the offensive tackle. Upshaw cleanly disengages with great hand use, and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to sink his hips and get around the blocker to meet the running back in the backfield. The fact that one out of every four tackles he made was behind the line of scrimmage shows the type of impact he makes in defending the run. Despite being smaller than any offensive lineman he goes up against, Courtney shows the type of leverage and flexible ability to bend underneath the offensive lineman with an arched back to consistently win the leverage battle at the point of attack. Terrific in pursuit with sideline-to sideline range, Courtney plays downhill and has repeatedly shown the ability to chase down ball carriers from behind. Despite weighing over 270 pounds, he offers outstanding speed and closing speed for a player of his size.
2. Lavonte David – Nebraska – 6-0 – 225:
One of the most productive defenders in the country the last two years, Lavonte David signed with Nebraska out of Fort Scott Community College in 2010 and immediately left his mark on the program as he tallied 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups, and two interceptions in his two seasons with the Huskers; his most productive season came as a junior in 2010 when he set the Nebraska-school record for tackles in a season with 152 while also adding 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, and 10 pass breakups. A great athlete with the ability to make plays sideline-to-sideline, David is a very instinctive player who reads his keys and is quick to react to what he sees in front of him. With the speed and range to make plays all over the field, Lavonte was a one-man
wrecking crew, proving to be a tackling machine for Nebraska the past two seasons. A quick, agile defender, David does a good job of
taking advantage of holes in the line, playing downhill to elude the blocker and reach the ball carrier as he’s coming through the hole.
Owning a great motor, Lavonte is a great playing in pursuit, consistently chasing down the ball carrier from behind; he also shows his
great instincts with his ability to rip the ball away from the runner, having forced three fumbles as a senior in 2011. An underrated
pass rusher, David’s quick-twitch, downhill mentality are very effective when he adds himself to the mix in the pass rush. His
deceptive strength to fight off running backs’ blocks as well as his short-area quickness have both proved to be strengths for him as a
pass rusher. A valuable, heady player in coverage, Lavonte does a very good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes before breaking
quickly to make a play on the ball; he’s a savvy football player with a great football IQ and has shown that in coverage, often
undercutting routes to attack the ball. With his fluid athleticism, he’s also proven to be more than capable of matching up with a
running back or tight end in man coverage. Having recorded 14 passes defended in two years, Lavonte has shown the type of ball
skills and playmaking ability in coverage that you don’t often see out of a linebacker, which is something that scouts have certainly
noticed. In a pass-happy Big 12 Conference that owns plenty of spread offenses, David did not come off the field on passing downs,
but rather proved to be invaluable with his ability to match up with smaller receivers and backs out of the backfield. David’s greatest
weakness is his lack of size; he looks more like a safety prospect than a linebacker, which could limit him schematically at the next
level. Lavonte David has the skillset, tools, and fantastic instincts to develop into a very good starting WILL linebacker in the 4-3
defense in the NFL. He does not project to either inside or outside linebacker in the 3-4.
3. Zach Brown – North Carolina – 6-1 – 236:
One of the best all-around athletes of any defensive player in this year’s draft, Zach Brown was a two-sport star (football, track) for the Tar Heels who has immense upside at the next level if he can land in the right situation and develop a better temperament on the field. Although he only started for one full season, Brown finished his career at North Carolina having started 23 games and producing 230 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and seven interceptions; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011 when he tallied 105 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, all 5.5 sacks and four pass breakups, and three interceptions. A fantastic athlete with the fluidity and range to play sideline-to-sideline and make plays all over the field, Zach is an extremely quick, nimble, and agile player at the linebacker position who offers an intriguing skillset to defenses in the NFL. Brown is a finesse, quick-twitch defender who covers ground quickly and is more than capable of chasing down running backs on the perimeter with his track speed. Rather than taking on blockers in the box, Zach simply attempts to run around them to avoid contact. He’s far from being a physical defender, but rather seems to shy away from getting mixed up inside with bigger linemen; when he does take on blockers, he usually is easily neutralized due to his lack of bulk and strength; he must continue to fill out his skinny but lean frame and get stronger in order to have a better chance of stacking and shedding at the next level. Brown is far better at playing out in open space where he can use his great athleticism to his advantage in pursuing and chasing. To reach his potential and upside in the NFL, Zach must develop a better killer instinct and be willing to play more physically in defending the run. When attempting to make a tackle, he tends to throw his body at the ball carrier rather than actually breaking down and wrapping up; he needs further development as a form tackler. In addition, he tends to rely too much on his speed and range, at times over-pursuing a ball carrier because he didn’t take a proper angle to the ball. In coverage, Brown moves like a safety with his ability to gain great depth on his drops and turn and run with great flexibility in his hips. Although he’ll need to continue to develop his instincts to diagnose plays in front of him, he possesses the quick ability to break on a ball and close quickly on receivers who cross into his zone. In man coverage, Zach’s combination of size and speed makes him a terrific defender in manning up with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. A tremendous prospect based on his measurables, Zach possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism for the linebacker position. The team that drafts him will be selecting him purely based on potential and upside, as he didn’t play with the type of physical demeanor or temperament to warrant being a Top 50 pick, which is where his physical tools and skillset will likely land him.
4. Ronnell Lewis – Oklahoma – 6-1 – 253:
A talented athlete with the physical tools needed to make the transition to the NFL. A 1.5-year starter with just 14 career starts for the Sooners, Lewis totaled 119 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions over the course of his career in Norman; his best statistical season came during his junior season in 2011 when he recorded 60 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one interception. Owning an ideal build for an outside rush linebacker, Ronnell has a great combination of size, strength (36 reps on bench), and speed (4.68 40). As a pass rusher, Lewis offers a ton of versatility after having lined up both with his hand on the ground at end as well as standing up at linebacker. With good short-area quickness, Ronnell owns the quick feet needed to weave in and out of traffic in pursuit of the quarterback. He doesn’t own great explosion or an elite burst, but possesses enough acceleration needed to get the job done at the next level and has shown the quick change of direction skills that you look for at the position.. His speed is more evident with his range than with his ability to rush the passer, as he doesn’t show the ability to consistently run the arc. Lewis is a physical player with the strength needed to fight his way through blocks; he will need further refinement of his pass rush repertoire, however he has the type of upper body strength where he could really develop quickly if he improved his hand use. He was able to get by on his physical tools in college, however that won’t be the case in the NFL. As a run defender, Ronnell projects better as a linebacker than at end at the next level, as he doesn’t own the lower body strength needed to consistently set the edge or anchor at the point of attack. He owns long enough arms (32 inches) as well as the upper body strength to extend out and attempt to hold his ground, however he also doesn’t play with the consistent technique and fundamentals that you look for and will need to improve his inconsistent discipline here. Lewis understands how to locate the ball in the backfield and flow to ball carrier, however he doesn’t show the type of instincts and awareness needed to read or diagnose plays and will be step late at times because of it; he’s as raw from a mental standpoint as he is with his technique and hand use. Part of the reason for Ronnell’s average production at Oklahoma is as a result of being moved back and forth from end to linebacker without being given the chance to develop and learn the nuances of one position, shown in his inconsistent instincts, however his raw technique and lack great hand use also played a part here. Ronnell Lewis is an intriguing pass rushing prospect because of the physical tools that he offers, however it’s hard to be optimistic with a player who has injury questions, didn’t get the job done in the classroom off the field, and never appeared to be an overly productive player for his team. Lewis projects favorably as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker where the wide alignment outside could give him a better opportunity to rush the passer at the next level. In the 4-3 defense, he either projects as a pass rush specialist at end or as a developmental project as a WILL linebacker, however he projects far better in the 3-4 than 4-3.
5. Shea McClellin – Boise State – 6-3 – 248:
A relentless defender whose non-stop motor and ability to make plays all over the field have won scouts over at the next level, Shea McClellin enters the NFL with an intriguing combination of tools and versatility. A three-year starter at Boise State (started the final 37 games of his career) who was considered the heart of the defense for the Broncos, McClellin finished his career in Boise having produced 129 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles; the most productive season of his career came as a senior in 2011 when he tallied 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two interceptions, and forced one fumble. Shea McClellin is a coach’s dream, bringing a fantastic motor and the type of non-stop pursuit that you simply can’t teach, as well as offering the versatility to line up at a number of different positions. He’s a tenacious defender who plays with a fiery attitude and violently attacks the line of scrimmage. An underrated athlete with the flexibility and agility you look for, McClellin has displayed the ability to get underneath offensive linemen and dart into the backfield to make a play as a pass rusher; Shea has a ton of experience rushing the passer from different angles and would be a great fit in a defensive scheme that likes to stunt a lot. He’s a disruptive player who may not always make the play, but wreaks enough havoc that he gives someone else on the defense the opportunity to bring down the quarterback or ball carrier. Although not explosive or overly fast off the edge, Shea anticipates the snap count very well, reads his keys and locates the ball quickly, and shows the type of natural pass rushing instincts that are hard to find. Good with his hand use at the point of attack, McClellin offers enough of a pass rush repertoire to make an impact, and I expect to see him continue to improve here on what is already a solid base so far. As a run defender, Shea is a very disciplined player who is rarely out of position. Although he doesn’t have great size or strength, he is a very physical player at the point of attack who seals the edge very well and plays with great technique. Because of his lack of strength he can be drive out of the play and swallowed up by bigger, stronger offensive linemen. McClellin pursues and chases as well as any defender in the country, often making a play well outside of the pocket or down the field thanks to his tremendous hustle. An overachiever who gets everything out of his abilities that he can, Shea does not possess the type of explosion or quick-twitch abilities that scouts typically look for in a pass rusher and because he doesn’t have the prototypical size or strength either, most scouts consider him to be a “tweener,” meaning he doesn’t have a true position at the next level. A high-character player who offers all of the intangibles that you look for in a prospect, Shea does not have any character concerns and proved to be a durable player over the course of his career with the Broncos. Shea McClellin is a player that is hard not to like because of the high-energy play and terrific intangibles that he brings to the table. In my opinion, he would fit well as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker where he would be given more space to work with as a pass rusher and would be cleaner from traffic than if he were playing in the 4-3 defense. In the 4-3, he could project as a project as a WILL or MIKE linebacker, or as a pass rush specialist on third downs. He’s the type of player that should move moved around and played in different positions in order to maximize his talents and abilities in the NFL, however I do believe that he has what it takes to have a successful career as a starting outside rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Although he won’t ever be an elite player, the consistency and reliability that he would bring would be worth investing in.
The Next 5:
6. Andre Branch – Clemson – 6-4 – 259
7. Bobby Wagner – Utah State – 6-0 – 241
8. Sean Spence – Miami (FL) – 5-11 – 228
9. Keenan Robinson – Texas – 6-3 – 240
10. Travis Lewis – Oklahoma – 6-1 – 246
Overrated: Adrian Hamilton – Prairie View A&M – 6-2 – 255
Underrated: Lavonte David & Ronnell Lewis
Small School Sleeper: Aston Whiteside – Abilene Christian – 6-2 – 259
My Top 10 Inside Linbackers:
1. Luke Kuechly – Boston College – 6-3 – 242:
The most instinctive linebacker to enter the NFL since Patrick Willis was drafted with the 11th overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, Luke Kuechly leaves Boston College as one of the most productive players in college football history. A three-year starter for Boston College, in 2011, Kuechly won the Butkus Award (top linebacker in college football), the Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker in college football), the Lott IMPACT Trophy (defensive impact player of the year) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player in college football). The most decorated defensive player in Boston College football history, Luke is the Eagles’ first two-time All-American, having led the country in tackles as a sophomore (183) and junior (191). He completed his career at Boston College having produced 537 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, and seven interceptions; his best statistical season came during his junior year in 2011 when he totaled 191 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and three interceptions. As close to a sure-thing as I’ve seen in the past six years, Kuechly brings outstanding intangibles to the team that drafts him, offering the type of work ethic and leadership that few are blessed with. Possessing ideal height for the position with some room in his frame to continue to grow, Luke owns rare instincts at linebacker, whose ability to read and react to what he sees in front of himself is fantastic. He diagnoses plays as fast as any player that I’ve seen in the past six years and shows an elite ability to locate the ball before pursuing it down the field. He does an outstanding job in pursuit, displaying a relentless effort to swarm to the ball and has both the range and the straight-line speed needed to chase down ball carriers from behind. Kuechly is a polished prospect who plays with excellent technique and fundamentals; he consistently wraps up the ball carrier with near-perfect form when in position to make the tackle. With a great, non-stop motor, he does a very good job of playing over the top in the run game and is exceptional at playing inside-out while scraping over the top from his MIKE position. Luke takes great angles to the ball, which gives him a great opportunity to put himself in prime position to make the tackle. He makes it very difficult for offensive linemen to get to the second level to block him because he reacts so quickly to the play and possesses the athleticism to evade oncoming blockers in traffic. With his great technique and underrated upper body strength (27 reps on bench), he’s proven to be very effective at stacking and shedding blocks around the line of scrimmage and fills his hole very quickly on runs between the tackles; my only recommendation is that I think he could stand to add another 10 pounds of bulk and strength, which will make it even easier to shed blockers and make up for the jump to the next level. A deceptive athlete whose acceleration to quickly close on the receiver or ball carrier is very good, Kuechly does a great job of pursuing across the field, showing a heady ability to come from the backside of the play and still make the tackle; he’s always around the football and is rarely out of position. An experienced playing in dropping back into zone coverage, Luke has the athleticism and loose hips in his game to turn and run in transition well. He’s an excellent coverage linebacker who shows an innate ability to both cover zones as well as cover a tight end or running back out of the backfield with ease. Although not an elite athlete, his change of direction skills and fluidity in his drops are elite for a linebacker prospect. With 17 passes defended in three years, Kuechly has displayed the type of ball skills that you look for, however with the way that he is capable of dropping back and reading the quarterback’s eyes, he consistently puts himself in position to either make a play on the ball or make the tackle on the receiver who caught it down the field. The only area that he may not produce much at is as a pass rusher, however his production in dropping back into coverage makes up for it, however he has shown the ability to dart through the line and bring the running back down for a loss in the run game. Coming into the Combine, many scouts questioned what type of athleticism Luke had, claiming that he would not be capable of dropping back into coverage because he lacked great speed; those misconceptions were quickly dispelled, as Luke was one of the top performers in nearly every test, producing a 38 inch vertical jump and 10-foot, three-inch broad jump. Having played in 38-straight games, including a streak of 33-straight games with double-digit tackles, Luke was the epitome of reliable with the durability that you look for; he does not have any known injury concerns as he enters the next level. Luke Kuechly is one of the most complete prospects that I have seen and will be able to contribute immediately for the team that drafts him. He projects best as a MIKE linebacker in the 4-3 defense, although he does have experience playing outside and could move there if needed; however, he’s a natural MIKE who should play there in the NFL.
2. Dont’a Hightower – Alabama – 6-2 – 265:
The true leader of the 2011 National Championship Crimson Tide defense, Dont’a Hightower enters the NFL with a complete package of skills that project very well to the next level. A 3.5-year starter with 41 career starts for Alabama, Hightower produced 235 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven pass breakups, and one interception over the course of his career in Tuscaloosa; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he made 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and his lone interception. Offering elite intangibles, instincts, and leadership, Dont’a was a two-time captain who made the play calls and checks for Alabama’s defense. Built very well for an inside linebacker with an ideal combination of size, strength, and speed, Hightower is a classic thumper in the middle who will be a playmaker wherever he lands at the next level. A physical, sound tackler who consistently makes plays inside, Dont’a’s great instincts and understanding of the game allow for him to locate the ball and diagnose plays quickly from his middle linebacker position. Hightower is not going to be a lateral, sideline-to-sideline defender, as he doesn’t play with the fluidity or quick-twitch change of direction skills that you look for, however when playing straight-ahead, downhill inside the box, he’s among the best in the country. Dont’a fills the hole well with great run fits, showing an innate understanding of how to scrape over the top to meet a running back as he’s coming through the hole. In addition, Hightower does a terrific job of playing over the top and has enough speed to flow outside to the ball on the perimeter. While he doesn’t have great range, he plays with a high-motor and the type of intensity that is not easy to find. With his size, bulk, and strength, Dont’a is as good as you’re going to find at stacking and shedding blockers inside and has shown an instinctive ability to work through traffic while keeping his eyes in the backfield. Hightower’s physical play shows up on a frequent basis when he is able to deliver a violent hit to the running back or quarterback; he’s an intimidating presence in the middle whose teammates feed of his energy. Hightower is a very underrated pass rusher off the edge; in passing situations, he was moved down to defensive end in a four-man front and was told to get after the quarterback. With five sacks, including four in 2011, Dont’a did just that. He’s a disruptive presence on the line who uses his strength and short-area agility to work through creases up front, and is a terrifying player for quarterbacks to see coming when given an open hole to blitz from his linebacker position. He developed his pass rush repertoire throughout his career and seems to have a good feel for how to rip through the line or effectively use his hands to gain leverage and work his way into the backfield. He’s not entirely explosive as a rusher, however he brings consistent pressure and cannot be unaccounted for, otherwise he will wreak havoc. The versatility that he brings to the table to be able to line up at defensive end and bring production as an added pass rusher is invaluable. In coverage, Hightower has experience dropping back into zone where he displays a strong ability to gain good depth off the snap; he understands scheme concepts as well as offering the instincts needed to read and react to the action in front of him. He lacks the fluidity to turn and run in transition that is needed to be effective in man coverage at the next level and other than matching up big bigger tight ends, he does not project favorably here. Durability could be a question mark with Dont’a after he tore his left ACL four games into the 2009 season; he took a while to recover from the injury, but eventually bounced back with a great season in 2011. He also had surgery to repair a small fracture in his left hand before his junior year started, which is another thing that teams will need to look into. Dont’a Hightower has the talent, athleticism, and tools to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber middle linebacker in the NFL. He projects best as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense where he would be asked to
play in the box and his lack of great change of direction skills would not hurt him. In the 4-3, he also projects to the MIKE or SAM
position, however is not as good of a fit in the 4-3 as the 3-4. With his pass rushing ability, he also has the skills needed to line up and
be productive as an outside rush linebacker in the 3-4 or with his hand down at end in the 4-3.
3. Mychal Kendricks – California – 5-11 – 239:
One of the stars of the NFL Scouting Combine leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, Mychal Kendricks is one of the best all-around athletes at the linebacker position in this year’s draft. A three-year starter for the Cal Bears, Kendricks produced a total of 259 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five passes defended, and four interceptions throughout his career at Berkley; his best statistical season came during his senior season in 2011 when he recorded107 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. Mychal is a versatile player with experience at both inside and outside linebacker at Cal, and could project to both positions at the next level. Shorter than you’d prefer with enough bulk to make it work at the next level, Kendricks is a free-flowing linebacker whose greatest strength is his range and athleticism to make sideline-to-sideline plays. In the run game, Mychal diagnoses the play and locates the ball very quickly, displaying the quickness and acceleration to close quickly while taking good angles to the ball. With the straight-line speed to chase the running back down from behind on the perimeter, Kendricks owns a great motor and is always around the ball. He does a terrific job of playing inside-out from his MIKE linebacker position in Cal’s 4-3 and 3-4 defense, showing the ability to scrape over the top and meet the running back as he’s coming through the hole. When in position to make the tackle, Mychal is capable of crashing down on the back with a powerful tackle. In the open field, outside of over-pursuing and running past the ball carrier, he’s a reliable wrap up tackler who drags the ball carrier down to the ground aggressively after gaining control. His lack of size is going to be a concern, as he will struggle to wrap up and bring down bigger, stronger backs at the next level. In the box, Mychal uses his flexibility and fluid athleticism to bend down or use his quickness to evade blockers rather than taking them on. When the blocker engages Kendricks, he usually can be driven out of the play with ease due to his lack of size and strength (24 reps on bench), however with his great motor, he does fight throughout the play to disengage, although he can be neutralized relatively easily if locked onto. On third downs, Kendricks spent plenty of time both rushing the passer as well as dropping back into coverage. I love the timing and anticipation that he plays with when blitzing through the line, as he has shown the ability to explode across the line of scrimmage as the ball is being snapped; while he will tend to get stonewalled at the line by bigger offensive linemen when rushing the passer, he does a great job of taking full advantage of any open crease, quickly accelerating through it and closing down on the quarterback to make a sack. With 43 stops behind the line of scrimmage throughout his career, he’s shown a heady ability to effectively play close to the line of scrimmage and be an impact player thanks to his athleticism, quickness, and range to chase ball carriers down. As a pass rusher, he will need further development with his hand use and pass rush repertoire, however he offers nice promise and upside here. In coverage, Mychal has more than enough fluidity, speed, and athleticism to cover the running back out of the backfield or the tight end down the field in man coverage and does have some experience lining up in the slot.
4. James-Michael Johnson – Nevada – 6-1 – 249:
An intriguing athlete at the middle linebacker position who presents a fine blend of size, speed, and athleticism for the position, James-Michael (JM) Johnson enters the NFL after having been a four starter with a fantastic 50 career starts for the Wolf Pack. A productive player throughout his college career, Johnson tallied 295 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions through his four years in Reno; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011when he recorded 100 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception. A two-time captain for Nevada, JM possesses the type of leadership, work ethic, and intangibles that coaches and scouts love to see in a player. Offering a lean frame with room to add weight and gain strength, JM is an excellent athlete with the speed and range to make plays all over the field. A smart defender who reads reacts well to what he sees in front of him, Johnson possesses the type of quick-twitch ability to break on the ball that scouts look closely for in linebackers. Although he will need to continue to get stronger at the next level, JM has displayed the ability to shed blockers well at the point of attack in pursuit of the running back. A downhill defender in the run game, Johnson accelerates quickly towards the ball carrier when he finds a crease, which is shown in his strong 37.5 tackles for loss; he has a knack for making plays in the backfield thanks to his instincts and speed to close on the ball. JM has nimble feet, which allows for him to pick his way through traffic easily; he does a good job of playing inside-out and scraping over the top in the run game. Johnson has the quick feet and agility to elude blockers rather than consistently take them on which is something that helped him when defending the run. With his aggressive style of play, there are times when he will take poor angles to the ball, which is something that surely will be corrected at the next level. In coverage, JM doesn’t have fluid hips to consistently turn and run down the field, however he gains very good depth in his drops with his range and has shown the ability to close quickly on receivers crossing into his zone. In man coverage, he’s still inconsistent with his ability to mirror tight ends and running backs down the field, as his technique is still rather raw, however with his speed and athleticism, if coached properly at the next level, could develop into a fine player here.
5. Audie Cole – N.C. State – 6-4 – 248:
A smart and instinctive three year starter for the Wolfpack, Audie Cole proved to be a valuable player for the Wolfpack over the course of his career with his versatility to play both SAM and MIKE linebacker in the team’s 4-3 defense. The 12th-leading tackler in school history, Cole leaves Raleigh having produced 276 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, eight pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011 when he moved inside to middle linebacker from his natural strongside position and tallied 108 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and four pass breakups. Audie was a team captain who offers the leadership and work ethic that you coaches and scouts look for in a player. Very instinctive at the linebacker position, Audie diagnoses very quickly, showing the read and react skills to locate the ball before flowing to the action. He owns polished technique with good size and long arms (32 inches) for the position, consistently displaying a good form as a tackler when bringing the ball carrier to the ground. A downhill, straight-ahead linebacker, Cole fills well in the hole and has a good motor, showing a consistent ability to always be around the football. Although his speed is not going to be something that will impress scouts, his ability to flow to the action in pursuit is strong. He does a very good job of playing over the top in the run game, also doing nice job of playing inside-out from his new position in 2011. Where Audie is going to struggle is with his lack of speed and range for the position. He’s an average athlete who will have trouble chasing down ball carriers to the perimeter at the next level. He also doesn’t have the change of direction skills or fluidity that I look for. In addition, while he displays good technique as a tackler, he needs to gain strength in the upper body and develop a strong grip, as there are times when backs will run through his arm tackles. Adding further strength in the upper body will also help him stack and shed at the point of attack, as he can be drive out of the play by bigger offensive lineman; there are times when he will struggle to work his way through traffic in the middle. Cole also needs to continue to develop in the lower half and play with better positioning and leverage when taking on blockers in the run game.
The Next 5:
6. Jerry Franklin – Arkansas – 6-1 – 242
7. Chris Marve – Vanderbilt – 6-0 – 235
8. Max Gruder – Pittsburgh – 6-1 – 230
9. Gary Tinsley – Minnesota – 6-0 – 240 (Gary Tinsley tragically passed away last week. I included him out of respect for him and where I had him ranked.)
10. Vontaze Burfict – Arizona State – 6-1 – 248
Overrated: Vontaze Burfict
Underrated: James-Michael Johnson
Small School Sleeper: Caleb McSurdy – Montana – 6-1 – 245
theaveragejoeshow 