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2014 Draft
Outside Linebackers
This page will be a work in progress and updated frequently. Come back often and watch it develop.

2 Anthony Barr OLB 4 UCLA Sr 6050 255 1st

Combine Forty Time: 4.66...(Improved it to 4.44 on Pro Day)...Nice size to go with elite speed...only average durability (knee)...Outstanding intangibles (works hard, leads by example, loves game)...former H-Back...Moved to LB from RB in 2012 and still refining his craft...better hand-usage and shedding are two To-do's....Natural football instincts but only has played one year on defense...above average anchor at POS but must get stronger...light on feet; very good COD but needs to isift thru traffic better...good tacklee/must wrap up more consistently...above average get-off/rare closing burst but only average torso flexibility...good range in underneath zone coverage...

Pro Day - Forty - 4.44 (unofficial but timed electronically)...Goodbread framed this as part of a Mack vs. Barr battle for #1 OLB ranking..

Combine (LB02) - Arm: 33 1/2; Hand: 9 3/8; BP: 15; VJ: 34.5; BJ: 119; 3C: 6.82.....

1 Khalil Mack OLB 2 Buffalo rSr 6030 251 1st

Pro Day Forty Time: 4.55...Combine Forty Time:4.65...Moving up the ladder...figures to be a Top 7 prospect to be picked #1...Has played OLB in a four-man front...Decent size/elite speed (but nowhere near Barr)...Huge hands...Durable...Non-stop motor and explosive first step...Level of competition his biggest issue...Hard worker but some attitude/team-chemistry red-flags...Above average instincts, take-on skills, range vs. run and tackling skills. Versatile (has lined up inside, outside, at DT and DE)...Outstanding upper body strength...relentless in pursuit...will occasionally lunge at ballcarrier but otherwise pretty good form tackler...Outstanding vs. the pass (good range in zone coverageinstinctive and explosive blitzer...can turn speed to power....quick, violent hands...good torso flex)...

Pro Day - All 32 teams attended...said to be moving up the charts...had a terrific workout and ...worked both in space and with his hand down and "blew people away." with his pass rush athleticism.......

Combine (LB18) - Arm: 33 1/4...Hand: 10 1/4; BP: 23; VJ: 40.0; BJ: 128; 3C: 7.08; 20S: 4.18, ......

3 Ryan Shazier OLB 14 Ohio State Jr 6010 237 1st

Est. Forty Time: 4.59...Tends to get overlooked when elite OLB prospects are being discussed.and mock drafts put together...According to USA Today - a tall rangy ILB who projects to the outside due to lack of bulk...Long-armed blitzer who needs to get bigger and stronger. Proto heigh and speed...a bit slender...knee and muscle/tendon problems..followed Urban Myer from Florida to Ohio St...If he reacted better to misdirection, his instincts/recognition would be elite....toughness inside is limited by his size, but he has sideline-tosideline range and sifts through the trash quickly...runs under blocks he should be fighting thru...inconsistent tackler/lacks great body control...has the size and strength to wrap up and throw defenders to the ground but isn't do it consistently....Fine in coverage (possible exception of matchups with larger TE's)...good burst off edge and balance rushing between the tackles...

 

 

 

 

Pro Day - Said to have racked up off-the charts workout numbers...Forty: 4.35 - 4.41 (but pulled up lame)...Said to be a nutrition-freak - photographing every meal he eats and forwarding it to his nutritionist.

 

Combine (LB25) - Arm: 32 3/8; Hand: 10; BP: 25; VJ: 42; BJ: 130"; 20S: 4.21

 

 

9 Kyle Van Noy OLB 103 BYU rSr 6030 243 1st-2nd

Combine Forty: 4.71; Wreaks havoc - projects as a 4-3 SAm but needs better core strength...Outstanding technician...Pretty good length and prototype 4-3 OLB bulk...top-end speed is OK...Significant durability concerns (labrum surgery)...DUI arrest but loves FB and works hard "Soldier not a general" - ESPN....Above average FBI, diagnostic skills and reaction. Great discipline...Instinctive pass rusher, average take-on skills and range vs. the run. Fundamentally sound tackler but only average power...Versatile 3-down LB...above-average 1st-step hands and quickness but lacks prototypical length, power and torso flex...above average range in zone coverage (can run with TE's in man-coverage)..

Pro Day - Stood on his combine numbers...moved really well and showed really good hands in position drills. ..Brandt feels he could go as high as the 3rd round....

Senior Bowl - Schottey feels he was the most impressive defender on South squad but wishes he would play with more physicality...speed and movement are his key strengths ("on one snap, he was into the backfield before the LT got out of his stance")....

Combine (LB33) - Arm: 31 5/8; Hand: 9 5/8; BP: 21; VJ: 32.5; BJ: 112; 3C: 7.22; 20S: 4.20;......

 

10 Michael Sam OLB/DE 110 Missouri rSr 6020 261 2nd

Combine. Forty Time: 4.91...Watching his workout footage on TV, he looked kind of soft and lumpy...Plays well off the edge...good initial quicks but so-so COD skills...lacks zone awareness (looks a bit lost in space when playing off)...The 4.91 combine time didn't make scouts want to jump up and do a dance but he ran somewhat south of 4.7 on his pro day despite tweaking a hamstring. .Apparent tweener who lacks the speed and agility to play OLB and the size and strength to be a down lineman...

Pro Day - Forty: 4.71...VJ: 30"; BP: 19; Worked out as a defensive lineman and didn't look good as a LB in space...Did most of the drills despite hamstring issues and shaved a couple of tenths off his forty time..Projects as a 6th or 7th round pick or an UDFA..

Combine (DL42) - Arm: 33 3/8; BP: 17; VJ: 25.5; BJ: 114; 3C: 7.80;...

Senior Bowl - According to BR's Schottey - he's a tweener (too short for the outside and too small to put his hand in the dirt as a DE). "Sack artist" who who disappoiinted Extemely long arms makes up in part for height limitations...The Falcon staff moved him from LDE to OLB but he looked stiff and unsure of himself...he's small for a classic DE in a 4-3 and without a lot of strength. But if you line him up outside at LB you have a liability in coverage...He may be an All American, but finding a place for him may be a challenge......

7 Trent Murphy OLB/DE 61 Stanford xx 6050 250 2nd

Combine Forty Time: 4.86...Smart and intense...Hybrid stand-up LB...Needs work in coverage...Tweener who may be too small for DE and too slow for an OLB...Huge hands...Ideal size for a 34 OLB but subpar speed....Seems best suited for Shaughnessy-type SAM backer...Missed 2010 season with undescribed leg injury...Throwback type who enjoys wrestling steers and has an edge to his game...natural leader who holds teammates accountable...above average awareness/diagnostic skills..."Country Strong" at taking on opponents - plays with leverage, heavy handed with heavy jolting punch...strong enough to hold ground vs. double-team/....only average range vs. run - uses savvy to compensate for lack of speed...fundamentally sound wrap-up tackler..the more space he has to operate in, the more vulnerable he becomes as a tackler...average-to above average pass rusher - heavy hands, good hands when transferring speed to power...

Pro Day - Did not help his cause, running a 4.82 and 4.89 forty...stood on the rest of his combine numbers...note his long arms and big hands...projects as a strong-side OLB...Worked (but didn't play) as a down-lineman in the Senior Bowl...Brandt says he plays much faster than he times and should be drafted in the third round...

Combine (LB21) - Arm: 33 7/8; Hand: 11 1/8; BP: 19; VJ: 35.5; BJ: 118; 3C: 6.78; 20S: 4.20;.....

Senior Bowl - Schottey sees him as a tweeener and that the "fit" has to be right for Murphy to succeed...Schottey says that he Rang andBrugler have reservations as to whether Murphy can play at the next level...Possible position for him might be as a TED LB (an insided guy used as a pass rusher).....:

4 Telvin Smith OLB 26 Florida State Sr 6030 218 2nd-3rd

Combine Forty Time: 4.52...Forty speed an improvement over pre-Combine 4.65. OK height; a safety's weight (& speed)...no durability problems but lack of bulk figures to be a red flag...Maturity and off field issues also figure to be flagged...Not very instinctive...plays with low COG but overwheGood pursuit speed...Lacks size, strength and hand-usage...Plays high & vulnerable when teams run right at him...good range vs. run; good motor...below average tackler (wraps high, lunges, lacks strength)...Pretty good in coverage and has above average burst and closing speed off the edge...

Pro Day - Filled in a few missing combine numbers (where he had second fastest forty among all LB's) - VJ: 30.5"; 20S: 4.65; 3C: 7.04; BP: 16....

Senior Bowl - Classic tweener debate-topic (i.e. built like a safety but lacks the speed, cover skills and athleticism to play at the back of the secondary. Also a very good college player who may not project well to the pros)...At best a run & chase LB with excellent diagnostic ball instincts. Some question his lack of explosiveness-

Combine (LB29) - Arm: 32 1/2; Hand: 10 1/4; VJ: 31.5; BJ: 119;.....

5 Dee Ford OLB/DE 34 Auburn RSr 6021 252 3rd

Pro Day Forty: 4.53...Est. Forty Time: 4.75...Explosive playmaker...Kind of short with little room on frame to add bulk (BA and SK say they'd like to add length and size to their group of LB's so he may not fit perfectly)...a bit light to play DE but ideal as a pass rushing 3-4 LB......Elite speed for DE...Below average durability (disk, abdomine)...Good work ethic/respected by teammates...added 40 lbs of muscle since arriving at Auburn...Above average FBI...Undersized edge-rusher...outstanding get-off speed...adept at bending the edge...adequate but not elite torso-flex...quick spin-move...lacks speed-to-power finishing strength...good range and outstanding closing burst vs. run...violent hands...undersized 3-4 DE who might be better suited to OLB in a 3-4... has limited experience in dropping into coverage but seems to have the necessary athletic skill-set to do so...high motor player...good effort in pursuit...tough enough...

Pro Day - Forty: 4.59 & 4.63 ; BJ: 10-4; BP: 29; 20S: 4.73; 3C: 7.07; ...Numbers validate what scouts have been seeing on tape...Brandt describes him as a very accomplished player who could be drafted in Round One...

Combine (DL14) - Arm: 32 7/8 - Was excused from further workouts as a medical precaution (stemming from disc surgery a few years ago)....

Senior Bowl - Talk of the event..("Nothing changed when the lights came on" - Chase Goodybread of NFL,com)...According to Brooks - he was the most dominant player in Mobile...unstoppable off the edge with explosive 1st-step quickness and impressive snap-count anticipation...adept at using bull-rush as a change-up along with using an effective "butt and jerk" manouver....But can he stop the run? (Apparently "Yes!" - handled drive blocks and had enough speed to pursue from the backside...could be a difference-maker in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme featuring a Leo or Elephant player in the edge"......Freakish athlete who took advantage of poor play by Senior Bowl OT's..Schottey (BR) isn't sure this will translate to similar dominance in the pros...1st-step is explosive...Trapasso describes him as a "tweener...but his burst off the ball is incredible....some see him better as an OLB but there's no questioning his ability as a rush-end in sub-packages...According to Bowen (BR) - made Moses look silly on one play...According to Matt Miller, he was "the flashiest performer of Senior Bowl week - a smooth, sleek, explosive edge defender who was all over the field making plays and whose raw speed was undeniable. Question, according to Miller, is where do you play him? It didn't seem to matter where the Jag coaches lined him up - he flourished everywhere - but his most logical projected position is at OLB. He now figures to be a late-1st or high-2nd round pick..... 

11^ Jeremiah Attaochu OLB 148 Georgia Tech Sr 6030 252 3rd

Est. Forty Time: 4.70...May be flying below most fans' radar (but not the scouts due to his impressive workout numbers)...Powerful but awkward...Explosive and tough...Good blend of height and weight combined with decent speed...but not very smooth or agile....missed action a couple of times due to undisclosed injury...Nigerian upbringing...moved from 34 OLB to 43 DE in Spring 2013...Personal foul for slugging Logan Thomas in Va Tech game...Below average recognition skills (Just wind him up, point him in the right direction and let him loose)...only average range against the run, take-on skills and tackling skills...(inconsistent pad level, but willing to take on lead blocker; closes down cutback lanes and can chase down RB's in pursuit...struggles when blockers take on legs...can deliver big hit, but not a powerful tackler...lunger and whiffer too frequently...above average pass rusher - good quicks and speed to power...active though not great hands...explosive upfield step and can explode back inside....good rip move under the OT...gets hands up in passing lane (a pet issue with yours truly)..

Pro Day - Forty: 4.57 & 4.62; VJ: 37.5"; BJ: 9-3; 20S: 4.68; 3C: 7.28; Long arms...record for most sacks in Ga Tech history...will visit a whole bunch of NFL teams......

Combine (LB01) - Arm: 33; Hand: 9 7/8...

12 Morgan Breslin OLB/DE 164 USC Sr 6010 250 3rd-4th

Est. Forty Time: 4.70...Kind of short for DE...thick enough in trunk..."Opponents have to game plan for him" - USA Today...speed above average for a DE...Broke foot in senior year...Quiet, reserved, respectful. Football junkie with excellent work ethic..Tough...above average pass rusher - variety of moves...above average closing burst...quick, active hands....good enough torso flex...quick 1st step vs. run....strong initial punch...plays with leverage and can set the edge...lacks elite anchor....lack of size may force him to play OLB...has dropped into coverage but should be more effective in zone schemes than in man coverage. Relentless motor/plays thru to whistle...Injury history (hip surgery in Nov 2013)...

Pro Day - Forty: 4.60 & 4.69...(strained groin on second attempt); VJ: 35.5"; BJ: 9-6; BP: 26.......

6 Jordan Tripp OLB 41 Montana rSr 6030 234 4th

Combine Forty Time: 4.67...Tackling machine with surprising athleticism - "small school sleeper" - USA Today...A scout G Brandt trusts told him that he thought Tripp was one of the best prospects this year to come out of the Big Sky conference....So Gil zero'd in on him and was impressed by Tripp's lack of awe at the Senior Bowl...Gil likes his size, speed and athleticism along with his versatility as a hand-down pass rusher or in coverage) and wants to see how he stacks up against other top LB's in Combine drills - how quick he reacts, nimbleness of feet in bag drills...Arms are kind of short...

Combine (LB31) - Arm: 30 3/4; Hand: 9 5/8; BJ: 22; VJ: 37.5; BJ: 120; 3C: 6.89; 20S: 3.96......

Pro Day - Stood on his combine numbers...made highlight one-handed interception while falling down in coverage drill...According to Brandt, he could be a late 3rd round pick.

Senior Bowl - Looked like a safety in individual drills...very fluid/plays with real speed for size...must get stronger but looks like a legitimate prospect......

13 Christian Kirksey OLB 175 Iowa Sr 6020 233 4th-5th

Est. Forty Time: 4.70...Explosive...god initial quicks...but more quick than strong...needs hand-usage, shedding and technique work..

Pro Day - Forty: 4.50 & 4.52; 20S: 4.34; 3C: 7.07; VJ: 36"; BJ: 10-0. Had to have Improved his stock with forty showing..Brandt says he has to get stronger to succeed at the next level...

Combine (LB16) - Arm: 32 3/8; Hand 9 3/8; BP: 16; VJ: 32; BJ: 122;...

Senior Bowl - Bucky Brooks sees Kirksey as a "sleeper pick" who flew under the radar for most of the season but projected to be a starter early in his career...Scouts like his instincts, consistency and aggressiveness (one exec referred to him as a "real guy")...Bucky likes his feel for the game and his ability to sift thru the trash and "being at the right place at the right time...,solid cover skills and awareness in the passing game...Surprised some onlookers with his ability to open the hips, come down hard in the run game and close on the ball from his zone drops...turned some heads in pass rush drills combining speed and power....can have immediate impact on ST's as he refines his game......

15+ Prince Shembo OLB 196+ Notre Dame Sr 6010 253 4th-5th

Combine Forty Time: 4.71...All name team...High effort player with quick 1st step and burst...Active with long arms and big strong hands....Adequate measurables (kind of stubby/lacks elite speed)...turf toe injury Spring of 2012. Otherwise OK...Good leadership skills/work ethic...Average FBI and diagnostic skills/can get caught peeking inside...Average at POA,lacking ideal length and prototypical anchor...not strong enough in upper body...above average range vs. run...sifts well thru traffic...quality wrap-up tackler but lacks power...a bit inconsistent in open field...flashes above average quicks and flexibility as a pass rusher...active but not heavy hands...lacks explosiveness converting speed to power...limitations in coverage...

Pro Day - Stayed with combine numbers...According to Brandt, he looked explosive in position drills and projects as a Day 3 pick...

Combine (LB26) - Arm: 33 1/8; Hand: 10 1/2; BP: 26; VJ: 38.5; BJ: 122, 3C: 7.29; 20S: 4.31.......

15+ Denicos Allen OLB 196+ Michigan State rSr 5110 218 5th

Est. Forty Time: 4.75...Pro Day scores suggest a strong guy who's not very explosive...Hybrid safety/LB...Short and a bit light, lacking elite speed to compensate...Uses speed and athletiism to defeat blockers but is a bit short to play outside...foot surgery/brace on right arm but otherwise durable...raised by grand-mom..."Twitter-Challenged" (maturity red-flag)..."Run & Hit LB who flashes the ability to locate the ball quickly and knife into the backfield" - ESPn...only average diagnostic skills...will take an occasional false step vs. run....instinctive pass rusher but late to recognize play action...below-average take-on skills (size definitely is an issue)...sideline to sideline potential vs. run...angles could be cleaner,,,should fight thru (rather than go around) blocks...Effective wrap-up tackler but not a square-off, head-on thumper...misses in space to often...natural in man coverage and disruptive edge-rusher for size...violent hand-fighter...relentless motor/second effort on pass rush....

Pro Day - Forty: 4.45 & 4.78; 20S: 4.51; 3C: 7.46; VJ: 29"; BJ: 8-9; BP: 26...

14 Kevin Pierre-Louis OLB 180 Boston College Sr 6000 232 5th

Combine Forty Time: 4.51...

Pro Day - Stood on combine numbers and did position drills only (with nothing worth noting).....

Combine (LB22) - Arm: 32 1/4; Hand: 10 1/8; BP: 28; VJ: 39.0; BJ: 128; 3C: 6.92; 20S: 4.02......

15+ Bo Lokombo OLB 196+ Oregeon rSr 6020 225 5th-6th

Combine Forty Time: 4.66...

Pro Day - Unable to work out due to a left shoulder injury...

Combine (LB17) - Arm: 33 3/8; Hand: 9 7/8; BJ: 122; 3C: 7.15; 20S: 4.30;.....

15 Devon Kennard OLB/DE 191 USC rSr 6030 249 5th-6th

Combine. Forty Time: 4.70...Prototypical size/subpar speed for OLB. Durability red flag (Pec)...Very polished individual from football family...Not an elite pass rusher (but there's room to work with technique-wise)...above average core strength vs. run...quick and heavy hands...lacks elite power-base...abov average instincts and quicks vs. run...played entire season at MLB in 2010...Best fit may be at 34 OLB (has enough athleticisim to hold up in underneath zone coverage)...Tough/not afraid to mix it up...good fight at POA...Can flatten and pursue...but will run around blocks at times...occasionally overruns the QB when blitzing.

Pro Day - Stood on combine numbers...moved well in position drills, caught the ball well and figures to go in the top half of Day 3.....

Combine (LB15) - Arm: 33 3/8; Hand: 9 3/8; BP: 23; VJ: 30.0; BJ: 113; 3C: 7.25; 20S: 4.32;.....

15+ Jonathan Brown OLB 196+ Illinois Sr 6000 238 6th

Combine Forty Time: 5.03...Numbers are unspectacular for his size...

Pro Day - Forty: 4.85 & 4.87; VJ: 31.5"; BJ: 9-3"; 20S: 4.59; 3C: 7.31; BP: 18...Could go in the 7th round......

Combine (LB06) - Arm: 33; Hand: 9 3/8; BP: 16; VJ: 31.0; BJ: 108; 3C: 7.77; 20S: 4.56;......

15+ Tyler Starr OLB 196+ South Dakota Sr 6040 250 6th

Combine Forty Time: 4.95...Improved his forty time considerably...Good instincts and diagnosing skills...needs to improve hand-usage/shedding skills...Small school?...Impressive agility scores...

Pro Day - Forty: 4.58 & 4.59; VJ: 31.5"; BJ: 9-9"; 20S: 4.37...

Combine (LB30) - Arm: 32 1/2; Hand: 9 1/2; BP: 24; VJ: 32.0; BJ: 116; 3C: 6.64; 20S: 4.15;........

15+ Derrell Johnson OLB 196+ East Carolina Sr 6020 264 6th-7th
Est. Forty Time: 4.75...Pro Day - Forty: 4.61 (before pulling a calf muscle)...VJ: 32.5"; BJ: 9-6"; 20S: 4.64; 3C: 7.27; BP: 23...Had a good workout and will probaly be a 7th rounder or an UDFA OLB....
15+ Jonathan Newsome OLB 196+ Ball State rSr 6030 247 6th-7th

Combine Forty Time: 4.73...

Pro Day - Stood on combine numbers and only did position drills (with nothing of note reported)....

Combine (DL34) - Arm: 33 1/4; BP: 21; VJ: 34.0; BJ: 117; 3C: 7.31;......

15+ Jayrone Elliott OLB 196+ Toledo Sr 6030 240 7th

Est. Forty Time: 4.70...

.Pro Day - .weight up to 255 lbs. No other info...

8 Adrian Hubbard OLB/DE 65 Alabama xx 6060 257 xx

Combine Forty Time:4.69...Tall and lanky...shedding issues...needs to protect legs better...could finish better...leverage issues coming around corner...

Pro day - Stood on combine numbers but went through position drills and helped himseldf after a just-average performance in the Senior Bowl...

Combine (LB12) - Arm: 34 1/2; Hand: 9 1/4; VJ: 38.5; BJ: 117;...-

Senior Bowl - Looked kind of "un-ripped" at weigh-ins but performed well in one-on-ones and showed considerable strength. Made up for a sluggish Day One with a pretty good Day 2...was asked to play 4-3 OLB and struggled, looking stiff and out of position.... (He was an edge-rushing LB - who never had to drop into coverage and play in space - at Alabama).."Needs to be moving forward/not backward as ball is snapped"..Must learn to play lower and with more flexibility........

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