Contents

FEATURES

Current Highlights

Rumors & Innuendo

Depth Chart

Roster

Player Evaluations

2014 DRAFT ISSUE

Draft Summary Page

OTHER TOPICS

History of the Cardinals

About the Big Red Sheet

Welcome From the Editor

About the Editor

Memory of a True Card Fan

Order Cardinal Tickets

Links to  Cardinal Related Sites

 

2015 Draft
Outside Linebackers
This page will be a work in progress and updated frequently. Come back often and watch it develop.

Two things you hear coming out of Cardinal Hq is the need for (1) more edge-rushers and (2) more overall speed. Add to this a perceived third factor: (3) Coach Arians likes his outside guys to have length physically.
1 Vic Beasley OLB/DE x Clemson 1.72 6030 246 1st

Taller than pre-combine write-ups suggested...Said to have "long arms" (although we don't consider 32.5" to suggest he has tentacles). described as having sn "electric first step". and "active hands."...Considered to have the best 1st setep of any pass rusher in this draft. Elite COD skills...but will occasionally get overeager and run himslef out of plays...Can lose track of a play and take a bad angle...said to lose interest in somne plays directed from him..

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...The top draw at the pro day was outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who is projected by NFL Media analysts to be selected in the top half of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Beasley (6-foot-3, 246 pounds) stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, which were outstanding -- he posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among linebackers (4.53), had the most bench press reps among linebackers (35 at 225 pounds), and was a top performer in his position group in vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard short shuttle.

Beasley displayed outstanding athleticism in the position drills. Beasley originally came to Clemson as a running back, then was moved to tight end, but was moved to defense when Clemson assistant coach Marion Hobby convinced the staff that a move to the defensive side of the ball would be beneficial for both player and team. Now, Beasley is a likely top-10 pick."

Combine - Forty: 4.53; Arm: 32.5; ; BP: 35; VJ: 41.0; BJ: 10-10; 3C: 6.91; 20S: 4.15; 60S: NA.....

8 Shaq Thompson OLB x Washington 1.78 6000 228 1st

"Built like a safety"...Recognized last season as the nation's most versatile player...active, aggressive, agile player with sound instincts...May lack the frame to pack on additional pounds...Lacks the prototypical size and explosive many teams look for in an outside LB.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...performed 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He did not bench at the combine, but stood on all of his other results from the combine. Thompson worked out as a linebacker and a safety at the pro day. He has very good change of direction, quickness and burst. Linebacker will probably be his best position in the NFL, as he might be a tad slow to be a top defensive back."

Combine - Forty: 4.64; Arm: 33; ; BP: DNP; VJ: 33.5; BJ: 9-9; 3C: 6.99; 20S: 4.08; 60S: 11.78......

2 Dante Fowler OLB/DE x Florida 1.56 6030 261 1st

Check out his ten-yard combine split...Measured an inch taller than pre-combine estimate..Termed a "nightmare matchup for marginal athletes"....Long arms....Versatile - ideal for teams who employ multiple fronts. Could be stronger at POA...Recognition skills not always 100% dead-on.

Pro Day (Brandt) - NA

Combine - Forty: 4.60; Arm: 33.8; ; BP: 19; VJ: 32.5; BJ: 9-4; 3C: 7.40; 20S: 4.32; 60S: 11.89......

7 Markus Golden OLB/DE x Missouri 1.72 6020 260 x

Very productive (racked up impressive tackling numbers despite only being in for 40% of his team's defensive sacks. Most impressive were 8 passes he broke up. Has a well-rounded skill-set...Has agility, flexibility and COD skills to beat blockers in space, but is knocked for being "too straight line" & lacking "suddenness."

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40-yard dash in 4.74 and 4.76 seconds. He had a 28 1/2-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-2 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.57 seconds and had a three-cone drill time of 7.38 seconds. Golden performed 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Golden looked really good in his drops during the positional drills."

Combine - Forty: 4.90; Arm: 31.2; ; BP: NA; VJ: NA; BJ: NA; 3C: NA; 20S: NA; 60S: NA..

6 Hau'oli Kikaha OLB x Washington x 6020 253 x

How's this for a glowing write-up (by Rang): "One of the most accomplished and talented pass rushers in the 2015 draft."...Has solid build and muscle tone...holds up well at POA but can get lazy as a tackler and his upper body strength is described as "underwhelming.". Est. Forty 4.74..

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...recorded 40-yard dash times of 4.90 and 4.90 seconds. He had a 34 1/2-inch vertical and a 9-foot-4 broad jump. He had a short shuttle time of 4.33 seconds and a three-cone drill time of 7.13 seconds. He performed 20 reps on the bench press. It looks like he has some pass-rushing ability and a good burst. He looked pretty good dropping back into space, too. Kikaha worked out as a defensive lineman and linebacker Thursday."

Combine - Forty: DNP; Arm: 32.5; BP: DNP; VJ: DNP; BJ: DNP; 3C: DNP; 20S: DNP; 60S: DNP......

4 Eli Harold OLB/DE x Virginia 1.68 6030 247 x

Shows up on a lot of Cardinal mock drafts....Shaved more than a tenth of a second off his pre-combine forty time...Played DE and LB for UVa...Rang describes him as "active but not always having a plan"...Explosive burst out of his stance...elite pursuit speed...100mph 100% of the time...Better rushing the passer than defending vs. the run...Good movement skills for size but tends to play too upright and must build better strength in his upper and lower body.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...Put forth an impressive enough workout at Virginia's pro day Monday that could have upgraded his stock for the 2015 NFL Draft. There were representatives from 20 NFL teams present at Virginia's pro day to watch 17 players work out indoors on FieldTurf. Harold, who measured at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, performed a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump and did 24 strength lifts of 225 pounds at the pro day. He stood on his other numbers from the combine. Harold -- who is the 26th-rated prospect in Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 rankings -- looked good in the position drills, showing a good burst with his hand in the ground."

Combine - Forty: 4.60; Arm: 33; ; BP: DNP; VJ: 35.0; BJ: 10-3; 3C: NA; 20S: 4.65; 60S: 11.81......

5 Paul Dawson OLB x TCU 1.69 6000 235 x

Gaudy stats may be padded by 4-2-5 TCU defensive system...Has great agility, balance and flexibility and quick play recognition but relies on athleticism more than strength when taking on blockers...JUCO background raises questions about his ability to make the maturational jump and master a more complicated playbook at the pro level...

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...TCU linebacker Paul Dawson's performance at the NFL Scouting Combine was noteworthy in its mediocrity. The good news for Dawson is that he looked noticeably better Friday at TCU's pro day. Specifically, his time in the 40-yard dash improved significantly from 4.93, which could be reassuring for teams that were questioning his athleticism after the combine. Despite his combine showing, Dawson (6-foot-0 1/8, 235 pounds) remains a favorite of some teams and he likely will be one of the first linebackers -- excluding edge rushers -- off the board. His workout Friday certainly caught the eye of some teams. The St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints met with him at the event, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram's Charean Williams.

Dawson led TCU, which finished 12-1, with 136 tackles during the 2014 season, when the Horned Frogs (12-1) finished eighth nationally in scoring defense and 18th in total defense. TCU uses a 4-2-5 set, and Dawson is seen as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme by some analysts and an outside guy in a 4-3 set by others. Dawson is the top-ranked linebacker in the draft by NFL Media analysts Mike Mayock and Lance Zierlein (their linebacker rankings do not include LBs who are seen as edge rushers). Zierlein calls him an "outrageously productive linebacker with a nose for the ball." Dawson said in mid-March that he had visits with five teams set up."

Combine - Forty: 4.4.9; Arm: 31.5; ; BP: 21; VJ: 28.0; BJ: 9-1; 3C: DNP; 20S: 4.49; 60S: DNP......

3 Zack Hodges OLB/DE x Harvard 1.63 6020 250 3rd

One of my sleeper guys to keep an eye on...Ten yard combine time is second only to Fowler...Has played inside and outside...Very long arms (built like an octopus)...Excellent 1st-step/initial acceleration...Takes sharp angles coming around the edge...Perpetual motor...built a bit on the slender side...Ivy League backround suggests (a) he's smart but (b) may be coming out of a less than pro-ready college background.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...still hobbled by a bone bruise in his knee suffered on the first day of practice for the Senior Bowl. He did have a 30 1/2-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-6 broad jump. He also did the three-cone drill in 7.37 seconds and the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.73 seconds. Hodges has long, 33 3/8-inch arms. Rather than postpone working out for NFL teams, Hodges tried to do as much as he could at the best of his abilities at Harvard's event because he knew his teammates were really looking forward to the pro day. Once Hodges is healthy, it might be best of some teams to come in and work him out because he is a very talented player."

Combine - Forty: 4.68; Arm: 34.3 BP: DNP; VJ: 33.5; BJ: 10-5; 3C: NA; 20S: 4.65; 60S: NA......

9 Geneo Grissom OLB x Oklahoma 1.66 6030 262 x

Looks right out of Central Casting (built like a brickhouse) and has a quick burst off the snap....Injury and position-changes contributed to a subpar 2014...outstanding sideline to sideline range with good acceleration pursuing downfield...Batted down 8 passes in 2013 and 2014 (my kinda guy!)...At this point in his career will probably be drafted more on his potential than on his immediate production.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...NA.

Combine - Forty: 4.81; Arm: 33.4; ;BP: 24; VJ: 37.0; BJ: 9-9; 3C: 7.24; 20S: 4.38; 60S: 12.44......

10 Lorenzo Mauldin OLB x Louisville 1.71 6040 259 x

Big guy but not as twitchy as some DC's would like...Quick-footed with non-stop motor...good COD skills...Flexible/can reach top-speed quickly...needs to become stronger in upper body....some durability questions...Is he an OLB or is he a DE?

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...posted a 31-inch vertical, a 9-2 broad jump, a 7.26 3-cone drill, and a 12.62 in the 60-yard shuttle. He had a very strong workout and will probably be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL."

Combine - Forty: 4.85; Arm: 33; ; BP: 23; VJ: 32; BJ: 9-4; 3C: 7.47; 20S: 4.58; 60S: NA.....

11 Martrell Spaight OLB x Arkansas 1.72 6000 236 x

Combine forty time was 2-tenths of a second slower than his pre-combine est....Stubby...compact...compact frame...Inexperienced...will regularly run himself out of plays...

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40 in 4.80 and 4.83 seconds. He had a 9-foot-6 broad jump, a 7.10-second three-cone time, and then stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. Spaight looked good in the positional drills and will probably be a third-day draft selection."

Combine - Forty: 4.88; Arm: 32.8; BP: 25; VJ: 35; BJ: 10-0; 3C: 7.66; 20S: DNP; 60S: NA...but has excellent closing speed........

12 Tony Washington OLB xx Oregon 1.75 6040 247 x

Lined up all over the place for the Ducks...Rang says he "has the tools to become a valuable chess piece" for a pro club...Prototypical length and size that Arians should like...Flexible with natural bend...but he appears to lack elite speed and his musculature is more "lean" than tightly packed ...instincts are still undeveloped...

Pro Day (Brandt) - NA

Combine - Forty: 4.99; Arm: 33; ; BP: 17; VJ: 32.5; BJ: 9-2; 9; 3C: 7.20; 20S: 4.31; 60S: 12.83......"

13 Max Valles OLB x Virginia 1,77 6050 251 x

Timed 1/10 of a second slower than pre-combine estimates for the forty...Gotta love his length and overall size, but, with that size/speed ratio, he'd probably be viewed more as a SAM than a WILL...Considered to move smoothly and also have a little bit of quick twitch...Knocks include (a) slender musculature and (b) rounding off his routes around the edge to get to the QB. Rang says he's "one of the rawest players in the class."

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...Valles ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 and 4.84 seconds. He had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 9-9 broad jump. He stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine."

Combine - Forty: 4.83; Arm: 32.6; BP: DNP; VJ: 36.5; BJ: 10-1; 3C: 7.59; 20S: 4.37; 60S: NA.......

14 JR Tavai OLB x USC 1.71 6020 249 x

Started out as a DT...An inch taller than draft books list him...Highly physical edge-setter with excellent chase skills, but that 4.91 forty isn't about to scare anyone...One-speed player who'd be ideal for the strong side in Arians' system if he were a few inches taller.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "ran the shot shuttle in 4.60 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.38 seconds. He also performed 23 strength lifts. Tavai had a really good positional workout, improving his draft status in the process."

Combine - Forty: 4.91; Arm: 31.2; BP: 20; VJ: 30.5; BJ: 9-4; 3C: DNP; 20S: DNP; 60S: NA8......

15 Xzavier Dickson OLB x Alabama 1.71 6030 260 x

Love his physical dimensions. Had a breakout senior season. Potentially versatile (which could raise his draft stock)...Had 9.0 sacks as a senior...Suspended before Sugar Bowl for violating team rules...This could be one of those guys who's picked late in the draft or as an UDFA based on his potential but who then goes on to live up to that potential. Interesting prospect.....

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40 in 4.83 and 4.77 seconds. He stood on the rest of his numbers from the combine. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards put Dickson through his workout, which went well.

Combine - Forty: 4.74; Arm: 33.5; ; BP: 19; VJ: 29.5; BJ: 8-4; 3C: 7.56; 20S: 4.53; 60S: NA......

15+                

.....

15+                

 

15+                

.

15+                

 

15+                
..
The Big Red Sheet web site is not the official web site nor do we represent the official views of the Arizona Cardinals Football Club or National Football League. We are a forum for various input and opinions from a broad variety of sources, and our content will most likely will be a combination of fact, opinion and hearsay. While we will take reasonable precautions to avoid inaccuracies or misstatements and will issue corrections or retractions if warranted, we will not assume responsibility for the type of minor unintentional inaccuracies that are a natural part of web site publishing.

Click here with questions or comments about the Cardinals or this web site.

Copyright © 1996 Gollin & Associates. Last modified: 04/06/2013