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LINEBACKERS
1. Shaq Thompson, Washington (6001, 228#)
Exceptional athlete and special teamer. Very good in coverage and understands his zone responsibilities and can stick with a guy a few seconds if need be. Not very good against the run in any type of traffic. Does not shed much at all if he gets a bigger body on him. Will only be physical with smaller guys on him (backs, fullbacks, small TE’s, receivers). Is a very effective player as a weak side defender that can run/hit but is limited to certain schemes. Coverage ability is very tempting and presents some intriguing nickel/dime packages for a team. Round 2
2. Jordan Hicks, Texas (6013, 236#)
I really liked his tape. A traditional strong side or middle linebacker that shows good read/diagnose skills in the box and is aggressive and quick with his decisions and downhill movements. Not afraid of contact. Good balance and hand use. In space he shows nice athleticism and COD skills. Height/length is good for position but could use more NFL weight training and functional strength. Round 2-3
3. Eric Kendricks, UCLA (6002, 232#)
Mychal’s younger brother so there is pedigree and history of success. I had Mychal as a 3B (#71 overall) prospect and has turned out very well as the #46 overall selection in 2012. Eric isn’t quite as dynamic as athlete but they look surprisingly similar on film. I would probably say round 2-3.
4. Benardrick McKinney*, Mississippi State (6041, 246#)
Plays big and physical for the position. Really sticks nose into plays when going downhill. Can generate nice speed but takes a bit to rev up to that point. Is best as a zone defender in pass coverage and not effective once he turns his back to the play but saw some very deep drops. I think he can succeed either as a strong 3-4 ILB or a good MLB. Round 3
5. Staphone Anthony, Clemson (6025, 243#)
Very good size and athleticism for the position. Plenty fast enough and good COD skills. Versatile and can probably play multiple schemes. Is not natural or comfortable looking in zone coverage (weak on film) and does not have exceptional instincts for position (vs. a Hicks or Hull type player). Saw some decent blitzes on film vs. FSU and could be a decent 3-4 ILB with more limited responsibility. Round 3-4
6. Taiwan Jones, Michigan State (6025, 245#)
Big, run-stuffing 2-down player. Ran slow at combine and hurt stock but his film is good inside the box. Very good size/length for position and plays physical and doesn’t look outmatched vs. O-linemen. Delivers a hit. Looks like he was making the play calls for his defense. If he was a step faster and could close better he’d be a top-100 LB prospect. Round 4
7. Kwon Alexander (6006, 227#)
Another undersized weak-side linebacker but shows a bit more aggressiveness in the box than Thompson. But Thompson is the far superior athlete in space and coverage. Eye of the beholder player that won’t fit everyone’s system. Looks a bit maxed out to me. Round 4
8. Denzel Perryman, Miami (5106, 236#)
Strong, short MLB. Was not very impressed with his bowl game vs. SC. Not bad inside the box and shows some ability to blitz but he’s not really that good at anything in particular and is probably a liability a bit as he backpedals into zone. Round 4
9. Mike Hull, Penn State (5117, 237#)
Exceptional technique and angles and looks to have smart football I.Q. Limited athletic ability and sometimes loses on a play just because of that. Makes a lot of plays in Penn State’s system. You want to like him. You want to think he’s the next up from Linebacker U, but the size/length/athletic limitations are a bit of a worry. Round 4
10. Alani Fua, BYU (6046, 238#)
Exceptionally tall strong-side linebacker candidate with decent move skills. Older prospect, family man with wife & 2 kids. Not elite athleticism but adequate and his height/reach really help him make plays. Uses it to his advantage. Need a bit more functional strength and could gain 10 lbs. on frame. Should try and improve pass rush ability to provide more versatility to a defense. Round 4-5
11. Paul Dawson, TCU (6001, 235#)
Playmaking collegiate that really struggled at combine. Noticeably bow legged and lacks straight line speed but compensates with good quicks and COD skills. Diagnosis well and slips blockers more than sheds. When a blocker gets on him, he’s neutralized. Limited to 4-3 work and probably on the weak side only. Maybe a bit of Ali Highsmith comparison and could drop significantly in draft. Round 5
12. Martrell Spaight, Arkansas (5117, 236#)
Another linebacker prospect with a disappointing combine. Ran slower than expected and inconsistent in the agility drills. His films shows a pretty decent Mike/Will type prospect that reads, diagnosis and slips blocks effectively and quickly. Plenty tough enough inside the box and looks natural enough in space to be an adequate zone defender. He won’t light the world on fire anywhere, but there are worse prospects. Round 5
13. Jake Ryan, Michigan (6023, 240#)
Limited 2-down MLB type player. Not sure I consider him exceptional enough on special teams to invest a lot. Good worker, nice field awareness and can make a splash play occasionally. His COD is just not quite what you need probably to be a nickel linebacker at the next level. Round 5-6
14. Ben Heeney, Kansas (6002, 231#)
Probably a bit of a workout warrior that performed very well is speed (4.59) and agility drills (4.00/6.91) at the combine. Film doesn’t show that much athleticism and looks like a maxed out good college player. Could use more mass/strength. Round 5-6
15. Ramik Wilson, Georgia (6016, 237#)
Did not like his tape much vs. Tennessee. Too passive for my taste for a play of his size and limited move skills. Has to show more reckless abandon attacking downhill. Not bad size/length but is a bit limited athletically to be a 3-down player and can struggle in zone coverage or to make an open field tackle. Round 6
16. Hayes Pullard, USC (6004, 240#)
Captain of USC’s defense. A bit undersized and ran a tad slow at the combine. Not quite as athletic as you’d like and struggles a bit in COD. A bit of a “tweener” in that he’s not quite big enough to be your run stuffing guy or quick enough to be a 3-down defender at the next level. Tough to grade and find a spot for at the next level. Had some successful seasons with USC and long-time starter in the PAC-10. Round 6-7
17. Zack Vigil, Utah State (6020, 236#)
Decorated Mountain West defender that made a ton of splash plays in college. Non-combine invitee that ran a decent 4.60 at pro day and might appear to be athletic enough for special team duty to see if he can contribute as a LB in the pros. A better late round shot than some. Round 6-7
18. Curtis Grant, Ohio State (6024, 240#)
Was once the #2 high school prospect in the country and underachievement/injuries plagues his OSU career. Only really including him because he’s the kind of prospect scouts have been watching for years and might still get drafted on HS pedigree alone. He did okay in his pro day - 67.5 KEI, 4.71 40-yard dash and still shows that size/athleticism that made him a top recruit. Round 7
1. Shaq Thompson, Washington (6001, 228#)
Exceptional athlete and special teamer. Very good in coverage and understands his zone responsibilities and can stick with a guy a few seconds if need be. Not very good against the run in any type of traffic. Does not shed much at all if he gets a bigger body on him. Will only be physical with smaller guys on him (backs, fullbacks, small TE’s, receivers). Is a very effective player as a weak side defender that can run/hit but is limited to certain schemes. Coverage ability is very tempting and presents some intriguing nickel/dime packages for a team. Round 2
2. Jordan Hicks, Texas (6013, 236#)
I really liked his tape. A traditional strong side or middle linebacker that shows good read/diagnose skills in the box and is aggressive and quick with his decisions and downhill movements. Not afraid of contact. Good balance and hand use. In space he shows nice athleticism and COD skills. Height/length is good for position but could use more NFL weight training and functional strength. Round 2-3
3. Eric Kendricks, UCLA (6002, 232#)
Mychal’s younger brother so there is pedigree and history of success. I had Mychal as a 3B (#71 overall) prospect and has turned out very well as the #46 overall selection in 2012. Eric isn’t quite as dynamic as athlete but they look surprisingly similar on film. I would probably say round 2-3.
4. Benardrick McKinney*, Mississippi State (6041, 246#)
Plays big and physical for the position. Really sticks nose into plays when going downhill. Can generate nice speed but takes a bit to rev up to that point. Is best as a zone defender in pass coverage and not effective once he turns his back to the play but saw some very deep drops. I think he can succeed either as a strong 3-4 ILB or a good MLB. Round 3
5. Staphone Anthony, Clemson (6025, 243#)
Very good size and athleticism for the position. Plenty fast enough and good COD skills. Versatile and can probably play multiple schemes. Is not natural or comfortable looking in zone coverage (weak on film) and does not have exceptional instincts for position (vs. a Hicks or Hull type player). Saw some decent blitzes on film vs. FSU and could be a decent 3-4 ILB with more limited responsibility. Round 3-4
6. Taiwan Jones, Michigan State (6025, 245#)
Big, run-stuffing 2-down player. Ran slow at combine and hurt stock but his film is good inside the box. Very good size/length for position and plays physical and doesn’t look outmatched vs. O-linemen. Delivers a hit. Looks like he was making the play calls for his defense. If he was a step faster and could close better he’d be a top-100 LB prospect. Round 4
7. Kwon Alexander (6006, 227#)
Another undersized weak-side linebacker but shows a bit more aggressiveness in the box than Thompson. But Thompson is the far superior athlete in space and coverage. Eye of the beholder player that won’t fit everyone’s system. Looks a bit maxed out to me. Round 4
8. Denzel Perryman, Miami (5106, 236#)
Strong, short MLB. Was not very impressed with his bowl game vs. SC. Not bad inside the box and shows some ability to blitz but he’s not really that good at anything in particular and is probably a liability a bit as he backpedals into zone. Round 4
9. Mike Hull, Penn State (5117, 237#)
Exceptional technique and angles and looks to have smart football I.Q. Limited athletic ability and sometimes loses on a play just because of that. Makes a lot of plays in Penn State’s system. You want to like him. You want to think he’s the next up from Linebacker U, but the size/length/athletic limitations are a bit of a worry. Round 4
10. Alani Fua, BYU (6046, 238#)
Exceptionally tall strong-side linebacker candidate with decent move skills. Older prospect, family man with wife & 2 kids. Not elite athleticism but adequate and his height/reach really help him make plays. Uses it to his advantage. Need a bit more functional strength and could gain 10 lbs. on frame. Should try and improve pass rush ability to provide more versatility to a defense. Round 4-5
11. Paul Dawson, TCU (6001, 235#)
Playmaking collegiate that really struggled at combine. Noticeably bow legged and lacks straight line speed but compensates with good quicks and COD skills. Diagnosis well and slips blockers more than sheds. When a blocker gets on him, he’s neutralized. Limited to 4-3 work and probably on the weak side only. Maybe a bit of Ali Highsmith comparison and could drop significantly in draft. Round 5
12. Martrell Spaight, Arkansas (5117, 236#)
Another linebacker prospect with a disappointing combine. Ran slower than expected and inconsistent in the agility drills. His films shows a pretty decent Mike/Will type prospect that reads, diagnosis and slips blocks effectively and quickly. Plenty tough enough inside the box and looks natural enough in space to be an adequate zone defender. He won’t light the world on fire anywhere, but there are worse prospects. Round 5
13. Jake Ryan, Michigan (6023, 240#)
Limited 2-down MLB type player. Not sure I consider him exceptional enough on special teams to invest a lot. Good worker, nice field awareness and can make a splash play occasionally. His COD is just not quite what you need probably to be a nickel linebacker at the next level. Round 5-6
14. Ben Heeney, Kansas (6002, 231#)
Probably a bit of a workout warrior that performed very well is speed (4.59) and agility drills (4.00/6.91) at the combine. Film doesn’t show that much athleticism and looks like a maxed out good college player. Could use more mass/strength. Round 5-6
15. Ramik Wilson, Georgia (6016, 237#)
Did not like his tape much vs. Tennessee. Too passive for my taste for a play of his size and limited move skills. Has to show more reckless abandon attacking downhill. Not bad size/length but is a bit limited athletically to be a 3-down player and can struggle in zone coverage or to make an open field tackle. Round 6
16. Hayes Pullard, USC (6004, 240#)
Captain of USC’s defense. A bit undersized and ran a tad slow at the combine. Not quite as athletic as you’d like and struggles a bit in COD. A bit of a “tweener” in that he’s not quite big enough to be your run stuffing guy or quick enough to be a 3-down defender at the next level. Tough to grade and find a spot for at the next level. Had some successful seasons with USC and long-time starter in the PAC-10. Round 6-7
17. Zack Vigil, Utah State (6020, 236#)
Decorated Mountain West defender that made a ton of splash plays in college. Non-combine invitee that ran a decent 4.60 at pro day and might appear to be athletic enough for special team duty to see if he can contribute as a LB in the pros. A better late round shot than some. Round 6-7
18. Curtis Grant, Ohio State (6024, 240#)
Was once the #2 high school prospect in the country and underachievement/injuries plagues his OSU career. Only really including him because he’s the kind of prospect scouts have been watching for years and might still get drafted on HS pedigree alone. He did okay in his pro day - 67.5 KEI, 4.71 40-yard dash and still shows that size/athleticism that made him a top recruit. Round 7
