2017 NFL Draft: Off Ball Linebackers

Off the ball linebacker is a position that doesn’t hold the same cache as it used to. That said, it’s still an important position and with the increasing use of TEs & RBs in the passing game you need plays that can play in space. And this is a good year for off the ball linebackers (OBLB). Stats here will be TFLs, FF(Forced Fumbes)+PD (Passes Defensed (breakups + ints)), 3-Cone, and short shuttle.

1)     Hasson Reddick, Sr, Temple, 6’ 1 1/2" 237 lbs – Starter (7.7)

Stats – TFLs: 22.5, FF+PD: 7, 3-Cone: 7.01, Short Shuttle: 4.26

Reddit could be a very good edge defender in this class, but his highest upside is in space down to down with rush opportunities sprinkled in for effect. Reddick, who came to Temple as a safety, has the athleticism to play in space and will be an asset for any defensive coordinator.

2)     Reuben Foster, Sr, Alabama, 6’ 0” 229 lbs – Starter (7.5)

Stats – TFLs: 13, FF+PD: 2, 3-Cone: N/a, Short Shuttle: N/a

Foster is a near consensus number one backer, but an altercation at his combine medical testing, rotator cuff surgery, and a diluted sample at his combine drug test, combined with zero testing data and surprisingly lackluster production in college leave me with some slight doubts that just don’t creep up on me with Reddick.

3)     Blair Brown, Sr, Ohio, 5’ 11” 238 lbs – Starter (7.3)

Stats – TFLs: 16, FF+PD: 1, 3-Cone: 6.92, Short Shuttle: 4.18

The lack of forced fumbles and passes defensed is a bit worrisome, but then I look at those agility numbers, his sack totals, and the fact that he was all over the field for Ohio and I’m no longer all that concerned.

4)     Jarrad Davis, Sr, Florida, 6’ 1” 238 lbs – Starter (7.2)

Stats – TFLs: 6, FF+PD: 4, 3-Cone: 7.39, Short Shuttle: 4.29

Davis has climbed up draft boards during the process and outside of his 3-cone time it’s easy to see why. Davis was a stalwart in the middle of a very good Florida defense. Davis is going to be a good one for a long time in the NFL.

5)     T.J. Watt, Jr, Wisconsin, 6’ 4” 252 lbs – Starter (7.1)

Stats – TFLs: 15.5, FF+PD: 6, 3-Cone: 6.79, Short Shuttle: 4.13

Watt could be labeled an edge, but I think he fits best at the next level as an outside linebacker in a 4-3. He’s good in space, plenty athletic, and you can use him, much like Reddick, as a situational pass rusher by move him down or blitzing him from the linebacker position.

6)     Zach Cunningham, Jr, Vanderbilt, 6’ 3” 234 lbs – Expected Starter (7.0)

Stats – TFLs: 16.5, FF+PD: 5, 3-Cone: 7.03, Short Shuttle: 4.29

Cunningham was a stud at Vanderbilt and was all over the field and made a ton of plays as the rock of the Commodores defense. He’s a touch undersized. Take him and enjoy your  starting middle linebacker for the next 5-10 years.

7)     Duke Riley, Sr, LSU, 6’ 0” 232 lbs – Expected Starter (6.9)

Stats – TFLs: 9, FF+PD: 2, 3-Cone: 6.89, Short Shuttle: 4.21

Riley is probably the second best linebacker at LSU, but Kendall Beckwith has injury concerns and was unable to participate in the process so he slides. Duke is a very good linebacker in his own right with athleticism to spare.

8)     Raekwon McMillan, Jr, Ohio State, 6’ 2” 240 lbs – Expected Starter (6.8)

Stats – TFLs: 7, FF+PD: 6, 3-Cone: 7.15, Short Shuttle: 4.39

I may be too low on McMillan. He was always in the play at Ohio State and played well in his specific role in the Buckeyes defense. He’s not the freakiest of athletes, but McMillan will be where you need him to be play to play.

9)     Jordan Evans, Sr, Oklahoma, 6’ 2” 233 lbs – Expected Starter (6.6)

Stats – TFLs: 10, FF+PD: 13, 3-Cone: 7.01, Short Shuttle: 4.18

Evans was uber-productive at Oklahoma and tested on par with  everyone above him. There’s not much else to say Evans just gets buried a little in a very deep linebacker draft.

10)  Jayon Brown, Sr, UCLA, 6’ 0” 231 – Expected Starter (6.4)

Stats – TFLs: 7, FF+PD: 9, 3-Cone: 7.28, Short Shuttle: 4.53

Brown killed every combine test aside from the agility drills, he’s got the power, speed, and production that translate. Brown would be higher with better test scores but he falls in the good football player category of these ranks where the good outweighs the bad in my eyes.

11)  Dylan Cole, Sr, Missouri State, 6’ 0” 220 lbs – Expected Starter (6.3)

Stats – TFLs: 8, FF+PD: 9, 3-Cone: 6.82, Short Shuttle: 4.19

The first of a trio of small school prospects that sneak into the bottom of my top 15. Cole’s a smooth athlete and you see the athleticism in his change of direction in coverage and his ability to close space on the blitz. Would like to see him clean his ability when the space gets cluttered but he’s got a lot of upside for a small school guy.

12)  Austin Calitro, Sr, Villanova, 6’ 0” 245 lbs – Expected Starter (6.2)

Stats – TFLs: 12, FF+PD: 3, 3-Cone: 6.96, Short Shuttle: 4.31

An above average athlete, with a bowling ball body Calitro will join his teammate Tanoh in the NFL. Calitro diagnosis well, uses his hands well while rushing and looks comfortable in space. Should be a will linebacker at the next level, but will be able to kick inside in dime.

13)  Charmeachealle Moore, Sr, Kansas State, 6’ 0” 228 lbs – Expected Starter (6.2)

Stats – TFLs: 4, FF+PD: 2, 3-Cone: 6.89, Short Shuttle: 4.41

Moore played the weakside at Kansas State and was a solid all around middle linebacker. The biggest worry I have is the slow short shuttle shows up on film and I worry he may be a liability at times in coverage. Good technician but you’re going to need help him a bit in scheme.

14)  Kendell Beckwith, Sr, LSU, 6’ 2” 243 lbs – Expected Starter (6.1)

Stats – TFLs: 6, FF+PD: 4, 3-Cone: N/a, Short Shuttle: N/a

A healthy Beckwith challenges for top 5 in this class. His lack of testing due to injury problems drop him here. That said a healthy Beckwith is a steal of a pick in this draft.

15)  Connor Harris, Sr, Lindenwood, 5’ 11” 242 lbs – Expected Starter (6.1)

Stats – TFLs: 8.5, FF+PD: 3, 3-Cone: 7.13, Short Shuttle: 4.31

Much like Beckwith this pick is a bit of speculation. Harris had a very good Senior Bowl week, was very productive at Lindenwood his senior year, and for a squat linebacker had a nice combine. He’s a player I’d take a chance on day 2.

It’s a deep linebacker group and there’s more talent worth a roster spot after these 15.