Off ball linebackers
are a tricky evaluation. You have to balance the measurable (production and
athleticism) with the unmeasurable (instincts). Yes, instincts will lead to
production, but different schemes often require different things from the same
positions. So, let’s rank some linebackers…
P.S. off ball
linebackers are all middle linebackers and outside linebackers in 4-3 scheme.
1)
Roquan
Smith, Jr, Georgia, 6’ 7/8”, 236 lbs. – Starter (7.7)
Stats – Tackles: 111, TFLs: 14, PD: 2,
FF: 1, 40: 4.51, Short Shuttle: INJ, 3-cone: N/a
Roquan is undersized and
has a hard time disengaging when contacted in space by offensive linemen. This
doesn’t happen all that often because of his rare combination of athleticism
and instincts. Smith’s flow to the ball and play recognition can be witnessed
in just about every game and in a league where defenders are routinely put in
space he’s nearly the perfect off the ball linebacker.
2)
Tremaine
Edmunds, Jr, Virginia Tech, 6’ 4 1/2”, 253 lbs. – Starter (7.5)
Stats – Tackles: 84.5, TFLs: 14, PD: 2,
FF: 3, 40: 4.54, Short Shuttle: N/a, 3-cone: N/a
Edmunds is a crazy
long and athletic player. He flashes some ability to rush the passer along with
being strong at the point of attack. He’s not quite as fluid and instinctual as
Smith but he’s a damn fine ball player and extremely young.
3)
Leighton
Vander Esch, Jr, Boise State, 6’ 4 1/4”, 256 lbs. – Starter (7.3)
Stats – Tackles: 116, TFLs: 8.5, PD: 7,
FF: 4, 40: 4.65, Short Shuttle: 4.15, 3-cone: 6.88
4)
Genard
Avery, Sr, Memphis, 6’ 1/2”, 248 lbs. – Starter (7.3)
Stats – Tackles: 66, TFLs: 22, PD: 2,
FF: 2, 40: 4.59, Short Shuttle: 4.36, 3-cone: 6.90
Vander Esch and Avery
both tested extremely well athletically. They’re different linebacker architype,
Vander Esch is lanky and explosive, Avery is a bowling ball with knives (not my
term, works really well here) slicing into the backfield. Both have a nose for
the ball and show off on tape against G5 and P5 opponents.
5)
Shaquem
Griffin, Sr, UCF, 6’ 3/8”, 227 lbs. – Starter (7.2)
Stats – Tackles: 59, TFLs: 13.5, PD: 4,
FF: 2, 40: 4.38, Short Shuttle: N/a, 3-cone: 6.95
If you don’t know
Griffin’s story by now, go read it. I’ll wait… If you haven’t seen Griffin play
against Auburn. I’ll wait… Griffin is going to slip in Thursday’s draft. It won’t
be because of a lack of instincts, good tape, or athleticism. It’s going to be
for a much shittier reason and one he has no control over. Note: I wrote this all coyly and then got all pissed off. Yes, public
perception of the GM who took the player with one hand would end up getting his
chops busted if the player didn’t pan out, but that really shouldn’t be a concern
in a day and age where player college tape is readily accessible at a moment’s
notice.
6)
Lorenzo
Carter, Sr, Georgia, 6’ 4 7/8”, 250 lbs. – Starter (7.1)
Stats – Tackles: 45.5, TFLs: 7.5, PD: 0,
FF: 3, 40: 4.46, Short Shuttle: INJ, 3-cone: INJ
7)
Rashaan
Evans, Sr, Alabama, 6’ 1 7/8”, 232 lbs. – Starter (7.1)
Stats – Tackles: 54.5, TFLs: 13, PD: 3,
FF: 1, 40: INJ, Short Shuttle: 4.36, 3-cone: 6.95
As we break down
these two SEC standouts let’s just marvel at the fact that realistically there
are 7 players I wouldn’t bat an eye at being capable of starting at linebacker
next year in the NFL. And Burks and Warner after this are damn close. I put
Carter at OBLB because I thought that was where he looked more natural at
Georgia when asked to play in space, read, and diagnose. Actually, ditto for
Evans. Both players were utilized in a variety of roles in college, but both
showed a proclivity to make plays in space and effect an offense from multiple
spots.
8)
Oren
Burks, Sr, Vanderbilt, 6’ 3 1/8”, 233 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.9)
Stats – Tackles: 63.5, TFLs: 7, PD: 4,
FF: 0, 40: 4.59, Short Shuttle: 4.15, 3-cone: 6.82
9)
Fred
Warner, Sr, BYU, 6’ 3 3/8”, 236 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.8)
Stats – Tackles: 67.5, TFLs: 9, PD: 6,
FF: 1, 40: 4.64, Short Shuttle: 4.28, 3-cone: 6.90
Both Burks and Warner
are more traditional LBs than Carter or Evans, but both are solid players and
athletes who should transition well to the next level.
10) Malik Jefferson, Jr, Texas, 6’ 2
1/4”, 236 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.6)
Stats – Tackles: 94.5, TFLs: 10, PD: 0,
FF: 0, 40: 4.52, Short Shuttle: 4.18, 3-cone: 7.12
Jefferson had an
interesting career at Texas. Arriving with much fan fare but struggling with an
ever changing environment and team at UT. Jefferson has all the physical tools
you’d want from a LB, but there are concerns with how he’ll transition to the quicker
game in the pros.
11) Josey Jewell, Sr, Iowa, 6’ 1 1/8”,
236 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.5)
Stats – Tackles: 101.5, TFLs: 13.5, PD:
3, FF: 1, 40: 4.79, Short Shuttle: 4.27, 3-cone: 6.80
12) Frank Ginda, Jr, San Jose State,
6’ 0”, 235 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.5)
Stats – Tackles: 133.5, TFLs: 13, PD: 3,
FF: 3, 40: 4.72, Short Shuttle: 4.31, 3-cone: 6.97
13) Leon Jacobs, Sr, Wisconsin, 6’ 1
1/8”, 246 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.5)
Stats – Tackles: 47.5, TFLs: 9.5, PD: 5,
FF: 1, 40: 4.48, Short Shuttle: 4.44, 3-cone: 7.14
Jewell, Ginda, and
Jacobs all fall under a similar umbrella, they hit baseline measurements for off
ball players and they will be good every down backers at the next level. Jacobs
was played mostly in an edge role at Wisconsin and isn’t the compiler the other
two were, but he’ll be a second level defender at the next level. These guys
aren’t as sexy as the top five or six players at the position, but they’re
going to be mid-round players that make GMs look smart.
14) Matthew Thomas, Sr, Florida
State, 6’ 2 3/4”, 232 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.4)
Stats – Tackles: 64, TFLs: 10, PD: 3,
FF: 0, 40: 4.44, Short Shuttle: 4.28, 3-cone: 6.85
15) Micah Kiser, Sr, Virginia, 6’ 3/8”,
238 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.3)
Stats – Tackles: 97.5, TFLs: 9.5, PD: 4,
FF: 0, 40: 4.66, Short Shuttle: 4.24, 3-cone: 7.05
Thomas and Kiser are
two very different prospects. Kiser is the more cerebral of the two players. He’s
not a bad athlete but he makes his bones reading and reacting to what an
offense does. He’s just a tick behind the Jewell/Ginda/Jacobs group for me.
Thomas is the athlete. Flashing 4.4 speed and agility drills to boot, in the
right system you make the reads easy and let him flow.
16) Zaire Franklin, Sr, Syracuse, 6’
1/8”, 239 lbs. – Expected Starter (6.1)
Stats – Tackles: 63, TFLs: 5.5, PD: 2,
FF: 1, 40: 4.62, Short Shuttle: 4.22, 3-cone: 6.97
17) Quientin Poling, Sr, Ohio, 6’ 3/8”,
235 lbs. – Potential Starter (6.0)
Stats – Tackles: 78, TFLs: 12.5, PD: 4,
FF: 3, 40: 4.58, Short Shuttle: 4.22, 3-cone: 6.88
18) Jerome Baker, Jr, Ohio State, 6’
1 1/8”, 229 lbs. – Potential Starter (6.0)
Stats – Tackles: 57, TFLs: 8, PD: 3,
FF: 1, 40: 4.53, Short Shuttle: 4.15, 3-cone: 6.93
19) Trevon Young, Sr, Louisville, 6’
3 7/8”, 258 lbs. – Potential Starter (5.9)
Stats – Tackles: 49.5, TFLs: 12, PD: 5,
FF: 0, 40: 4.78, Short Shuttle: 4.40, 3-cone: 6.99
20) D’Juan Hines, Sr, Houston, 6’ 1”,
233 lbs. – Potential Starter (5.9)
Stats – Tackles: 83.5, TFLs: 6.5, PD:
2, FF: 3, 40: 4.65, Short Shuttle: 4.31, 3-cone: 6.87
I know it’s hard to
tell, but I really like this linebacker class. There’s all-pro talent at the
top and long-time starters for days as you work your way down. There are at
least a dozen guys if not more that DCs will be glad to get there hands on in
camp this spring and fall.
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