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Defensive line prospects
As defenses look for more ways to confuse and clobber quarterbacks, NFL teams search for versatility at linebacker.
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| Southern Cal star Clay Matthews Jr. has deep NFL bloodlines. (Getty Images) |
The top-rated player overall by NFLDraftScout.com is Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, a 6-foot-2, 254-pounder who runs like a deer, hits like a truck and plays with sixth sense-type instincts.
Next there is talented 6-3, 243-pound outside linebacker Brian Cushing of Southern California, which has three highly-rated linebackers in the draft, including Clay Matthews, Jr., ranked No. 14 overall, and inside power man Rey Maualuga, the top-ranked inside linebacker.
One of the biggest names among the linebackers -- in number of letters and fame -- is James Laurinaitis, the latest in a long line of Ohio State linebacking stars. As with many of his Buckeye predecessors, Laurinaitis was extremely productive in college but was less than scintillating in workouts at the scouting combine last month.
Here is a closer look at this year's top linebacker prospects (asterisk denotes underclassmen):
Outside linebackers
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest, 6-2, 254
This is a big, tough athletic kid who knows himself well. "I can come in instantly and make an impact on anybody's defense," Curry said during a combine interview. "And (with) my versatility as a linebacker to be able to play in the 3-4, inside or outside, or 4-3, inside or outside, you just can't go wrong."
Curry uses strength, long arms and powerful hands to manhandle blockers and ball carriers while making more than his share of plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Although he appears tight changing directions, he can drop into pass coverage and reacts well to the ball in the air, evidenced in 2007 when he returned three interceptions for touchdowns. His athleticism was on display at the combine, where his best 40-yard time was 4.52 seconds and he had a 37-inch vertical jump.
2. Brian Cushing, Southern California, 6-3, 243
By the time Cushing flew through the 40-yard dash with a fastest clocking of 4.68 and leaped 35 inches in the vertical jump at the combine, scouts weren't surprised. His ability was obvious during his college career and in Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala., where he appeared to be the best of USC's trio of outstanding linebackers, including Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews, Jr. Cushing played almost every linebacker spot in 2006 to help cover for injuries. That helped improve his versatility, showing he can be left in coverage on tight ends and some backs, to blitz or to read, react and flow to the point of attack. He has a history of knee and ankle problems, but scouts are no longer concerned about his shoulder after he hoisted 225 pounds 30 times at the combine.
3. Clay Matthews, Southern Cal, 6-3, 240
Determination and commitment -- with a possible tip of the hat to genetics -- finally paid off in 2008 for Matthews, who didn't become a full-time starter until three games into last season. He enters this draft with scouts buzzing about his potential after an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Matthews was originally a walk-on at USC before being awarded a scholarship in 2006 based largely or great special teams play, despite the fact that his name was already legendary on campus. His father, Clay, was a Trojan and a linebacker with the Cleveland Browns; his uncle, Bruce, came from USC and then starred with the NFL Oilers/Titans. His grandfather, Clay Sr., was with the 49ers in the 1950s
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois, 6-2, 255
His pass-rushing skills as a defensive end earned English the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors the past two years and now he is having mixed results as he tries to fit in as an outside linebacker, where scouts project him. They liked his quickness and aggressiveness at Senior Bowl practices and he looked explosive at the combine with a vertical jump of 36 inches. But his best 40-yard time was only 4.82 seconds and he was less than fluid in some of the linebacker drills. English relied mainly on straight-line speed to total 16 tackles for a loss and a dozen sacks in 2007, and then added 17 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks last year.
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati, 6-4, 256
Although he was a decent college player catching passes as a tight end, he became an excellent pro prospect catching quarterbacks as a defensive end, where he was moved last year. He shocked scouts at his new position, where his 2008 statistics included 14.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six pass breakups. He already shows the basic skills and instincts necessary to be a force as a linebacker. Because he lacks the size desired for NFL defensive ends, he is expected to move to outside linebacker in somebody's 3-4 alignment, especially after showing amazing innate athleticism at the combine, where his best 40 time was 4.59 and he soared 40.5 inches in the vertical jump.
6. Clint Sintim, Virginia, 6-3, 256
He seems to be a player who can be productive in the NFL, but he may have to move to inside linebacker to minimize his liabilities. Sintim struggled in Senior Bowl practices as an outside linebacker, where his explosion and straight-line speed are overshadowed by his inability to break down and play in space. In college, he started on the outside in 37 consecutive games and was most effective attacking the backfield. He collected nine sacks in 2007 and 11 in 2008 and may be productive as a strict rush linebacker on the outside.
7. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State, 6-1, 239
After laboring in the shadow of better-known teammates such as James Laurinaitis in college, Freeman demanded some attention at the combine with one of the best workouts of any linebacker. He sent scouts scurrying back to watch more game films after flying through 40 yards in 4.67 seconds, leaping 37 inches in the vertical jump and benching 225 pounds 30 times. On film, scouts will see that when Freeman wasn't struggling with leg injuries he actually out-produced Laurinaitis over the past two seasons in terms of solo tackles, 105-102. Freeman was outstanding in the Fiesta Bowl and during Senior Bowl practices.
8. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida, 6-2, 243
This total package is better than the sum of the parts. He isn't as big, as strong or as fast as scouts would like, but manages to be productive whenever he is on the field. He transferred twice, moving from Michigan State, then Iowa State before landing at South Florida. He totaled 129 tackles for the Cyclones in 2006, then added 114 in 2007 and 116 last year for the Bulls. He had an impressive Senior Bowl game, leading the North with six solo tackles and an assist. McKenzie pulled his right hamstring during the second 40-yard run at the combine and settled for a disappointing best time of 4.73. That underscores why he was not used in nickel situations in college and may not be an every down player in the NFL.
9. Cody Brown, Connecticut, 6-2, 242
An athletic and productive defensive end in college, Brown will move to inside linebacker for some NFL team. He collected 32 combined tackles for a loss in each of the past two seasons. Last year he had 10 sacks and four forced fumbles. Scouts liked the way he handled himself as a defensive end during Senior Bowl practices, but he is just not big enough for end in the pros. Brown has unusually long arms (34.5 inches) and big hands (10 1/8 inch) and needs to learn how to use them for leverage to have his way against bigger blockers at the next level.
10. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin, 6-1, 228
Although Casillas' startling speed is obvious on film, and he is reported to have run 40 yards in 4.48 seconds, scouts are still waiting to verify exactly how fast he is. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in December for cartilage damage and was unable to take part in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Senior Bowl, the running events at the combine and his own pro day. He did bench 225 pounds 24 times at the combine, however. Casillas was a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten pick on the weak side, and first gained attention as a true freshman with outstanding special teams play in 2005.
Inside linebackers
1. Rey Maualuga, Southern Cal, 6-2, 249
He plays with the kind of aggression one should expect from a classic inside linebacker, and then some. Maualuga is a menacing bully who manages to get into more than his share of big plays, even on passes. His most obvious negative on the field seems to be over-pursuing, and he will need to play with more control at the next level. That includes off the field, where he has been in trouble more than once. Maualuga impressed scouts with his ability to rush the passer during drills at the Senior Bowl. Although he had no sacks as a senior, he did collect six as a junior. A three-time all-conference selection and 2009 All-American, he can be a difference maker.
2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, 6-2, 244
There are a lot of people pulling for the popular, instinctive Laurinaitis to break a streak of disappointment at the NFL level by standout Ohio State linebackers. Laurinaitis is a three-time All-American who won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in the nation in 2006 and added another Nagurski Award plus the Dick Butkus Award as top linebacker in 2007 and the Lott Trophy as best all-around defensive player in 2008. But he ran only 4.78 in 40 yards at the combine, reminding everybody that Chris Spielman was the last star inside linebacker from Ohio State to earn honors in the NFL. Since then, Craig Powell, Andy Katzenmoyer, A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter have been first-round disappointments. His father was a popular professional wrestler in the 1980s and 1990s, known as "Animal" of the Legion of Doom, The Road Warriors.
3. Darry Beckwith, LSU, 6-0, 242
Here is a classic, old-fashioned inside linebacker who relies on instinct and toughness more than great athleticism to get the job done. His numbers were down while playing in 10 games last year as he finished with 51 tackles and only one for a loss. He understands his place and responsibilities in the defensive scheme and is willing and able to take on blockers, but sometimes has a little trouble shedding them quickly. He ran the 40 in 4.75 seconds at the combine, but was able to manage a 26.5-inch vertical jump. Teams are checking his medical reports closely because he missed games in each of the past three years with knee injuries.
4. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia, 6-1, 236
Injuries have hampered Ellerbe recently as he struggled through 2008 with a sprained knee and wasn't able to do a full workout at the combine because of a torn pectoral muscle. Ellerbe is a bit undersized for the traditional inside linebacker position. He relies on his athleticism and aggression to beat blockers to the ball carrier, but struggles disengaging from blocks when confronted. In 2007 he collected 93 tackles, 12 for a loss while starting at each of the three linebacker positions. But his 2008 season was a disappointment because of a knee sprain and he finished with only 33 tackles.
5. * Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi, 6-3, 231
He is undersized, looks more like a strong safety than a middle linebacker and seems to run around people rather than take them on. But he certainly has the speed to make that tactic work, as evidence by a blistering time of 4.49 seconds in 40 yards at the combine. McRath earned his second consecutive first-team All-Conference USA plaque in 2008, finishing with 137 tackles (78 solo) giving him a career total of 386 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. So he decided it was time to move to the NFL.
6. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 244
McKillop was 2008 Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and twice a unanimous first-team All-Big East linebacker who racked up 288 tackles, 27.5 for loss and seven sacks the past two seasons. He showed potential as a true freshman, stepping in for injured star H.B. Blades to make 13 tackles against West Virginia. He is a productive, instinctive player who sorts through the traffic well to get to the ball carrier and has a sense of how and when to slide through oncoming blockers. Although his best 40-yard time at the combine was only 4.79, he showed he is explosive by bursting through 10 yards in only 1.59 seconds.
7. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina, 6-2, 252
This prospect seems to get more interesting every day. He made an immediate and dramatic impact in 2006 after transferring from Georgia Military College. He built his reputation on being an enforcer, who thumped his way to 107 tackles in 2006. He was sidelined by a knee injury after four games in 2007, and seemed to remake himself last year, dropping almost 20 pounds and improving his speed. At the combine Brinkley sped through 40 yards in 4.67 seconds (1.55 second in 10 yards), leaped 35.5 inches in the vertical jump and showed that he is still plenty strong by benching 225 pounds 26 times. Brinkley has the strength to be a force inside and the speed to rush off the edge. His twin brother, Casper, signed as a free-agent rookie with Carolina last year.
8. Jason Phillips, TCU, 6-1, 239
Although he is not the kind of linebacker who blows people up with his tackles, Phillips is instinctive, persistent and consistent. He totaled 315 career tackles, 7.5 sacks and three interceptions and was the only player in Mountain West Conference history to earn first- or second-team all-conference honors in four consecutive seasons. Scouts were impressed when he was clocked in 4.60 seconds for 40 yards at the combine. He described himself well during interviews, saying, "They're going to get a tough, smart, dedicated, coachable, hard-working player." Phillips played quarterback as well as linebacker in high school.
9. Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic, 6-1, 242
An intense, physical three-year starter with 154 tackles (84 solo) in 2008 when he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors for the second consecutive year. He had 131 tackles in 2007. His 13 tackles in the 2008 Motor City Bowl against Central Michigan demanded attention from pro scouts. Joseph redshirted at Boston College in 2004, sat out 2005 and transferred home to help his mother with finances. At his pro day Feb. 26, Joseph had a best time of only 4.83 but said that didn't matter. "Just put a running back in front of me and let me go," he said.
10. Josh Mauga, Nevada, 6-2-243
He was never named to an all-conference team, but Mauga was versatile enough to make plays regardless of position or scheme. He played outside linebacker in the 3-4 early in his career and then at both the middle and strong-side positions in the 4-3 as a senior. He was the WAC leader in tackles (11.7 per-game average) through the first seven games of the 2007 season, but an MCL injury kept him out until he posted 11 tackles in Nevada's bowl loss to New Mexico. Last season, Mauga played through a torn pectoral muscle, managing 54 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks, but because of the injury he did not work out at the combine.
Frank Cooney is the Publisher of NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange, and has been covering the draft since the 1960s.
