Previewing The NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers

by mgrex03 on Feb 21, 2012 10:21 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

One of the lone bright spots for the 2011 Colts was the emergence of MLB Pat Angerer, who at one time was leading the NFL in tackles. The former 2nd round pick had been playing admirably on the outside, but he wasn't nearly as good as he was inside. Now in new Head Coach Chuck Pagano's defense, we're going to start seeing him more in a role like Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis than that of Brian Urlacher. It's one of the few spots on the Colts roster that looks very promising into the future.

With a 3-4 Defense looking inevitable, the sheer number of LBs needs to go up, and that'll be both from getting a couple guys in the draft or through Free Agency, and some of the DEs converting to more of a stand-up role. Several guys, including the much-maligned Jerry Hughes, may see new life in a slightly different role. We may also see Dwight Freeney play a little bit of OLB, and my guess is the Colts will use their Franchise Tag on Robert Mathis until he's signed long term. Just a hunch.

This looks like a position we'll see at least one guy drafted, if not multiples, but it's tough to tell now where they'll go in free agency, so we'll need to look at both inside and outside guys. I've left out three guys that will assuredly not be there at pick #34 in Melvin Ingram, Dont'a Hightower, Courtney Upshaw, and Luke Kuechly, so no need to profile those guys. There are a whole bunch of others though.

After the jump I'll show you the entire group of Linebackers, and give you my favorites in the group.

List of Inside Linebackers to watch at the Scouting Combine for the Colts:

Inside Linebackers
Jr	Player	School	Camp #
*	VONTAZE BURFICT	ARIZONA ST	LB05
	AUDIE COLE	NORTH CAROLINA ST	LB08
	CHRIS GALIPPO	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	LB12
	JAMES-MICHAEL JOHNSON	NEVADA	LB15
	MYCHAL KENDRICKS	CALIFORNIA	LB18
	BOBBY WAGNER	UTAH ST	LB31

List of Outside Linebackers to watch at the Scouting Combine for the Colts:

Outside Linebackers
Jr	Player	School	Camp #
	FRANK ALEXANDER	OKLAHOMA	DL02
	ANDRE BRANCH	CLEMSON	DL05
	VINNY CURRY	MARSHALL	DL13
	BRUCE IRVIN	WEST VIRGINIA	DL25
*	RONNELL LEWIS	OKLAHOMA	DL31
	BRANDON LINDSEY	PITTSBURGH	DL32
	SHEA MCCLELLIN	BOISE ST	DL35
*	NICK PERRY	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA	DL40
	MILES BURRIS	SAN DIEGO ST	LB06
	DEMARIO DAVIS	ARKANSAS ST	LB10
	DARIUS FLEMING	NOTRE DAME	LB11

A couple of my favorites:

Mychal Kendricks - California: A big brusing guy who looks to be a 4-5th round selection. Would be a great complement to Angerer.
Demario Davis - Arkansas St: Had a good Senior Bowl week and will be a 6th-7th rounder. Nice steal potential.
Darius Fleming - Notre Dame: Played in a 3-4 in college, showed some promise late in season, can get to the QB.

Who am I missing? Let me know.

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Comments

Danny Trevathan, OLB, Kentucky

Him and Winston Guy (SS) are about the only two players from my alma mater who will get drafted. Trevathan is one hell of a player. He was first team All SEC this year. He lead the SEC the last two years in tackles and was 6th in nation this year. He also had 3 sacks, 4 ints, and 5 forced fumbles this year. He has good speed and tackling technique. I think he will need to move inside in the 3-4 as he is 6’-1" and 232 lbs. I think he grades out better than Demario Davis who is similar in size. He can be had in the 6th round and would be a nice addition next to Pat Angerer.

by Radcolt on Feb 21, 2012 11:03 PM EST reply actions

as a Louisville graduate

I immediately cringed but this is very true. If Trevathan can be had in the 6th he could be a great hard hitting LBer for YEARS

Follow @Arbuch02

by arbuch02 on Feb 22, 2012 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Being the top defense player in the SEC at any stat is impressive when you aren’t from somewhere like Alabama-you’re up against some solid players. I need to check this guy out.

"We make all the right moves…as long as we have a time machine!"
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by 18forPrez on Feb 22, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

I want to bite and say it's a great find in a sleeper role

but won’t he be a bit undersized at 6 foot ? Guys in a 3-4 OLB role need that length and a bit of size to help knock down passes and strip the ball from QB’s, as well as being stout against the run. Still impressive with regards to his work in the SEC. Definitey not any weak competition in that conference.

BTFU !!

by BoilerMacR on Feb 22, 2012 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

I think he will need to play ILB in the 3 - 4 or the WIL in a 4 - 3 set.

Trevathan along with Angerer and Conner will may a nice core of ILBs. No way is he an OLB in a 3-4 defense. He may even still be a little undersized as an ILB in a 3-4, but he is alot like Angerer in that he is a good tackler. I will take a smaller guy who can tackle over a bigger guy who misses.

by Radcolt on Feb 22, 2012 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

off topic

what defense did Freeney play in college? has he ever played standing up? i love me some Freeney, i just question if he can play that role. i know he is a HOF player and the common wisdom is that he will fit in because of his greatness, but…….

by 12over18 on Feb 22, 2012 12:26 AM EST reply actions

He can rush the passer from every stance or can learn it.

He wouldn’t have to drop into coverage. Some other 3-4 OLBs do just pass rushing too.

by Ty46 on Feb 22, 2012 2:24 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure about college

I do know Freeney is a fantastic fit in Pagano’s hybrid 3-4 scheme as a rush linebacker and in as a 4-3 end in all of the nickel and dime looks. He is only two inches and about ten pounds away from Terrell Suggs.

With Freeney, Mathis (hopefully) and Hughes we won’t have to focus on drafting a OLB high unless there is clear value there. We should however try and get some upside/developmental guys at OLB like:

Shea McClellin – Boise State
Ronnell Lewis – Oklahoma
Keenan Robinson – Texas
Terrell Manning – North Carolina State
Kyle Wilber – Wake Forest
Brett Roy – Nevada

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Feb 22, 2012 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

freeney is 33 and hughes can't even make an impact on special teams

me thinks olb might be more of a concern. plus ronnel lewis is considered a mid second rounder by many.

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Feb 22, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

Elite pass rushers age very well. Freeney will be very productive for at least three more years barring a major injury. Hughes has shown flashes standing up. We’ll see if it finally “clicks” for him this year.

by TrueBlue87 on Feb 22, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Freeney just turned 32 a few days ago

He has to lose a few pounds and play 600-700 snaps only, and he can have 3 more great seasons.

by Ty46 on Feb 23, 2012 3:47 AM EST up reply actions

i'm only speaking of him fitting in the 3-4 in a LB role.

by 12over18 on Feb 22, 2012 12:27 AM EST reply actions

I think of it like this

3-4 + “undersized” + dfreeney = Elvis dumerville. he seemed to do ok in it….

by C Low on Feb 22, 2012 2:41 AM EST via Android app reply actions

As I'm biased, I've always been a fan

of Keenan Robinson from Texas (6’3, 240). Most suited for OLB, probably better in a 4-3. As we’re in a transition stage, it might be interesting to see how his skills would translate. Dude can flat out hit, though. Like a bigger Bob Sanders. Should go in about the 4th or so. If he’s there in the 5th, it’d be a good pick. Another Horn is Emmanual Acho (6’1, 235). Played both inside and out. Solid, different player from his brother, Sam (who had 7 sacks and 3 FF for the Cards as a rookie last year). Projected as a 5th rounder.

"Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you're talking my language. I know this game."
-Charlie

by Addai Another Aday on Feb 22, 2012 3:29 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions

ILB

I think we can find some guys who fit our new scheme at ILB in the late rounds. Its great to have a Ray Lewis but really in a 3-4 scheme like Pagano’s you just need good intincts and tackling which both can be found in the later rounds. Guys like Max Gruder from Pittsburgh and Noah Keller from Ohio.

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Feb 22, 2012 8:42 AM EST reply actions

LB

a bit undersized maybe but then again so is Mathis, but Sean Spence is definitely somebody to look at. the kid makes so many takles has great range, can play coverage and can rush the passer. played in a 4-3 at Miami but his film cannot be denied.

another note, dont know much about him but where is Nigel Braddham projected?

by Tricky Bobby on Feb 22, 2012 8:49 AM EST reply actions

Demario

Demario Davis is going to be a great pick up in the later rounds for someone in my opinion. I have watched him play his entire career and he can lay down some ferocious hits and gets to the ball very quickly. Would love to see the Colts give him a shot.

by CardsFanInAR on Feb 22, 2012 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Dont'a Hightower?

Are you purposefully leaving him off the list? He – like Peter Konz who you also left off your offensive lineman article – is projected to be a mid-to-late 1st, early 2nd pick. I think that any player who is projected at the end of the 1st round – even if there’s a good chance they’ll be gone – should be included in these articles.

I’ve seen enough Mocks that have both Hightower and Konz going anywhere from 29-39 to believe the possibility of them being available for the Colts in the 2nd round.

I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.

by BoilerUp1982 on Feb 22, 2012 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Oh, I see where you mentioned him (the name wasn't highlighted, so I missed it)

It’s not that I don’t think he’ll go before our 2nd pick – it’s just that I’ve seen enough mocks that have him going around our 2nd pick for it to be a tantalizing possibility.

I am a veteran of the Internet - I will suffer fools gladly. And then mock them. And then post cat pictures.

by BoilerUp1982 on Feb 22, 2012 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

No mention of Sean Spence

I love Sean Spence’s instincts at outside linebacker.

He is the kind of instinctive LB that you like to have on your team.

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?prospect_id=2710

Yes, he is 5’11", barely 230 lbs, from the U, but one can never underestimate instincts for a LB, IMO.

by chad72 on Feb 22, 2012 12:09 PM EST reply actions

Round 4

I would love to have him if he is available at the top of round 4 and would not be sad if we picked up at the top of round 3 either. He plays fast, and has range in coverage.

If we let go of Brackett, he would be our coverage LB on the outside. I am not sold on Wheeler’s ability to cover as I am with Wheeler’s ability to blitz. So, if teams spread you out, you need someone like Sean Spence, IMO.

by chad72 on Feb 22, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

exactly

The kid has been the best hurricane on defense the past 4 years in my opinion, even with Allen Bailey and Brandon Harris on the squad. He’s fast and very smart.

by Tricky Bobby on Feb 22, 2012 2:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

oh god

not another miniature linebacker.

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Feb 22, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Though he be but small,

he is Fierce! the dude led the nation or was damn near close to it in tackles for loss last year. and i didnt see him miss a tackle, especially open field all year.

by Tricky Bobby on Feb 22, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

Jameel McClain

I see Pagano going after Jameel McClain so they might not draft an inside linebacker.

by SRBradford on Feb 22, 2012 2:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Free Agents

I would be interested to see what FAs are available for us to pick up to compliment this list

by ohsnap12 on Feb 22, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions

Tavarres Gooden

Not sure if he’s under contract with the Ravens still. Would be a decent pickup, played in the scheme, good size.

by Tricky Bobby on Feb 22, 2012 2:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Tavarres Gooden

Not sure if he’s under contract with the Ravens still. Would be a decent pickup, played in the scheme, good size.

by Tricky Bobby on Feb 22, 2012 2:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Darius Fleming

As a Notre Dame fan whose watched Darius Fleming fail to reach his potential over the last four seasons, I want the Colts to stay far, far away from this kid.

He plays small, habitually gets manhandled by TEs and single linemen, and over pursues plays like nobody’s business. He does, however, have an uncanny knack for showing up late to the play. And saving his best efforts for lesser opponents. He’s not big enough, strong enough, or quick enough to play OLB in an NFL 3-4 defense.

In this guy’s opinion Darius Fleming’s NFL career will be briefer than his stint at ND, and equally disappointing . . .

by phony on Feb 22, 2012 9:59 PM EST reply actions