Link 3-4 Outside Linebackers
1. Dion Jordan, Oregon
A natural athlete, Jordan is one of three elite pass rusher available in the draft. He’s a fluid athlete and can drop into coverage and run with running backs and tight ends. He’s a finisher, constantly keeping quarterbacks on the run. He has the frame to bulk up, which teams will likely want him to do in the pros. Overall, he’s a tall, lengthy, athletic pass rusher capable of developing into a perennial 10-sack a season player.
Possible Destinations: Bills, Browns, Eagles, Jaguars, & Jets
2. Jarvis Jones, Georgia
An explosive edge-rushing linebacker, Jones figures to play OLB in a 3-4 or even strong side linebacker in a 4-3. He’s relentless in his pursuit, displaying an excellent finishing motor. In addition, he has the ability to drop back and cover. He was just a one-year starter, though, and he’s still a raw run defender. He’s sometimes overaggressive and teams (particularly Alabama) had success running at him. Because of possible neck and spine issues, teams will thoroughly examine his medical records, though the initial reports sounded a lot worse than reality.
Possible Destinations: Browns, Jets, Saints, Steelers, & Texans
3. Barkevious Mingo, LSU
As a pass rusher, Mingo’s explosive off the ball and turns the corner really well. He’s also physical and isn’t afraid to challenge opposing tackles. He’s an ideal candidate to play 3-4 outside linebacker. However, he does struggle with outside containment, so teams will have early success running at him. His misgivings as a run defender may make him just a situational player.
Possible Destinations: Browns, Jets, Saints, Steelers, & Texans
4. Chase Thomas, Stanford
A well-decorated edge rusher, Thomas was first-team All-American in 2011 and first-team all-conference in 2012. He’s excellent in containment and displays good hustle in tracking down the ball carrier. His lack of athleticism may devalue him in the minds of many, but his tape suggests he’ll develop into a starter.
Possible Destinations: Cardinals, Eagles, Giants, Jets, & Patriots
5. Armonty Bryant, East Central
Bryant was suspended eight games for trying to sell marijuana. On the field, however, he’s a productive pass rusher with good measurables. While his combine 40 may have under whelmed, he’s explosive off the ball and fluid enough to standup and play outside linebacker.
Possible Destinations: Jaguars, Jets, Patriots, Saints, & Steelers
6. Jaime Collins, Southern Miss
An excellent combine has elevated Collins’ draft stock. He shows good containment in the running game, and explodes off the ball in rushing the passer. He also does a nice job of finishing plays. He's a productive mid-round prospect with starting potential.
Possible Destinations: Eagles, Browns, Packers, Saints, & Steelers
7. John Simon, Ohio State
Simon is undersized (6-1 and 257 pounds) to play defensive end, so he’ll transition to linebacker as a pro. He led the Big Ten in sacks per game, so there is pass rushing ability, but he’s bad in space and struggles to defend the pass.
Possible Destinations: Cardinals, Packers, Saints, Steelers, & Texans
8. Corey Lemonier, Auburn
Lemonier had a very good junior year, but his production slipped last season. Nevertheless, he has a high ceiling as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He can rush the quarterback, and he’s a good enough athlete (4.60 40-yard dash) to drop into coverage.
Possible Destinations: Eagles, Packers, Saints, Steelers, & Texans
4-3 Outside Linebackers
1. Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
Greene is an athletic, downhill linebacker. He was very productive in college, earning Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. His height (6-1) may concern some scouts, but he covers well and tackles well. He’s a starting three-down weak side linebacker in the pros.
Possible Destinations: Giants, Jaguars, Lions, Seahawks, & Steelers
2. Arthur Brown, Kansas State
Versatile enough to play in either a 4-3 or 3-4, Brown’s an instinctive starting linebacker. He moves well in traffic and doesn’t miss tackles very often. He also plays well in space and is capable of matching up with running backs in one-on-one situations. He may need to bulk up if a 3-4 team drafts him.
Possible Destinations: Bears, Bills, Broncos, Lions, & Vikings
3. Zaviar Gooden, Missouri
A starting weak-side linebacker, Gooden has excellent closing speed and can run with tight ends. He solidified these facts at the combined with a 4.47 40-yard dash. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher and he lacks scheme versatility. However, he sheds blocks, wraps up well, and plays bigger than his weight of 234.
Possible Destinations: Falcons, Jaguars, Lions, Redskins, & Vikings
4. Sio Moore, Connecticut
Moore took full advantage of the pre-draft process. He opened eyes at the East/West shrine game and the Senior Bowl. He also had a great workout at the combine. He has the strength to play strong side, and athleticism to play weak-side. He’ll need to prove he can run with tight ends at the next level, in addition to covering running backs in the flats.
Possible Destinations: Bills, Falcons, Giants, Jaguars, & Lions,
5. Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
It’s hard to pencil Jenkins in at one position. He’s put together like a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he may not have the athleticism to play the position. His skills do fit a 4-3, where he can play strong side backer on first and second downs, while moving to defensive end on third down to rush the passer.
Possible Destinations: Falcons, Giants, Jaguars, Ravens, & Steelers
Inside Linebackers
1. Alec Ogletree, Georgia
Some off-field issues may cause Ogletree to freefall on draft day. From a talent perspective, however, he’s a top 15 pick. He’s a gifted athlete with a high ceiling. He can defend the pass and shows good pursuit. He does need to do a better job of fighting off blockers while defending the run. Nevertheless, he offers scheme versatility (could play outside in a 4-3) as a three-down starting linebacker.
Possible Destinations: Bears, Giants, Jets, Texans, & Vikings
2. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
Te’o has tremendous instincts and defends the pass very well. He does miss tackles and is terrible at shedding blocks. His play against Alabama and Stanford standout because those are the two best pro-style offenses that Notre Dame played, and frankly, Te’o stunk up the field in both games. Nonetheless, he has a nose for the football and is a productive player. Playing at Notre Dame and contending for the Heisman inflated his stock in the media’s eyes. His girlfriend controversy brought it back to earth. In reality, he’s a polished three-down linebacker that grades out as a second rounder.
Possible Destinations: Broncos, Jaguars, Ravens, Texans, & Vikings
3. Jon Bostic, Florida
A fluid athlete that plays well in space, Bostic ran a 4.61 40-yard dash, which is an outstanding time for a MIKE linebacker. While he’s sometimes late reacting to a play, he offers a physical presence against the run. Overall, he’s a well-put together thumper and his best football is in front of him.
Possible Destinations: Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Texans, & Vikings
4. Kevin Minter, LSU
Minter lacks the versatility to play anywhere other than inside. In addition, he struggles to play in space. Still, he does an outstanding job of diagnosing a play and making the tackle. He also plays downhill and sheds blocks well. His misgivings as an athlete and pass defender may make him a first and second-down player only.
Possible Destinations: Broncos, Jaguars, Texans, Ravens, & Steelers
5. A.J. Klein, Iowa State
Klein has the versatility to play inside or outside linebacker. He’s productive, instinctive, and a good athlete. At nearly 250 pounds, he ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the combine. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher and can’t cover well. Still, he’s an underrated prospect that projects as a two-down starter.
Possible Destination: Broncos, Giants, Jaguars, Jets, & Rams
6. Nico Johnson, Alabama
Johnson takes good angles when tracking down a ball carrier. He tackles well, but doesn’t offer much as an athlete. He’ll struggle in coverage, as a result. He’ll contribute on special teams early, but he has the size and fundamentals to develop into a starter.
Possible Destinations: Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, & Texans
7. Kevin Reddick, North Carolina
Possessing good size and hustle, Reddick is an ideal 3-4 inside linebacker. He displays good fundamentals while tackling and does a good job of anticipating a play. He can also be an effective rusher.
Possible Destinations: Patriots, Ravens, Steelers, & Texans
8. Brandon Hepburn, Florida A&M
A former walk-on prospect, Hepburn offers good size and athleticism. He had a solid combine workout and is coming off a productive season. He has a starter’s skill set, size, and hustle.
Possible Destinations: Bears, Broncos, Giants, Jaguars, & Vikings