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Outside Linebacker Profiles
By: John McMullen
The outside linebackers are the weakest in years. The only real top guys are Jevon Kearse who is a hybrid and I believe his future is at defensive end and Clemson junior Rahim Abdullah who has declared. After that, it's time to get out the dart board. Here are the top guys: *Note that Kearse and Burke were also listed at defensive end as it is unclear whether the team selecting them will play them there or at outside linebacker.
- Jevon Kearse Florida 6-5 255
Kearse is a junior who will almost surely come out. He has already positioned himself as the number one pass rush prospect in the draft and another year will do little to increase his value. Jevon is a true, natural speed rusher from the edge with a high motor and sideline to sideline mentality. He has linebacker like speed & athletic ability and puts constant pressure on opposing QB's. He is almost impossible to block one on one by the bigger, slower offensive tackles but on the downside, at 255 pounds Kearse is a tweener who will be buried at the point of attack by the Boselli's, Roaf's and Steussie's of the world. Early on, Jevon will probably be used as a nickel pass rusher or standup outside linebacker in the NFL until he puts on a few more pounds. Because of his athletic ability, Kearse is a certain top 10 pick but probably doesn't have the instincts to play linebacker so end will be his spot. In the long run, he may end up being a one dimensional player ALA Derrick Thomas but it's a dimension every team needs.
- Rahim Abdullah Clemson 6-6 230
Abdullah is a tall slender guy with great athletic ability. He has great speed and with his long legs can cover a large distance very quickly. It's clear that Abdullah must be a run and chase blitz linebacker who will have to be protected against the running game. Abdullah has the special qualities to be a dominant, game changing pass rusher but he may be a boom or bust pick.
- Gary Stills West Virginia 6-1 236
Stills may be the most complete outside backer in the draft and yet may not go in the first round. What does that tell you about this draft ? Anyway, Stills is a real high energy player whose motor never shuts down and loves to fly all over the field. He lacks great speed but plays faster than his stopwatch speed. Stills loves to fill the hole and lay people out and is pretty good versus the pass but like most college backers, he must improve his man to man coverage skills. Stills has had some knee problems and was asked to blitz too much with the Mountaineers so how he plays in space has to be a question mark.
- Adrian Dingle Clemson 6-2 274
The other linebacker at Clemson. Dingle is a massive sized guy who is an excellent run stopper with the ability to be an upper echelon SAM linebacker in the right system. He has the great size and above average athletic ability that make him a natural to line up over the tight end. He generally has played pretty well versus the pass and has shown the ability to turn his hips and drop or cover the tight end and running back in man to man situations. Overall, I think that Dingle has a great upside and has the potential to be a real impact player.
- Tom Burke Wisconsin 6-4 249
Burke is another athletic, undersized defensive end who is quick pass rush guy and may have the ability to be stand up rush linebacker. Obviously at 250, Burke is too small to hold up at the point of attack as an everydown defensive end but he does have enough skills to be a pretty good NFL player at either position.
- Warrick Holdman Texas A&M 6-2 234
Holdman is a more complete linebacker than most. He is athletic and fairly active. He can play the run, turn his hips and get into coverage as well.
- Hannibal Navies Colorado 6-3 245
Navies has the size and speed that are impressive to NFL teams and that's why I have him rated so highly. However, at this point, Hannibal really lacks instincts and is more of an athlete than a player. With sound and patient coaching, he does have the natural cover skills to develop into a player but you are unquestionably looking at a project.
- Mike Peterson Florida 6-2 224
Peterson is a small but productive college linebacker. He was a defensive back early in his career so obviously he has the skills and athleticism to handle pass coverage but he lacks the bulk and strength to be a big time contributor stopping the run. A couple more years developing his body will help him and his frame looks like it could add another 10 or fifteen pounds with no problem.
- Joey Porter Colorado State 6-3 235
Porter is another hybrid who mainly played defensive end in college but just won't have the size to do it in the NFL. He has enough speed and pass rush skills to get a look as a 3-4 rush linebacker but with Dom Capers most likely leaving Carolina and Dick Lebeau on the hot seat as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, those spots are drying up.
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