The 2014 NFL Draft features a versatile group of outside linebackers. There’s excellent overall prospects like UCLA’s Anthony Barr and Buffalo’s Khalil Mack, as well as good looking pass-rushers like Alabama’s Adrian Hubbard and California’s Chris McCain.
1. Anthony Barr, UCLA (Top 10)
Anthony Barr is a long and highly athletic linebacker prospect. His athleticism makes him a versatile player capable of playing in multiple systems. This scheme versatility is what sets him apart from previous highly-rated linebacker prospects in recent years.
Most will point to Barr’s pass-rush ability as the most important part of his game. However, his balance in coverage is also a key. Barr is the type of player who will make an impact on all three downs.
However, I’d like to see him improve his overall pass-rush skills. Barr needs to learn to use his hands better so that he can keep clean. While teams are looking for all-around players, the ability to rush the passer is still king.
2. Khalil Mack, Buffalo (1st Round)
Khalil Mack doesn’t get the same type of national attention as Anthony Barr, but he isn’t far behind as a prospect. Mack is an explosive player who uses his long arms and feel for the game to make plays from sideline to sideline.
Buffalo uses Mack all over the field from outside linebacker, defensive end to defensive tackle. He’s a tenacious player who’s always giving 100% effort. Mack complements his high motor with excellent instincts. There’re very little wasted movements or missteps in his game.
I have a hard time seeing a scenario where Mack doesn’t work his way into the first-round mix by the end of the draft process.
3. Adrian Hubbard, Alabama (1st Round)
Adrian Hubbard possesses the natural talent needed to develop into a difference maker at the next level. His combination of long arms, an explosive first step and balance helps him generate pressure on the quarterback.
However, I have questions about Hubbard’s level of effort. He appears to be playing at only half speed which results in a lot of missed opportunities. These questions surrounding his effort become more apparent when Hubbard flashes his natural athleticism.
At this point, I see Hubbard as a boom or bust type prospect. He could end up working his way into the top of the first round or find himself falling to the later rounds.
4. Lamin Barrow, LSU (Late 1st Round)
Lamin Barrow is a solid all-around linebacker prospect whose real strength his ability to hold up in coverage. Barrow’s balance and fluid movements allow him to drop into coverage, move with the target and break on the ball. He even flashes enough quickness to stick with tight ends and running backs in one-on-one situations.
Barrow isn’t just a one-dimensional player, as he also does a good job supporting the run. He has a good feel for reading his keys which helps him quickly work towards the ball carrier. Adding some more strength and learning to use his hands at the point of attack will increase his overall effectiveness.
5. Carl Bradford, Arizona State (Late 1st Round)
Arizona State uses Carl Bradford all over the field at positions like outside linebacker, defensive end and even middle linebacker. Because he plays so many different roles it’s tough to get a great feel for his overall potential.
However, Bradford shows the athleticism and fluidity to fit as a traditional linebacker. He plays with a low pad level and quickly reacts to his reads. Bradford’s future position will also include rushing the quarterback.
While he needs to develop more pass-rush moves, he shows a natural feel for generating pressure on the quarterback.
6. Chris McCain, California (2nd Round)
Chris McCain is a long and explosive athlete who thrives at generating pressure on the quarterback. He uses a combination of his long arms, violent hands, change of direction and quick burst to wreak havoc in the backfield.
McCain also plays with a really high motor and is always attacking the quarterback. The only real concern surrounding his game is his lack of bulk. McCain is really thin through the hips which limits his ability to hold up against the run.
However, he’s sudden enough to get around a potential block and still make a play. Don’t be surprised if you hear some comparisons to Dion Jordan, as McCain has that type of upside.
7. Christian Jones, Florida State (2nd Round)
Christian Jones features the size and athletic ability needed to make plays from sideline to sideline. His quickness also helps him hold up in coverage where he shows a good feel for the routes developing around him.
Jones does a good job avoiding wasted movements against the run. This relates to his ability to quickly read his keys and explode to the ball carrier.
8. Prince Shembo, Notre Dame (3rd Round)
Prince Shembo makes more solid plays than he does game-changing plays. He brings the versatility to rush the passer, set the edge against the run and drop into coverage. Shembo does all of those things well, but doesn’t really stand out in one area.
His ability to generate pressure on the quarterback is somewhat limited by his lack of arm length and elite speed. This is why you’ll see Notre Dame drop him back into coverage more often than expected.
In coverage, Shembo shows good balance and a feel for the developing routes. In order to improve his draft stock, Shembo needs to show a better burst off the ball and more consistency getting to the quarterback.
9. Jeremiah Attachu, Georgia Tech (3rd Round)
Jeremiah Attachu uses a combination of leverage and quickness to produce impact plays. He has good awareness which helps him get a jump off the snap and use his short-area burst to close on the quarterback. Attachu also does a great job getting inside hand placement and employing a power rush.
That leverage also comes in handy against the run where Attachu does a great job setting the edge. He consistently makes plays away from his frame because of his closing burst and ability to disengage.
The concern with Attachu is that he’s undersized and isn’t a real fit at defensive end. He also has little experience dropping into coverage where he has a tendency to play too high. While Attachu shows potential, he might be limited to a specific role.
10. Kyle Van Noy, BYU (3rd Round)
BYU uses Kyle Van Noy mostly as a pass-rusher out of a 3-4 alignment. However, he lacks the explosiveness to consistently generate pressure from this spot at the next level. His ability to pressure the quarterback at BYU is thanks to his long arms and snap awareness.
Van Noy appears to be a better fit as a traditional outside linebacker in a 4-3 set. Here his ability to hold up in coverage and play the run will overshadow his limited pass-rushing skills.
11. Dion Bailey, USC (3rd Round)
USC plans to shift Dion Bailey to safety for the upcoming season, but he still might have a future as a linebacker. Bailey plays with quickness and balance which is why USC feels comfortable moving him to another position.
The outcome of this experiment is still tough to predict, but either way NFL teams will give Bailey a look. His versatility is something that could be a real benefit at the next level.
NFL offenses continue to focus heavily on the pass. A safety/linebacker hybrid like Bailey would help take away some potential mismatches because of his ability to both play the run and pass.
12. Trevor Reilly, Utah (4th Round)
Trevor Reilly is an athletic and balanced football player. Utah uses him to set the edge against the run, to rush the passer and drop back in coverage. His balance and low pad level help make him a very good coverage linebacker. He also has a feel for the routes developing around him. Against the run, Reilly shows good instincts and the quickness to close on the ball. However, he needs to get stronger in order to hold at the point of attack and stay on his feet.
Reilly shows the ability to generate pressure on the quarterback as a blitzer, but doesn’t appear to be a real natural pass rusher. This is why he might be a better fit on the outside of a 4-3 defense.
13. Ryan Shazier, Ohio State (5th Round)
Ryan Shazier has the athleticism to make plays from his linebacker position, but lacks the necessary instincts. Shazier plays way to hesitant which results in most of his tackles being made several yards down the field.
It also allows the offensive linemen to get reach him at the second level and keeping him away from the ball carrier. Shazier is more of a catcher who doesn’t deliver big hits on a consistent basis. Overall, I don’t see the hype on this player and he needs to show some major improvements.
14. Dee Ford, Auburn (5th Round)
Dee Ford is a decent pass rusher who creates pressure because of his hand usage, ability to maintain leverage and change of direction skills. The issue is that Ford lacks elite explosiveness and isn’t someone who’ll consistently get the edge.
He’s more of an average all-around athlete who needs to win with technique and savvy. There’s a spot in the NFL for someone like Ford, but he has limited upside. He’s also looking at playing more of a defensive end role rather than outside linebacker.
15. Jonathan Brown, Illinois (5th Round)
Jonathan Brown is physically talented, but lacks the instincts and decisiveness to consistently make plays on the football. He waits too long to read the play and doesn’t have the elite explosiveness to make up for his slow reads. Brown also has issues with his tackling, as he doesn’t wrap up which leads to a lot of broken tackles by the offensive player. Overall, this is a player who flashes from time to time but isn’t a consistent playmaker.
16. Hayes Pullard, USC (5th Round)
Hayes Pullard shows good size and athleticism for the position, but plays a hesitant brand of football. This was especially true against Oregon where he was very stationary and slow to react to the read option. There just isn’t anything really exciting that makes him standout from other players at his position. His lack of intensity and tenacity is also a concern as he'll give up on plays from time to time. One positive, Pullard’s balance and athleticism allow him to hold up in coverage.
17. Joe Windsor, North Illinois (7th Round)
Joe Windsor is an undersized defensive line/linebacker prospect. He shows some good quickness, but doesn’t have the elite explosiveness needed to overcome his small stature. Windsor creates most of his pressure because of his work ethic and ability to get thin. However, this isn’t someone who projects well to the next level.