Editor's Note: Based solely on how each player would transition to the NFL in a 4-3 scheme.
Look at any current rankings of the best linebackers in the college ranks and you will surely see UCLA's Anthony Barr at the top of every list, and rightfully so. Barr had a monster sophomore campaign last season notching over 20 tackles for loss while never playing the position before.
Safe to say after switching from running back as a freshman, Barr has the highest ceiling and most potential of all the prospects at the linebacker position. However, as time has gone on and continues to move forward it seems the gap is closing between Barr and other top linebackers like Alabama's C.J. Mosley and Buffalo's Khalil Mack.
While that shouldn't be taken as knock on Barr who put together another impressive 2013 campaign, it does signify that guys like Mosley and Mack are more NFL ready where as Barr will go into the next level raw in many areas and have question marks surrounding some certain aspects of his game.
While some linebacker prospects are set in stone as to what position they will play at the next level, for players like Barr and others with hybrid capabilities it is a wait and see approach. Although in general there are plenty of great linebacker prospects that will enter the draft oozing with talent, today we dig in and break down the best pure 4-3 outside linebackers based of current rankings, NFL potential, and familiarity at the position.
5. Christian Jones, Florida State
In a defense that was filled with fast and athletic players, Jones was the role model for success, showing off his quick style of play and natural football instincts.
Jones was so athletic his coach plugged him in at the defensive end position mid way through the season after the loss of Bjorn Werner and Tank Carridine proved to be too much, and needed a pass rusher off the edge.
Jones' numbers fell after the switch but still managed 7.5 tackles for loss. Jones' technique at the end position was impressive and a display of his versatility, but teams will draft him as 4-3 linebacker as that is where is looks the most comfortable and natural.
A three year starter for the Seminoles Jones led his team in tackles last year with 95 while adding seven more tackles for loss. At 6'4" 232 pounds he has the combination of size and quickness coaches fall in love with his ability to move sideline to sideline in the 4-3 scheme.
4. Khalil Mack, Buffalo
Playing for a "smaller" school like Buffalo, Mack never got the attention he deserved after dominating his competition earlier in his career. That is until he showcased his talents for the world in his week one performance against Braxton Miller and the Ohio State Buckeyes where he had nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown, starting his season with a bang.
Mack finished with another impressive season to add to his already lengthy resume notching 94 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Heading into 2013, Mack already had 56 tackles for loss giving him a total of 75 for his career.
Now with the spotlight shining, bright scouts have broken down the 6'3" 245 pounder and have found Mack the important tools you want when looking for an outside linebacker to add to your team. Mack is fast and lays the wood with vicious big hits due to his aggressive "downhill" attacking approach. An instinctive player that possess elite pursuit skills has the word "playmaker" written all over him.
His downhill approach may give some teams the urge to plug him into a 3-4 role as an edge rusher letting him get into the backfield more often however, his numbers indicate he's more than capable dropping back into coverage and using his athletic ability to make plays in any defense.
3. Anthony Barr, UCLA
Don't get your panties in a bunch, Barr is a super star athlete, however, there is some things you should know about him before your team invests a top-10 pick in next years draft. Barr was moved from a running back to the linebacker position a season ago and dominated everyone in his way; collecting 13 sacks, 83 tackles, and 21.5 tackles for loss.
Proving it wasn't a fluke, he did it again in 2013 putting up 20 more tackles for loss, 10 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 62 tackles.
The 6'4" 235 pound athlete has plenty to like as his raw skill set is filled with potential. However, to say he is a lock to be a pro-bowl player for years to come like many have already done would be foolish.
When looking at the tape, Barr shows the flashes of brilliance followed by plenty of quiet moments.
It seems to be if Barr is unable to beat his opponent with speed, he isn't able to beat them at all. A lack of strength, counter moves, and low pad level raises more questions than answers when breaking down the physical talent and makes him a more risky pick than first glance.
The potential is their for Barr to be a dominant player but will need the right coaching mixed with patience similar to a guy like Dion Jordan from Oregon was last year (drafted second overall in 2013 NFL draft). With his biggest strength speed off the edge he would ideally thrive in a 3-4 scheme.
However, being as raw as he is, if a team wanted to draft him as a 4-3 linebacker or thought his potential was too good to pass up at a certain draft slot, by no means would his talents be going to waste, however they wouldn't would be maximizing his abilities out of the gate needing even more time for him to develop and grow into the scheme.
2. Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
Shazier is the best pure weak-side linebacker of them all. He's not just the fastest linebacker in the country he's one of the fastest players in the country. If you want speed, Shazier is your guy. The 6'2" 225 pound linebacker is projected to run a 4.4 40 time in Indianapolis to prove to the world what the film shows, he's fast! The best sideline-to-sideline player out there, Shazier uses his incredible instincts to get the first step off the snap and burst through the line of scrimmage and track the ball carrier down.
Shazier led the Big Ten in tackles this season with 134 while showing off his explosiveness with 22.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and six sacks. A perfect fit for any coaches 4-3 system as the weak side linebacker where he can use his freakish ability to rush the passer and roam the field making splash plays. Like most transitioning from college to the pros, Shazier will need to add some bulk and power to his long and lanky frame as he has a tough time taking on blockers from time to time trying to use his speed around them as opposed to taking them head on with his strength.
Coverage certainly isn't his biggest weapon at this point either although he isn't bad. His speed allows him to excel in the zone coverage blanketing receivers on drag routes and running backs out of the flats. Projected as a fringe first rounder as of now, I fully expect Shazier's draft stock to explode after the combine when he showcases his speed for everyone to see.
1. C.J. Mosley, Alabama
You heard me say Shazier is the best pure 4-3 weak side linebacker, so your probably wondering why Mosley is ranked higher. Unlike Shazier who excels at certain things but has areas to improve, Mosley doesn't have a weakness to his game. Mr. Do-It-All, Mosley is the guy coaches will feel most confident plugging him in week one as their new starting linebacker.
The most consistent linebacker in the nation Mosley didn't have one "off" game where he was unable to make an impact. Instead he flew around the field for four quarters in all 12 games totaling 102 tackles with nine tackles for loss. In fact, Mosley has made a knack for playing his best when the lights were shining the brightest, posting 14 tackles against Auburn, 12 against LSU, and 12 against Texas A&M.
His quickness and rare instincts help him dominate his opponents. The 6'2" 235 beast is the most well rounded linebacker on the list excelling in the run game, pass coverage, and blitzing. As the NFL has moved to a pass-happy league, Mosley's pass coverage skills are what coaches and scouts will be impressed with the most. A rare and special talent you just don't see from the position anymore, Mosley is a phenomenal defender in man coverage, zone coverage, and rushing the passer during passing downs.
A combination that hasn't been seen since Brian Urlacher. Yeah, I said it. While Barr may be selected higher than him based off of pure potential and while Shazier will run laps around him at the combine, it's Mosley's fine tuned game and technique in all aspects that makes him the most polished and most NFL ready 4-3 linebacker in this year's draft.