2011 3-4 OLB prospects

CoachingMatters · 2011-03-13T13:23:22-07:00

I was looking for a list of 3-4 OLB prospects and I didnt see one here so I went google hunting and came up with this. Anyone have any names to add? Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M - Scouting Report Height: 6-3. Weight: 246. Projected 40 Time: 4.58. Combine 40 Time: 4.46. Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49. Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 37. Arm: 33 1/2. Projected Round (2011): Top 5 Pick. 3/10/11: Von Miller's "official" 40 time at the Combine was 4.53. He went 4.49 at his Pro Day, solidifying his top-five status. 3/1/11: Von Miller is a stud. He ran a 4.46 40 and notched a 37-inch vertical at 6-3, 246. Miller also thrived in the drills; as Warren Sapp watched Miller dropping into coverage, he remarked, "You're either born with that, or you're not." Miller won't fall past the Cardinals at No. 5. 1/30/11: Looks like Adam Schefter was right on the money when he tweeted that Von Miller would be a top-five pick this April. Miller was the best player on the field in the Senior Bowl. He completely disrupted the North team's offense, even collecting a sack out of the defensive end position. It's hard to imagine the Cardinals passing on him (though the Bills may take him at No. 3). 10/8/10: Miller has been battling an injured ankle all season and that's why he hasn't lived up to his preseason billing. However, despite not playing very well, we know he's hurt and this shows how tough he is. Playing through pain is something you will have to do in the NFL and Miller isn't a pansy - we know this now. Once he's healthy, then we can start to fairly evaluate his game. 5/7/10: Had an amazing 21.5 TFL and 16.5 sacks in 2009. Also broke up five passes. Von Miller even beat Russell Okung a few times in their epic matchup. 11/20/09: Compares to Elvis Dumervil; undersized but makes up for it with relentless pass rushing. Von Miller has 18.5 TFL and 15 sacks as a junior, beating Russell Okung on a few occasions. Any 3-4 team would love to have him. Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina Height: 6-4. Weight: 265. Projected 40 Time: 4.60. Combine 40 Time: 4.67. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 34. Arm: 34. Projected Round (2011): Top 10 Pick. 3/1/11: The way Mike Mayock was ranting and raving about Robert Quinn, I was expecting the North Carolina pass rusher to turn Pepsi into Pepsi Throwback at the Combine. Unfortunately, Quinn ran a 4.67 40 and notched a 34-inch vertical. Those aren't terrible numbers by any means, but Quinn failed to match Mayock's expected 4.55. Prior to Monday's workout, Mayock speculated that Quinn could contend for the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Not so much now. 10/8/10: Quinn is still out indefinitely with an NCAA eligibility issue. There is no denying Quinn's elite talent. He's a flexible, coordinated athlete with a tremendous first step and speed off the edge. We're hoping Quinn plays the second half of the season for the Tar Heels. 5/5/10: Currently the No. 1 pick in Matt McGuire's 2011 NFL Mock Draft, Robert Quinn had 19 TFL and 11 sacks as a mere sophomore in 2009. Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri Height: 6-4. Weight: 263. Projected 40 Time: 4.64. Combine 40 Time: 4.74. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 34. Arm: 35 3/8. Projected Round (2011): Top 15 Pick. 5/5/10: Aldon Smith managed 19 TFL and 11.5 sacks as a freshman in 2009. Smith and Nick Perry will be in the top 10-15 of my 2012 NFL Mock Draft, coming this summer. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA - Scouting Report Height: 6-3. Weight: 254. Projected 40 Time: 4.64. Combine 40 Time: 4.80. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 31. Arm: 33. Projected Round (2011): Top 30 Pick. 10/8/10: I loved Ayers' game tape against Texas. He can drop in coverage, play the run, and really compete on the field. There is no denying his talent level, but when I watched his game against Washington State he was a little invisible and didn't make his presence felt enough. As a pass-rusher, he is a little overrated - I just haven't seen it yet, but some coach will believe he can be taught. 5/7/10: Akeem Ayers had 12.5 TFL and five sacks as a mere sophomore. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona Height: 6-3. Weight: 263. Projected 40 Time: 4.79. Combine 40 Time: 4.66. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 30. Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 32 1/4. Projected Round (2011): 2. 1/30/11: Along with Sam Acho and Phil Taylor, Brooks Reed helped the South destroy the North's offensive line. Reed embarrassed Anthony Castonzo in the second quarter. Like Acho, Brooks had a sack and two TFLs. 1/28/11: I thought Brooks Reed looked very good in the drills during the South Team practice. You have to love his non-stop motor. 10/8/10: I like his hustle and instincts, but he's a mediocre talent who looks like a rotational player at the next level. Sam Acho, DE/OLB, Texas Height: 6-2. Weight: 262. Projected 40 Time: 4.60. Combine 40 Time: 4.63. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 33.5. Arm: 33.5. Projected Round (2011): 2. 1/30/11: Sam Acho had a sack in the Senior Bowl, beating the heralded Nate Solder. He also notched two TFLs and a forced fumble. Acho, who has great quickness, really benefited from this performance because this draft class is really lacking in 3-4 pass rushers once you get past the elite guys and Justin Houston. 10/8/10: He puts up the stats, but on tape Acho gets a lot of his sacks and tackles off stunts and missed blocking assignments. He has some talent and physical skill, but he's a bit finesse and technically raw. 5/5/10: Sam Acho had a great first season of high productivity, generating 13 TFL and seven sacks as a junior. Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh Height: 6-3. Weight: 264. Projected 40 Time: 4.74. Combine 40 Time: 4.66. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: 31. Arm: 33 1/2. Projected Round (2011): 2-3. 10/8/10: When Sheard brings his "A" game you see a second-round pick. However, I have seen too much bad tape to really be high on him. He isn't consistently tough and I don't always see an effective pass-rusher. Maybe he will pick up his game as the year goes along, but for the moment his play warrants his draft projection. 5/5/10: With Greg Romeus drawing touble teams, Jabaal Sheard was able to garner 10.5 TFL and five sacks in 2009. Dontay Moch, DE/OLB, Nevada Height: 6-1. Weight: 248. Projected 40 Time: 4.42. Combine 40 Time: 4.45. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: 42. Arm: 33. Projected Round (2011): 3-4. 3/1/11: Dontay Moch was supposed to blow up the Combine, but his 4.45 40 is the fastest for any linebacker at the Combine in at least a decade. He also tied the Combine record for a vertical leap by a linebacker (42 inches). Moch is very raw, but obviously presents a ton of upside. 10/8/10: Moch had a lot of hype entering the season with his elite speed and athleticism, but he really has no clue how to play football, and on tape he reminded me of Vernon Gholston. He has absolutely no instincts and is very soft. He is the definition of a workout warrior. I'm not sold on him as an 3-4 rush linebacker either because he his instincts really hurt him and all he can do is use his first step and speed rush. 5/7/10: Dontay Moch qualified for the All-WAC First Team with a whopping 20 TFL and 6.5 sacks in 2009. Bruce Miller, DE/OLB, Central Florida Height: 6-1. Weight: 254. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Combine 40 Time: 4.82. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 35. Vertical: 31. Arm: 30 3/4. Projected Round (2011): 3-5. 10/8/10: Miller lacks the athleticism and talent to go much higher than this. He is a very good college player, but he doesn't translate to the NFL very well. 5/7/10: A terrifying pass-rusher, Bruce Miller collected 17 TFL and 12 sacks in 2009. Thomas Keiser, DE/OLB, Stanford Height: 6-5. Weight: 252. Projected 40 Time: 4.75. Combine 40 Time: . Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 4-6. Chris Carter, DE/OLB, Fresno State Height: 6-1. Weight: 248. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Combine 40 Time: 4.66. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: 36. Arm: 33. Projected Round (2011): 4-6. 5/7/10: Another very small rush linebacker, Chris Carter accumulated 13 TFL and five sacks as a junior. Cheta Ozougwu, DE/OLB, Rice Height: 6-2. Weight: 247. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Combine 40 Time: 4.86. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: 34.5. Arm: 31. Projected Round (2011): 4-6. 5/5/10: Managed just 2.5 TFL and one sack in 2009. 8/8/09: Couldn't get a sack as a sophomore, but managed four TFL. Jeremy Beal, DE/OLB, Oklahoma - Scouting Report Height: 6-2. Weight: 262. Projected 40 Time: 4.76. Combine 40 Time: 5.13. Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 28.5. Arm: 33. Projected Round (2011): 4-6. 3/1/11: After a horrific showing at the Senior Bowl, Jeremy Beal needed a strong Combine. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Beal ran a dreadful 5.13 40 and was sluggish in the drills. He is looking like a late-round pick at best right now. 1/27/11: Another poor day for Jeremy Beal. He didn't look right standing up and has been ineffective in the one-on-one drills all week. 1/26/11: Jeremy Beal had no answer for Gabe Carimi in their one-on-one matchup. Several scouts were down on Beal going into the Senior Bowl, and the Oklahoma pass-rusher is not off to a good start. 10/8/10: Beal is on a mission. He is showing good speed off the edge, and I love his second effort as a pass rusher. His stock is on the rise - he has 8.5 TFL, six sacks, and three forced fumbles through four games this season and is looking like a marginal first-rounder. 5/5/10: Finished his junior season with 19 TFL and 11 sacks. A 4-3 right end. Steven Friday, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech Height: 6-4. Weight: 252. Projected 40 Time: 4.66. Combine 40 Time: . Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 5-7. 10/8/10: Friday is a little bit of a sleeper. He has a terrific burst off the edge and nice speed, and shows the ability to dip and rip. He can drop in coverage and shows good range. Friday has 21 tackles, 7.5 TFL, four sacks and two forced fumbles on the year. Wayne Daniels, DE/OLB, TCU Height: 6-1. Weight: 255. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Combine 40 Time: 5.12. Pro Day 40 Time: 4.96. Benchx225: . Vertical: 29. Arm: 33. Projected Round (2011): 5-7. 5/7/10: Wayne Daniels had nine TFL and 5.5 sacks while playing second fiddle to Jerry Hughes as a junior. Brian Duncan, DE/OLB, Texas Tech Height: 6-1. Weight: 248. Projected 40 Time: 4.70. Combine 40 Time: . Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 6-FA. 1/26/11: Brian Duncan had 12 TFL and seven sacks in 2010. Rodney Gnat, DE/OLB, Louisville Height: 6-3. Weight: 2254. Projected 40 Time: 4.74. Combine 40 Time: . Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 7-FA. 10/8/10: Head Coach Charlie Strong seems to have had an effect on Gnat's play. He has already notched five sacks on the year. Kenny Rowe, DE/OLB, Oregon Height: 6-2. Weight: 230. Projected 40 Time: 4.68. Combine 40 Time: DNP. Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86. Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 32.5. Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 7-FA. 3/11/11: You typically want to see explosion out of a pass-rushing linebacker. Kenny Rowe's 40 (4.86) and vertical (32.5) seem to indicate that he has no explosion. 5/7/10: Kenny Rowe is a tremendous pass-rusher. He had 15 TFL and 11 sacks in 2009. He'll have to put on about 10 more pounds and maintain his speed, however. Chris Walker, DE/OLB, Tennessee Height: 6-3. Weight: 232. Projected 40 Time: 4.65. Combine 40 Time: . Pro Day 40 Time: . Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: . Projected Round (2011): 7-FA. 5/7/10: Chris Walker really needs to bulk up and increase production. He had 6.5 TFL and four sacks playing defensive end at 232 pounds for the Vols in 2009. http://walterfootball.com/draft2011OLB3-4.php [ Edited by CoachingMatters on Mar 13, 2011 at 13:56:16 ]

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:28 PM

Travisty13
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Ryan Kerrigan and Aldon Smith

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:29 PM

vrabbit
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Posts: 35,953

how is Acho on this list?

Also, Beal will struggle as a 3-4 OLB IMO, he's more of a 4-3 DE

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:40 PM

WillistheWall
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Posts: 22,848

Originally posted by vrabbit:
how is Acho on this list?

Also, Beal will struggle as a 3-4 OLB IMO, he's more of a 4-3 DE

You mean where is Acho right? Because I definitely think he can play OLB, he tested pretty fast at the combine and is pretty athletic. But yeah, I agree he should be on this list. And Beal ran like a 5.1 which pretty much wrecked his draft stock. He went from being a 2nd or 3rd to maybe a 6th or 7th IMO.

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:42 PM

ColdFan
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Posts: 231

FYI, the list you took was copied from an October list on the WalterFootball.com website under 2011 NFL Draft Prospects, 3-4 Rush Linebackers. Please note that the list is updated with some regularity and the latest version (as of March 11) is available now at the site. The latest version includes new info and changed ratings based on the events to date, including end of season, combine, and pro days. From a quick glance, there has been a fair amount of movement in these ratings. I would post a link if I were smart enough.
I think the Draft Tek (sic probably) prospect rankings also indicates what they consider to be the primary and secondary positions (such as 3-4 OLB, 3-4 DE) but I'm not sure if you can sort that to weed out the positions of interest. Hope this helps. Cheers.

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:45 PM

OnTheClock
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Posts: 38,567

Virtually all of these size dimensions are off. Beal timed in the 5.1's -- probably not going to play OLB. Steven Friday checked in I believe in the 220's, too small for the 3-4.

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:45 PM

ColdFan
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Posts: 231

I just noticed the postings made when I was writing my response. Please note that Acho is #6 and Beal #13 on the March 11 list on the WalterFootball site.

Mar 13, 2011 at 1:57 PM

CoachingMatters
Member
Posts: 364

Originally posted by ColdFan:
I just noticed the postings made when I was writing my response. Please note that Acho is #6 and Beal #13 on the March 11 list on the WalterFootball site.

I changed it thanks. Not a lot of info out there on this.

Mar 13, 2011 at 2:17 PM

Travisty13
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Posts: 5,269

Originally posted by CoachingMatters:
Originally posted by ColdFan:
I just noticed the postings made when I was writing my response. Please note that Acho is #6 and Beal #13 on the March 11 list on the WalterFootball site.

I changed it thanks. Not a lot of info out there on this.

Why still no Kerrigan? Do you not think he's a potential 3-4 OLB?

Mar 13, 2011 at 5:27 PM

BillWalsh
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Posts: 181

It says Dontay Moch's 40 time was the fastest in a decade for a linebacker but Patrick Williis ran something like a 4.38 at the combine.

Mar 13, 2011 at 6:07 PM

#10

m_brockalexander
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Posts: 13,379

My wish list
Miller
Quinn
Reed
Kerrigan
A. Smith
Acho
B Miller
Keiser

Buyer beware
Ayers
Moch - Mike Mamula and Vernon Gholston all over again
Sheard
Beal
Friday
Daniels

Mar 13, 2011 at 6:15 PM

#11

genus49
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Posts: 28,455

Originally posted by BillWalsh:
It says Dontay Moch's 40 time was the fastest in a decade for a linebacker but Patrick Williis ran something like a 4.38 at the combine.

No he didnt.

Mar 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

#12

crabman82
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Posts: 17,024

Originally posted by genus49:
Originally posted by BillWalsh:
It says Dontay Moch's 40 time was the fastest in a decade for a linebacker but Patrick Williis ran something like a 4.38 at the combine.

No he didnt.

he saved the 4.38 for when kenny powers was timing him

Mar 13, 2011 at 10:34 PM

#13

TenderLoinTimmy
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Posts: 2,866

Originally posted by crabman82:
Originally posted by genus49:
Originally posted by BillWalsh:
It says Dontay Moch's 40 time was the fastest in a decade for a linebacker but Patrick Williis ran something like a 4.38 at the combine.

No he didnt.

he saved the 4.38 for when kenny powers was timing him

Yeah, he posted an official 4.49 at the combine and ran like 4.39 or 4.37 or something ridiculous at the Ole Miss pro day.

Mar 13, 2011 at 11:06 PM

#14

9moon
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Posts: 22,282

Again, i wouldnt draft Miller at the 7th spot.. if we happen to trade out of the top 10, that would be the only time that I would consider him..