Top Edge Linebacker Prospects

Haason Reddick
Temple OLB #7

Player Profile

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 237 Lbs
149 tackles, 47.0 TFL, 17.5 sacks, 4 FF
2016 1st-Team AAC

Strengths

Outstanding production as a disruptive force in the backfield(47 TFL).  An explosive athlete on the edge.  Sideline to sideline speed.  Versatile player used in multiple pass rush sets at Temple.  Utilized as a defensive end, blitzing linebacker and QB spy.  Has a knack for slipping through the line with his quickness.  Relentless rusher that keeps hands and feet active.  Willing to run across the field in pursuit of a ball carrier.  Appears to be very comfortable in space.  Explodes in and out of his breaks.  Picks up running backs out of the backfield and has the speed to carry them down the sideline on wheel routes.

Weaknesses

Short lean frame for an edge rusher at the NFL level.  Doesn't set a physical edge in the run game.  Offensive linemen can control his body and wash him down the line.  A beat late to recognize read-option and other deception plays.  Takes a wide angle on outside rushes.  Inability to squeeze down leaves escape lanes wide open.  Lunges at ball carriers instead of wrapping up.  Leaves his feet and is unable to take bigger ball carriers to the turf.

Final Verdict

In a passing league, defenders like Haason Reddick are at a premium.  His elite athleticism will allow defensive coaches to move him around in different situations.  In base defense, he could be a productive 4-3 weak side linebacker.  In sub packages, he could double as a defensive end and linebacker coming off the edge.  Reddick has Pro Bowl potential if he cleans up the inconsistent finishing.

Draft Projection: 1st-Round

T.J. Watt
Wisconsin OLB #42

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 252 Lbs
70 tackles, 17.0 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 2 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 10

Strengths

Engine runs on high the entire game.  A tireless worker against the run and pass.  Strong backside pursuit on runs schemed away from him.  A stout run defender at the POA(point of attack).  Jars linemen at the point of contact and pumps his feet to keep position.  Sets a physical edge on outside runs and squeezes down running lanes with his effort.  Shows some pass rush promise.  Swipes down arms and follow with a stiff rip to win on the edge.  Reads the quarterback's drop and eyes on a consistent basis.  Gets off the ground and bats passes down at the line(6 PD).

Weaknesses

Injuries stunted his growth as a player in freshman and sophomore years.  Was healthy in 2016, but knee injury history might scare teams away.  Not a twitched up athlete and is a bit stiff in his rush.  Lacks elite bend and explosion off the edge.  Linemen and running backs are able to cut him.  Needs to keep his feet clean and avoid getting taken to the ground.

Final Verdict

T.J. is the younger brother of NFL players J.J. and Derek Watt.  Very similar in the work ethic and motor of his two older brothers.  Although he doesn't have the same frame as J.J., NFL execs will hope he has the same type of impact on a defensive front.  Bottom line, T.J. Watt is an effort player that shows the ability to be disruptive in the backfield.

Draft Projection: Late 1st-Round to 2nd-Round

Tim Williams
Alabama OLB #56

Player Profile

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 234 Lbs
57 tackles, 30.0 TFL 20.0 sacks, 2 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Great length for the position.  Tight twitchy muscular build.  Instant acceleration off the edge.  When he pins his ears back, the first step quickness is special.  Athletic rusher that can stunt and twist up front.  Laterally changes the angles of his inside rush and wins with a quick swim move.  Rips through the arms to win the edge.  Seeker missile once he sees the quarterback.  Elite closing burst on the passer.

Weaknesses

A sub package rusher at Alabama.  Needs to show that he can handle 60 snaps per game.  Not a bad run defender, but needs to continue improving in this area.  Overpowered at times.  Does a better job at sifting through traffic rather than setting a physical edge. 

Final Verdict

Tim Williams proved to be an important piece in the Alabama pass rush over the last two years.  Both his initial and closing burst can be special.  Will need to show teams that he can handle an entire games worth of snaps.  Williams has a lot of potential and could make an impact day one as a situational pass rusher.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Tyus Bowser
Houston OLB #81

Player Profile

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 247 Lbs
137 tackles, 28.0 TFL, 22.5 sacks, 3 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-AAC

Strengths

Desired length on the edge.  Springy athlete that explodes off the football.  Flexible frame that can bend around the corner.  Slaps down hands and uses his burst to win outside.  On occasion will stunt inside and get penetration with his quickness.  Possesses sideline to sideline speed and a motor to boot.  A ton of potential as a next level edge rusher.

Weaknesses

Slender frame and thin lower body.  Legs doesn't generate a lot of power in his rush.  Needs to improve as an edge defender.  Not able to squeeze down on the edge and cut off running lanes.  In space, he struggles to explode out of his backpedal.  A little tight in the hips.  Not a player you want to turn and run with a running back in space.  Needs to improve finishing plays.  Dives at ball carriers instead of wrapping up and driving through them.

Final Verdict

Tyus Bowser is an explosive athlete.  Blessed with great length and explosion to get to the quarterback.  Needs to add more bulk to his frame.  Looks more like Waluigi at this point in time(sorry had to do it).  There are a lot of weapons to use in his arsenal.  An influx of power in his game could set him apart in the future.  Like Williams, look for this kid to make an impact in passing situations.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Jordan Willis
Kansas State OLB/DE #75

Player Profile

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 255 Lbs
113 tackles, 39.5 TFL, 25.5 sacks, 6 FF
2016 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
2016 3rd-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 12

Strengths

Top end production in 2016.  Tough as nails.  His engine runs full throttle all game long.  Chases the ball downfield until the whistle is blown.  Very physical.  Strong punch shocks offensive tackles and keeps them off his chest.  Heavy hands fight to gain inside leverage.  Sets a physical edge.  Knifes through on the backside of stretch plays and pursues down the line with gusto.  Disrupts read-option plays at the mesh point(vs STAN).  Can convert speed to power on edge rushes.  Transitions well from bull rush to counter spin move.  Clinical finisher once he gets his hands on the quarterback.

Weaknesses

Not an outstanding athlete.  Get off, burst and acceleration is a gear below some of the other players in this class.  Shows some stiffness in his rush.  Minimal hip flexibility.  Leaves his entire body open to linemen during his rush.  Walled off from the edge by tackles with good technique and balance.  Uncomfortable moving in space.  Better suited to rush the quarterback than dropping back into zone coverage.

Final Verdict

The reigning Big 12 Defensive POY enters the draft under the radar.  Willis is one of the few players that wins with effort and technique over athleticism.  His tenacity and grit help him to excel as a pass rusher.  A bit of a "tweener" that could move to outside linebacker in a 3-4.  Expect to see Willis making plays in the backfield early and often in 2017.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Top Interior Linebacker Prospects

Reuben Foster
Alabama LB #10

Player Profile

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 229 Lbs
211 tackles, 23.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks
2016 Butkus Award
2016 1st-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-SEC

Strengths

One of the leaders of the Alabama defense.  Makes adjustments at the line and gets players into position.  Loves to lay the lumber.  Strikes opponents and looks for the knockout blow.  Signature hit was against Leonard Fournette in 2014 on a kickoff return.  Excellent closing burst on the ball carrier.  At his best when in pursuit from the backside.  Knifes through gaps at the line of scrimmage and disrupts plays in the backfield.  Solid pass rusher.  Shows some bend on the edge and unleashes a quick inside swim move. 

Weaknesses

Poor tackling form.  Leaves his feet and launches himself at the ball carrier instead of wrapping up.  Linemen that make it to the second level give him trouble.  Not a shed and tackle backer.  Lacks the play making skills and ball production on tape(0 INT/FR/FF).  Few reps in true man-to-man coverage.  Needs to prove that he can mirror running backs out of the backfield. 

Final Verdict

Reuben Foster proved to be one of the best linebackers in college football in 2016.  Waited his turn behind fellow All-American linebackers at Alabama and seamlessly took over a larger role in 2015.  He's a hard hitting player that's suited for a chase and tackle role at the next level.  Will need to improve his ball production, but should still be the first linebacker off the board.

Draft Projection: 1st-Round

Zach Cunningham
Vanderbilt LB #41

Player Profile

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 234 Lbs
256 tackles, 36.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 7 FR, 6 FF
2016 1st-Team All-American
2x 1st-Team All-SEC (2015-16)

Strengths

Outstanding production as a two-year starter.  Makes big plays when the team needs one.  Long arms (34 in) to keep defenders away from his frame.  Able to keep his feet clean in traffic and find the ball carrier.  Has a knack for slipping past blocks and shooting into the backfield.  Good recognition skills.  Able to diagnose quickly and trusts his eyes.  Strong effort in pursuit of the ball.  Adds value in special teams.

Weaknesses

Slim lower body.  Unable to generate power from his lower half.  Misses tackles when he attacks up high.  Stronger backs slip out of his arm tackles.  Plays with a high center of gravity.  Needs to play with better leverage as his functional strength catches up to his play-making ability.  Struggles to shed blocks at the line.  When offensive linemen get their hands into his body, them can control him.

Final Verdict

Zach Cunningham has a nose for the ball carrier.  Played well and was productive on a sub-par team in the SEC.  He's a long lanky linebacker with some range.  When he has a beat on the ball carrier, it's only a matter of time until he gets there.  Needs to improve his finishing ability.  Lets too many tackles get away because of poor tackling leverage.  A solid day two pick.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Jarrad Davis
Florida LB #40

Player Profile

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 238 Lbs
201 tackles, 20.0 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Solid muscular frame.  Delivers a strong pop to incoming blockers.  Chase and tackle player that pursues hard down the line.  A good wrap up tackler.  Reads the quarterbacks' drop depth and eyes.  Able to cut off passing lanes in zone coverage.  Athletic enough to run with tight ends down the seam.  Gets his head turned around and swats at the football.

Weaknesses

Not a shed a tackle linebacker.  Has trouble keeping his feet clean in traffic and will get taken to the ground.  Late to diagnose misdirection plays.  Aggressive flow to the football backfires at times.  Will over pursue and leave his gap wide open.  Sucked in hard by play action.  Needs to develop pass rush moves.  When he is picked up in the protection he doesn't go anywhere.  Aggressive nature leads to the occasional penalty.

Final Verdict

A good linebacker that was overlooked in a strong crop of SEC linebackers.  Although he may not have the hardware, his numbers speak volumes.  Two good years of production despite being surrounded my multiple playmakers on the Florida defense.  Davis is a traditional 4-3 linebacker that can step in and play right away.  A sneaky good day two pick.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Raekwon McMillan
Ohio State LB #5

Player Profile

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 240 Lbs
275 tackles, 18.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF
2016 2nd-Team All-American
2016 1st-Team All-Big 10
2015 2nd-Team All-Big 10

Strengths

Thick heavy set frame.  Throwback linebacker that excels against the run.  Quick to recognize and gets north and south in a hurry.  Strength to take on and shed blocks to make a tackle.  Flashes the ability to overpower guards at the POA.  Sifts through traffic well to find the ball carrier.  Attacks downhill and approaches the ball with proper leverage.  Not afraid to stick his nose into a crowd.  A strong drag down tackler.  Sneaky biltzer that finds clear paths to the quarterback.

Weaknesses

Average burst and top end speed.  Lacks the suddenness and change of direction necessary to tail running backs in the open field.  Not a space player.  High percentage of missed tackles are outside the hash marks.  Struggles to match up with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.  A bit high cut in his drops and doesn't explode out of his pedal.

Final Verdict

10 years ago, McMillan is a first-round pick.  He plays the run extremely well and punishes running backs up the middle.  However, there are questions about whether or not he is a three down linebacker in the NFL.  Bottom line, he's a downhill linebacker that makes any run defense better.  His overall value might let him slide in the draft, but not far.

Draft Projection: 2nd-Round

Kendell Beckwith
LSU LB #52

Player Profile

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 243 Lbs
263 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 3 FR, 3 FF
2016 1st-Team All-SEC

Strengths

Three-year starter and leader on the LSU defense.  Adequate bulk on his frame.  A physical and powerful inside linebacker.  At his best between the tackles.  Able to take on and shed blocks in the hole.  Flashes the ability to shoot a gap and penetrate into the backfield.  Exceptional closing burst in the last few yards.  Rugged drag down tackler.

Weaknesses

Likes to play between the tackles.  Inconsistent ability to get to the edge and make a tackle.  Questions about his true sideline to sideline range may hinder his opportunities.  Occasionally late to diagnose and react to inside runs.  Gets caught up in traffic and is unable to make the tackle.  Unable to keep his feet clean in clutter.  Overpowered by blockers that make it to the second level.  Torn ACL suffered in last collegiate game.

Final Verdict

Coming off of a torn ACL in LSU's bowl game, Beckwith will most likely miss the entire 2017 offseason program.  However, he has a lot of good tape to justify him being on this list.  This battle tested prospect will bring a late season impact to an NFL team.  If the medicals check out, he's a good value pick in the middle rounds.

Draft Projection: 4th-Round
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