2010 Linebackers

Linebackers, like running backs, tend to slip on draft day. Linebacker is a relatively easy position to transition to from college to the NFL which pushes many talented players down draft boards. Last year for example, everyone and their mother knew that Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis were some of the most talented players in the country. Both were projected high first round picks since early on in their college days all the way up until the draft. What happened? They both went in round 2.
Remember guys like Curtis Lofton and Dan Connor in 2008? Both possible first round guys who slipped until rounds 2 and 3 respectively. Some other names to consider are DeMeco Ryans, a super talented linebacker who slipped until round 2 in 2006... Paul Posluszny in 2007, same story.

The point of this is that there is an obvious trend in the draft that said linebackers, and specifically linebackers who don`t offer much in terms of pass rush, tend to slip on draft day. That is a fact. Sure there are some exception...Patrick Willis, Jerod Mayo, Keith Rivers, and AJ Hawk for example... those guys were very talented. All athletic specimens who either projected as a monster in the middle for a 34 team or an outside guy with pass rush potential in a 43 team.
In other words you have to be a very special player, to be a non passrushing linebacker in order to be a first round pick, no matter how talented you are.
Actually, this year we may only have one, or possibly two pure linebackers (not ends that could switch position) that go in round 1.
The first is Rolando McClain. He is everything youd want in an ILB for a 34 team. Big, strong, a team leader, incredibly smart, great tackling, exceptional against the run, and he offers some passrush upside. McClain does have some speed concerns, he isn't the most rangy of players, and he has some health questions. He should be a first round pick. He isn't quite on a Patrick Willis level of prospect but he's close. If he is put in the right situation he will shine, because he can step in and be a very productive player from day one.
The other guy who has a chance to go in round 1, is Sean Weatherspoon. He is a very solid 43 outside linebacker, but he could go lower then expected on draft day. He has trouble with shedding blocks and his technique is sometimes sloppy. Though he is a proven pass rusher he could struggle with blitzing in the pros. He is very vocal and is considered a team leader but his personality has been known to rub some people the wrong way. Despite all of this, he has a ton of talent. He is a great tackler, he has exceptional range, and he has some nice ball skills. Weatherspoon has first round talent there's no doubt, but his negatives are similar to many of the linebackers in the pasts negatives who have fallen out of the first round. I dont think he will fall out of round 1 as of now, but it definitely wouldn't surprise me.

Another guy who will probably go in round 1 is Sergio Kindle. He is a classic tweener. Could play 43 end or 34 OLB. I don't like him as much as most, but there is no denying his talent. He is very explosive and strong, but gets neutralized by blockers way too often. His passrush moves aren't very impressive and his motor seems to run hot and cold. Combine all of that with apparent character concerns and you have yourself a risky prospect. Hes got a ton of potential and could be a terror as a passrusher but I wouldn't take a chance on him personally until round 2.

Finally, I want to talk about one of my favourite linebackers in the draft: Dekoda Watson out of Florida State. He was probably the most impressive physical specimen at the combine this year. His athleticism is out of this world. Everyone knew this guy was a physical freak though, even before the combine. His only major question mark was his size...listed at about 225 lbs in college, Watson bulked up to a very nice 240. With the size question out the window, and world class athleticism, Watson could be a star in the NFL. He was a productive player at FSU with great passrushing skills and the ability to rack up tackles in space. He has all the potential in the world. Watson isn't exactly a household name in the draftnik community but I wouldn't be surprised to see someone take this guy in round 2.

Here are my rankings for linebackers. I'll do OLB and ILB seperately. Ill put a star beside a guy who projects as a 34 OLB.

ILB
1) Rolando McClain, Alabama (Round 1)
2) Sean Lee, PSU (Round 3)
3) Jamar Cheney, Mississippi State (Round 3)
4) Donald Butler, Washington (Round 3)
5) Pat Angerer, Iowa (Round 4-5)
6) Brandon Spikes, Florida (Round 4-5)
7) Philip Dillard, Nebraska (Round 4-5)
8) Daryl Sharpton, Miami (Round 5-6)
9) Micah Johnson, Kentucky (Round 6)
10) Reggie Carter, UCLA (Round 5-6)

OLB
1) Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (Round 1-2)
2) Sergio Kindle, Texas (Round 1-2)*
3) Daryl Washington, TCU (Round 2)
4) Dekoda Watson, FSU (Round 2-3)*
5) Navarro Bowman, PSU (Round 3)
6) AJ Edds, Iowa (Round 3)
7) Eric Norwood, South Carolina (Round 3)*
8) Rennie Curran, Georgia (Round 3-4)
9) Thaddeus Gibson, OSU (Round 3-4)*
10) Rodrick Muckelroy, Texas (Round 4)