hagan714

Most 3-4 scheme teams are looking for a "hybrid" guy that has the pass rush skills of a defensive end, but can also drop back in coverage. The better the athlete, the more versatile they can be for this position.
Granted, the strong-side linebacker must still face off with the tight end, maintain his ground and hold contain to his side. He must also be more athletic than in past years, since he could be asked to drop back in coverage or blitz in certain scenarios. The weak-side linebacker in today's game is more of a strong safety type in terms of size and speed as he must be quick enough to play in space and strong enough to make tackles in the open field. This is a playmaker position for most 4-3 based teams.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Paul Posluszny - 6015, 238, 4.65, Penn State (ILB/OLB)

Late in his junior year, he was deemed a potential Top-10 pick in the draft. However, the partial ligament tears in his right knee, suffered in the Orange Bowl against Florida State last year, forced him to return for his senior season. He got off to a slow start, but seemed to play with a lot more confidence once he removed the bulky brace. Posluszny plays with the type of dedication, emotion and will power that will never let him slow down. He has a rare combination of instinct, athleticism and toughness. He is firm at the point of attack, not afraid to fight through the trash, stout enough to take on and shed a lead blocker to get to a runner. What he lacks in pure, straight-line speed he makes up for with a high football IQ and willingness to sell out to make the play. Excels at reading and reacting to the action. Mobile enough with sideline-to-sideline range and is a reliable tackle with a burst to close. Decent pass rusher and blitzer. Posluszny fluid enough to be effective in pass coverage. Has a motor that never stops and a phenomenal work ethic. A playmaker.

Paul can get caught up in trash because he lacks the lateral movement skills to avoid lead blockers at times. Will play out of control at times. He can be a bit stiff when dropping back into coverage.

Was given the label of "best linebacker ever to play at Penn State,” by none other than Jack Ham. Posluszny's toughness was reflected by his request for a shot to numb the pain, so he could return to the field after tearing knee ligaments in the Orange Bowl during his junior season. He might move inside at the next level. Former winner of both the Butkus (nation's top linebacker in 2005) and Bednarik (nation’s top defensive player in 2005 & 2006) awards.
If he goes towards the bottom of the first round, it means a playoff-caliber team will be adding a player with great intangibles.

Tore the PCL and MCL in his right knee in the Orange Bowl as a junior and did not look completely recovered at times in 2006

2. *Lawrence Timmons OLB 6007, 234, 4.59, Florida St.

Timmons is a talented linebacker who played on the strongside for the Seminoles, but will likely have to move to the weakside in the NFL because of his size. He is still a raw talent with the instincts, speed and tenacity to get involved in almost every play despite his lack of great technique. Timmons has cat-like quickness that will make him immediately dangerous in the NFL as a pass rusher off the edge. His athleticism and straight-line speed allows him to cover a lot of ground and makes big plays from sideline-to-sideline. Timmons strikes hard at the point of attack, is a good but not great form tackler. He is well-built and can disengage thanks to his footwork, balance and long arms. Timmons possesses the necessary skills to become a game-changing pass rusher if taught proper technique and allowed to utilize his straight-line speed. Has fluid hips and is excellent in coverage. His long arms allow him to get out in space and provide ample coverage when pitted against running backs and tight ends. Timmons has the frame to get add weight. A physical and aggressive playmaker who is always around the ball.

Has only one year of starting experience. Raw and needs work from a technique standpoint and stop getting by on his athleticism alone. Needs to continue bulking up and getting stronger. He has some trouble shedding blocks and doesn't use his hands all that well. May lack ideal instincts and awareness due to inexperience.

Versatile and could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. Still has a ton of potential and there is really no telling just how good he may ultimately be.

3. *Jon Beason - 6002, 237, 4.72, Miami (OLB/ILB)

This fiery team leader overcame nagging injuries to lead the Hurricanes with 76 tackles in 2006. An all-out hustler, Beason used an ideal combination of speed, smarts and natural instincts to become one of the best defensive playmakers in the ACC. A firm tackler at the point of attack, Beason is able to diagnose the play quickly and weave his way through blockers to penetrate the line of scrimmage.

He can be engulfed by the pile at times because he lacks great bulk to sustain his ground when faced with some lead blockers. He can also be a little too aggressive at times, leaving backs or tight ends open. He can carry between 230 and 235 pounds without losing a step and brings great character and intangibles to the field. Not only can he have an impact on a defense with his level of play, but he'll make others play harder if not better.

Beason will be seen by some teams as a premier prospect for their defensive alignment, while others believe he lacks the pure size to be taken before the latter part of the first round. He may project as an inside linebacker for a team that uses its defensive linemen to keep its linebackers clean to make plays sideline-to-sideline, thus taking advantage of Beason's athleticism and minimizing problems related to his lack of height.

4. Tim Shaw, 6-2, 236, 4.51, Penn State

Shaw has always had a reputation as a blue-collar worker who somehow finds a way to get the job done, especially when he is needed most. Of his 121 career tackles against the run, 47 stopped opponents on third down, with nine more coming on fourth down; that's stepping up. He unselfishly moved from his outside linebacker position to defensive end as a senior. Overshadowed by Paul Posluszny throughout his career, he showed at outside linebacker a year ago, he will hit, can play physical and shows good speed in backside pursuit. Jr year played MLB. With added value brought to special teams Shaw has played running back, outside linebacker, inside linebacker and defensive end, as well as various roles on special teams. A good athlete with above average timed speed. Has good instincts and is a solid tackler. Strong, physical and aggressive. Very good pass rusher and blitzer. Fantastic motor. Smart and a leader with extraordinary intangibles.

Size and bulk are only average. Not quite as athletic as his workout numbers would lead you to believe and will have trouble shedding massive blockers. Is just barely adequate in coverage. Needs time to settle in on a position. May be a 'tweener who doesn't have a true pro position.

Could project to a number of positions at the next level in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme...Underrated prospect that is tough to evaluate, especially based on his senior film so he could wind up being a bargain.

Shaw was more impressive at the Combine than his former teammate, running a 4.51, jumping 36 1/2 inches and lifting the 225-pound bar 26 times -- all among the top results for the position.

5. Stewart Bradley - OLB, 6036, 254, 4.80, Nebraska

A full-sized (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) linebacker compared to the others ranked among the Top 5 here, Bradley has very good upper-body strength and improved footwork in the agility drills.Stewart will provide a physical run-stopping presence at the SAM linebacker spot, while possessing the athleticism to play the perimeter and cover opposing receivers. He can be used more at the next level as a blitzer and probably have good success. He has good intangibles and should stand out on special teams early. He was one of the true surprise players in Mobile, this former Cornhusker has excellent size, speed and athletic ability. He doesn't have an overwhelming presence on game film, but by game's end, he will have his fair share of tackles.

Bradley has a tendency to get high off the snap, exposing himself as a pass rusher. He's a little stiff in his back pedal, but generally can cover ground and play with good natural instincts. He works hard to keep himself alive and in the play. Bradley missed the final seven games of the 2005 season after he suffered a knee injury against Texas Tech in game five, so injuries are a concern.

A team could turn its attention to Bradley – the next best strong-side linebacker on the board – if it's unable to get into the range to select Lawrence Timmons. There could also be several 3-4 based teams that view him as a solid prospect for a position inside thanks to his size and smarts.