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OLB

Ezra Butler, Nevada, 6016, 240, 4.51

Butler has excellent size with long arms, well built and Very fast for a linebacker. He hasn't really been used as a classic outside linebacker, as the "Bandit" position he played is more like a 5-tech rush end. He is agile and moves well and has quick change of direction, moves well in traffic. Butler plays sideline to sideline and can really get after it when he is engaged. He closes quickly on ball carriers and very explosive when he gets into the offensive backfield. Big hitter. Physical, aggressive and plays with a mean streak. He will truly deliver a cannon-type blow. Does his best work in attack mode. Good build for LB duties, thick legs and wide frame. A terrific pass rusher. He can run with any tight end and most receivers and possesses good hands for interceptions. He gets a good deep drops on zone coverage. Plays with a nasty edge and having a good team around him will only make him better. Great special teamer. He is more polished than some of the other OLB prospects on this draft class. 3 year starter.

Although big and strong, Butler seems to wear down when run at. Can be too aggressive at times. He must avoid biting on play action fakes, because sometimes he tends to gamble. Gets reckless in his pursuit, out-running the play and then struggles to get back into the action. Needs to refine his technique. Needs to play with better leverage. Has some troubling shedding blocks needs to use his hands better and relies too much on his speed as a pass rusher. Tries to over-power blockers rather than slip past or avoid. He is just average in coverage. He needs to get a quicker read on the quarterback in pass coverage and show better awareness to handle switch-off activity in zone coverage.doesn't always play up to his measurables.

Butler is the kind of athlete who can change a game around and made difference-making plays. Has all the physical tools you look for and could be a fit for either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme at the pro level. Workout Warrior with a lot of potential

Violation of team policies resulted in a one-game suspension in 2007

Ali Highsmith, L.S.U., 5116, 230, 4.70 (MLB/OLB)

Highsmith does the one thing all NFL scouts love -- he finds a way to get to the ball. Also, scouts love his versatility, with him capable of filling any linebacker role. His leadership skills also enhance his value. He's able to go sideline to sideline and is a very solid player in coverage. He shows good hip flip in coverage and has the burst to break on the ball. He shows a good understanding of the offense and knows where he should be. As a tackler, he shows good effort and form, and delivers a surprising pop.Solid blitzer and pass rusher. Real active and has a non-stop motor. Good leader. Excellent special teamer.

His lack of size and straiaght line speed will be a concern, since he has trouble at times getting off blocks. Highsmith is often overpowered by offensive linemen and even fullbacks and tight ends. He will need to get stronger. If they can get into his body, he's washed out of the play too easily. Has trouble taking on and shedding blockers. His best asset, unbounded aggression, can also work against him at times. He needs to be more disciplined. Highsmith sometimes runs himself right out of the play, taking poor angles and leaving his feet to dive at the ballcarrier. He'll also fall for misdirection and play action, counting too heavily on his athleticism to allow him to recover. His reaction to the ball is a little slow. Marginal instincts and he is often late to react.

Most scouts expect him to thrive as a weakside linebacker. Classic weakside prospect who is equally effective against the run as well as in coverage and could excel in the right. Might be best suited for a scheme like the Colts or Bucs employ.

Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta, 6025, 242lbs, 4.64 40

Johnson wasn’t considered a prospect by the NFL’s scouting services last spring, however, his play in 2007 and the East-West Shrine Game opened the eyes of all 32 NFL teams and he earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. This past year he finished as a consensus All-American with 13.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss. Johnson is expected to make the move from end to linebacker and has the athleticism to do it. It will take some time before he is ready to contribute on more than special teams, however, he is a project worth taking on in the mid rounds. Johnson should come off the board in the 5th to 6th round range.

Strengths:
Excellent natural athlete...Good speed and quickness...Strong and powerful...An explosive tackler and hitter...Well-built with a solid frame...Great pass rusher...Big special teams potential..Productive and dominated his level..Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
'Tweener who will probably have to make a position change...Did not play against top competition...Lacks great size and bulk...Marginal instincts / awareness...Raw and he has a ways to go technique-wise (footwork, hand use, etc.)...Intelligence?

Notes:
Brother, J.R., played at Syracuse and bounced around the NFL for a while...Played defensive end in college but will probably be a outside linebacker in the pros..Had some academic issues out of high school and ended up at Morrisville St...Received a lot of DI interest and was slated to attend Morgan St. but changed his mind and chose Clark-Atlanta instead..Had a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game and showed promise standing up...A top DII sleeper and developmental prospect.

Marcus Richardson Troy 6-3 225 4.55

Richardson was redshirted in 2005, playing in seven games (but seeing limited action in each of them). In 2006, Richardson started all of the team's eleven games at strong side linebacker. He recorded 59 tackles (seven for loss) and broke five pass attempts. He played eleven of the team's thirteen games during his sophomore season. But he missed two games due to a broken collarbone, yet still recording 40 tackles with 4.5 for loss and registered 1.5 sacks. In 2007, he started all of the school's twelve games, finishing the season with 60 sacks (5.5 for loss) and also registering 2.5 sacks. He also lettered on the school's track and field team, competing in the 100 meter dash and the triple jump.

Richardson is a natural, fluid athlete. He is quick and fast (4.56-40) with great range, who is able to move well laterally. He can run with any back or tight end out of the backfield and will also go toe-for-toe with some wide receivers. Adjusting well when the ball is in the air, his great leaping ability (registered 39' vertical jump) enables him to batter many balls. Richardson is a willing run stopper and his long arms help him rap ball carriers well. But, he is undersized and needs to add weigh. His production is below his athletic level and his pass recognition needs work. Occasionally, he will bite on some play fakes and is overly aggressive, not playing with consistency.

Richardson is an above average athlete who has a lot of football ability. His consistency and lack of production will downgrade his stock and his size is also concern. All that said, Richardson will probably be selected late in the draft. He should make a pro roster and could produce immediately on special teams. In time and with coaching, he could make a contribution on defense.

OLB/DE Vincent Redd, Liberty, 6060, 263, 4.50

More than a dozen scouts lined the field for Liberty’s pro-day workout today and former Virginia transfer Vince Redd came away the big winner.

An all-Conference selection last season, the outside linebacker measured 6-feet 6-inches, weighed 263 pounds then turned in an outstanding workout.

Redd timed his forty’s in the mid-4.5 second area, with some stopwatches reading as fast as 4.48 seconds. He posted a 39-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-10-inch broad jump.

The only stain on his otherwise outstanding performance was the bench press, where he was able to only complete 13 reps.

Erin Henderson Maryland 6-23/4 244 4.73 ILB/OLB

Linebacker Erin Henderson has great size and speed and one of the top LB’s in the nation that should be one of the top linebackers on most draft boards. He is quite instinctive and will always be around the ball and deliver some big time hits. He reads the action quickly, and is athletic and strong enough with his hands to get through blocks on his way to the ballcarrier. Can beat the running back to the edge. Has decent range and does a nice job in pursuit. Will thump ball carriers. Great instincts and awareness. Protects his knees and avoids the trash while keeping his head up. Real aggressive and plays with a nasty demeanor. Can hold his own in zone coverage. Sees crossing routes well and is very instinctive. Very good change of direction skills. Chiseled frame with room for additional growth. Has shown the ability to bounce back from major surgery with no loss of speed or aggression. Versatile, Hard worker, Excellent intangibles and Nice bloodlines. Brother, E.J. starting linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings

His injuries are the biggest concern, including a torn ACL suffered a couple years back. Henderson does not have the best cover skills around and would prefer to go after the ball, but he has enough speed and skills to develop his coverage ability if necessary. Plays too tall and is not overly stout at the point. Has trouble taking on and shedding blockers. Relies too much on his athleticism to evade blocks, rather than physically confronting them. Does not have elite speed or athleticism and looks stiff. Lacks fluid hips and has trouble matching up in coverage. Still needs to work some on cover skills. Has to get stronger

Henderson only missed one game last year and remained extremely productive despite the injuries. He is a tough player and will not allow any minor injuries to get in his way. He is not as physically gifted as some of the other linebackers, but he is no slouch either. His superior instincts will have many teams who are looking for a linebacker fighting over his services in the second round of the draft.

Torn ACL in his left knee caused him to miss the entire 2005 season
Missed only one game, but was held out of practice (only playing on Saturday) in many more games this season after tearing the meniscus and spraining the ACL in the same knee

2/28 Update: Erin Henderson did what he could to show off his instincts at the Combine, but he put up some decent numbers across the board as well. He did not do anything to drop his status below the second round and everybody has to like his ball hawking ability that can only be seen on game tapes.