NFL Draft Preview: LB
The college football season and Senior Bowl are finished, and the NFL Scouting Combine is coming up before the NFL Draft. Here is our look in order at the top 10 linebackers available and a look back at their ranking and recruitment along with an opinion of each from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell.
Ranking: Jack was ranked as the No. 16 outside linebacker and No. 199 overall in the 2013 class. He was second in the Washington state rankings.
Recruiting: Jack committed to UCLA in June but his recruitment was not nearly wrapped up since he took some official visits to Pac-12 schools and Georgia came in late to try to swipe him away. Since Jack lived in Georgia for more than a decade growing up, there was interest, but Jack stayed with UCLA.
Overview: Jack’s 2015 season was cut short because of a knee injury. In three games, he finished with 15 tackles and an interception.
Farrell’s take: I remember wondering if Jack was better as a running back or a linebacker but ultimately felt he was more special on defense. He was a nasty player on defense to watch and was probably a bit underrated because the exposure level in Washington isn’t that great. There was no questioning his athleticism. Jack turned out to play both sides of the ball at UCLA and I didn’t see that coming. His knee injury leads to some questions. However, Jack is further along in his rehab than Jaylon Smith (below at No. 3 now) and he’s a better athlete even though he isn't as long.
Ranking: The four-star inside linebacker from Madison (Ala.) Bob Jones was the top-rated inside linebacker and No. 43 overall in the 2012 class.
Recruiting: Alabama was the childhood favorite and he committed early to the Crimson Tide over Auburn over Kentucky.
Overview: En route to a national championship, Ragland led the Crimson Tide with 102 tackles (6.5 for loss) including 2.5 sacks. He also had two forced fumbles and seven pass deflections.
Farrell’s take: Ragland was the best pure inside linebacker in the country and to me it wasn’t close as far as pro potential. He’s a very physical-yet-efficient tackler, he covers a lot of space and his ability in pass defense is underrated. As a high school prospect, he was a top 50 kid. His quick-twitch ability was our main question back then and will likely be the biggest question mark for NFL scouts.
Ranking: Smith was the top-rated outside linebacker and the third-best prospect in the 2013 class. The five-star was the No. 1 recruit in the Indiana state rankings out of Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers.
Recruiting: Smith committed to Notre Dame in June before his senior year. Ohio State and USC were the other finalists, but it seemed the Irish always had a significant lead in his recruitment.
Overview: Smith led Notre Dame with 114 tackles (nine for loss) and a sack. He also had two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Smith tore knee ligaments in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.
Farrell’s take: Smith was always special coming out of high school with his length and ability to cover in space, so his success has not been a surprise. He was one of our highest-rated linebackers ever. This year, he was very good, but there have been a few instances of false steps and over-pursuit. Smith is very smart and diagnoses plays very well and remains one of the most productive players at his position, I just never saw him as that elite top five pick even before the knee injury. He’ll probably still be a first-rounder based on potential and an expected full recovery.
Ranking: Spence was the top-rated weak-side defensive end and ninth overall in the 2012 class out of Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt. He was also tops in the Pennsylvania state rankings.
Recruiting: Before his senior season, Spence had a top seven and Ohio State wasn’t on the list. Penn State was considered the favorite but slipped after the child sex abuse scandal surfaced. After playing for a couple seasons at Ohio State, he was suspended indefinitely for failed drug tests. He finished his career at Eastern Kentucky.
Overview: Spence finished second on the team with 63 tackles (22.5 for loss) with 11.5 sacks. He also recorded three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 15 quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Spence was a can’t miss defensive end with amazing pass-rushing ability and impressive athleticism that allowed him to run down plays from behind. He was a top 10 prospect coming out of high school because he had solid length, a great motor, a good frame and an uncanny knack for making big plays. I remember first seeing him as a sophomore and coming away amazed at his instincts. Spence's off-field issues could keep him out of the first round, but there is no doubting that he has first-round talent.
Ranking: Floyd was ranked as the No. 13 weakside defensive end and No. 177 overall in the 2012 class out of Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County. He remained a four-star after a prep year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy.
Recruiting: Georgia and Alabama were the two front runners for Floyd, who landed his first offer from the Bulldogs and decided to stick with the local school. He committed in the spring before his senior season and then had a few hurdles in prep school to finally enroll at Georgia.
Overview: Floyd totaled 55 tackles (9.5 for loss) including 6.5 sacks this season. He also had two forced fumbles and 22 quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Floyd is actually a more natural pass rusher than teammate Jordan Jenkins because of his ability to flatten around the end, which is why he’s ranked ahead of him, but it’s close. He has struggled at times with contact and bigger blockers because he’s so thin and needs to fill out, but he’s very long and can make plays from a distance. Floyd was a four-star out of high school and was an excellent pass rusher. He will likely play a hybrid role in the NFL and possibly fill a role as a situational pass rusher.
Ranking: Lee was a three-star prospect and the No. 44 athlete in the 2013 class out of New Albany, Ohio.
Recruiting: Lee's recruitment seemed easy. He camped at Ohio State twice, landed the offer from the Buckeyes and committed less than 30 minutes later. Originally from the South, Lee considered going back for college but once Ohio State offered, the issue was settled.
Overview: Lee was fourth on Ohio State’s team with 66 tackles (11 for loss) and 4.5 sacks. He also recorded an interception and forced two fumbles.
Farrell’s take: Lee didn’t have the same huge year he did last season and teammate Joshua Perry, who is ranked just below him, has emerged as a guy NFL teams could covet more because of his size. However, Lee is still a talent based on his athleticism and quick-twitch change of direction. The former three-star is an effective blitzer but I worry about his ability to handle bigger backs and receivers.
Ranking: The four-star prospect from Hamilton (Ga.) Harris County was rated as the sixth-best weakside defensive end and No. 56 overall in the 2012 class.
Recruiting: Alabama, Auburn and Florida seemed to have an edge on Georgia, but after Jenkins visited Athens in November things started to change. He picked the Bulldogs in early January.
Overview: Jenkins had 45 tackles (12 for loss) and five sacks this season. He also finished with two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and 23 quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Georgia has two of the top linebackers in the draft in Jenkins and Floyd and both are very scheme versatile. Jenkins, a former four-star, is still behind Floyd overall in my opinion but is closing the gap a little bit based on his ability to blow up plays in the backfield and his instincts. Jenkins has good size and could be a key hybrid guy or a pure outside linebacker in a 3-4 set. He was ranked as a defensive end in high school and had that natural knack for getting after the quarterback.
Ranking: The four-star from Galena (Ohio) Olentangy was rated as the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 146 overall in the 2012 class.
Recruiting: Perry committed to Ohio State in the summer before his senior season over offers from Cincinnati, Duke and Michigan State.
Overview: Perry was second on the Buckeyes with 105 tackles (7.5 for loss) including 3.5 sacks. He also had four pass deflections.
Farrell’s take: Perry was a big, physical linebacker who could play inside or outside in college and was a national top 150 prospect because of his size/athleticism combination. He took a little while to develop but his last couple of seasons were exceptional and he improved his ability in pass protection. Perry is still better working downhill and as a run stuffer than he is as a pass defender, but if he tests well he could move up on this list.
Ranking: Cravens was rated as the No. 1 safety and No. 12 overall recruit in the 2013 class out of Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta. He was also tops in the California state rankings.
Recruiting: In June before his senior season, Cravens picked USC over Michigan, Ohio State and others during a ceremony in his family's garage, which was adorned with numerous recruiting letters from around the country.
Overview: Cravens led the Trojans with 86 tackles (15 for loss) with 5.5 sacks this season. He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass deflections.
Farrell’s take: Cravens was clearly an elite talent coming out of high school as evidenced by his high ranking but I thought he would stay at safety and didn't expect him to be quite as physical as he's been. He always had off-the-charts instincts and he covered a ton of the field, so stardom was destined, but I'm impressed how he handled the slide down to linebacker and that he's been so good at shedding blocks. That being said, Cravens is not very big for an NFL linebacker and could have trouble at the point of attack. But if Shaq Thompson became a first-rounder, Cravens could be a surprisingly high pick as well. He’s not as big as Thompson, but he’s a better natural player.
Ranking: The three-star prospect from New Orleans (La.) Jesuit was rated as the No. 31 outside linebacker in the 2012 class.
Recruiting: Jones was originally committed to Nebraska but flipped his pledge to LSU in December of his senior season.
Overview: Jones led the Tigers with 100 total tackles (13.5 for loss) and five sacks. He also had two interceptions, a forced fumble and six quarterback hurries.
Farrell’s take: Jones was a top 15 guy in his state back in 2012 but was just short of being a four-star because he wasn’t the longest or biggest linebacker and didn’t have a huge frame to fill out. Now he’s a bit undersized for an NFL linebacker but he is an active tackler as he was in high school and he can play the pass very well. Jones is a late bloomer but may be starting to just reach his potential.