2010 NFL Draft: Linebackers
Rolando McClain—Alabama—6’4”-255—Top 15—Consummate leader of a defense. He is a guy who makes plays and calls the shots. Not the speed of a Patrick Willis and might be best in a 3-4 scheme, but his intelligence, as praised by Nick Saban, makes him the premier ILB in this draft. He would be great for the Giants in filling Pierce’s shoes but I think he would be great for the Jags in a role Mike Peterson held for years. I like his athleticism, but will McClain its all about intelligence instincts and production, the man’s ready to be a pro day 1
Brandon Spikes—UF—6’3”-249—2nd day—If he came out last year prob a no brainer 1st round pick, he has immense leadership and playmaking qualities that made him the key defender on UF through its Tim Tebow era. His 5.0 40 scares ppl and leads them to believe he cant play on 3rd downs even tho the tape shows how good he was in coverage and how many plays he made in the passing game. I believe him to be a solid player and one of the few guys that can play the mike in this draft, good value after 45
Sean Lee—PSU—6’2”-236—2nd day—Didn’t play in 2009 but instead had an internship as a coach for the nittany lions. Is widely regarded as one of the smartest players in the draft and his athleticism is only a plus. He moves well and shows tremendous coverage ability. He is definitely smaller but adding bulk is the easiest thing to do in the pros, look for him to be taken in the Laurinitis range around 40
Joe Pawelek—Baylor—6’2”-235—3rd day to undrafted—Taller than measured, stiff player looks to play downhill with above average coverage skills, special teamer possible spot starter, not fluid
Reed Williams—WVU—6’2”-233—Undrafted—Too small too slow, maybe special teamer, fluid in coverage but not athletic enough
Sean Weatherspoon—Mizz—6’1”-240—1st-early 2nd—He is really a terrific player. Grossly athletic the guy will play the run and pass superbly, I believe he will be one of the best Will linebackers in the game and would be a great pickup for the Eagles Saints or Rams at 33. He makes all the big plays for Mizzou and his game is going to transition beautifully and quickly to the NFL
Daryl Washington—TCU—6’2”-230—1st-2nd—Real good player, a little slim but what a playmaker. The dude makes things happen and is one of the reasons Jerry Hughes did so well. He did everything for the TCU defense and was legit in the backfield and secondary. Will be a real good will and somebody is gonna be very pleased with him in the 2nd round. Its cuz of players like him that this draft is so deep, btw ridiculously long arms, will be an outstanding special teamer right away
Eric Norwood—S. Carolina—6’1”-245—2nd day—Jasper Brinkley came outta this defense last year and did pretty well for the vikes, now think that Norwood has been their best defender for the past 3 years, the guy is one of those guys that just puts it all together on the football field. Extremely durable was butkus finalist in 09 and 3 time first team all SEC. The guys loves to get after the quarterback and he’s good at it. Some think he could play any of the LB positions in a 3-4 but I think he could thrive in a 4-3 OLB role much like Orakpo did last year. This guy can flat out play football and that’s something that forgotten all too often, look for him to be more productive than his draft placement
Navarro Bowman—PSU—6’0”-243—2nd day—Short real athletic though. A sure tackler, has had some off the field issues. Has potential to be a bust but his athleticism makes him worthy of a 3rd but a reach to the second may be regretable
Perry Riley—LSU—6’1”-240—2-5 rounds—Butkus finalist in 2008, good athleticism could be a solid player, wont be dynamic, maybe a kawika Mitchell type, lacks speed to truly be a playmaker
A.J. Edds—Iowa—6’4”-246-2nd-3rd day—Good size will need to bulk up, intelligent and instinctive could play sam if gets bigger/stronger, longsnapper, not a pass rusher at all so not 3-4 olb, played for ferentz
Kavell Conner—Clem—6’0”-240—3rd day—Good athlete, straight line speed and above average lateral movement, probably a special teamer or spot start will at best
Rico McCoy—Tenn—6’1”-220—3rd day—very fast, size obviously an issue, is a playmaker in the tampa 2 but not an ultimate playmaker, good for covering te/rb’s but wont hold up against o-lineman.