COMBINE REVIEW - RUSH(3-4) LINEBACKERS
Like the defensive line positions, linebacker, especially on the outside, is a deep position in April's draft. This was backed up at the combine. Here's how I see this year's group. We'll start at the outside spot in a 3-4 or "rush linebacker", guys of the James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Clay Mathews ilk. The Chiefs need added pass rush ability, this position is the perfect place to find it. They need someone playing on the opposite side of Tamba Hali.
Brandon Graham--6' 1" 268
This prospect has a lot to learn but his desire & effort are superior at the linebacker position. He has always played defensive end at Michigan, but he should be able to make this transition & be very productive as an NFL pass rusher. He ran well, 4.69, completed 31 reps in the bench press & his position drills were very good. Graham has a great motor, he never quits, he had an exceptional Senior Bowl week & game. Like all the prospects who make this move from having their hand in the dirt to standing up & having to rush the passer as well as drop into coverage, Graham looks to be best prospect at this position in this draft. Mid-1st round selection.
Jerry Hughes--6' 1" 255
Hughes had a monster combine, yeah, he tested well, but it was in the position specific drills where he really stood out. He showed his balance, explosion & ability to back peddle, flip his hips & run. Hughes has rare closing speed when turning the corner in his pass rush. He ran a 4.57 in the forty plus he did 26 reps in the bench press. Turned in the best 20-yard shuttle at the position. Hughes as always played with his hand on the ground as a defensive end at TCU. I'm a big fan of this guy, I think he can be something special, being really good is important to him. He'll probably be picked after Sergio Kindle, but I think he'll end up being a better pro. Low 1st round to mid-2nd round.
Sergio Kindle--6' 3" 250
He's being compared to Brian Orakpo, another Texas Longhorn taken by Washington early in last April's draft. I think the comparison is a stretch, he didn't have the college production Orakpo did. In fact Kindle has been in coach Mack Brown's doghouse from time to time. He's had a few off-field issues as well. Kindle shows excellent agility, strength & tho he's not as fast as Hughes, he has decent closing speed. His pass drops are very good & he changes directions with ease. Mid to late 1st round selection.
Koa Misi--6' 3" 251
Another guy who will make the transition to the 3-4 linebacker spot. Misi is like so many other Samoan prospects, very quick(top-5 in 3-cone drill & 20-yard shuttle) with a powerful lower body(38" vertical) & extremely tough. Shows good lateral movement, his drops will need better technique. Good motor & was an All-Academic Mountain West Conference player while at Utah. Has good upside, his father played at Hawaii. Third round talent.
Ricky Sapp--6' 4" 252
Suffered a partially torn ACL last season but Sapp ran well(4.70) at the combine. He wasn't able to participate in any of the agility drills but it's expected he will be 100% by early May. Played both DE & later 3-4 linebacker when Clemson changed their scheme. He can get to the passer with several moves, both outside with quickness & inside with counter moves. He has trouble with running plays right at him, he has difficulty shedding blocks. Very good upside with some good coaching & he needs to invest some serious time in the weight room developing better upper body strength. Third round.
Dexter Davis--6' 1" 244
Very quick & fast(4.64), Davis also showed some strength with 25 reps in the bench press. He has been very productive as a stand-up pass rusher with 30 sacks while at Arizona State. Tho he played DE, he has shown excellent ability to move sideline to sideline in pursuit. He holds his ground well vs. the run. Wasn't as productive as a senior. Better near the line of scrimmage, I saw a couple of missed tackles in the open field. Round four talent.
Jason Worilds--6' 1" 254
This junior recorded 14 sacks in 3 seasons at Virginia Tech. Well conditioned but major injury history makes Worilds a risk. He is an excellent pass rusher as well as showing the athletic ability to drop into coverage. His recognition is questionable but more than anything, it's the 3 shoulder operations in 4 seasons that concern me. He has good explosion(38" vertical) & ran faster than expected at 4.72. Fifth round talent.
Brandon Graham--6' 1" 268
This prospect has a lot to learn but his desire & effort are superior at the linebacker position. He has always played defensive end at Michigan, but he should be able to make this transition & be very productive as an NFL pass rusher. He ran well, 4.69, completed 31 reps in the bench press & his position drills were very good. Graham has a great motor, he never quits, he had an exceptional Senior Bowl week & game. Like all the prospects who make this move from having their hand in the dirt to standing up & having to rush the passer as well as drop into coverage, Graham looks to be best prospect at this position in this draft. Mid-1st round selection.
Jerry Hughes--6' 1" 255
Hughes had a monster combine, yeah, he tested well, but it was in the position specific drills where he really stood out. He showed his balance, explosion & ability to back peddle, flip his hips & run. Hughes has rare closing speed when turning the corner in his pass rush. He ran a 4.57 in the forty plus he did 26 reps in the bench press. Turned in the best 20-yard shuttle at the position. Hughes as always played with his hand on the ground as a defensive end at TCU. I'm a big fan of this guy, I think he can be something special, being really good is important to him. He'll probably be picked after Sergio Kindle, but I think he'll end up being a better pro. Low 1st round to mid-2nd round.
Sergio Kindle--6' 3" 250
He's being compared to Brian Orakpo, another Texas Longhorn taken by Washington early in last April's draft. I think the comparison is a stretch, he didn't have the college production Orakpo did. In fact Kindle has been in coach Mack Brown's doghouse from time to time. He's had a few off-field issues as well. Kindle shows excellent agility, strength & tho he's not as fast as Hughes, he has decent closing speed. His pass drops are very good & he changes directions with ease. Mid to late 1st round selection.
Koa Misi--6' 3" 251
Another guy who will make the transition to the 3-4 linebacker spot. Misi is like so many other Samoan prospects, very quick(top-5 in 3-cone drill & 20-yard shuttle) with a powerful lower body(38" vertical) & extremely tough. Shows good lateral movement, his drops will need better technique. Good motor & was an All-Academic Mountain West Conference player while at Utah. Has good upside, his father played at Hawaii. Third round talent.
Ricky Sapp--6' 4" 252
Suffered a partially torn ACL last season but Sapp ran well(4.70) at the combine. He wasn't able to participate in any of the agility drills but it's expected he will be 100% by early May. Played both DE & later 3-4 linebacker when Clemson changed their scheme. He can get to the passer with several moves, both outside with quickness & inside with counter moves. He has trouble with running plays right at him, he has difficulty shedding blocks. Very good upside with some good coaching & he needs to invest some serious time in the weight room developing better upper body strength. Third round.
Dexter Davis--6' 1" 244
Very quick & fast(4.64), Davis also showed some strength with 25 reps in the bench press. He has been very productive as a stand-up pass rusher with 30 sacks while at Arizona State. Tho he played DE, he has shown excellent ability to move sideline to sideline in pursuit. He holds his ground well vs. the run. Wasn't as productive as a senior. Better near the line of scrimmage, I saw a couple of missed tackles in the open field. Round four talent.
Jason Worilds--6' 1" 254
This junior recorded 14 sacks in 3 seasons at Virginia Tech. Well conditioned but major injury history makes Worilds a risk. He is an excellent pass rusher as well as showing the athletic ability to drop into coverage. His recognition is questionable but more than anything, it's the 3 shoulder operations in 4 seasons that concern me. He has good explosion(38" vertical) & ran faster than expected at 4.72. Fifth round talent.
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