Draft preview - the linebackers One recent Sports Illustrated article claimed that this year's draft is so deep, that last year's Number One pick by default QB Alex Smith, would struggle to be a first round pick this time around. While I don’t quite agree with that assessment, he probably would find himself somewhere in the middle of the pack in the first round and sporting a significantly reduced pay packet. The example of Alex Smith just displays how abnormally deep this year's draft is perceived to be. One of the position that many predicted to be strong in this years class was at linebacker and unlike some positions they did not disappoint. I don’t feel that there are any ‘elite prospects’ at the linebacker position but a number of very good prospects and many of these could find themselves selected in the first round. Linebackers are becoming an increasingly difficult position to project into a draft position. At time,s it feels as if the NFL is in love with two defensive schemes. We now have a number of teams running the 3-4 (often referred to in the way the New England Patriots run the 3-4) and of course for want of a better name for it the ‘Tampa two’ (and yes we all know it is not just the cover two as some commentators would have you believe). Because of these two differing defences the projection of any particular linebacker is difficult. When looking at a wide receiver, while each coach may have slightly different attributes that they value ultimately they are looking for the same things, which usually include speed, size and ability to catch the ball (amongst a few others). In regards to a linebacker depending on the defensive scheme, a team’s draft board at linebacker can be vastly different from one team to the next. A few of the high profile names are really worth eliminating from the start. Kamerton Wimbeley (Florida State), Manny Lawson (N.C State) and A.J Hawk (Ohio State). Wimbeley and Lawson are defensive ends that will convert to outside linebackers in a 3-4 at the next level (although the Bucs interviewed Lawson at the combine but probably more at defensive end that linebacker) and Hawk will be gone long before the Bucs get a pick. But the rest of the linebackers listed all have a chance to find themselves high on the bucs draft board at some point of the weekend when looking for a linebacker. Inside Linebackers There don’t look to be many premium prospects on the inside this year. D’Qwell Jackson (Maryland) is the only prospect that is been discussed as a first round pick, most often he is looked at as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. However on game tape, he looks fast enough to play the weak side linebacker position. He may be an interesting project for the Bucs but I think ultimately he will go too high in the draft for the Bucs to consider taking a project who may never fit the defensive scheme employed. The other inside linebacker often mentioned is Iowa’s Abdul Hodge, I really hope they stay well away from him on draft day, I see him as too slow to play the outside spots and too small to be an inside linebacker I really struggle to see where he would fit on any NFL team. Outside Linebackers This is genuinely where the depth is, I have up to six high profile outside linebackers and any of these could be a Bucs' pick at some point in the draft. Ernie Sims (Florida State) looks to be moving back up the draft boards once again and could be taken by the Eagles. He is a prospect I have mixed feelings about. He is truly a great athlete, fast and strong (if a little undersized), hits hard (so much so that FSU coaching staff make him go half speed in drills and he has a history of concussions because of the big hits) He also has a touch of the ‘LaVar Arrington’s’ about him, he is undisciplined and freelances far too much. If he could play within any defensive scheme he would be a beast but the trick may be getting him to play within the system. He also is rumoured to have some serious character issues, maybe the interview at the combine cleared these issues up. Chad Greenway (Iowa) Another top-notch athlete, had a very poor combine, he looked very ‘stiff’ in pass coverage drills and did less lifts in the weight room than QB Jay Cutler. This raises question of is he strong enough to shed blockers in the NFL. That said he made play after play at Iowa and was a great defensive leader, would be in conversation when the Bucs pick in the first round. De’Marco Ryans (Alabama) Leader of the brutal Crimson Tide defense, his draft stock has been in freefall of late and the combine didn’t help him much. Great instincts but his size is a worry. PFW recently described him as a slower version of Barrett Rudd (don’t think much else needs to be said really). Rocky Mclintosh (Miami) Very difficult to grade this guy, has a history of serious injuries that will lower his draft stock but he has undoubted first round ability. He is very fast and versatile but obviously durability is a question mark and will dictate where he is taken. Similar situation to Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder last year. Bobby Carpenter (Ohio State) Spent the last few years living in the shadow of the ‘great A.J. Hawk’. His father played for the Giants (which makes Gruden almost certain to pick him) and would be a natural fit as a strong side linebacker in a 4-3. Excellent at rushing the passer along with his better than expected combine results. The fear is the Carpenter will be drafted higher than his current talent deserves because of his ideal NFL size. Thomas Howard (UTEP) probably my favourite prospect of all the linebackers, another linebacker with NFL genes (father played for the Chiefs and Cardinals) physically this guy is amazing, size of a linebacker at 6’3 239lbs, moves so well he did the safety drills at the combine and excelled (ran a 4.4s 40 time). Has the speed to match up to slot receivers and tight ends. Really not enough can be said about him physically speaking. His football skills are however are marginal at best, very limited football intelligence. I think a few years under the right coaching he could be a serious asset to any team. Even now the thought of turning him lose on 3rd down is appealing. He is a first round athlete with 5th round skills. Sims is the marquee pick in this class for the Bucs and Howard maybe the ultimate boom/bust pick, but there are some very intriguing prospects in the years class. It is all about striking a balance between best available athlete and need. One of these linebackers may just do that. Wayne Maw, March 2006