2015 NFL Draft: Linebacker

With the influx of spread variations on offense in the NFL today, teams are looking for linebackers that can play in space and cover ground, no matter what defense they run. This year's draft has plenty of talent available for 34 or 43 defenses.

Vic Beasley of Clemson was a possible first rounder had he declared last year, but he decided to work on his game at the college level for one more season. He surprised many by weighing in a 245lbs at the combine, but he appears lean on film. The lack of bulk and strength is apparent on the field, as he can be engulfed by blockers at times, and completely taken out of the running game. Beasley is an explosive athlete off the edge though. He shows the first step, change of direction ability, and closing burst to be a difference maker as a pass rusher. He applies a lot of pressure on blockers right off the snap, and does not quit until the whistle blows. Beasley also shows the skills to make plays in space and in coverage with his athleticism. The upside is there because of his pass rush ability but Beasley will have to work on adding weight and developing his all around skills. He's a truly explosive player, and one 34 OLB prospect that has the physical tools to play outside in a 43 alignment, though that would take some time. He's a true impact player and game changer and is a possible top ten pick on draft day.

OLB RANKINGS Vic Beasley, Clemson Randy Gregory, Nebraska Bud Dupree, Kentucky Shaq Thompson, Washington Eli Harold, Virginia Paul Dawson, TCU Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville Kwon Alexander, LSU Davis Tull, Chattanooga

Missouri's Shane Ray profiles as an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense, as well as a DE in a 43. He has an explosive first step, one of the best in this draft. He fires off the snap and is very difficult to contain once he gets a step. He combines that first step with good agility and tremendous closing speed. Ray is a constant in the opponents backfield and has the speed to bring down the QB or chase down the action from the back side. His relentless motor aids in him both areas as well. Despite being a bit undersized at 6'3 245, his relentlessness and toughness allow him to battle through blocks and make plays. Ray should add some weight and get stronger, as well as learning to disengage from blocks better, but that can be taught and comes with experience. Ray wasn't as impressive as other edge rushers but a nagging foot injury may be to blame. His upside as a pass rusher should make him a top 15 pick on draft day.

Nebraska's Randy Gregory has that classic DE/OLB tweener frame that was once frowned upon but now gives added versatility to defensive looks. He has a great first step, getting off the snap quickly, then uses his natural athleticism to beat tackles into the backfield. Gregory shows impressive change of direction ability, his long arms allow him to keep blockers from locking on, and his closing speed makes him a potential double digit sack man at the next level. Gregory was once viewed as a legitimate 43 end prospect, but a 235lb measurement on his 6'5 frame has limited him to a stand up rusher in a 34 alignment, at least early on Gregory will need to bulk up and get stronger to play with his hand on the ground in a 43 alignment but that may take some time. The biggest issue with Gregory may be off the field concerns. He failed a drug test at the combine, and he apparently failed some while at Nebraska as well. The repeated lack of discipline is a concern and could hurt him on draft day. Once a top five lock, Gregory could slide a bit on draft day. With a number of other talented players at his position, he may slide out of the top ten. The potential is there to be a dominant pass rusher, but Gregory will have to show he wants it and will put in the effort to get better and stay clean.

Shaq Thompson of Washington is the top 43 linebacker in this year's draft. He's the classic weakside linebacker with tremendous range and ability to chase from behind. Thompson is a true sideline to sideline player with his speed and aggressiveness. He's looking to hit someone on every play, and hits bigger than his 225lb frame would indicate. Thompson began his career as a safety, has returned kicks, and also plays running back this year on top of his linebacker responsibilities. He's a gifted athlete that has the quickness and closing speed to be an elite playmaker at the position at the next level, as well as excelling in coverage. Thompson is a bit light and will have trouble taking on blocks at the next level, but that isn't expected to be a major part of his game. Some teams project him at safety, and some even feel running back may be his best position. He didn't light up the combine as many expected, which hurt his draft stock a bit, but he's still an exciting prospect because of his athleticism and range. He will make a 43 team very happy once the draft is over.

Mississippie State's Benardrick McKinney is one of the more versatile defenders in this draft. He can play multiple positions in any defensive scheme. At 6'5 245, he has the frame of a 34 OLB but he plays inside for the Bulldogs. He uses his size and strength to be a force against the run. He shows impressive closing speed for a big man, and that speed would likely allow him to play on the edge in a 34 defense as well. In a 43 defense he can play the mike spot, and may be able to line up on the strong side and cover tight ends. McKinney does not have elite change of direction ability so he fits best inside, but he has all the other tools to be a stand out. He's strong, physical, and can fly to the football. Hes taken on a leadership role this year and was a big reason for MSU's success this season. McKinney probably isn't a game changing type of defender but hes definitely the type of player you go to battle with and can help you win.

ILB RANKINGS Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St. Eric Kendricks, UCLA Stephone Anthony, Clemson Denzel Perryman, Miami Hayes Pullard, USC Ben Heeney, Kansas Bryce Hager, Baylor Taiwan Jones, Michigan St. Ramik Wilson, Georgia Curtis Grant, Ohio St.

Utah's Nate Orchard is one of the years best stories. He had a difficult upbringing, changed his name, changed positions, and became an All American along the way. Nate Fakahafua was a 200lb wide receiver when he enrolled at Utah, and he is leaving school as Nate Orchard, a 250lb DE/OLB. Not many switch from receiver to defensive end, but Orchard did and the athleticism is apparent on the field. He uses that athleticism to be a dominant pass rusher. He has the agility and ability to bend off the edge to get upfield and close on the QB. He is a work in progress though, as you can imagine after the position switch he made. Orchard has to get stronger. He is taken out of too many running plays, which is why he may fit better as a stand up rusher in 34 alignment. There is potential as a 43 DE, but he should thrive early in a different setting. Orchard is aggressive, relentless, and is viewed as a team leader. Those traits will help him in his adjustment to the NFL. Orchard would be a very good pick on day two and will add a boost to someone's pass rush.

UCLA's Eric Kendricks is another versatile linebacker prospect that will be available on day two of the NFL draft. He plays inside for UCLA but his skills will allow him to play on the weakside as well. He's active, quick, and instinctive. Kendricks reads the play very quickly and wastes no time flying to the ball carrier. He has very good agility and closing speed, and makes plays sideline to sideline. He's a very good athlete that also shows the ability to cover backs and tight ends down field, and has the awareness to play in zones. At just 6' 230, Kendricks does struggle to get off blocks and can have trouble when teams run directly at him. He will need some protection and defensive linemen that can occupy blockers in front of him to stay inside at the next level, but the skills and intelligence is there to move to the weakside.

Clemson's Stephone Anthony didn't rack up as much hype as teammate Beasley, but he's a tremendous athlete and player in his own right. He has all the physical tools to be a standout inside or out, in any defense. Anthony has tremendous speed and plays sideline to sideline. He has the change of direction skills to drop into coverage and the closing speed to get to the ball carrier. The athleticism and speed should allow him to play any linebacker position in a 43 alignement. Anthony does need to develop certain aspects of his game. Despite standing 6'3 243lbs, he is not the most physical linebacker in the world. He prefers to side step the action instead of running through it. He appears to react a step slow to the plays in front of him and uses his speed to make up for it. Anthony has the size, speed, and athleticism to make plays all over the football field. He isn't the strongest or most instinctive, but he should still be able to make a lot of plays on Sundays. His performance at the Senior Bowl followed by an excellent combine has made him a potential late first rounder for some teams, but he would provide better value on day two.

At first sight, Miami's Denzel Perryman is your typical short, run stuffing thumper in the middle of the defense. He's a bit on the small size, standing 5'11 236 but he is built very thick and he displays very good natural strength on the field. He loves to mix it up between the tackles. He is quick to read the action and quickly attacks the line of scrimmage. He is not afraid to take on blocks, and does a very good job of getting off of them to make the tackle. Perryman is not just a tackle to tackle run defender though. He has surprising quickness and has the speed to get outside the tackles and still bring down the ball carrier. While not a great athlete, he can drop into coverage and hold his own. Perryman should be an excellent run stuffing linebacker that can also help out in coverage. He's not going to pile up a lot of sacks or turnovers but he's the type of leader teams want in the middle of their defense. He should be able to play the mike position in a 43 or handle a spot inside in a 34, making him an attractive option in any defense.

Other LB's to keep an eye on: Paul Dawson(TCU), Hau'oli Kikaha(Washington), Kwon Alexander(LSU), and Lorenzo Mauldin(Louisville)

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