March 16, 2008

This year's group of linebackers doesn't have a day one pick such as Justin Durant of Hampton from last year or a player who blew away scouts at the combine. It does have solid players you can draft on day two that could be solid backups and role players for a long time to come.

There are several players who should be taken in the 4th-7th round range who will make a move from defensive end to linebacker, which means it will take some development to see many of these guys become solid NFL players at their new position

This group is headlined by Bryan Smith, Curtis Johnson, Kroy Biermann, and Steve Allen who all received invites to the Scouting Combine. There are several other potential NFL stars with Joe Mays, Ronnie McCullough, and Andy Studebaker all in this group as well.

Every year NFL scouts have a tough task to not only find linebackers who can run, hit, tackle, and cover but also figure out whether that player projects as an inside or outside linebacker.

We try to do that for you this week with the top inside and outside linebackers below:

TOP 3 SMALL SCHOOL OUT SIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Bryan Smith, McNeese State , 6023, 231lbs, 4.57 40

Smith finished his career as a two-time 1st team All-American and two-time Buck Buchanan Award Finalist. He was a sack master at McNeese State as he put up 24 sacks in his last two years. He earned consensus All-America honors in 2007 with 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Outside linebacker is where most scouts project him due to his lack of height and bulk for defensive end in the NFL. Smith is very athletic and displays good explosiveness off the snap but lacks the strength to hold the line at the next level and has no experience at the linebacker position. He played in the 2008 Hula Bowl and did very well. His NFL grade is tough to gauge as people have him rated anywhere from the 4th to 7th round. He should come off the board sometime in the 5th-6th round range.

2. Curtis Johnson, Clark Atlanta , 6025, 242lbs, 4.64 40

Johnson wasn't considered a prospect by the NFL's scouting services last spring, however, his play in 2007 and the East-West Shrine Game opened the eyes of all 32 NFL teams and he earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. This past year he finished as a consensus All-American with 13.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss. Johnson is expected to make the move from end to linebacker and has the athleticism to do it. It will take some time before he is ready to contribute on more than special teams, however, he is a project worth taking on in the mid rounds. Johnson should come off the board in the 5th to 6th round range.

3. Kroy Biermann , Montana , 6027, 246lbs, 4.68 40

Biermann was very productive over his first three years with 11 sacks as a junior and 6 in the first two seasons as a backup. His 15 sacks and 5 forced fumbles as a senior won him the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award as he edged out another 2008 draft prospect Corey Lynch from Appalachian State. After playing defensive end in college he will have to move to outside linebacker because he lacks the size and strength to play defensive end in the NFL. Biermann got lost at times in games and didn't do much but seemed as if he turned in a big performance when it was needed. If you watch the Montana State game he was silent all game until helping for