Good Linebacker Coming Into NFL DRAFT?

There's a bunch of good linebacker prospects eligible for this draft, the top guys are probably Vontaze Burfict, Manti Te'o, Luke Kuechly, Courtney Upshaw, Nigel Bradham, Zach Brown, Bruce Irvin, Tank Carder, Lavonte David, Sean Spence, Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis and Keenan Robinson.

Burfict, Te'o, and Kuelchy are probably the top three.

Burfict is on his own level in terms of athleticism, but his play is either totally undisciplined and he overruns plays or commits big penalties, or he's totally invisible. There's an elite player somewhere in there, but his tape this year has been legitimately bad and until he lights up the combine (which is almost a given) I could see him slide down some draft boards.

Te'o and Kuelchy are pretty similar in that they're very instinctual and well rounded. Kuelchy in particular is also a phenomenal tackler. They have great futures on a 4-3 team, or on the inside in a 3-4 like Navorro Bowman in San Francisco.

Zach Brown from UNC is also a beast.

As far as pass rushers/3-4 OLBs go, my favorites are 'Bama's Courtney Upshaw and Florida State's Brandon Jenkins. Upshaw reminds me a Calvin Pace type, as in a strongside/right side backer who's stout against the run and competent in coverage but has the size to come in and pressure the QB and be an every down player. I haven't seen as much of Jenkins this year but he really impressed me with his improvement in his pass rushing moves, though he still has a ways to go before he harnesses that great burst off the line.

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State. 6'3, 255 pounds.

Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama. 6'40 265 pounds.

Vontaze Burfict and Manti Teo....google em.

manti teo notre dame

courtney upshaw alabama

donta hightower alabama

brandon maye mississippi state

that dude from boston college not sure if hes a senior

DONT'A HIGHTOWER #30 ALABAMA. 6'4 260

manti teo.....he's pretty huge