Plankton
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http://m.jsonline.com/sports/packer...spects-linebackers-b99487244z1-301505991.html
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. BENARDRICK McKINNEY, Mississippi State (6-4, 247, 4.65, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Tunica, Miss. "I like him just because he's a bigger guy," one scout said. "I could see him filling that Dont'a Hightower role. Being that big ol' guy taking on guards." High-school QB started at OLB in 2012 and at MLB in 2013-'14. "Great kid, great character," a second scout said. "Brandon Spikes wasn't the athlete but same kind of player. Benardrick has to prove he can be impactful on third (down) and sub. Is he going to be Lavonte David or Mychal Kendricks on first and second downs as well as play third down? He's definitely a stud vs. the run." Finished with 243 tackles (19½ for loss), 7½ sacks often rushing from a three-point stance in sub and seven big plays (combination of interceptions, fumbles forced and fumbles recovered). "Stiff in coverage," another scout said. "Straight-line fast. First- and second-down thumper. He can take you on." Led ILBs in vertical jump (40½ inches). Scored 14 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.
2. STEPHONE ANTHONY, Clemson (6-2 ½, 243, 4.56, 1-2): Three-year starter from Polkton, N.C. "Runs well," one scout said. "Really heavy downhill guy when he hits it right. He's athletic enough to be a three-down 'mike.' There's a little stiffness to him." Started 35 of 52 games, finishing with 255 tackles (33½ for loss), 9 ½ sacks and nine big plays. "He's a willing hitter," a second scout said. "He doesn't quite show up with all the flashy play-making you would think for somebody who worked out and looked as good as he did. The physicality part is not a weakness." Some scouts say he can play three downs, others say he can't. "Change of direction was a little bit of an issue," a third scout said. "But he's strong and can knock you back. He can run through gaps. I liked him. I didn't love him." Wonderlic of 23.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. DANTE FOWLER, Florida (6-2 ½, 263, 4.59, 1): Third-year junior from St. Petersburg, Fla. "Real tough guy," one scout said. "Plays hard. Can run. Really heavy hands. He's not elite at anything, but you like the kid and the effort and the toughness. He's not a Khalil Mack type athlete." Two-year starter with 33 3/4-inch arms. "They had him doing so much there," another scout said. "People truly didn't get to see him just take off and be what he's going to be in the NFL. He's a lot like Clay (Matthews). They just have that relentless approach. He's wired the right way. The big-time rushers are those guys that can put their hand in the ground and drive them back. That's Clay, Julius (Peppers), Mario (Williams), Dwight (Freeney). Dante has a power game, too." Two-year starter with 140 tackles (33½ for loss), 14½ sacks and seven big plays. "He brings that (Robert) Quinn type ability," a third scout said. "He has the ability to accelerate his feet as he works his hands. Those guys are rare. He'll have to be taught to play the run." Wonderlic of 16.
2. RANDY GREGORY, Nebraska (6-5, 235, 4.62, 1): Played two seasons in junior college and two at DE for the Cornhuskers. "He is the best natural pass rusher," one scout said. "There's no question. He also has the biggest chance to bust. He's a freak. (Tall), tremendous feet and burst." Finished with 120 tackles (25½) for loss, 17½ sacks and five big plays. "He's got great get-off, flexibility and is extremely disruptive," a second scout said. "He has the ability to affect the game like Jevon Kearse (6-5, 262, 4.48)." Said he played as high as 258 pounds but was 235 at the combine, 238 at pro day March 5 and 228 on a team visit within the last 10 days. "He's got a light load," a third scout said. "He gets his (expletive) kicked around in the run game. Dropping into coverage will be a little bit of an issue. He hasn't done that. The only thing you can do with him is be a designated pass rusher." Part of a military family, he lived in several states before attending high school in Fishers, Ind. Missed time with several major injuries starting in 2011. Wonderlic of 28.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. BENARDRICK McKINNEY, Mississippi State (6-4, 247, 4.65, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Tunica, Miss. "I like him just because he's a bigger guy," one scout said. "I could see him filling that Dont'a Hightower role. Being that big ol' guy taking on guards." High-school QB started at OLB in 2012 and at MLB in 2013-'14. "Great kid, great character," a second scout said. "Brandon Spikes wasn't the athlete but same kind of player. Benardrick has to prove he can be impactful on third (down) and sub. Is he going to be Lavonte David or Mychal Kendricks on first and second downs as well as play third down? He's definitely a stud vs. the run." Finished with 243 tackles (19½ for loss), 7½ sacks often rushing from a three-point stance in sub and seven big plays (combination of interceptions, fumbles forced and fumbles recovered). "Stiff in coverage," another scout said. "Straight-line fast. First- and second-down thumper. He can take you on." Led ILBs in vertical jump (40½ inches). Scored 14 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.
2. STEPHONE ANTHONY, Clemson (6-2 ½, 243, 4.56, 1-2): Three-year starter from Polkton, N.C. "Runs well," one scout said. "Really heavy downhill guy when he hits it right. He's athletic enough to be a three-down 'mike.' There's a little stiffness to him." Started 35 of 52 games, finishing with 255 tackles (33½ for loss), 9 ½ sacks and nine big plays. "He's a willing hitter," a second scout said. "He doesn't quite show up with all the flashy play-making you would think for somebody who worked out and looked as good as he did. The physicality part is not a weakness." Some scouts say he can play three downs, others say he can't. "Change of direction was a little bit of an issue," a third scout said. "But he's strong and can knock you back. He can run through gaps. I liked him. I didn't love him." Wonderlic of 23.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. DANTE FOWLER, Florida (6-2 ½, 263, 4.59, 1): Third-year junior from St. Petersburg, Fla. "Real tough guy," one scout said. "Plays hard. Can run. Really heavy hands. He's not elite at anything, but you like the kid and the effort and the toughness. He's not a Khalil Mack type athlete." Two-year starter with 33 3/4-inch arms. "They had him doing so much there," another scout said. "People truly didn't get to see him just take off and be what he's going to be in the NFL. He's a lot like Clay (Matthews). They just have that relentless approach. He's wired the right way. The big-time rushers are those guys that can put their hand in the ground and drive them back. That's Clay, Julius (Peppers), Mario (Williams), Dwight (Freeney). Dante has a power game, too." Two-year starter with 140 tackles (33½ for loss), 14½ sacks and seven big plays. "He brings that (Robert) Quinn type ability," a third scout said. "He has the ability to accelerate his feet as he works his hands. Those guys are rare. He'll have to be taught to play the run." Wonderlic of 16.
2. RANDY GREGORY, Nebraska (6-5, 235, 4.62, 1): Played two seasons in junior college and two at DE for the Cornhuskers. "He is the best natural pass rusher," one scout said. "There's no question. He also has the biggest chance to bust. He's a freak. (Tall), tremendous feet and burst." Finished with 120 tackles (25½) for loss, 17½ sacks and five big plays. "He's got great get-off, flexibility and is extremely disruptive," a second scout said. "He has the ability to affect the game like Jevon Kearse (6-5, 262, 4.48)." Said he played as high as 258 pounds but was 235 at the combine, 238 at pro day March 5 and 228 on a team visit within the last 10 days. "He's got a light load," a third scout said. "He gets his (expletive) kicked around in the run game. Dropping into coverage will be a little bit of an issue. He hasn't done that. The only thing you can do with him is be a designated pass rusher." Part of a military family, he lived in several states before attending high school in Fishers, Ind. Missed time with several major injuries starting in 2011. Wonderlic of 28.
