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(March 9, 2005) -- One man's ranking of the top five linebackers in the NFL draft:
1. Derrick Johnson, Texas, Outside
Positives: Speed, play-making ability, ball skills, instincts, ability to diagnose plays, tackling, height (6-foot-3), long arms … He is not only the best linebacker in the draft, but the best defensive player in the entire college crop, and his game-changing impact should make him a top-five pick.
Negatives: Handling running plays directed straight at him, upper-body strength.
2. Shawne Merriman, Maryland, Outside (underclassman)
Positives: Size (6-4, 272 pounds), pass-rushing, instincts, intensity, leaping ability, open-field tackling, outside run stopping … Although he surprised more than a few player personnel evaluators by electing not to work out at the National Scouting Combine, Merriman still offers enough elite talent as a pass rusher to be selected in the middle of the first round.
Negatives: Hand placement, ability to gain leverage on offensive linemen, vulnerability to play action.
3. Darryl Blackstock, Virginia, Outside (underclassman)
Positives: Initial quickness, change-of-direction skills, intensity, discipline, recognition skills … His talent is good enough for him to become a low first-round choice or early second-rounder.
Negatives: Lower-body strength, ability to gain separation from blockers, overall technique against the run.
4. Channing Crowder, Florida, Inside (underclassman)
Positives: Man-to-man coverage of running backs, intensity, instincts, big-hitting ability … He is very raw and probably should have remained in college for one more season to fully develop his skills, yet he does have the talent to likely become a second-round choice.
Negatives: Lower-body strength, ability to shed blockers, discipline and accuracy in making reads.
5. Kevin Burnett, Tennessee, Outside
Positives: Size (6-2, 239 pounds), speed, athleticism, man-to-man coverage of running backs, tackling … His stock didn’t suffer because of the calf injury that prevented him from working out at the combine; he should be a solid second-rounder.
Negatives: Recognition skills, closing speed as a pass rusher.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/8273061
1. Derrick Johnson, Texas, Outside
Positives: Speed, play-making ability, ball skills, instincts, ability to diagnose plays, tackling, height (6-foot-3), long arms … He is not only the best linebacker in the draft, but the best defensive player in the entire college crop, and his game-changing impact should make him a top-five pick.
Negatives: Handling running plays directed straight at him, upper-body strength.
2. Shawne Merriman, Maryland, Outside (underclassman)
Positives: Size (6-4, 272 pounds), pass-rushing, instincts, intensity, leaping ability, open-field tackling, outside run stopping … Although he surprised more than a few player personnel evaluators by electing not to work out at the National Scouting Combine, Merriman still offers enough elite talent as a pass rusher to be selected in the middle of the first round.
Negatives: Hand placement, ability to gain leverage on offensive linemen, vulnerability to play action.
3. Darryl Blackstock, Virginia, Outside (underclassman)
Positives: Initial quickness, change-of-direction skills, intensity, discipline, recognition skills … His talent is good enough for him to become a low first-round choice or early second-rounder.
Negatives: Lower-body strength, ability to gain separation from blockers, overall technique against the run.
4. Channing Crowder, Florida, Inside (underclassman)
Positives: Man-to-man coverage of running backs, intensity, instincts, big-hitting ability … He is very raw and probably should have remained in college for one more season to fully develop his skills, yet he does have the talent to likely become a second-round choice.
Negatives: Lower-body strength, ability to shed blockers, discipline and accuracy in making reads.
5. Kevin Burnett, Tennessee, Outside
Positives: Size (6-2, 239 pounds), speed, athleticism, man-to-man coverage of running backs, tackling … His stock didn’t suffer because of the calf injury that prevented him from working out at the combine; he should be a solid second-rounder.
Negatives: Recognition skills, closing speed as a pass rusher.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/8273061
