2009 NFL Draft/Post-Combine - Outside LBs

Where do the top outside linebacker prospects rank as the Combine finishes up? Along with the positives and the negatives for each top prospect, here's the initial ranking for the 2009 NFL Draft outside linebacker class.

2009 NFL Draft

Post-Workout Rankings

The Top Outside Linebacker Prospects

By Pete Fiutak 

- 2009 NFL Combine Numbers
Quarterbacks | Running Backs & Fullbacks | Receivers
Tight Ends | Centers & Guards | Off. Tackles
Def. Ends | Def. Tackles | Inside LBs | Outside LBs
new  Cornerbacks | Safeties

- new  2009 NFL Draft Post-Workout Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Fullbacks | Receivers | Tight Ends
Centers | Guards | Off. Tackles | Def. Ends | Def. Tackles
Inside LBs | Outside LBs | Cornerbacks | Safeties

Full Player Breakdowns & Analysis To Come In March

- 2008 CFN Draft Central
2008 NFL Draft Breakdown and Analysis
1st Round | 2nd Round | 3rd Round | 4th Round | 5th Round | 6th Rd | 7th Rd

1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest  6-2, 254
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 1
Post-Combine Skinny: Considered by most to be the safest pick in the draft also looked like the best overall prospect. He had a special workout looking smooth as silk in all the short drills, jumped out of the stadium, and ripped off an impressive 4.56 in the 40. Not only did he show off, but he proved he might deserve to go in the top three.
Positives: The prototype. Strong, tough, ultra-productive … Great athlete. Looks like he’s shot out of a cannon into the backfield and can match up with any tight end in a pass pattern … Can play inside or out.
Negatives: Has to work a wee bit on wrapping up as a form tackler … Not huge. Will stay at around 250 pounds ... Not known for his pass rushing skills. He'll have to work on getting to the quarterback.

2. Brian Cushing, USC  6-3, 243
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 2
Post-Combine Skinny: Known for being extremely athletic on the field, the 4.74 appeared to be shockingly slow. However, he destroyed the short drills as he flew through the cones and was lightning fast in the shuttle. Throw in the 30 reps in the weight room and he came up with the workout to match what the scouts are going to see on game tape.
Positives: Fast. Really, really fast … Can play any linebacking position in any style … Can be used as a pass rusher from any angle.
Negatives: Durability. He has been banged up throughout his USC career … Won’t be more athletic than NFL players … Not a huge producer.

3. Larry English, Northern Illinois (DE)  6-2, 255
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 3
Post-Combine Skinny: While many might focus on his slow 40 time for an outside linebacker, running a stunningly bad 4.85, his movement in the short drills showed exactly what everyone knows; he's going to be a strong situational pass rusher. The 24 reps in the weight room all but confirmed that he can't be an every down end.
Positives: Superior pass rushing ability … A blur out of the block. Can’t be hit by bigger tackles … Was great against everyone, not just against MAC teams.
Negatives: What’s his position? Too small to play defensive end and didn’t play linebacker in college … He’ll have to learn how to play against the pass.

4. Clint Sintim, Virginia  6-3, 256
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 4
Post-Combine Skinny: Known for being fast and athletic on the field, the 4.78 seemed slow. He showed off his athleticism in the short drills and moved well, but he didn't lift and didn't appear to be special compared to the other top prospects.
Positives: Great all-around playmaker … Fast. Athletic … Great fire. Wants to be good and will work to fit in on either side.
Negatives: Could stand to be a wee bit better against the pass … Can get blocked. Will have to fight off blockers … He didn’t do much in pass coverage at Virginia.

5. Clay Matthews, USC  6-3, 240
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 6
Post-Combine Skinny: Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. He was naturally athletic and smooth in all the drills, moving seamlessly and without any mistakes. the 4.67 40 and 23 reps were good enough, but in everything else, he looked the part of a potentially excellent starter.
Positives: Extremely athletic … Try-hard player who made himself into a special defender … Smart. Doesn’t make mistakes.
Negatives: Had to work to get this size. He’s not going to get much bigger … He has work to do to be a solid NFL linebacker … Not experienced as a starter.

6. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State  6-1, 235
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 5
Post-Combine Skinny: The 4.74 40 was a bit of a surprise for a fast, high-motor player like Freeman, but like almost all Ohio State players, he was impressive in everything else. He tossed up a tackle-like 30 reps in the weight room, jumped 37", and was smooth as glass in the short drills. It was a good overall workout.
Positives: Fast. Really fast … Good athlete who fits the mold. A fluid defender … A warrior who’ll play through dings.
Negatives: Ankle issues … Can be erased by more physical blockers … Not huge and he isn’t going to get bigger.

7. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida  6-2, 243
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 9
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a fine workout, but it wasn't special enough to make any real noise. He showed off good speed and moved well, and the 27 reps will help the cause. If he can get a wee bit bigger, he could be a killer on the inside.
Positives: Tremendous tackler who can play inside or out … Physical. Great at slipping blocks … Always working. Doesn’t dog a play.
Negatives: Might not have a perfect fit in the NFL … Not all that athletic, especially in pass coverage … Might just be used against the run.

8. Cody Brown, Connecticut (DE)  6-2, 244
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 10
Post-Combine Skinny: A true tweener who has to find a position, he might have raised even more concerns with a 4.84 40 run. He moved like a linebacker in the short drills and lifted like an end in the weight room with 26 lifts. He's a prospect that no one's going to know what to do with.
Positives: Athletic. Great on the move … Good special teamer who’ll do whatever is needed to get on the field … Quick enough to be a decent pass rusher.
Negatives: Can be erased when focused on by a big offensive lineman … Not huge and isn’t going to get bigger. Doesn’t play big … Needs to hit the weights.

9. Nic Harris, Oklahoma (S)  6-2, 234
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 7
Post-Combine Skinny: If there was any question whether or not he could be an NFL safety, that was quickly and decisively answered with a 4.78. He'll have to work a lot harder to get stronger, and he wasn't quite as smooth as he was supposed to be for a former defensive back, but he's an outside linebacker.
Positives: A perfect sized NFL safety … Extremely tough and a good hitter … Can play almost anywhere in the defensive back seven.
Negatives: He doesn’t have a position. He’s not fast enough to be a star NFL defensive back and not big enough to be a regular linebacker … He’ll need time to adjust to the pro game and to find one thing he can do well … Got shoved around when he played linebacker in college.

10. Zack Follett, California  6-2, 236
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 13
Post-Combine Skinny: The Combine wasn't going to be his strong suit. However, he ran a solid 4.75 and was surprisingly athletic. He's not going to be off the charts in any of the drills, he's a bit too stiff, but he was more than fine. He's a game tape prospect.
Positives: A major-league hitter … Has no problem getting into the backfield when needed … Great motor. Goes 100% all the time.
Negatives: Not athletic enough. Won’t be able to beat people up at the next level … Only a strongside defender. Won’t play on the weakside … Might be too tough. Will hurt himself trying to fight for a tackle. 

11. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin  6-1, 228
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 14
Post-Combine Skinny: He didn't run, which would've been his strength. He put up a nice 24 reps in the weight room, but he appeared to be more of a strong safety looking to play linebacker than a pure linebacker.
Positives: Really fast … Excellent in pass coverage and great in pursuit … Will be all over the place making plays.
Negatives: Not big and can’t play safety … Will have problems against physical running games … Already dinged up. Trying to get over a knee injury.

12. Ashlee Palmer, Ole Miss  6-2, 225
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 12
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Really athletic. Great on the move … Fine in pass coverage … Can go from sideline to sideline and is tough enough to hold up on either side.
Negatives: Not big and isn’t going to be bigger … He’ll have problems against the run … Not fast enough to move to safety.

13. DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin  6-2, 236
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 11
Post-Combine Skinny: While he didn't run, he showed off his pop and explosion with a 9-11 in the broad jump. He's an athlete who'll have to give one more good workout after coming up with just 19 reps in the weight room.
Positives: Tough. Doesn’t seem to have a problem not being huge … Fast when he’s bearing down on a ball-carrier … A good leader who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
Negatives: Size could limit his upside … Not quite athletic enough to make up for his size … Might be limited to a strongside job. Not a weakside linebacker.

14. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia  6-2, 248
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 16
Post-Combine Skinny: To call it a disaster is a bit harsh, but it wasn't a good workout. He wasn't known for being all that athletic, and he made that painfully clear with a glacier-slow 4.95 in the 40. The 18 reps in the weight room didn't help the cause in any way. He'll have to push the game tapes to generate more of a buzz.
Positives: Tremendous tackler .. .Tough, strong. Looks the part … Finds ways to make plays. Gets the job done.
Negatives: Might have to find a position. He might have to move inside … Isn’t all that athletic. Gets by on want-to … Has a reconstructed knee.

15. Kaluka Maiava, USC  6-0, 229
Pre-Combine Position Rank: NR
Post-Combine Skinny: Way too small to be considered a regular linebacker and not athletic enough to be a safety, Maiava was originally considered nothing more than a strong college player who doesn't have an NFL position. And then he came up with 30 reps on the bench and was lightning quick in the short drills. The 4.77 in the 40 ended any dreams of putting him at safety.
Positives: Productive on a defense full of producers ... Extremely quick. Cuts on a dime ... A tough, strong tackler who plays bigger than his size.
Negatives: He doesn't have an NFL position ... Way too small to be a regular linebacker ... Not fast enough with the deep speed to even be considered at safety.

16. Robert Francois, Boston College  6-2, 245
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 8
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Excellent tackler … Great open field tackler and can get into the backfield … Strong. Great hitting ability with big-time upside.
Negatives: Didn’t start for that long … Mediocre in pass coverage against athletic receivers … Not an elite athlete.  

17. Anthony Heygood, Purdue  6-1, 225
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 17
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: A former running back who’s extremely athletic … A great tackler who can get behind the line … Could be a great special teamer.
Negatives: Needs a ton of work in the weight room … Not fast. He’s athletic, but not fast … Will need to work on technique on the weakside.

18. Solomon Elimimian, Hawaii  5-11, 225
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 18
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Tremendously productive … Great at getting into the backfield and was strong enough to handle himself in the middle … Plays tougher than his size.
Negatives: Small. Way, way too small … Not fast enough to even think about playing safety … Not strong enough to play on the strongside or in the middle.

19. Moise Fokou, Maryland 6-1, 233
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 19
Post-Combine Skinny: Not considered strong coming into Indy, he proved that, and then some, with a mere 12 reps on the bench. He didn't run well enough in the 40 to make up for it, with a 4.76, but he was fantastic at his strength: the short drills. He was among the best players at the Combine at the shuttle and cone drills, and he exploded to a 10-1.
Positives: Very athletic and can end up being a solid weakside NFL defender … Works hard. A former walk-on who made himself a player … Nice tackler who can get into the backfield.
Negatives: Small. He has room to get bigger, but he looks like a safety … Not strong enough. Needs to hit the weights … Could get erased at the next level by bigger, stronger athletes.

20. Lee Robinson, Alcorn State 6-2 249
Pre-Combine Position Rank: 20
Post-Combine Skinny: This was his big chance to come out and shine, and he didn't. He ran a pedestrian 4.78 in the 40 and wasn't special in the short drills. He's still a good player and a good prospect, but it's going to take more scouting work to figure out exactly where he's going to fit.
Positives: Made every tackle possible. Was all over the field … Prototype look. Very big, very strong … A true leader. It was his defense.
Negatives: Doesn’t have an NFL role. Might have to find a fit … He’ll have to prove he can play with the big boys … Will have to work on his pass coverage.