From what most NFL draft experts and handicappers claim, this year’s linebacker crop is not the strongest in the 2002 draft.
For the most part, it seems the prospects who have the size don’t have the speed the scouts would like to see, and vice versa.
Still, the Tennessee Titans may look to add a linebacker with one of their nine draft choices after having veterans Greg Favors and Eddie Robinson depart in the past few days.
Both Favors and Robinson were starters last season, leaving Randall Godfrey as the lone holdover.
Keith Bulluck is poised to move into one spot, likely the weakside position, leaving Frank Chamberlin as the current frontrunner to claim Favors’ old spot.
Adding a free agent like Donnie Edwards is not out of the realm of possibility, but whether or not the Titans lasso Edwards, drafting a linebacker this weekend is still likely.
The Titans will have to assess their personnel to see whether or not an outside linebacker or an inside linebacker is their priority. A lot of that depends on Chamberlin, who has been backup to Godfrey in the middle the past two seasons. Even if Chamberlin moves outside as a starter, he could still be Godfrey’s backup in the middle, but the Titans would have to make sure they snare an outside linebacker either in free agency or the draft.
Though this year’s linebacker group is thin, here is a look at a few of the top players available, some of whom could even last into the third or fourth round.
Outside linebacker
One of the top-rated outside linebackers on most draft boards didn’t even play the position his senior year of college.
Northwestern’s Napoleon Harris instead played defensive end, evidence of his being an unselfish player. Still, he managed to make a number of simply spectacular plays on defense and is a good enough athlete that he joined the Northwestern basketball team at the conclusion of football season.
Raonall Smith of Washington State is a player who certainly looks the part of a top-flight athlete. At 6-2, 240 pounds and a 40 time in the 4.5 neighborhood, Smith certainly possesses the physical tools to be a star. However, he has been quite inconsistent, looking great at times and disappearing at others. He is a good blitzer who will punish opposing ball carriers, but sometimes does not pursue well to the ball.
Alabama’s Saleem Rasheed is entering the draft after his junior season. He played middle linebacker for the Crimson Tide last season, but projects as an outside linebacker in the pros. Rasheed is considered a quality athlete, but needs to improve in several areas in order to become a solid pro.
Oklahoma’s Rocky Calmus exhibits the work ethic and intangibles the Titans generally like. However, the Sooner star could use some added time in the weight room to help him get stronger and more able to fend off blockers.
Other outside linebackers who could merit consideration on draft day include Harris’ Northwestern teammate Kevin Bentley, Ben Leber of Kansas State, David Thornton of North Carolina and James Allen of Oregon State. Tennessee’s Will Overstreet could merit some consideration, but his injury-plagued senior year at UT could hurt him.
Inside linebacker
The key word in examining many of the top inside and/or middle linebacker prospects appears to be “undersized.”
And while that might scare off some teams, an undersized player does not necessarily hinder the Titans’ draft strategy, especially if the player possesses enough speed and strength to offset that lack of height. The Titans went to the Super Bowl three years ago with 5-10 Barron Wortham playing in the middle.
Robert Thomas of UCLA is one of those undersized players. He is listed at 6-0, 230 pounds, somewhat light by NFL standards, but has a knack for getting to the ball carrier and is also a hard worker.
North Carolina State’s Levar Fisher is about the same size as Thomas and also has a reputation or being around the ball. He is also recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and a broken forearm.
Ben Taylor of Virginia Tech is a smart player, who has plenty of energy and the ability to run to the ball as well. Once again, his size (238 pounds) and durability could be question marks.
Two SEC players are among the draft hopefuls, but both LSU’s Trev Faulk and Florida’s Andra Davis have been clocked around 4.8 in the 40-yard dash. Justin Ena of Brigham Young is another big inside linebacker, but might be a risk because he is already 24 years old.