The OLB profile seems pretty clear: we're looking for physical freaks, 6'5" 250, fast, strong, athletic and explosive. Once you've narrowed it down to that miniscule sliver of humanity, you start looking for versatile players who could put their hand down or drop into coverage, and show Patriot-style intangibles. Then you marvel that such human beings exist.
But ILB is baffling to me. When is the last time the Patriots successfully added an ILB to their roster? What's the profile? The body type isn't so rare, but the position seems to be devilishly hard to master. Football intelligence is a must. With 4-year max contracts can you wait for an agile, athletic DE like Bruschi and Beisel to learn the trade? Do you hunt for the rare college LB with 3-4 experience like Ryan Claridge? Claridge, incidentally, is reputed to be smart, instinctive, athletic and good in pass coverage -- but lacking strength and suspect against the run. So is a run stuffer a higher priority? Overall I have no friggin' idea.
With that encouraging statement, I'll start on the OLBs:
Round 1
Manny Lawson, N.C. State
I don't think I need to do much persuading here, Lawson is a darling of this board. Looks like a prototype OLB, physical marvel, has played both DL and LB. Main question mark is how much he can improve against the run, which is a glaring weak point.
Bottom 1 / Top 2
Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
This guy should be at the top of everybody's lists. He has all the physical skills, and get this--he's an actual *linebacker*. A productive one at that. Plus he seems to be a smart, hardworking guy with a good attitude from a football family. Nfldraftcountdown says: "Is very natural and does an excellent job in coverage...Does a nice job of filling against the run...Flies to the ball and makes plays sideline-to-sideline...Tremendous pass rusher and blitzer...Tough as nails and a true football player." So what's not to like about Carpenter? There are whispers about his intelligence and awareness. Also, the fact that he's a relatively polished finished product is oddly held against him -- not enough "upside." But while you wait for the upside of a Kam Wimbley (see below), Carpenter could be contributing steadily.
Kamerion Wimbley, Florida State
A lot of mocks have Wimbley neck-and-neck with Lawson, but I'm not sold...I like his talent, but not at #21. He's a terrific athlete, a hard worker and an explosive pass rusher, but not very strong and even more of a liability against the run than Lawson is. Here's a snippet from Nfldraftscout that gives me pause: "Lacks awareness and is slow to react to the play, needing time to digest what is developing around him."
Round 2-3
Stanley McClover, Auburn
McClover is another DE conversion project, a bit slower than Lawson and Wimbley but still explosive and far stouter against the run. Condraft says: "possesses tremendous quickness and speed and can wreak havoc as an edge rusher...He also is a sure tackler and can really stop the run. He plays with a lot of emotion and has a great motor." Fftoolbox says: "alert to plays all over the field, active & consistently in motion, and is very good in pursuit of the ball."
Mark Anderson, Alabama
Anderson might be the most well-balanced prospect for the position. He doesn't stand out in any one way, but is very respectable in size, speed, quickness, strength, run support, penetration, and movement in space. I might even rank him higher if he had LB experience. Fftoolbox says: "He displays explosive quickness and speed off the snap...a rather agile and athletic player for the defensive end position...reminds me of current NFL defensive end Willie McGinest."
Round 4-5
Charlton Keith, Kansas
A tall, lanky DE at 6'5" 237, and a very intriguing project. Condraft says: "Charlton displays an incredible amount of athleticism, possesses solid technique for knifing through an opposing team's offensive line." Nfldraftscout says: "All-out hustler...Has the functional strength to explode behind his hits...Has developed a nice feel for blocking schemes and is quick to locate the ball working down the line...Takes good angles and demonstrates superb lateral range to chase the play down." Downsides are his slight build and total lack of LB experience. Also, one of the most confusing names in the draft. Parents, if your last name is a first name, don't choose a first name that's a last name, ok?
Chris Gocong, Cal Poly
6'2" 263 4.70, Div 1-AA player of the year. Didn't try football until high school. A powerful player, Nfldraftcountdown says: "Makes a lot of plays in the backfield and simply has a knack for getting to the quarterback." Condraft says: "a dedicated player and a student of the game, who can breakdown game film and learn from it." Top-notch intangibles, unknown upside.
Brandon Guillory, Louisiana-Monroe
Tremendous athlete at 6'4" 250 4.5, 38" vertical. Call him a very, very raw Manny Lawson: explosive, fearsome penetrator who's iffy against the run. Fftoolbox says: "battles opponents till the whistle, with the physical nastiness needed to be a dominant figure on the field...disruptive playmaker and momentum changer...in his enthusiasm to get to the quarterback he leaves running lanes open...I would like to see him improve on securing tackles better."
