Posters denigrate the ILBs that are available this year. They are wrong when talking bout Patriots type ILBs. There are three good ones and a good developmental one as well. Most scouts evaluate from a 4-3 perspective and size versus speed is not as important. But Bill's 3-4 needs both size, speed, and LB instincts. Most years the ILBs are 6'0" and 230 pounds the run 4.70 or more. Demeco Ryans was 6-1 225 and not likely to get much bigger taken in the top of the second round last year.
The first ILB drafted last year with a 3-4 size, was Schlecter from OSU who was 6'0 250 and ran a 4.82; he went early in the third round to Eric Mangini's Jets.
By comparison this year area s big but much much faster. Willis was 6-1+ and 240 and ran a 4.49. Harris at 6-2 245 ran a 4.55; and Zak DeOsssie at 6-4 250 ran at 4.58. Posluzny at 6-1+ and 238 ran a 4.65. All four have smarts, lateral quickness, and a LB mentality. All are instinctive football athletes that would excel in a 3-4 lineup.
Most years there are no ILBs that fit that description. I could see the Pats both having a need, and the draft picks to pick up a pair of these guys.
I actually rank them for the Pats 3-4 as follows: Harris, Willis &/or Posluzny (tie) and then DeOssie. Bur DeOssie is still a first day selection from a 3-4 perspective.
