We’ve already touched on a few outside linebackers in our NFL Draft Rankings with the edge rushers. Some of these guys can do both, but when it comes to my OLB Top Seven, I’m sticking with guys that play the whole position. Yep, that means sometimes they have to go out in pass coverage.
Here are the guys that didn’t quite make the cut.
10. Jerome Baker, Ohio State, 9. Tegray Scales, Indiana, 8. Shaquem Griffin, UCF…
TOP SEVEN OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
7. Genard Avery, Memphis
2017: 80 tackles, 22 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (6-1, 255)
Avery did a little bit of everything for Memphis and in the American Conference, he was a beast. He projects more as a strong side linebacker in the pros or the No. 2 inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He’s strong and quick and can help out in the pass rush as a blitzer.
Ideal situation: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams
https://youtu.be/6Uohb0_zIEA
6. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
2017: 141 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended, four forced fumbles (6-4, 256 pounds)
I know that some people look at my rankings and just think I’m a contrarian. Everybody else is in love with this Vander Esch kid, why not me? He’s a good player, of that there’s no doubt. Those numbers are no accident. But I’ve seen comparisons to Luke Kuechly and I definitely don’t see that. He looks stiff on tape and is dominating a league filled with guys that will never play a snap at the NFL level. If I’m honest, I think scouts and NFL writers fall in love with any athletic white guy that shows up in a given year. You make your own call on why that is.
Ideal situation: Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins
https://youtu.be/6m7dy0N8XG8
5. Skai Moore, South Carolina
2017: 93 tackles, eight for a loss, two sacks, three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, two passes defended (6-2, 226 pounds)
Moore is built like a safety and, if he was faster, that’s probably the position he’d play. As it is, he’s one of the best pass defenders or this group and could line up inside in a 3-4 or outside as a weakside LB in a 4-3. He’s a smart kid and can diagnose plays quickly. His 14 career picks are no joke. When the ball gets close to his hands, it’s his.
Ideal situation: Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers
https://youtu.be/iMAERGsEDwc
4. Malik Jefferson, Texas
2017: 110 tackles, 10 for a loss, four sacks (6-3, 236)
When Jefferson lines a guy up, he delivers a blow. He’s got wideout speed and can make up for misdiagnosing a play early with his quickness. Everybody was down on Jefferson coming into this year because his production didn’t match his potential. One new coach bumped up his tackles numbers by 50. NFL coaches should be salivating to get their hands on a kid with his physical gifts.
Ideal situation: New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hozqigG9DOg
3. Fred Warner, BYU
2017: 87 tackles, nine for a loss, one sack, one interception, five passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery (6-3, 236 pounds)
Like Avery, Warner was used all over the place with the Cougars, even lining up as a slot defender on downs. He has safety skills and could end up getting placed at that spot depending on who drafts him. With the continued emergence of the tight end position in the NFL, a guy like Warner who can cover should prove to be especially valuable.
Ideal situation: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Darius Leonard, South Carolina State
2017: 114 tackles, 12 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions (6-2, 213)
Leonard almost made my edge rushers list, but I decided to leave him here even though his NFL coach might not. At 213, he’s definitely built more like a safety than an outside linebacker. The problem, as usual, with a guy like Leonard is his competition at the FCS level generally wasn’t in his physical league. What keeps him ranked high, to me, is his ability to play the classic OLB position and rush the passer.
Ideal situation: Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
1. Dorian O’Daniel, Clemson
2017: 88 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries (6-1, 223 pounds)
O’Daniel was a role player at Clemson before last season and still managed to pile up stats. He’s a special teams ace and delivers a blow when he lines up a ballcarrier. Like Leonard, he’s a guy that can play the classic OLB spot or rush the passer. His production has come against the nation’s best and on the biggest stages, including three consecutive national title games.
Ideal situation: Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals
