As my NFL draft rankings go, this one might be downright boring to you. If you clicked here expecting some topsy-turvy list where I dog some guy every other media guy seems to love, while hyping up guys others willfully ignore, you’re going to be disappointed. I know it’s my M.O., but with this group of outside linebackers, there’s just no mystery. We all see the same talents in this crew and we all agree. Maybe there’s a name or two on this list flipped around on another, but I’d bet we all have the same men in our top five. This is a special group.
5. T.J. Watt, Wisconsin (6-4,252)
2016: 63 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one defensive touchdown
That Watt DNA puts men in the NFL. The first, of course, was oldest brother J.J. Watt, currently an All-Universe defensive end for the Houston Texans and one of the best players in the NFL. Last year, middle brother Derek Watt got drafted in the sixth round by the Los Angeles Chargers and spent the season as their starting fullback. Now it’s little brother T.J.’s turn and he looks just as NFL-ready as his brothers.
Watt has a tremendous burst out of the gate, with the quickness and arm-moves to slide around blockers and the power to just bull over them. I rank him behind McKinley, but just barely. I feel like he might have some of that “little brother has something to prove” motivation that could put him on a whole other level in the NFL.
Ideal situation: Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers
4. Takkarist McKinley, UCLA (6-2, 250)
2016: 61 tackles, 18 for a loss, 10 sacks, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
McKinley does this move I love where he grabs the guy he’s going to tackle, then does this alligator death roll to just blast him down. It’s completely legal and has to hurt like hell. When he doesn’t do that, he drives straight into a quarterback or running back, hitting through them all the way to the ground. Either way, he’s delivering a blow.
He’s so good with his off-tackle arm and his shoulders, that he can slip by offensive tackles seemingly with ease. It doesn’t hurt that he has a quick first step and uses his long legs to roll up the turf on his way into the backfield.
Ideal situation: Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Tim Williams, Alabama (6-3, 244)
2016: 31 tackles, 16 for a loss, nine sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
Williams may have the best swim move I’ve ever seen in college football. He comes off that line and starts weaving his arms like Taimak in The Last Dragon, but instead of kicking Sho’Nuff into a conveniently-located vat of water, he sacks a quarterback. Williams’ biggest obstacle in racking up defensive stats were his own teammates. It was a race through the line and sometimes Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson are going to win their share of those battles.
Williams has performed at the highest level against consistently the best offensive line talent in the country. The only knock against him is he might be the second best linebacker and third best defensive player on his own team.
Ideal situation: New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens
2. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt (6-3, 234)
2016: 125 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, three passes defended, two forced fumbles four fumble recoveries
Cunningham is the prototype NFL outside linebacker. He played the position as a pure OLB in a 4-3 at Vanderbilt. His job was to stop the run and cover on passing downs, which he did better than anyone in all of NCAA football.
Cunningham’s tackling technique is a clinic. Like McKinley, he uses that alligator death roll when he needs to, but his main moves is the picture-perfect wrap up and drag down.
Ideal situation: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens
1. Haasan Reddick, Temple (6-1, 237)
2016: 65 tackles, 22.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three pass defenses, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception
Reddick was a walk-on at Temple, not even recruited by a program of that size and he was originally a defensive back. That didn’t last long. The reason these smaller schools seem to produce elite 3-4 outside linebacker pass rushers is the Power 5 schools mostly run 4-3 defenses. They might have defensive ends that can convert, but a guy like Reddick is the perfect NFL specimen that seems to fall through the NCAA cracks. Just look at Khalil Mack. Dude played at Buffalo for God’s sake.
Reddick’s tape makes him look like Von Miller and these aren’t just scrub teams he faced off against at Temple. The Owls played a real schedule in his time there as his tape showing sacks against Penn State and Notre Dame show. Reddick is the real deal and not only will he be the first outside linebacker taken, he should be the early favorite for defensive rookie of the year.
Ideal situation: San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills
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