OLB's in the draft

[Jackofalltrades]

Whatcha got?

With TD down again it's going to be a hole we have to fill.

[C47]

Zach Brown and Sean Spence are two names that stick out with the latter probably being available much later in the draft....

[SOJA]

Zach brown band bitch

[Jackofalltrades]

I'm thinking early in the draft actually, 1st or 2nd round.

[Crixtala]

Here's the top-five listed on WalterFootball.com:

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Height: 6-2. Weight: 225.

Projected 40 Time: 4.41.

Projected Round (2012): 1.

9/15/11: Thus far this season, Brown has 12 tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks with a pass broken up. He was all over the field last Saturday against Rutgers, not only showing fantastic blitzing ability, but recording six tackles with 2.5 tacklesfor a loss and one sack. If Brown stays consistent, he could make a strong case to be a middle-of-the-first-round selection.

8/23/11: Like many North Carolina players of recent years, Zach Brown is a special athlete. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker was said to clock a time of 4.28 in the 40-yard dash in 2009. While Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant were the name linebackers for the Tar Heels last season, Brown out-produced them. Brown was second on the team in tackles with 72 and 1.5 tackles for a loss. He also had three interceptions. As a sophomore, he had 47 tackles and four tackles for a loss. Brown has a great supporting cast, so 2011 should be a big season for him.

Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

Height: 6-2. Weight: 232.

Projected 40 Time: 4.50.

Projected Round (2012): 1-2.

9/15/11: Lewis has been out with a broken foot. He is expected to return in October.

8/23/11: Travis Lewis looked like he was on his way to an epic college-football career after he notched 144 tackles as a freshman with 12 tackles for a loss, four interceptions, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. However, Lewis' production declined as a sophomore and junior. He had 109 tackles each of the past two seasons. Last year, he also recorded three interceptions, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and zero forced fumbles. Lewis is going to have another decline in production as a senior because he broke a bone in his foot this preseason. That injury will keep him out of the lineup until early to mid October. Lewis needs to play lights-out football when he comes back to make sure he is a first-rounder. Sources around the Oklahoma program have told WalterFootball.com that Lewis is a prima donna. He thinks that he should get big money and endorsements immediately when entering the NFL. That attitude could turn off a lot of teams, and Lewis needs to humble himself to not get himself taken off of multiple draft boards.

Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

Height: 6-4. Weight: 239.

Projected 40 Time: 4.61.

Projected Round (2012): 2.

9/15/11: Thomas has started the season on fire, collecting 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss, and nine tackles with two forced fumbles. His stock has risen from a potential mid-rounder after 2009 to a high second-day pick.

8/23/11: Chase Thomas started his career as a defensive end and made eight starts at the position in 2009. He had 36 tackles with four sacks. Last year, Thomas was moved to outside linebacker in Stanford's 3-4 defense, and that position was a better fit for him. Thomas recorded 70 tackles with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. As teams look to find the next Clay Matthews, Thomas could see his stock rise quickly if he has a good senior season.

Keenan Robinson, OLB, Texas

Height: 6-3. Weight: 239.

Projected 40 Time: 4.55.

Projected Round (2012): 2.

9/15/11: Robinson has 13 tackles with a tackle for a loss and two passes defensed so far this season. He was around the ball a lot but did not have a big stat line last Saturday against BYU.

8/23/11: Keenan Robinson is a fast, physical and underrated player. Last year, Robinson led Texas in tackles with 105. He also had 7.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Robinson (6-3, 235) also is a quality player on special teams. He was an All-Big XII honorable mention for the second straight season. Robinson notched 63 tackles and four tackles for a loss as a sophomore. Robinson has good size, and if he has a big senior season, could push for consideration in the first round.

Lavonte David, OLB, Nebraska

Height: 6-1. Weight: 216.

Projected 40 Time: 4.55.

Projected Round (2012): 2-3.

9/15/11: David recorded 24 tackles with .5 tackles for a loss so far this season. He will see a good test with a rematch against Washington and running back Chris Polk this Saturday.

8/23/11: Lavonte David was a monster last year for the Cornhuskers. He averaged almost 11 tackles per game and set a single season school record with 152 tackles on the season. To go along with his fabulous tackle production, David recorded six sacks, 12.5 tackles for a loss, and eight passes broken up. With Nebraska moving to the Big Ten, David's role will change as they will play a more traditional 4-3 defense, with David as their Will linebacker. The undersized and speedy David is a good fit in a Tampa 2 defense.

And there's a LOT more at: http://walterfootball.com/draft2012OLB.php

[adub2b23]

TD could have been a top backer in the league. That said, I would like to.draft someone with a similar skill set, fast and hard hitting. Zach brown looks to have the speed on check

[Panthercougar68]

I like Brown. Only problem his the way things are Mocking right now he's a late 1st rounder. He would be a nice addition at the top of the 2nd.

of course that's "right now" and I know nothing won't be set in stone till basically early April :lol:

[KDawg004]

Sean Spence would be a great OLB to get after rounds 1-2. Dude is a ball hawk and has a non stop motor.

[HeatCheck]

If we had a need for LB I would be all over Vontaze Burfict. To me, he will be the top defensive prospect. The only thing holding him back is that he has a mean/dirty streak and can pick up unnecessary flags. He has great instincts and he's gonna be a stud.

Wrote this in another thread. I am sure with his talent he can play OLB too.

[SOJA]

how ironic is it that out of: Cam, Peterson, Green, Dareus, and Miller......Von looked like the one we would never draft.....now with Cam, two improving rookie DT's we could use Miller .....wtf

[jtnc]

how ironic is it that out of: Cam, Peterson, Green, Dareus, and Miller......Von looked like the one we would never draft.....now with Cam, two improving rookie DT's we could use Miller .....wtf

Miller is gonna be a sack machine like Matthews, while Beason is more of a tackler/coverage Linebacker.

[jtnc]

Man would it be nice to trade a top 5 pick and draft Brown then possibly draft Malcolm Floyd in the second along with Xavier Rhodes.

[C47]

No to Floyd....he can't stay away from the bottle....

[Lout]

Zach Brown would be nuts in our scheme. He can blitz like a boss, and faster than Thomas Davis.. (track guy).. he actually reminds me of TD coming out. Would have to gain 10lbs.