lamberts-lost-tooth
02-15-2008, 01:56 PM
2008 NFL Outside Linebacker Rankings
Rivals.com
This is an average class of senior outside linebackers. However, the position depth improved significantly with the addition of a few blue-chip underclassmen that declared for the Draft in January.
Keith Rivers is the best linebacker in this class regardless of position.
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POSITION GRADE B
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This year's group of underclassmen is talented, and a few prospects are at a level where they can come in and start as rookies and become impact players early in their careers.
Outside Linebackers Rankings
1. Keith Rivers, 6-2, 235, Southern Cal
This versatile athlete has fine speed and good instincts. He has the skill set to start early and become an impact defender as a pro.
2. Ali Highsmith, 6-0, 225, LSU
Highsmith is a quick player who does well on the outside. He has the speed and playmaking ability to become an early starter.
3. Xavier Adibi, 6-1, 220, Virginia Tech
Adibi teamed with Vince Hall to give Tech a formidable one-two punch at linebacker. Adibi should fit into someone's WIL position early in his career.
4. Erin Henderson, 6-2, 235, Maryland
Henderson is an underclassman who helped add depth to this class. He is a fine athlete and has the talent to be an early NFL starter.
5. Curtis Lofton, 6-0, 235, Oklahoma
Lofton is an explosive player who was a dominant performer in the Big 12 last season. He could have used some more development, but he is a talent.
6. Beau Bell, 6-2, 245, UNLV
Bell has shown the ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. He moves well, and his mobility is his biggest asset.
7. Geno Hayes, 6-1, 220, Florida St.
Hayes could be the next in a line of Seminole defenders who impressed in the NFL. He has a fine combination of speed, instincts and tackling ability that will allow him to compete for early playing time.
8. Shawn Crable, 6-5, 240, Michigan
Crable flashed big-play ability at times over his career, but he needs a big workout to rank higher in this talented group.
9. Ezra Butler, 6-1, 250, Nevada
Butler is a quick edge pass rusher who fits best on the outside in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
10. Jordon Dizon, 6-0, 225, Colorado
Dizon is a mobile prospect who displays keen instincts and fine quickness to overcome marginal size.
11. Wesley Woodyard, 6-1, 220, Kentucky
This agile senior was a consistent playmaker and every-down performer in the Southeastern Conference over the past few seasons.
12. Robert James, 6-0, 225, Arizona St
James had a strong final season that earned him an invitation to the NFL Combine.
13. Bruce Davis, 6-3, 240, UCLA
14. Bryan Kehl, 6-2, 235, BYU
15. Durell Mapp, 6-2, 230, North Carolina
16. Larry Grant, 6-1, 235, Ohio St
17. Gary Guyton, 6-1, 245, Georgia Tech
18. David Vobora, 6-1, 225, Idaho
19. Curtis Gatewood, 6-2, 225, Vanderbilt
20. Bo Ruud, 6-2, 240, Nebraska
21. Stanford Keglar, 6-2, 250, Purdue
22. Alvin Bowen, 6-2, 215, Iowa St
Rivals.com
This is an average class of senior outside linebackers. However, the position depth improved significantly with the addition of a few blue-chip underclassmen that declared for the Draft in January.
Keith Rivers is the best linebacker in this class regardless of position.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSITION GRADE B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This year's group of underclassmen is talented, and a few prospects are at a level where they can come in and start as rookies and become impact players early in their careers.
Outside Linebackers Rankings
1. Keith Rivers, 6-2, 235, Southern Cal
This versatile athlete has fine speed and good instincts. He has the skill set to start early and become an impact defender as a pro.
2. Ali Highsmith, 6-0, 225, LSU
Highsmith is a quick player who does well on the outside. He has the speed and playmaking ability to become an early starter.
3. Xavier Adibi, 6-1, 220, Virginia Tech
Adibi teamed with Vince Hall to give Tech a formidable one-two punch at linebacker. Adibi should fit into someone's WIL position early in his career.
4. Erin Henderson, 6-2, 235, Maryland
Henderson is an underclassman who helped add depth to this class. He is a fine athlete and has the talent to be an early NFL starter.
5. Curtis Lofton, 6-0, 235, Oklahoma
Lofton is an explosive player who was a dominant performer in the Big 12 last season. He could have used some more development, but he is a talent.
6. Beau Bell, 6-2, 245, UNLV
Bell has shown the ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. He moves well, and his mobility is his biggest asset.
7. Geno Hayes, 6-1, 220, Florida St.
Hayes could be the next in a line of Seminole defenders who impressed in the NFL. He has a fine combination of speed, instincts and tackling ability that will allow him to compete for early playing time.
8. Shawn Crable, 6-5, 240, Michigan
Crable flashed big-play ability at times over his career, but he needs a big workout to rank higher in this talented group.
9. Ezra Butler, 6-1, 250, Nevada
Butler is a quick edge pass rusher who fits best on the outside in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
10. Jordon Dizon, 6-0, 225, Colorado
Dizon is a mobile prospect who displays keen instincts and fine quickness to overcome marginal size.
11. Wesley Woodyard, 6-1, 220, Kentucky
This agile senior was a consistent playmaker and every-down performer in the Southeastern Conference over the past few seasons.
12. Robert James, 6-0, 225, Arizona St
James had a strong final season that earned him an invitation to the NFL Combine.
13. Bruce Davis, 6-3, 240, UCLA
14. Bryan Kehl, 6-2, 235, BYU
15. Durell Mapp, 6-2, 230, North Carolina
16. Larry Grant, 6-1, 235, Ohio St
17. Gary Guyton, 6-1, 245, Georgia Tech
18. David Vobora, 6-1, 225, Idaho
19. Curtis Gatewood, 6-2, 225, Vanderbilt
20. Bo Ruud, 6-2, 240, Nebraska
21. Stanford Keglar, 6-2, 250, Purdue
22. Alvin Bowen, 6-2, 215, Iowa St