NFL Draft: Falcons’ need at linebacker

Leading up to this weekend’s NFL Draft, the AJC will look at five areas of need for the Falcons. Today: linebacker.

The Falcons are going in another direction at linebacker. Two starters last season — Keith Brooking (Dallas) and Michael Boley (New York Giants) — were allowed to leave during free agency.

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Souther California’s Brian Cushing would fill the Falcons’ need for an outside linebacker if he’s available at No. 24.

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Coy Wire took over for Boley in running situations late last season. Michael Peterson, who played under head coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville, was added during free agency.

The Falcons are going to have a shot at addressing their outside linebacker position early in the draft. There’s a glut of hybrid defensive end/linebackers in this draft and a very good one will likely drop to the Falcons with their first-round pick (24th).

Southern Cal’s Brian Cushing, Penn State’s Aaron Maybin and Northern Illinois’ Larry English all could be on the board when the Falcons make their first pick.

Cushing would be a controversial pick. He’s been a rumored steroid user, going all the way back to high school. At the NFL scouting combine, he addressed the accusations.

“You know, I don’t understand all that,” Cushing said. “You know, people want to say that all the time. But you can ask anyone I know. I’m the hardest working guy on the team, and people can just say whatever they want.”

Maybin has superior pass-rushing ability.

English was the two-time most valuable player for the Mid-American Conference, a rare feat for a defensive player.

With the NFL draft this weekend, we look at the Falcons’ needs at linebacker with some potential selections:

FIRST-ROUND PROSPECT

Brian Cushing, USC

• Position: Strongside

• Height/Weight: 6-foot-2 7/8, 243

• Skinny: Plays the game with a violent spirit and without hesitation. Extremely intense. Has played in a pro-styled defense. “I’m a natural linebacker with my best trait being just my instincts,” Cushing said.

MIDDLE-ROUND PROSPECT (Rounds 2-4)

Kaluka Maiava, USC

• Position: Weakside

• Height/Weight: 5-11 1/2, 229

• Skinny: Grandfather was a professional wrestler and he’s the cousin of former wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Can cover running backs and some receivers in pass coverage. Was over shadowed by playing on a unit with two likely first-round picks.

LATE-ROUND PROSPECT (Rounds 5-6, priority free agent)

Lee Robinson, Alcorn State

• Position: Weakside

• Height/Weight: 6-2 1/8, 249

• Skinny: Spent three seasons at weakside before playing in the middle last season. Has good speed for his size and striking ability.