NFL Draft: Top 10 linebackers
Overview: "It's a very good [group] because there are a lot of combo guys that are not necessarily going to be projected as linebackers. [TCU's] Jerry Hughes could be projected as a defensive end or outside linebacker. Brandon Graham from Michigan will be projected as a defensive end or linebacker. The same thing with Sergio Kindle [of Texas]. Then you get into your true linebackers, the guys that are defined as linebackers and [Missouri's Sean] Weatherspoon would be one of those. Daryl Washington from TCU would be another. He has a very solid grade. There is a bit of a drop off after that first group."
-- Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst
Top 10 linebackers
4. Brandon Spikes, Florida, 6-3, 256: Doesn't have great foot speed, but has superior football instincts to play inside. He was suspended for a game after trying to gouge the eyes of a Georgia player last season.
5. Jerry Hughes, TCU, 6-2, 257: He had 16.5 sacks last season and won the Hendricks Award. Great rusher off the edge.
7. Daryl Washington, TCU, 6-2, 226: Played inside in the Horned Frogs' 4-2-5 defense. He's projected as an outside linebacker in the NFL, but he might need to add about 10 pounds to play there.
10. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State, 6-1, 241: Originally signed with Georgia, but was denied admission. He missed the 2008 season after suffering a broken left leg.
Other NFL prospects: Sean Lee, Penn State; Ricky Sapp, Clemson; Perry Riley, LSU; Donald Butler, Washington; Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State; Jermaine Cunningham, Florida; Koa Misi, Utah; Brandon Lang, Troy; Dekoda Watson, Florida State and Cameron Sheffield, Troy.
Five teams in need: Cincinnati, New York Giants, New Orleans, Tennessee and Arizona
Five teams not interested: Baltimore, Buffalo, San Diego, Minnesota and New York Jets
Falcons' view: The Falcons have heavily scouted the linebacker group, and McClain, Weatherspoon, Hughes, Norwood and Chaney all have had workouts. The team is in the market for outside linebackers who can play well in pass coverage and stuff the run. Also, the draft pick will be required to play on special teams. The Falcons could select a linebacker with the 19th pick.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
