2011 NFL Draft: Outside Linebacker Rankings

The top 2011 outside linebacker prospects available for the 2011 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

Combine 40 Times: As I explained on Twitter (@walterfootball), the official Combine 40 times are incorrect, and they’ve been proven false via the NFL Network’s simul-cam.

For the 40 times, I use the NFL Network’s unofficial times, which are more accurate. NFL teams use their own timed 40s anyway, so the official 40s are meaningless.

This page was last updated April 16, 2011.

1. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 254.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.80.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.68.
   Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 31. Arm: 33.
   Projected Round (2011): 1-2.
   3/30/11: Akeem Ayers really needed to improve his 40 at UCLA’s Pro Day after an ugly showing at the Combine. Mission accomplished. Ayers also looked good in the drills. The consensus on the NFL Network is that rushing the passer is Ayers’ top attribute, so he’ll probably be chosen by a 3-4 team.
   
   10/8/10: I loved Ayers’ game tape against Texas. He can drop in coverage, play the run, and really compete on the field. There is no denying his talent level, but when I watched his game against Washington State he was a little invisible and didn’t make his presence felt enough. As a pass-rusher, he is a little overrated – I just haven’t seen it yet, but some coach will believe he can be taught.
   
   5/7/10: Akeem Ayers had 12.5 TFL and five sacks as a mere sophomore.
   
   
   
   
2. Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 241.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 25. Vertical: . Arm: 32 5/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   4/1/11: Bruce Carter couldn’t do anything at North Carolina’s Pro Day because he’s recovering from a torn ACL.
   
   10/9/10: Carter has been a bright spot on the Tar Heel team that has been surrounded with controversey. He’s a big-hitting linebacker with great range and athleticism. He’ll likely get drafted in the first round – his best fit is as a 4-3 weakside linebacker.
   
   5/9/10: One of many first-round prospects on North Carolina’s defense, Bruce Carter collected 65 tackles and 7.5 TFL in 2009.
   
   
3. Mason Foster, OLB, Washington – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.65.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.
   Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 31.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   3/31/11: Mason Foster ran a slower 40 time at his Pro Day than he did in Indianapolis, but the good news is that his vertical improved. For what it’s worth, the NFL Network’s Charles Davis loves Foster’s instincts in run support.
   
   10/9/10: I really like Foster as a prospect. He has the physical talent to be a player in the league, and he’s consistent enough to get drafted early in the mid-rounds.
   
   5/9/10: Mason Foster notched 85 tackles, 7.5 TFL and six passes broken up as a junior.
   
   
   
   
4. K.J. Wright, OLB, Mississippi State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 242.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.70.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.73.
   Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 34. Arm: 34 7/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/11/11: Mississippi State must have a slow track. Like Derek Sherrod, K.J. Wright had a worse 40. He did, however, improve his vertical by two inches.
   
   5/9/10: K.J. Wright had 81 tackles and 5.5 TFL as a junior.
   
   
5. Lawrence Wilson, OLB, Connecticut
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 229.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.69.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.56.
   Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 32.5. Arm: 30 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-5.
   3/24/11: Lawrence Wilson dropped his 40 time by more than a tenth of a second at his Pro Day.
   
   10/9/10: Wilson is an underrated playmaker at the position with very good instincts and solid sideline-to-sideline range. He needs to have some monster games to move up boards.
   
   5/9/10: Very productive; had 140 tackles, 11 TFL and five sacks for the Huskies in 2009.
   
   
6. Ross Homan, OLB, Ohio State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.65.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.63.
   Benchx225: 32. Vertical: 35.5. Arm: 30 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   3/17/11: Ross Homan really didn’t improve upon his Combine 40 at his Pro Day, but ran a solid 1.56 in his 10-yard split.
   
   10/9/10: Homan isn’t very fast, but he’s tough and does a solid job when taking on blocks.
   
   5/9/10: Ross Homan garnered 108 tackles, five TFL, five interceptions, five passes broken up and two sacks as a junior. A member of the All-Big Ten Second Team.
   
   
   
   
7. Brian Rolle, OLB, Ohio State
   Height: 5-10. Weight: 229.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.53.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
   Benchx225: 28. Vertical: 33. Arm: 31.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   10/9/10: Rolle might have to transition to strong safety in the NFL, but he could be a backup weakside linebacker and special teams demon at the next level.
   
   
8. Adrian Moten, OLB, Maryland
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 228.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.
   Benchx225: 18. Vertical: 32.5. Arm: 31 3/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   3/17/11: Adrian Moten had a solid Pro Day, improving upon his 40 and vertical (31 inches at the Combine).
   
   5/9/10: Adrian Moten collected 68 tackles, nine TFL and 5.5 sacks as a junior.
   
   
9. Doug Hogue, OLB, Syracuse
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 237.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.67.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.61.
   Benchx225: 32. Vertical: 35.5. Arm: 32 5/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   
   
   
10. Scott Lutrus, OLB, Connecticut
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 241.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.65.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: DNP. Vertical: 38. Arm: 31 1/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    10/9/10: Lutrus missed the first three games being injured, and his concerning durability might prevent him from getting drafted in the mid-rounds – or at all.
    
    
11. Eric Gordon, OLB, Michigan State
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.
    Benchx225: 25. Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    3/19/11: Eric Gordon enjoyed a terrific Pro Day, running a 4.53 and posting 25 reps of 225.
    
    5/9/10: Eric Gordon had a solid junior year, collecting 93 tackles and eight TFL.
    
    
12. J.T. Thomas, OLB, West Virginia
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 241.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.68.
    Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
    Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 30 1/2.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    5/9/10: An All-Big East First Team qualifier, J.T. Thomas recorded 76 tackles, seven TFL and five passes broken up in 2009.
    
    
13. Jonas Mouton, OLB, Michigan
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.87.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.89.
    Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 31.5. Arm: 31 1/2.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    5/9/10: Jonas Mouton had 65 tackles and three TFL in 2009. He was suspended for one game for throwing a punch.
    
    
    
    
14. Jabara Williams, OLB, Stephen F. Austin
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 228.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.
    Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 36.5.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    4/1/11: The unknown Jabara Williams from Stephen F. Austin had a terrific workout at his Pro Day on Thursday in front of 10 teams, prompting Gil Brandt to speculate that Williams could be chosen late on Day 3.
    
    
15. Craig Stevens, OLB, Auburn
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 230.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/9/10: The undersized Craig Stevens notched 95 tackles and eight TFL in 2009.
    
    
16. Eric McBride, OLB, Richmond
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 231.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/9/10: Eric McBride recorded 81 tackles as an All-Colonial Athletic First Team member.
    
    
17. Michael Morgan, OLB, USC
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 220.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.49.
    Benchx225: 28. Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/9/10: In his first year as a starter, Michael Morgan collected 50 tackles, 13 TFL and four sacks.
    
    
18. Derek Domino, OLB, South Dakota State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 231.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.
    Benchx225: 20. Vertical: 33.5.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
19. Pete Fleps, OLB, SMU
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 236.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.
    Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 34.5.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
20. Andre Morris, OLB, Air Force
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 242.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
    Benchx225: 15. Vertical: 40.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
21. Malcolm Smith, OLB, USC
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/9/10: Had 72 tackles and six TFL in his first year as a starting linebacker for USC.
    
    
22. Winston Venable, OLB, Boise State
    Height: 5-11. Weight: 223.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/9/10: Winston Venable had 63 tackles, eight TFL and three passes broken up as a junior.
    
    

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