It’s become unusual for the best players at a position to be in the senior class. But for the outside linebacker group, that’s clearly the case.
2012 NFL Draft rankings: Outside Linebacker
The 2012 NFL Draft looks particularly strong for weak-side linebackers. Zach Brown of North Carolina, Travis Lewis of Oklahoma and Nigel Bradham all project as weak-side players.
As a draft analyst/geek, ranking linebackers is a challenge. There are clearly several defensive ends who will transition to linebacker in the NFL. I'll have different rankings for those 3-4 types. An exception was made for Pittsburgh's Brandon Lindsey and Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis, who play a hybrid OLB/DE position.
| 1. Zach Brown | 6'2, 225 pounds | OLB | North Carolina |
| 2. Courtney Upshaw | 6'2, 263 pounds | OLB/MLB | Alabama |
| 3. Travis Lewis | 6'2, 232 pounds | OLB | Oklahoma |
| 4. Brandon Lindsey | 6'2, 250 pounds | OLB/DE | Pittsburgh |
| 5. Nigel Bradham | 6'2, 238 pounds | OLB | Florida State |
| 6. Sean Spence | 6'0, 220 pounds | OLB | Miami (Fla.) |
| 7. Lavonte David | 6'1, 220 pounds | OLB | Nebraska |
| 8. Keenan Robinson | 6'3, 235 pounds | OLB | Texas |
| 9. Danny Trevathan | 6'1, 230 pounds | OLB | Kentucky |
| 10. Greg Williams | 6'3, 240 pounds | OLB | Pittsburgh |
| 11. Tyler Nielsen | 6'3, 235 pounds | OLB | Iowa |
| 12. Mychal Kendricks | 6'0, 240 pounds | OLB | California |
| 13. Emmanuel Acho | 6'2, 240 pounds | OLB | Texas |
| 14. Bobby Wagner | 6'1, 232 pounds | OLB | Utah State |
| 15. Darius Fleming | 6'2, 248 pounds | OLB | Notre Dame |
|
JUNIORS: |
| 1. Nico Johnson | 6'3, 245 pounds | OLB | Alabama * |
| 2. Jake Knott | 6'2, 243 pounds | OLB | Iowa State * |
| 3. Chase Thomas | 6'4, 240 pounds | OLB | Stanford * |
| 4. Ronnell Lewis | 6'2, 237 pounds | OLB | Oklahoma * |
| 5. Terrell Manning | 6'3, 224 pounds | OLB | North Carolina State * |
See More:
