The debate: Potential versus a known commodity with a red flag. That's what it came down to in our outside linebacker rankings. In the end, at least for now, we sided with the potential of Oregon's Dion Jordan and LSU's Barkevious Mingo. That's over the obvious, perhaps more ready, talent of Georgia's Jarvis Jones. He may not have the pure athleticism of Jordan and Mingo and has the spinal stenosis red flag.
2013 NFL Draft outside linebacker rankings
USA TODAY Sports
NFL teams, particularly those running a 3-4 defense, are likely facing the same decision. Regardless of where the three top outside linebackers get ranked, they’re probably all going to be top 15 picks in April.
There are plenty of talented outside linebacker prospects after the top three. Khaseem Greene profiles as a top weak-side linebacker. Jamie Collins could play outside in a 3-4 or a 4-3, as could Stanford's Chase Thomas. There are some good talents deeper in this class as well. How do you have the outside linebackers rated? Let us know in the comments.
1. Barkevious Mingo | 6'4 1/4, 241 pounds | Outside linebacker/Defensive end | LSU *
2. Dion Jordan | 6'6 1/4, 248 pounds | Outside linebacker/Defensive end | Oregon
3. Jarvis Jones | 6'2, 245 pounds | Outside linebacker | Georgia *
4. Khaseem Greene | 6'0 3/4, 241 pounds | Outside linebacker | Rutgers
5. Jamie Collins | 6'3 1/2, 250 pounds | Outside linebacker | Southern Miss
6. Brandon Jenkins | 6'2, 251 pounds | Outside linebacker | Florida State
7. Chase Thomas | 6'3, 240 pounds | Outside linebacker | Stanford
8. Jelani Jenkins | 6'0, 243 pounds | Outside linebacker | Florida *
9. Gerald Hodges | 6'1, 243 pounds | Outside linebacker | Penn State
10. Sio Moore | 6'0 3/4, 245 pounds | Outside linebacker | Connecticut
11. Sean Porter | 6'1 1/4, 229 pounds | Outside linebacker | Texas A&M
12. Lerentee McCray | 6'2, 250 pounds | Outside linebacker | Florida
13. Cornelius Washington | 6'4, 265 pounds | Outside linebacker | Georgia
14. DeVonte Holloman | 6'1 3/8, 243 pounds | Outside linebacker | South Carolina
15. Jake Knott | 6'2, 243 pounds | Outside linebacker | Iowa State
16. Zaviar Gooden | 6'1 1/2, 234 pounds | Outside linebacker | Missouri
17. Herman Lathers | 6'0, 230 pounds | Outside linebacker | Tennessee
18. Trevardo Williams | 6'2, 233 pounds | Outside linebacker/ Defensive end | Connecticut
19. Tristan Okpalaugo | 6'6, 250 pounds | Outside linebacker | Fresno State
20. Archibald Barnes | 6'4, 235 pounds | Outside linebacker | Vanderbilt
21. Keith Pough | 6'1 3/4, 239 pounds | Outside linebacker | Howard
22. Kenny Tate | 6'4, 230 pounds | Outside linebacker | Maryland
23. Walter Stewart | 6'4, 246 pounds | Outside linebacker | Connecticut
24. Chris Norman | 6'1, 233 pounds | Outside linebacker | Michigan State
25. Cameron Lawrence | 6'3, 230 pounds | Outside linebacker | Mississippi State
26. Herman Lathers | 6'0, 230 pounds | Outside linebacker | Tennessee
27. Etienne Sabino | 6'3, 237 pounds | Outside linebacker | Ohio State
28. Nathan Williams | 6'3, 249 pounds | Defensive end/Outside linebacker | Ohio State
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