As the last few NFL drafts approached, it was difficult to get a read on the strength of the linebacker class. NFL coaches and general managers had become enamored of players they liked to call 'tweeners -- big but quick defenders who could play outside linebacker in one alignment or defensive end in another.
Barriers between positions were torn down and 'tweeners such as Shawne Merriman, now with the San Diego Chargers, and DeMarcus Ware, who is with the Dallas Cowboys, were all the rage. This year, however, there is far less talk about such players and a clearer consensus about the linebackers available in this weekend's draft: The class is relatively strong at the top, with four possible first-round selections, but lacks depth after those players.
Talent evaluators like what they see in Patrick Willis of Mississippi, Jon Beason of Miami, Lawrence Timmons of Florida State and Paul Posluszny of Penn State. All four are regarded as possible first-rounders, probably led by Willis.
They are more traditional linebackers than Merriman and Ware, who have ended up being outside linebackers on NFL teams that play three-linemen, four-linebacker schemes after also being considered before they were drafted as possible defensive ends for clubs with 4-3 setups. This year's class has players who are more easily categorized, although Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said he thinks teams and draft observers might spend too much time worrying about categorizing players.
"The great ones, they can play regardless of what the specific X's and O's are," Tomlin said during the Steelers' predraft news conference. "In today's NFL, the lines are really starting to get a little blurry, specifically when you start talking about the 3-4 versus the 4-3. . . . I think football players are football players, and guys that can make plays will make plays."
There's little talk this year of 'tweeners shifting back and forth between defensive end and outside linebacker. But a player like Posluszny is versatile enough that scouts can envision him playing outside linebacker on a 4-3 team or inside linebacker on a 3-4 club in the NFL.
"I think he's athletic," Joey Clinkscales, the New York Jets' college scouting director, said during a news conference last week. "I think he runs very well. He'll have a chance to play, whether it be in our [3-4] system or a team that runs a 4-3."
There are no dynamic pass-rushers like Merriman or Ware in this group, so no one in this linebacker class is a real threat to be selected among the top 10 or so picks. But Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, said the overall pass-rushing skills of the available linebackers are satisfactory. There are defensive players to be found in this draft who can get to the quarterback, he said.
"There are some from the defensive end positions . . . and there are some linebackers," Colbert said. "I think it is a solid draft that standpoint."
Said Tomlin: "You are always looking for guys that can rush the passer and make the ball come out [quickly] or not at all. I just think that is a big element of the game, particularly in today's NFL. They are splash playmakers, guys that can get you off the field, guys that can create turnovers."
