Linebacker likely late commodity
Dolphins beat writer Omar Kelly continues his 10-part series looking at the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft (April 25-27) with the linebackers.
This year’s class features the leftovers from the phenomenal linebacker haul last year’s draft produced. As the NFL game continues to spread out and speed up don’t be surprised that linebackers lose their value and start to get selected in the later rounds.
Top five
LSU’s Devin White: White had a phenomenal two seasons as a starter for the Tigers, making plays both inside and outside, and producing 8.5 sacks. He possesses speed (4.42 time in the 40-yard dash) and great body control, but he’s a bit small (6 foot, 237 pounds) which creates concerns about his durability at the next level.
Michigan’s Devin Bush: Bush, a Flanagan High product, contributed 181 tackles, 10 sacks and one interception in his two seasons as a starter for the Wolverines. He’s an instinctive playmaker, who has a knack for getting off blocks. His size limitations (6 foot, 234 pounds) will concern some teams, possibly keeping him out of the first round.
Alabama’s Mack Wilson: Wilson, who has the skillset to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL, only started at Alabama for one season before entering the draft so he doesn’t have an extensive resume. He’s a good run defender, but didn’t make a lot of impact plays close to, or behind the line of scrimmage in college.
Notre Dame’s Te’von Coney: Coney, a Palm Beach Gardens High product, was Notre Dame’s leading tackler the past two seasons. He’s always around the ball and has good instincts, but there are concerns whether he has the speed and range to cover athletic tight ends in the NFL.
North Carolina State’s Germaine Pratt: The former college safety grew into the linebacker position, and his ability to diagnose plays quickly led to him excelling (104 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles) in his one season at linebacker. He still has plenty to learn about playing linebacker, but the upside is there.
Best of the rest
Florida’s Vosean Joseph, Washington’s Ben BurrKirven, Utah’s Cody Barton, West Virginia’s David Long, Clemon’s Tre Lamar, Hawaii’s Jahlani Tavai, Wisconsin’s T.J. Edwards, Maryland’s Tre Watson and Texas A&M’s Otaro Alaka could all be lateround gems who become rookie starters if they learn quickly, and get in the right scheme.
Class grade: D
Last year’s draft provided a feast at the linebacker position with half a dozen rookies like Darius Leonard, Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds becoming immediate contributors for their teams. This year’s draft features two potential studs in Devin White and Devin Bush, but the rest of the class is made up of players that have holes in their game, whether it’s due to a lack of size, athleticism or experience, and need significant polishing.
Teams in need
The Ravens, Buccaneers, Eagles, Giants, Packers, Rams, Colts, Steelers, Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos and Chargers all need immediate help at linebacker because of losses they’ve each suffered this offseason.
Dolphins’ focus
Kiko Alonso, who led the Dolphins with 125 tackles and contributed three interceptions and forced three fumbles last year, is the only linebacker on the roster who possesses versatility. Raekwon McMillan, who produced 105 tackles last season, struggled defending the pass. And Jerome Baker, who recorded 76 tackles and three sacks, struggled defending the run last season. The hope is that Baker and McMillan will blossom in their second season as starters, but the lack of depth at this position doesn’t present a contingency plan in case they don’t. The Dolphins would benefit from adding three more linebackers, through either free agency or the draft.