NFL Draft Preview: Linebacker

I’ve saved LB for last in these previews because its the biggest need for the Seahawks right now.

NOV 25, 2011; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles linebacker Luke Kuechly (40) in a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

Outside linebacker is a coveted position for teams that play a 3-4 defense because that’s where their pass rush comes from. For 4-3 defense teams like Seattle, it’s not a priority at all. This makes ranking OLBs on a big board to be more difficult that other positions.

This particular draft class is a little light on the top end, but has great depth in the middle rounds.

There’s plenty of outside linebackers in this year’s draft that fit what the Seahawks like, but I think we should all pay close attention to Nebraska’s Levante David. I have him being drafted right about where I expect the Seahawks to be drafting in round 2. He’s a big and fast linebacker who’d be an upgrade of KJ Wright on the strong side, and would allow Wright to move inside to MLB where I think he’ll really excel.

As for MLB, it isn’t usually a first round position. Even the best players at the position are usually taken no higher than pick number 20, with rare exception, so you’ll almost never find MLB with first round grades. This year there is such a player in Luke Keuchly, but his value there is disputed.

Unfortunately, the talent drops off sharply after him and Hightower. I only have 11 players that I believe will be drafted at the position, which is very low. This will put a lot of pressure on the Seahawks to commit to moving KJ Wright from the SAM linebacker over into the middle.

Taking all that into account, I can see the Seahawks taking 2 LBs early in this draft, though I expect one to be a “tweener” like Melvin Ingram or Nick Perry who are listed as DEs on my board.