Outside Linebacker: Seahawks draft prospects, post combine

Potential Outside Linebacker targets, post combine.

The Seahawks have a need at outside linebacker.  Seattle has two of the best linebackers in the NFL in Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright, but I think they missed Bruce Irvin the past 2 seasons.  Irvin was a very solid cover guy and offered the ability to rush the passer.

With Michael Wilhoitte manning that spot this past season and Mike Morgan the year before, we were missing that skill set.  Beyond that, it is time to start cultivating that next wave of linebackers.  These are usually your top special teams guys and having quality depth is a must.

With an outside linebacker, you are looking at their ability to run sideline to sideline.  It is extremely important to be able to run, but their ability to diagnose a play, put their foot in the ground and get to the ball is even more important.  As Todd McShay of ESPN.com explains ,

"Being an NFL defender is all about reaction: How quickly can you diagnose a play, come to a stop and explode toward the ball. And the 20-yard shuttle showcases a player’s body control as he is changing directions."

The 40 yard dash (Great – 4.65 seconds, Average – 4.72 seconds) and 20 yard shuttle (Great – 4.02 seconds, Average – 4.33 seconds) are important numbers to watch.

Seattle Seahawks

Outside Linebacker

Jerome Baker – 6’1″ – 229 lbs. – 4.53 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – Ohio State

Baker is a bit of an enigma, many scouts are very high on him, but he lacks physicality.  He is a gifted athlete, similar to Deion Jones of the Falcons.  The difference is Jones is fast and physical.  I don’t see that with Baker.   He opens his hips smoothly, and tracked the ball really well.  You see a player where the skills are clearly there.  Athletically gifted.  But he isn’t thick, wonder if he can fight off blocks.  He looks like a big safety.  How much bigger can he get?

Keishawn Bierria – 6’1″ – 230 lbs. – 4.80 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – Washington

Bierria is an effort guy.  He wasn’t overly athletic and had tight hips, but you can see he is a good football player.  He competed hard and looked pretty good in each drill despite his limitations.  This is a special teams captain in the making, with the ability to at least be a capable backup.  I don’t think he is a great linebacker in the NFL, but I don’t think he will hurt you either.

Oren Burks – 6’3″ – 233 lbs. – 4.60 sec. 40 – 4.15 sec. 20 yard – Vanderbilt

Oren Burks is a student of the game.  Vanderbilt played him everywhere on the football field. He was a safety,  then inside and outside linebacker.  Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network were raving about how good a kid Burks is.   Very smart and motivated. Evidence of his football IQ;  Burks made all the linebacker calls one year and safety calls the other.  Beyond the smarts, he opened his hips well, and looked really good in every drill.  This is a guy I would want on my football team.  Good football player, versatile athletic and smart.  Underrated.

Lorenzo Carter – 6’5″ – 250 lbs. – 4.46 sec. 40 – DNP 20 yard – Georgia

Still very raw.  Pulled up at the end of his second 40.  Didn’t do any other drills. What I see with this guy is a physical freak who finally started to reach some of his potential this season.  He can be a linebacker, but he might be better suited to be an end.  I like him either way.

Rashaan Evans – 6’3″ – 232 lbs. – DNP 40 – 4.36 sec. 20 yard – Alabama

I am honestly very surprised by his 20 yard.  I thought it would be faster.  This guy is a really nice athlete.  He opens his hips well, transitions well and sticks his foot in the ground to explode.  I wanted to see him participate in the speed drills.  Evans definitely has it.  The Alabama standout looked very solid in every drill he participated in.  Daniel Jeremiah said he won the linebacker on field portion on the day.  This is a good football player.  10 year starter in the league playing inside or outside, he can even rush the passer.