Updated 2012 NFL Draft middle linebacker rankings

by Dan Kadar on Nov 21, 2011 11:48 AM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

Vontaze Burfict has had as disappointing of a season as any player this season. Because of that, it was impossible to consider him the top player at the position. In fact, I nearly dropped him to fourth or fifth in the rankings.

Making his debut on the rankings is Arthur Brown of Kansas State. I didn't have him ranked before the season after he sat out 2010 following a transfer.

1. Manti Te'o | 6'2, 245 pounds | MLB | Notre Dame * - Prospect notes

2. Luke Kuechly | 6'2, 235 pounds | MLB | Boston College * - Prospect notes

3. Vontaze Burfict | 6'3, 245 pounds | MLB | Arizona State * - Prospect notes | Profile

4. Dont'a Hightower | 6'4, 258 pounds | MLB | Alabama * - Prospect notes

5. Kevin Reddick | 6'3, 240 pounds | MLB | North Carolina *

6. Arthur Brown | 6'1, 225 pounds | MLB | Kansas State *

7. Audie Cole | 6'4, 239 pounds | MLB | North Carolina State

8. James-Michael Johnson | 6'2, 240 pounds | MLB | Nevada

9. Bobby Wagner | 6'0, 232 pounds | MLB | Utah State

10. Mychal Kendricks | 5'11, 240 pounds | MLB | California

11. Emmanuel Acho | 6'2, 245 pounds | MLB | Texas

12. Brandon Maye | 6'3, 230 pounds | MLB | Mississippi State

13. Chris Galippo | 6'2, 250 pounds | MLB | Southern California

14. Jerry Franklin | 6'1, 241 pounds | MLB | Arkansas

15. Garrick Williams | 6'2, 234 pounds | MLB | Texas A&M

16. Chris Marve | 6'0, 230 pounds | MLB | Vanderbilt

* denotes underclassman

QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | MLB | CB | FS | SS

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hope this lets Burfict drop to the Ravens. He’s struggling, but we’ve all seen the potential and I think we can get it out of him.

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by AV23 on Nov 21, 2011 1:37 PM EST reply actions

Can't go wrong with either Kuechly or Te'o

They have both been unbelievable. Still holding out hope Te’o returns but if he keeps up his excellent play there might be too much money waiting for him that he just can’t pass up.

Still doubt Tebow?

by DBroncs1414 on Nov 21, 2011 1:59 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

And I’d like to grab Te’o to Denver, but I really doubt we’ll draft a mike this year…

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by Fabio Broncos on Nov 21, 2011 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

The broncos aren't going to give up on Irving yet. He's been making some noise on specail teams.

I see him overtaking Mays next year. He still needs to learn how to tackle lower though.

by tiderfootball09 on Nov 21, 2011 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

No love for Carmen Messina?

The dude is a tackling machine. He’s had at least 115 tackles each of the last 3 seasons, including a nation leading 162 tackles in 2009.

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by NMVike on Nov 21, 2011 4:35 PM EST reply actions

He is and has continued to be a great player.

It’s more about who he plays for rather than his talent as a player. I have seen him play; he brings the wood!

by ValdezY on Nov 22, 2011 8:16 AM EST up reply actions

Walterfootball.com has him as the 9th rated MLB

And project him as a 4th-5th round prospect

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by NMVike on Nov 22, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

I'm still a big fan of Burfict

that potential just doesn’t disappear

by vitzeng on Nov 21, 2011 5:02 PM EST reply actions

Chris Marve

Should be in the top 5. Size may scare scouts; but the kid is a football player. Great anticipation, lateral quickness, sound tackler. 80 TKL’s, 2 Sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF.

by ValdezY on Nov 21, 2011 6:54 PM EST reply actions

If Burfict Falls

A lot of teams will be kicking themeselves for passing on him. Put him in an 3-4 and allow him to move around. Dom Capers and Green Bay, Houston Texans, and Dallas may have a home for the young man.

by ValdezY on Nov 21, 2011 6:58 PM EST reply actions

Texans have Ryans and Cushing, Cowboys Lee and Carter, GB Bishop and Hawk.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2011 12:09 AM EST up reply actions

A Team Gets Better By Adding Talent

Even in areas where they seemingly have no needs. Best Player Available; some teams have the luxury of this type of pick b/c they are loaded with talent. I pity the fool who becomes complacent in a sport where an injury to a key player is right around the corner.

by ValdezY on Nov 22, 2011 8:12 AM EST up reply actions

I'm more questioning the "best player" status

Burfict is a wild card. Risky pick. Some of the guys I listed are 1st and 2nd round talents as well. Maybe some of them could be cap casualties, however.

I agree with you on the “move around” part. I could see Burfict as a 3-4 OLB. GB has a need there and maybe Dallas.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

Burfict has fallin so much

But its on his own. The potential is there, but he has got to realize it and grow up. But if he doesn’t it’s on him and him alone.

As an Eagles fan, I sure as hell don’t want (with our coaching staff) taking a chance on him because we have no one on our staff who can handle him. I definitely would prefer Te’o or Kuechly (my draft crush this year) in a hot second.

But not likely if Reid is still coaching.

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by macjack09 on Nov 21, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

Kuechly and Franklin

Kuechly is in on every play. Every one. You need to watch a whole BC game to appreciate how good he is.

I’ve been impressed by Franklin and think he almost makes the top 5.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2011 12:11 AM EST reply actions

Love me some Audie Cole and Mychal Kendricks. Kuechly is probably the top ILB IMO. Love Hightower in a 3-4 defense too, he is a man child. Reports are that Hightower is in the 265 pounds area with 7.5% body fat.

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by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2011 6:06 PM EST reply actions