2011 NFL Draft Outside Linebacker Rankings: Kadar vs Dove

by Dan Kadar on Apr 20, 2011 2:00 PM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Pro days workouts are over, so it's time to finalize positional rankings. One of the most intriguing thing about the NFL Draft process is that each person values prospects differently. For NFL talent evaluators and draft analysts alike, the rankings at the top look similar, but opinions vary on mid-level players.

Here at Mocking the Draft we wanted to show you how our opinions differ. Dan Kadar and Jon Dove are breaking down each position giving you their top 10 in each. Make sure to check out our scouting report page to get full reports on some of the prospects. Also don't hesitate to leave some feedback about our rankings or maybe even your own.

We're back with more 4-3/3-4 rankings today as we look at outside linebackers. Our 4-3 rankings are pretty similar with Jon liking Lawrence Wilson and Ross Homan higher while I have Brooks Reed and Colin McCarthy in there.

It can be tough to judge which players fit a scheme the best. As you can see with our 3-4 rankings, we vary quite a bit. Jon sees Ryan Kerrigan, Aldon Smith, and Justin Houston more as defensive ends and rates them lower in the 3-4 outside linebacker ratings. I think Smith and Houston would fit best as 3-4 players. Jon also gets Robert Quinn on his 3-4 linebacker board while he's not on mine at all. So you can clearly see our opinions differ here – and it's surely no different among NFL teams.

So let us know what you think and we'd love to see how you have this year's outside linebackers slotted.

Rank	Dan Kadar's Ranking	Jon Dove's Ranking
1	Von Miller	Von Miller
2	Justin Houston	Mason Foster
3	Akeem Ayers	Akeem Ayers
4	Bruce Carter	Martez Wilson
5	Mason Foster	Bruce Carter
6	Brooks Reed	Lawrence Wilson
7	Colin McCarthy	Ross Homan
8	Mark Herzlich	K.J. Wright
9	Dontay Moch	Mark Herzlich
10	K.J. Wright	Dontay Moch

3-4 Rankings

Rank	Dan Kadar's Ranking	Jon Dove's Ranking
1	Von Miller	Von Miller
2	Aldon Smith	Robert Quinn
3	Justin Houston	Akeem Ayers
4	Martez Wilson	Brooks Reed
5	Ryan Kerrigan	Jabaal Sheard
6	Brooks Reed	Ryan Kerrigan
7	Dontay Moch	Aldon Smith
8	Jabaal Sheard	Justin Houston
9	Akeem Ayers	Martez Wilson
10	Chris Carter	Dontay Moch

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Comments

I agree with your lists for the most part, Dan

but can you just explain why Akeem Ayers dropped so far on your 3-4 list? He seems like he’d make a pretty good one, as his instincts are top-notch.

Dear Theo, please trade Crawford, Salty, Lackey, and Jacoby for nothing.
Anyone stupid enough to take those contracts can have them.

by LesterJohn on Apr 20, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

It’s solely because Ayers really has no experience rushing the passer. I like his tools just fine, but haven’t seen them used to blitz.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Apr 20, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

i'd be inclined to agree

Ayers looks more comfortable in coverage than he does in pass rushing, but there’s no doubting his potential with that ridiculous first step he has off the line

Final Dream Draft

1) Akeem Ayers, OLB
2) Marvin Austin, DT
3) Jake Kirkpatrick, OC
4) Chimdi Chekwa, CB
6) Henry Hynoski, FB
6) Jarriel King, OT
6) Josh Bynes, ILB
7) Ricardo Lockette, KR/PR

by BigBlueIntervention on Apr 20, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Fair enough. I'm a Pats fan, and I think he would fit well there

he would compliment Jermaine CUnningham well, as he can stop the run, drop into coverage, and his great first step makes me think that he will be a good pass rusher at the next level.

Dear Theo, please trade Crawford, Salty, Lackey, and Jacoby for nothing.
Anyone stupid enough to take those contracts can have them.

by LesterJohn on Apr 20, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

no experience rushing the passer

Thats not true… It may not extensive experience like a Houston, but his role as a LB includes alot more than just pass rushing at UCLA… Watching video of him shows him rushing quite a bit. He has pretty good experience at all the LB roles that teams want at OLB, and has some upside as a pass rusher. He mostly rushed the QB from a 3 point stance tho.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Apr 20, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2011/4/9/2100791/draft-prospect-3

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Apr 20, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Combo

1. Miller
2. Ayers
3. Smith
4. Houston
5. Foster
6. B. Carter
7. Reed
8. Wright
9. Acho
10. Homan

I rate Kerrigan, Quinn and Sheard as DE’s.
Martez Wilson and Hertzlich are ILB’s.

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 20, 2011 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Herzlich

does he not have the ability to play ILB in a 3-4 scheme?

by NoHuddle12 on Apr 20, 2011 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

He's just not that good.

His story is fantastic but when it comes down to it, he’s a mid-round prospect.

by Coach Owens on Apr 20, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe he does

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 20, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep...

I think Herzlich can be a very good 34 ILB… Tough, physical player should fit in very well at that position. Just depends on his recovery from cancer. If he can ever get back the ability he showed pre-cancer he would be an excellent ILB!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Apr 20, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously, how bad are the 4-3 line backers in this class?

If the best prospect is basically a stand up defensive end? There is not one Linebacker in this class that played 4-3 linebacker that is better? 4-3 LB’s rush the QB sparingly, and when they do, they hit the A gap a lot more than the outside. In the 4-3 outside blitzers are more often safeties and corners. And Dan has both Juston Houston and Von miller rated the higher than any true linebackers.
IMO 3-4 personal is getting rated way to high, both DE and LB. A coujple of years ago part of the value of running the 3-4 was that later in the draft you could find big slow DE’s to play the 5 technique, and small fast DE’s to convert to play Outside linebacker. Now these players are considered premium.
Should see some good 4-3 linbackers come out later in the draft.
I think this is leading to a waist of talent. I watched Darnel Docket play the 5 technique last year for the Cards. What a waste, he has so much more value as a 3 technique. Same could happen with a number of D linemen this year.

by Wild Wesr Bear Fan on Apr 20, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs