2010 NFL Draft: Outside linebackers

Has proven that he can play as a defensive end in the 4-3, or an outside linebacker in either the 3-4 or 4-3. Speed, strength, athleticism and size are off the charts. Has elite-level speed and closing quickness. Very fast off the ball. Has experience playing in a three-point and two-point stance. Shows great explosion. Has a good bull rush and will use it to overrun backs in blitz pick-up.

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Although Weatherspoon may not be incredibly imposing physically, he's an aggressive player who makes plays all over the field. He's purely a 4-3 player, but shows the explosion and athleticism to be a starter at the next level.

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The leader of the Texas Christian defense, Washington has been a sound performer for several years. His combination of size and athleticism will suit him well in the pros.

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Bowman stayed out of trouble as a junior, which helped keep his draft stock high. He's fast, athletic and still getting bigger. He can be a ferocious hitter and is very good in back-side pursuit. Some teams will down-grade him because of character issues.

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Norwood has the ability to fly off the ball and get after the quarterback. He's still learning outside linebacker after moving from end, but he has great quickness.

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Hughes will likely move from defensive end in college to outside linebacker in the pros. He shows a solid first step, which helped him lead the nation in sacks in 2008. He shows above average lateral quickness, but needs to learn how to shed blocks better.

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Sapp is a player who will be over-drafted based on his measurables. Sapp is a good pass rusher who struggles in some other facets of the game. What's more concerning about Sapp, though, is his overall lack of production. Outside of showing a couple flashes a sophomore, Sapp was a non-existant player on the defensive line until his senior year. Even then, he still only had five sacks. This makes you question his work ethic and competitiveness. .

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Misi really came on during Senior Bowl week. He was one of the week's most outstanding players because he showed he has the athleticism to move laterally. He'll probably enter the league as a project player, but his upside is very good as a pass rusher.

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A dependable player for the Longhorns, Muckelroy has come on as a senior. He's a solid player across the board but he always seems to be around the ball. Muckelroy has shown as a senior that he's able to drop back in coverage.

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Edds was one of the many Iowa defenders who had a breakthrough season in 2009. He had 72 tackles and four tackles for a loss on the season and is a top strong-side linebacker prospect. He's adept aginst the run, but doesn't have the speed to be considered a top pass rusher.

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Gibson was a surprise early entrant in the draft. At this point in his development, he may purely be a pass rusher. He struggles reading run keys and is an unknown in pass coverage. He's almost exclusively a 3-4 linebacker and will need to be coached up.

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Worilds will probably have to make the jump from college defensive end to 3-4 linebacker in the NFL. He has good speed, but is a step late to get going. He's not quite as athletic as players like Jerry Hughes, Ricky Sapp and Eric Norwood.

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What holds Curran back is his size. Not only is he short, but his frame appears to nearly be maxed out. Still, he's as high of an effort linebacker as there is in the nation.

Watson was really Florida State's only difference maker in the front defensive front seven. He may be a little undersized, but he knows how to get after the quarterback. He was one of Florida State's team captains.

Playing end at Troy opposite Brandon Lang, Sheffield is a prospect who is somewhat under the radar. He's got a quick first step and knows how to get to the passer. Because he played end, he can get off blocks fairly well. If he can become a better player against the run, he could have a solid NFL future.

No player benefited more during East-West Shrine Game practice than Schofield. But whatever team takes Schofield is taking a risk. His game is based on quickness and athleticism. How much that is negatively affected by the torn ACL is unknown. When Schofield is fit, he's a dangerous pass rusher and is a heady player. He may not go until the five or sixth round, but could be a steal for a team that has patience.

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Riley is expected to take the leap this season as one of LSU's top defenders. As a prospect, he has decent size and speed. In 2008, he finished with 60 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three passes broken up.

Coleman is very similar is body and playing ability to former Purdue star Anthony Spencer. He's strictly a rush linebacker at the next level. He came on last season with 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

At 6'1, 224 pounds, McCoy has the makings of a weak-side linebacker in a cover-2 scheme. He's fast and makes plays sideline-to-sideline.

An effort player for the Cardinal, Snyder has good size and speed. He's a very good tackler in the open field and is known as an intelligent player.

Sylvester was at his best last season in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against Alabama when he had three sacks. He plays rover, but projects to outside linebacker at the next level. He has plus agility and speed but will need to get bigger.

A converted safety, Coleman showed he was able to hold up nicely as a weak-side linebacker. Clearly coverage is his specialty, but he holds up against the run. Coleman will have to get bigger, but he has the makings of a solid cover-2 corner and very good special teams player.

Issues with consistency kept Trahan as a backup until his senior season. He played well in his one season as a starter with 68 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss. Trahan is a good size/speed prospect, but needs to improve his technical skills.

He may not have started all of Clemson's games in 2009, but Conner quietly had an excellent season. He finished with 103 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and two sacks. Conner is a good tackler who projects as a solid backup at the next level.

A college defensive end, Davis just doesn't have the size to stay on the defensive line. In the NFL he projects as a pass-rush specialist, but he can't do much else. He has good straight-line speed, but his lateral agility is lacking.

After successfully transitioning from safety to outside linebacker last season, Clayton was third on OU with 84 tackles. He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and should only get better as he learns the position more. Definitely one to watch.

Cole projects as a solid pass-rush specialist who had lapses of inconsistency in college. He has a big frame and sheds pretty well. But he'll need to be coached up.