The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

NFL Draft Preview: Linebackers
By Jason Powell, Associate Editor
April 15, 2005 5:00 PM

Odell Thurman is projected as a second-round draft pick.

Five linebackers are considered potential first-round picks. Meanwhile, Derrick Johnson and Shawne Merriman are climbing up the draft boards and both might crack the top-10 overall picks on April 23. Does the class of 2005 contain a player who make an immediate impact like Jonathan Vilma did as a rookie for the Jets last year?


Derrick Johnson, Texas
Height: 6-3
Weight: 234
Likely Draft Position: Early First Round.
Possible Destinations: Vikings, Cardinals, Redskins, Lions
NFL Comparison: Zach Thomas, Mike Mamula(?)

Johnson's stock soared thanks to his impressive scouting combine workout. He was highly regarded in most camps prior to the combine, but his fast workout times have increased his value with some teams. However, those same workouts actually scared some scouts into comparing him to former Eagles' defensive end/linebacker Mike Mamula. You may recall that Mamula's pre-draft stock rose thanks to his scouting combine workout in 1995. Legend has it that Mamula spent several months training specifically for the scouting combine exercises, which was not as commonplace 10 years ago as it is today. The Eagles were so impressed with his efforts at the combine that they made him the No. 7 overall pick in the draft. Mamula never lived up to the lofty expectations that are associated with being a top pick.

The knock on Johnson is that despite his speed and agility, he lacks the strength to be an effective linebacker at the pro level. Some scouts feel that he gets pushed around by offensive lineman, specifically when teams run directly at him. His true strength is defending against the pass, which is where the Thomas comparison comes into play. D.J. is not an dominant tackler, but he was steady in that regard for the Longhorns. Johnson can play in the middle, but he is more likely to play outside linebacker in the NFL where his pass coverage skills can be utilized. Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that Johnson was a lock to be the first linebacker selected. However, Shawne Merriman's stock is on the rise and he's nipping at Derrick's heels.


Shawne Merriman, Maryland
Height: 6-4
Weight: 253
Likely Draft Position: Early First Round
Possible Destinations: Redskins, Lions, Cowboys, Chargers
NFL Comparison: LeVar Arrington

Merriman is the protege of Redskins' linebacker LeVar Arrington. The duo met years ago when Merriman's brother played high school basketball with Arrington, and they have spent offseasons working out together. Perhaps that is why Merriman has earned the reputation as a weight room warrior. The intangible that has Merriman climbing up the draft boards is his versatility, as he also plays defensive end and is considered an ideal pass-rusher in the 3-4 defensive alignment. Unlike Johnson, Merriman is considered an explosive tackler. He also has good speed as his 4.66-second time in the 40-yard dash shows.

Shawne is two years removed from arthroscopic knee surgery that caused him to miss fall drills that year. The surgically repaired knee has held up well and he has not missed any actual playing time because of the injury. He's had other pesky injuries, but played through the pain throughout his college career. He's in a tough spot physically according to some scouts who feel that he's too small to be an every-down defensive end, yet lacks coverage skills to make an immediate impact as an outside linebacker. As such, there is some concern amongst scouts that he will need time to develop his coverage skills before he can take the field at the pro level.


DeMarcus Ware, Troy State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 247
Likely Draft Position: Mid First Round
Possible Destinations: Chargers, Chiefs, Saints
NFL Comparison: Jason Taylor

Ware is an all-around athlete who ran a strong 4.56-second 40-yard dash, benched 225 lbs. 23 times, and showed incredible leaping ability with his 38.5-inch vertical jump at the scouting combine. Like most of the fast linebackers in the 2005 rookie pool, there are skeptics who question whether Ware is big enough to play at the pro level. He's another hybrid player, but Ware has to add some bulk to be effective at defensive end in the NFL. It wasn't all that long ago that Ware was considered a late first round pick. However, he is making a late surge up the draft boards and has watched his stock rise faster as any other player in the draft over the the last few weeks.

DeMarcus has power, but he has been known to miss some tackles in the open field. He has the speed to be used as a coverage linebacker, but he still needs to work on that area of his game to be successful at the pro level. His strength is rushing the quarterback, which he proved by logging 27.5 sacks during his four-year career with the Trojans. He is a good edge-rusher, so even though we question whether he can be an every-down defensive end, he could contribute immediately in pass-rush situations. Ware would fit in nicely with a team such as the Chargers who use a 3-4 defensive alignment and have a need for a pass-rusher.


Thomas Davis, Georgia
Height: 6-1
Weight: 231
Likely Draft Position: Mid First Round
Possible Destinations: Chiefs, Saints, Vikings
NFL Comparison: Donnie Edwards

Davis is considered the best safety prospect available. The problem is that this is the weakest safety class in recent memory and most NFL scouts view the former Bulldog as a linebacker. The knock on Thomas is that he lacks the coverage skills to be a safety at the pro level. Teams such as the Saints and Vikings would likely be the favorites to keep him at safety due to their needs at the position. If he makes the switch to linebacker as most teams expect him to, Thomas will probably be asked add some weight to his frame, which shouldn't be a problem given his reputation for having a great work ethic.

Thomas is blessed with excellent speed and has some experience as a kick returner on special teams. However, it remains to be seen whether he could maintain that speed if he converts to linebacker. He logged 272 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and three interceptions during his three-year career at Georgia. Davis has the speed to elude most blockers and the big hit ability to make big stops on the running backs. The former Bulldog is at his best against the run, although he could probably hang with most tight ends and some of the bigger running backs in pass coverage.


Channing Crowder, Florida
Height: 6-2
Weight: 247
Likely Draft Position: Late First Round
Possible Destinations:
NFL Comparison: Al Wilson

Crowder is arguably the best of the middle linebacker prospects. However, his stock is falling faster than Ben Affleck's movie career due to some problems off the field. He was suspended for the season openers in 2003 and 2004 due to separate altercations at a nightclub near the Florida campus. Channing also left school a year earlier than some scouts felt he should have, which won't help his cause with teams who are leery of his character issues. Teams are also concerned with his past injuries, as he did not play in 2002 after having surgery to repair both of his knees. The former Seminole also had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee the following year, although he was only sidelined for 10 days following the procedure.

Enough with the red flag issues, let's talk about some positives. Channing has good size and strength. He started 17-of-20 games for the Gators and finished his collegiate career with 179 tackles, four sacks, and three recovered fumbles. Some scouts feel that he has more natural ability than any other linebacker in the draft. Crowder can probably thank his father Randy for his natural ability, as the elder Crowder was a defensive lineman with the Dolphins and Buccaneers in the '70s. Unfortunately, there is a lot of talk that Crowder's past suspensions and injuries will bump him out of the first round.

Other linebackers to watch: Barrett Ruud (Nebraska), Odell Thurman (Georgia), Darryl Blackstock (Virginia), Kevin Burnett (Tennessee).