Position Breakdown: Outside Linebacker

1.  Khalil Mack (SR) 6'3 251 Buffalo
Analysis: Physical linebacker who uses speed and power to makes plays in the backfield. Can rush the passer or play in coverage. Could shed blocks better. Can fit in any scheme.
Projection:  Top 4

2.  Anthony Barr (SR) 6'5 255 UCLA
Analysis:  Elite athlete whose best football is still ahead of him. Versatile athlete who can rush passer or play in coverage. Needs to add weight. Not an overly aggressive player. Average instincts.
Projection: 1st Round

3. Kyle Van Noy (SR) 6'3 243 BYU
Analysis: Versatile playmaker. Has a knack for getting the QB (26 career sacks). Elite quickness. Has the ability to play in coverage. Speed is only average and will take bad angles at times.
Projection: Top 50

4. Marcus Smith (SR) 6'3 251 Louisville
Analysis:  Good speed and quickness. Relentless pass rusher. Experience standing and in coverage. Can match up with TEs. Lacks pass rushing moves. Struggles to shed blocks.  Can play out of control
Projection: Day 2

5. Ryan Shazier (JR) 6'1 237 Ohio State
Analysis:  Explosive athlete. Run and tackle linebacker. Good lateral agility. Gets hung up on blocks and struggles to disengage. Average instincts. Below average in man coverage. 4-3 WLB only.
Projection:  1st Round

6. Christian Jones (SR) 6'3 240 Florida State
Analysis: Versatile linebacker who can cover, tackle, and blitz. Only Average athlete. Doesn't use hands consistently to shed blocks. Lacks good strength. Jack of all, master of none player.
Projection:  3rd or 4th Round

7. Jonathan Brown (SR) 6'0 238 Illinois
Projection: 5th or 6th Round

8. Telvin Smith (SR) 6'3 218 Florida State
Projection: 3rd Round
9. Carl Bradford (JR) 6'1 250 Arizona State
Projection: Day 3 Pick

10. Adrian Hubbard (JR) 6'6 257 Alabama
Projection: 6th or 7th Round

Player Profile: Marcus Smith

Height:  6'3
Weight:  251
School:  Louisville
Position:  Defensive End
Ranking:  #4 Outside Linebacker
Projection: Day 2

Strengths
-Experienced. Two year starter.  Played since freshman year.
-Productive and Accomplished. 14.5 sacks in 2013 and AAC Defensive Player of the Year
-Versatile player.  Saw snaps at DE, OLB, ILB, and DT
-Uses his long arms (34") and good power to set the edge vs the run
-Explosive athlete (35" vertical leap) (10'1" broad jump). Came to Louisville as a QB
-Uses his good quickness (1.57 10 yard split) to fire off the ball and create penetration
-Good speed (4.68 40) gets to the ball in a hurry
-Fluid athlete who can move and change directions well.
-Experience playing in a standing position when rushing the passer.
-Has shown the ability to drop into coverage and match up with TEs and some WRs
-Non stop motor.  Always going hard.  Gets a lot of effort sacks.

Weaknesses
-Lack a pass rushing repertoire.  Uses only speed and quickness to get the QB
-Will get too aggressive rushing off the edge which causes him to not bend the edge
-Needs to learn to use his hands better to disengage from blockers.
-Can be a liability in the run game. Can be pushed around and struggles to disengage.
-Won't fit every scheme. likely only a 3-4 fit.

Summary
When you think of the success that Louisville has had over the past couple of years you automatically think of Teddy Bridgewater.  However it was the defense that was the biggest key to their success that starts with the American Athletic Defensive Player of the Year.  There is a lot to like about Marcus Smith.  Smith is a good athlete who uses his speed and quickness to really set a tone.  He's explodes off the ball getting the the lineman before they are ready.  Pair that up with a non stop motor and there is no wonder how he had 14.5 sacks this past season. The downfall to Smith is that he doesn't have any pass rushing moves and relies too much on his speed and quickness.  Smith also becomes too aggressive and will overrun the pocket.  By going as hard as he does off the edge he becomes out of control and can't bend the edge like his athletic ability suggests.  One area of Smith's game that can get overlooked is his ability to play in coverage. When he isn't going 100 mph, Smith shows fluid movement that allows him to run with tight ends and some receivers.  The big downfall for him though is his inability to play in run support.  He does a good job of setting the edge with his long arms, but he struggles to disengage and can be overtaken.  Add that to his lack of size and that likely means he fits only in a 3-4 defense.  Marcus Smith may be under the radar, but look for him to go somewhere on day two.  A team like Tennessee who needs a pass rushing OLB could be an option in the third round, but don't count out Seattle who could have Smith play the Leo position.

Player Profile: Christian Jones

Height:  6'3
Weight:  240
School:  Florida State
Position:  Outside Linebacker
Ranking: #5 Outside Linebacker
Projection:  3rd or 4th Round

Strengths
-Good size and length (33 1/2") for the position
-Battle tested.  Played 54 games played with 41 starts
-Productive. 95 tackles at WLB in 2012
-Experience playing in different schemes.  Played in both 4-3 and 3-4 in college
-Position flexibility. Can play any linebacker position in any scheme
-Plays faster than his timed speed
-Displays the ability to match up in coverage
-Uses height and quickness to drop into zone coverage
-Shows good quickness (1.60), especially when rushing off the edge
-High motor. Never gives up on play. Always looking to make the tackle
-No durability concerns.  Remarkable for playing 55 games in career

Weaknesses
-Only an average athlete. Lacks good speed and agility
-Lacks the instincts you want in a linebacker.  Bites too often on play fakes
-Average tackler. Attempts too many arm tackles
-Struggles to shed blocks. Doesn't use his hands consistently to free himself
-Not good at the point of attack.  Will get pushed back

Summary
After 95 tackles in his junior year Christian Jones was one of the top Weakside Linebackers coming into this season.  Add those numbers with his ability to drop into coverage and even match up with receivers and tight ends and there was a lot to like.  Then the Seminoles switched to the 3-4 and Jones got even better.  He was able to show off his quickness and ability to get to the QB.  Even though his sack numbers where not high he was still able to get pressure.  Teams will love his flexibility to rush the passer, cover tight ends, and play in the run game.  He can play in either the 3-4 or the 4-3 and can play multiple linebacker positions in each scheme.  A lot to like.  However the problem is Jones isn't a great athlete and lacks good instincts.  Indecision and hesitations can really hurt him and allow him to get washed out of plays.  Add in that he lacks strength which allows him to get hung up on blocks.  However he'll still be coveted by teams because he can play all three downs and contribute on special teams.  His best fit will be as a 4-3 Strongside Linebacker whose allowed to blitz on passing situations.  But he'll also be a good fit in a 3-4 because he can be moved around a lot.  He compares a lot to Texans LB Brooks Reed.  Look for him to go somewhere in the 3rd round and a team like Oakland or St. Louis.