2015 NFL Draft Rankings: 3-4 OLB
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13.) Lynden Trail, Norfolk St (6’7 | 269 | 4.91)
Scouting report – Ideal length for a pass rusher and the athleticism and versatility to play as a 3-4 OLB, 4-3 DE, and possibly even at TE in red-zone packages. Trail gets good bend coming off the edge, has a good enough burst off the line, a non-stop motor, and the ability to change directions without losing speed. He basically has the size and all the traits you look for in a pass rusher. A few things to worry about with Trail are a possible lack of functional strength, mediocre testing numbers at the combine, and the massive talent jump from the Mid Eastern Athletic conference to the NFL.
Draft grade: 4th-5th round
14.) Max Valles, Virginia (6’5 | 251 | 4.83):
Scouting report – A tough player to grade because of a very inconsistent tape. At times Valles looks like a future first round pound pick with explosiveness off the edge and an innate abiliy to get his hands in passing lanes. Other times Valles looks like he has no idea what he’s doing on the field. Another year of school would have really helped Valles, but he’s a high potential pick who could be a starter after a year or two of development and technique work.
Draft grade: 4th-5th round
15.) Edmond Robinson, Newberry (6’3 | 245 | 4.61):
Scouting report – Arguably the best LB in DII and has improved his stock during draft season with a solid performance at the EW Shrine Game and an even better performance at the combine. Robinson ran better than expected with a 4.61 40-time, a 1.61 split, 37″ vertical, and one of the better performances in the on field drills including a very nice catch in the coverage portion. The jump from DII to the NFL is massive, but Robinson was a dominant LB in college which is what you want to see from a small school guy. He has very long arms (34″) which allow him to keep blockers off him, showed good awareness and play recognition in the run game, and was solid in coverage underneath. Robinson is an intriguing prospect who may need a year or two of development but has starter upside.
Draft grade: 5th round
16.) Kyle Emanuel, North Dakota St (6’3 | 250 | 4.86)
Scouting report – Another undersized pass rusher from a small school who put up ridiculous sack totals (19.5) this season. Emanuel has a non-stop motor, uses his hands well to beat blockers, and has a few polished pass rush moves. He’s not an elite athlete, so may struggle against NFL blockers but he consistently beat tackles at the Shrine Game practices. Emanuel’s biggest problem will be adjusting to rushing the passer as a stand-up OLB. He looked fluid in the combine drills and he has a shot to make an NFL roster. His ceiling is probably as a situational pass rusher, but more than one scout has compared him to Rob Ninkovich so perhaps Emanuel could follow a similar development arc.
Draft grade: 5th-6th round
17.) James Vaughters, Stanford (6’2 | 4.58 | 4.73):
Scouting report – Strong, well-built player who consistently sets the edge against the run and does a good job shedding blockers. Vaughters lacks NFL athleticism, but is a smart player with a good motor. He’s not going to make a lot of plays, but won’t make many mistakes either and has special teams experience on kick coverage units. Vaughters should make a roster and could be a solid backup in the league if he can add value on special teams.
Draft grade: 6th-7th round
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18.) Obum Gwacham, Oregon St (6’5 | 246 | 4.72)
Scouting report – Former wide receiver who just switched to defensive end in 2014. Gwacham was a track star at Oregon state in multiple jumping events and is an explosive athlete with good length and the longest arms of any LB prospect at the combine (34 3/8″). With only one year of experience as a defensive player Gwacham is understandably raw, but has significant upside as a pass rusher. He got by on athleticism only last season with a quick first step, non-stop motor, and the ability to change direction without losing speed. Right now Gwacham is a liability against the run without the strength to set the edge or disengage from blockers, but he did show natural instincts in short zone coverage. He doesn’t have any pass rush moves and his technique is a mess, but from all reports he is a hard worker, quick learner and good locker room guy. It will take at least a year for Gwacham to add the strength needed to hold up vs the run, clean up his pass rush technique and learn the nuances of the OLB position, but his athleticism is off the charts and he has a higher ceiling than most day 3 prospects.
Draft grade: 6th-7th round
19.) Tony Washington, Oregon (6’4 | 247 | 4.99)
Scouting report – Under-rated pass rusher who had a dominant game in the Rose Bowl with a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, touchdown and a stop on Jameis Winston on 4th & goal. Washington had an inconsistent season after 7.5 sacks his junior year, but played well at the end of the season and finished with 6 sacks, 11 TFLs, and a team leading 3 forced fumbles. He’s primarily a pass rusher, but at under 250 pounds will probably be looked at as a 3-4 OLB. Unfortunately his 4.99 40-time and stiff performance in drills may give Washington the dreaded tweener label. Washington is a good football player with the quickness to beat tackles off the edge, the ability to dodge blockers in traffic and the strength to bull rush if needed as he proved in the Rose Bowl, driving FSU guard Tre Jackson into the backfield despite being outweighed by almost 100 pounds. His poor combine numbers could really hurt his draft stock, but I think Washington will end up on an NFL roster next season.
Draft grade: 7th round – UFA
20.) J.R. Tavai, USC (6’2 | 249 | 4.91):
Scouting report – There are no problems with Tavai’s work ethic or motor. He clearly gives it his all on the field, but he doesn’t appear to have NFL athleticism and his 4.91 40-time at the combine will hurt his chances. Tavai also looked very stiff in the on field drills and he will have to excel on special teams to make an NFL roster.
Draft grade: 7th round – UFA
21.) Norkeithus Otis, North Carolina (6’1, 240, 4.73)
Scouting report – Athletic pass rusher with an explosive first step, shifty pass rush moves, and the closing burst to chase down QBs. Otis struggles in coverage, so is probably limited to a 3-4 scheme as a pass rush specialist. Teams are always looking for players who can get to the QB, which is Otis’ strength, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets drafted sometime on day 3.
Draft grade: 7th round – UFA
22.) Shaq Riddick, West Virginia (6’5, 242, 4.72)
Scouting report – Athletic pass rusher who dominated at the FCS level before transferring to West Virginia for his final year of eligibility. Riddick flashed potential at times this year like in his 3 sack game vs Baylor, but also disappeared for long stretches. He has a quick first step, a non-stop motor, good instincts, and decent hand skills, but at times was just overpowered by stronger O-lineman. It’s not going to get any easier in the pros, but Riddick could conceivably earn a spot in a 3-4 as a pass rush OLB or a LEO backer.
Draft grade: 7th round – UFA
23.) Ryan Delaire, Towson (6’4 | 254 | 4.97)
Scouting report – I had Delaire a few spots higher before the combine because I was impressed with his tape, production (22.5 sacks last 2 years), and potential as an edge rusher from the 3-4 OLB position. Delaire reportedly pulled his groin while running his 40-time (4.97) but I didn’t see him slow up at all. He will need to knock a few tenths off that time if he’s going to be viewed as a 3-4 OLB. Delaire is only 254 pounds which is light for a 4-3 DE and he’s not overly strong. At DE he’s a developmental guy who will need a year or two in the weight room before he can hold the edge against the run. At 4.97 Delaire most likely will go undrafted, but could get back in the mix with a good pro day.
Draft grade: 7th round – UFA