2011 NFL Draft Linebackers

Outside Linebackers

1. Von Miller Texas A&M- In a year with not a lot of good linebackers coming out Miller is the clearly the best with all the attributes he possesses. He has great instincts and great leader. Outstanding tackler in the open field.
2. Akeem Ayers UCLA- Very versatile can play all Linebackers position with ease. Great in coverage and outstanding in the pass rushing.
3. Justin Houston Georgia-Houston is a huge outsider backer weighing in at 270 at the combine over a month ago but did not lose any speed after gaining the 12pds after the season. Use to playing in a 3-4 scheme with Georgia switching to it last season. Great pass rushing skills from the position. Lacks some pass coverage skills but can be worked on.
4. Bruce Carter UNC- Coming off ACL surgery his stock has somewhat dropped heavily but he has the intangibles you look for in a Linebacker. If all checks out he could be a steal late in 2nd rd if teams pass on him in the 1st rd.
5. Mark Herzlich BC- I don't know what people are saying about the cancer he had. If he didn't have to come back that awful disease he would be a top 10 pick. He is a true leader and has everything you want in a linebacker he can play coverage better than all the linebackers in the draft and is decent pass rusher.Who ever drafts Herzlich will never regret it he is a great player. He can play any linebacker position too.

Inside Linebacker

This is one the weakest ILB class in recent history and only two players are worth drafting in the first 2 rounds. 

1. Martez Wilson Illinois-Wilson isn't really a pure ILB he can also play OLB as well and fits a little bit better for that position but he has been evaluated as ILB due his lack of speed and instinctive ability off the snap. He is great run stopper which has helped him.
2. Greg Jones Mich St-Very instinctive player but lack the height at only 6 ft but makes up for it in the field. Very fast which he is able to catch up to ball carriers before they make their deadly moves to get in the open field.

Who is the ideal Patriot given draft projections?

1. Akeem Ayers UCLA- Has what the Pats are lacking and that is getting to the QB. He would be huge upgrade to Ninkovich and Banta-Cain.
2. Mark Herzlich BC-Bill loves football players and Herzlich is one hell of one he would look great in the Patriots jersey. He will do anything that needs to be done to make sure he will play. He great leader and can make plays all over the field. He has lost some speed from his cancer but that hasn't affected him.

Sleepers who could make you second guess yourself why didn't I draft them instead.

1. Casey Matthews Oregon- Clay Matthews brother. Casey has had a pretty career himself in college but he is somewhat slow and lacks some instincts. Not a great pass rusher but he is pretty good in coverage. The kind of scheme he played in has hurt his stock but that should have not hurt his stock but it has.
2. Ross Homan Ohio St- Ohio St has produced LB left and right and Homan is no exception but he has not as respected as his predecessors . He is a football player and that all he is he makes plays everywhere on the field. He is a tackling machine. 

Tune in next time for Defensive backs