2011 NFL Draft Preview: Middle Linebackers

Back in the days of bruising fullbacks and the "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy, the middle linebacker was the most important player on the defense.  It was his job to not only tackle the ball carrier, but to impose his will on anyone who dared to come in his vicinity.  Greats such Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary made names for themselves for their aggressive, hard-hitting style of play.  While the middle linebacker is no longer the undisputed king of the defense, he is still one of the most integral positions on the team.

(In a 4-3 defense, there is only one middle linebacker who are positioned between the two outside linebackers and behind the two defensive tackles.)

(In a 3-4 defense, there are two middle linebackers who are positioned between the two outside linebackers and on either side of the nose tackle.)

1. Martez Wilson (Illinois)

Martez Wilson is certainly the most physically gifted of all the linebacker prospects entering this year's draft.  He is 6'4" and 250 lbs, meaning he has great height on a solid frame.  Wilson also moves very quickly as evidenced by his 4.49 time in the 40.  He started his career as a defensive end so he could be a problem on a middle linebacker blitz.  But his greatest attribute is his sideline-to-sideline range which helps him follow plays and track down the ball carrier quickly.  His inadequacies in both zone and man coverage must be corrected to become a more dominant linebacker but Wilson does have the physical tools to accomplish this.

2. Greg Jones (Michigan State)

Without a doubt, Greg Jones possesses the best awareness out of this group of linebackers.  Despite only being 6'0" and 241 lbs, he compensates for his lack of measurables through his range across the field and his relentlessness in pursuing the ball carrier.  Jones has fantastic tackling technique and is not afraid to lay the lumber on his oppenents.  While he is fantastic in zone coverage, Jones does not possess the speed to stay with quicker receivers in man coverage.  Additionally, he is often overwhelmed by blockers when the play goes directly up the middle.  Still Jones's fantastic intangibles outweigh these shortcomings.

3. Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina)

Fantastic cover skills and a knack for quickly reading plays makes Quan Sturdivant stand out as a linebacker in this year's draft.  He has a great 40 time at 4.50 and demonstrates that speed on the field by quickly attacking ball carriers and covering faster receivers and backs in the passing game.  Sturdivant also uses great tackling technique to stop the ball carrier in his tracks.  However, his 6'1", 241 lbs frame does not match well when blockers are coming straight at him and he is quickly brushed aside.  Additionally, Sturdivant plays so aggressively that he is susceptible to play fakes and misdirection, often leaving him in the wrong position.  Yet, Sturdivant exciting and dynamic style of play will definitely warrant him being drafted in the early rounds.