Top 5 OLBs & ILBs for the 2014 draft

The National Football Post shifts its 2014 draft preview analysis to the linebacker positions today, with a look at the top-5 prospects at the OLB and ILB positions.

CLICK HERE for our QB & RB rankings.

CLICK HERE for our WR & TE rankings.

CLICK HERE for our offensive line rankings.

CLICK HERE for our defensive line rankings.

Note: Our preseason rankings include seniors only. Underclassmen will be added once they declare for the NFL draft.

Outside Linebackers

1. Anthony Barr, UCLA: Barr played running back until last year when he made the switch to outside linebacker. He’s got the size and speed you are looking for at the position and had a great year as a junior with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.

C.J. MosleyMosley recorded 105 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions for the Crimson Tide last season.

2. Kyle Van Noy, Brigham Young: Van Noy is a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and proved that last year with 22 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and two interceptions.

3. C.J. Mosley, Alabama: Mosley is a solid overall athlete, has good coverage ability and will be a 3-down linebacker in the NFL.

4. Trent Murphy, Stanford: Murphy is a big, physical outside linebacker who can rush the passer effectively, demonstrating that with 10 sacks last year.

5. Christian Jones, Florida State: Jones is an outstanding athlete with great speed and quickness, but needs to make more impact plays.

Inside Linebackers

1. Shayne Skov, Stanford: Skov came back last year from a 2011 knee injury and had a very productive season.

2. Max Bullough, Michigan State: Bullough is a big, physical linebacker who looks the part of an NFL MLB.

3. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky: Jackson can make plays sideline to sideline but is a bit shorter than what most scouts are looking for. However, his playmaking ability outweighs the minimal concerns regarding his height.

4. Dan Fox, Notre Dame: With Manti Te'o moving on to the NFL, look for Fox to pick up the slack on defense this year.

5. Avery Williamson, Kentucky: Williamson is a tackling machine, finishing second in the SEC with 135 tackles last season.

Follow Justin on Twitter: @jvanfulpen

If you would like to purchase Justin VanFulpen’s 2014 NFL Draft Package please email him at jvanfulpen@gmail.com for details.

Justin VanFulpen has been covering the NFL Draft since 1997 for different media outlets. He represented NFL players as a NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor from 2004-2008. He is now the Director of Player Personal for the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game where he has worked since 2009. You can email Justin at jvanfulpen@gmail.com.

Upcoming Games