The 3-4 defensive teams in recent years have really taken some chances on elite level talents that can hopefully play in space and be a 3-4 outside linebacker. What’s so tough about the position in it’s translation is how either a defensive end can play with his hand off the ground and having to read more than just rush, or an outside linebacker can consistently bring pressure off the edge. Because very few teams run the 3-4 defense in the NFL fashion, it’s somewhat of a workout/guessing game for these NFL teams.
So, we’ll take a look at the prospects so far that we feel can fit in a 3-4 defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker. Keep in mind that some defensive end’s can play in both a 4-3 or 3-4, but may not be ranked higher than their fellow defensive ends in this list because of they don’t fit as well in a 3-4 scheme.
| Name | College | Height | Weight | Proj. Round | Notes | ||
| 1 | . | Von Miller | Texas A&M | 6’3 | 240 | Top 10 | Elite athlete, perfect fit for the 3-4, and workouts will help |
| 2 | . | Robert Quinn | North Carolina | 6’5 | 268 | Top 20 | Julius Peppers type body, needs to be a star each week |
| 3 | . | Ryan Kerrigan | Purdue | 6’4 | 236 | 1st-2nd | Better fit for the 4-3, great athlete to work in many schemes |
| 4 | . | Dontay Moch | Nevada | 6’1 | 226 | 2nd-3rd | Great pass rusher, could be a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense |
| 5 | . | Sam Acho | Texas | 6’3 | 260 | 3rd-5th | Quick off the snap, could bulk up for 4-3 or play 3-4 |
| 6 | Justin Houston | Georgia | 6’3 | 259 | 1st-2nd | Elite pass rusher who needs more consistency;measureables | |
| 7 | . | Jeremy Beal | Oklahoma | 6’3 | 261 | 4th-6th | Moves well, could be a 3-4 OLB or situational pass rusher |
| 8 | . | KJ Wright | Mississippi State | 6’3 | 245 | 3rd-5th | |
| 9 | . | Brooks Reed | Arizona | 6’3 | 255 | 5th-7th | Lacks athletic ability, good technique, needs to bulk up |
| 10 | . | Greg Lloyd | Connecticut | 6’2 | 259 | 6th-Undrafted | A bigger version of former Uconn 2nd rounder Cody Brown |
| 11 | . | Markell White | Central Arkansas | 6’4 | 260 | 6th-Undrafted | Sleeper talent, great athlete, needs to show more strength |
| 12 | . | Bruce Miller | UCF | 6’2 | 255 | 6th-Undrafted | Versatile pass rusher, he’s a good athlete with upside |
| 13 | . | Cliff Matthews | South Carolina | 6’4 | 262 | 5th-7th | Solid, but not great, vs. run and pass; not a great athlete |
| 14 | . | Jon Freeney | Rutgers | 6’3 | 250 | 6th-Undrafted | |
| 15 | . | Jonas Mouton | Michigan | 6’2 | 240 | 6th-Undrafted | Productive this season, injury concerns may hurt |
| 16 | . | Alex Albright | Boston College | 6’5 | 242 | 6th-Undrafted | Looked like solid pass rusher before injury, worth developing |
| 17 | . | Stafford Gatling | Ohio | 6’4 | 233 | 6th-Undrafted | |
| 18 | . | Steven Friday | Virginia Tech | 6’4 | 238 | 6th-Undrafted | |
| 19 | . | Chris Walker | Tennessee | 6’2 | 236 | 6th-Undrafted | |
| 20 | . | Terrence Thomas | Villanova | 6’1 | 235 | 6th-Undrafted |
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
