Analyzing the Top 3 2014 Draft OLB's IMO (ANALYSIS & VIDEO CLIPS)

[pacman]

Yes I realize it is very early but I've been watching some tape of the 2014 OLB draft prospects and have come up with 3 prospects that I think would be a great fit for the Cardinals. All of the following players are predicted first round picks with Barr being a potential top 10 or even top 5 pick. But of course lots of things change in the time leading up to the draft.

credit to Lil Uno on the Vikings forum for the video links and pics

1. Anthony Barr OLB / UCLA

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Size: 6'3, 245

Without a question he is the most dominant OLB going into this NCAA season. He ranked second among all Division 1-A schools. What's amazing about that is it was his first year playing OLB. He was formerly a FB (yes a FB) until one of his coaches decided to move him to defense at the beginning of last season. He lines up on the line in practically every play and has a mean combination of strength and speed. He excels at changing direction especially. What he does need to improve on is wrapping up on tackles and becoming a more effective run stuffer. But Barr has the potential to be an All-Pro year after year in the NFL. I think he will give the Cardinals that qb killer they need (assuming none of their pass rushers step up this year).

Click the following links to watch the video
Barr 2012 Highlights
Barr vs. USC
Barr vs. Nebraska
Barr vs. Stanford
Barr vs. Washington State

2. Ryan Shazier OLB / Ohio State

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Size: 6'1, 225

Unlike Barr, Shazier lines up everywhere for the Buckeyes. Most of the time he is off the line but he does blitz like D Wash up the middle occasionally. Shazier is a tremendous tackler. He effectively finds the shortest path to the ball carrier and hits him hard when he finds him. He rarely misses a tackle and he wraps up really well. Last year, Shazier recorded more tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles than Te'o from his Heisman finalist year. Of course stats don't tell everything need to be known about a player so watch the following clips and let me know what you guys think.

Click the following links to watch the video
Shazier 2012 Highlights
Shazier vs. Wisconsin

3. Kyle Van Noy OLB / BYU

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Size: 6'2, 235

Van Noy is the most all-around complete OLB out of the three. He can rush the qb, stop the run and defend against the pass. He has a high football IQ and covers all areas of the field. He reminds me of a more dominant Sam Acho that is faster and more of a playmaker.

Click the following links to watch the video
Van Noy vs. San Diego State
Van Noy vs. Washington State
Van Noy vs. Utah
Van Noy vs. San Jose State

 

[Garthshort]

Where are Barr's videos?

 

[pacman]

Where are Barr's videos?

Whoops. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I fixed it now and added his clips.

 

[Russ Smith]

I was hyping Barr last year pretty early on. I am curious to see how he does this year with him not being a surprise anymore. But then he wasn't a surprise after about half of the season and still played well. Not having Datone Jones around will hurt him but UCLA returns a fair amount of talent on D and has some good young kids coming on now too.

Barr has to work on his understanding of the position, right now he just chases the ball, but he was remarkable last year. For a guy who hasn't played defense since early in HS it was surprising that he started showing moves and counters. Later in the year he started dropping into coverage and did that well too.

Classic case UCLA wanted him at LB when they recruited him but he wanted to play RB so they tried him at RB, FB and even a TE(basically an H back). He finally decided he wanted to play so when the new staff said we want to move you to LB, he had already decided on his own he wanted to.

Really going to be interesting to see how good he is this year will teams scheme more to stop him. UCLA was moving him side to side when teams started to pay attention.

 

[iRobot]

This is ranking Clowney as a DE, right? (he's a big kid but sure has a quick first step)

 

[pacman]

This is ranking Clowney as a DE, right? (he's a big kid but sure has a quick first step)

lol yea Clowney is a DE not a OLB.

 

[pacman]

What do you guys think of the Alabama linebackers (Adrian Hubbard and C.J. Mosley)? I was unimpressed by both of those guys which is why neither of them made my top 3.

 

[Chopper0080]

You left out Khalil Mack - Buffalo (6'2 245) who might be the best of all of them. Guy is a beast and makes a ton of plays behind the LOS.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Shazier is very good but he's going to be downgraded because of his size. I think even when he fills out, the most he'll top out at is the low 230's. They may list him heavier but he I doubt that he will be.