Ranking 3-4 OLBs

[CheeseKnuckles]

So I was just wondering how people would rank the 3-4 OLBs without including Upshaw, Ingram, Perry, and Mercilus. I feel like there are actually quite a few intriguing players after the four I mentioned above, but just wonder how everyone else would rank them.

Players I was looking at:

Andre Branch
Shea McClellin
Bruce Irvin
Johanthon Massaquoi
Chandler Jones
Ronnel Lewis
Vinny Curry

No specific order for me, just wondering how everyone else would rank them.

[phlysac]

Pre-Combine...

Andre Branch
Vinny Curry
Johnathan Massaquoi
Chandler Jones
Ronnell Lewis
Bruce Irvin
Shea McClellin

[mightytitan9]

My rankings:
1) Bruce Irvin
2) Andre Branch
3) Vinny Curry
4) Chandler Jones
5) Johnathan Massaquoi
6) Ronnell Lewis
7)Shea McClellin

[San Diego Chicken]

^^^
Looking forward to checking out some of Bruce Irvin's combine numbers. His first step & explosion are really really good. If he were the same size as Aldon Smith maybe he'd go in the top 10 too.

[SuperPacker]

1. Vinny Curry
2. Jonathan Massaquoi
3. Bruce Irvin
4. Andre Branch
5. Chandler Jones
6. Ronnel Lewis
7. Shea McClellin

[duesouth]

1) Vinny Curry - high motor - good get off. Good Senior Bowl week.

2) Andre Branch - better athlete than given credit for. Looks like he has big hands to control blockers. A little inconsistent still, but talented.

3) Chandler Jones - a little raw still, but has a really nice frame and flashes top ability. Intriguing prospect.

4) Bruce Irvin - almost moves like a RB with a little 'jump cut' type pass rush move to the outside. Was out of position at DE in a 3-3-5. Gifted athletically, but needs to develop more in terms of pass rushing moves.

5) Shea McClellin - not super athletic - but versatile, could play a number of positions.

6) Jonathon Massaquoi - think he might be better in a 4-3. My tape study has shown he has some ability rushing the passer, but doesn't dominate enough in the Sun Belt for my liking.

7) Ronnell Lewis - I've been underwhelmed by him on tape study. Get off isn't as good as I was expecting. Rotates a bunch more than fellow DE Frank Alexander. High motor, but had some academic issues as well as durability issues. Too many concerns for me.

[TACKLE]

1. Vinny Curry
2. Bruce Irvin
3. Shea McClellin
4. Andre Branch
5. Chandler Jones
6. Jonathan Massaquoi
7. Ronnell Lewis

[mightytitan9]

I'm really wanting Bruce Irvin in Titan blue

[edgrenade]

Am I the only one who thinks that Irvin looks as if he's 230 lbs? Maybe it is just the 11...

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by TACKLE

1. Vinny Curry
2. Bruce Irvin
3. Shea McClellin
4. Andre Branch
5. Chandler Jones
6. Jonathan Massaquoi
7. Ronnell Lewis

After I saw the first two posts with McClellin at 7, this is what I was waiting for from you haha.

I'm not sure what's going on with him right now, but don't sleep on Bruce Irvin here either. He should be included with this group.

[bitonti]

i wanted to like Shea McClellan at Senior Bowl. He was meh.

maybe he's just in a bad situation like Woodley a few years ago. but he couldn't seem to get off a damn block. Ive seen sites that have him as a solid 2, he looks more like a 5 to me.

[bitonti]

Originally Posted by edgrenade

Am I the only one who thinks that Irvin looks as if he's 230 lbs? Maybe it is just the 11...

yeh he looks skinny. his role might be that of Aaron Maybin with the Jets. Pass rusher on 3rd and long, useless the rest of the time.

[J-Mike88]

Originally Posted by bitonti

yeh he looks skinny. his role might be that of Aaron Maybin with the Jets. Pass rusher on 3rd and long, useless the rest of the time.

Alden Smith looks skinny too.

Mayock on Illinois Defensive End Whitney Mercilus: Fairly gifted kid. Some natural pass-rush ability. Little bit of a 1-yr wonder. Not stout at point of attack.

Z-Report Says: Can rush with hand on the ground or standing up. Great burst off the ball, but is a finesse player right now. Looks like he can add 10 more pounds of muscle to his frame. Still learning the position.

[bitonti]

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

Alden Smith looks skinny too.

kinda. Smith looked like he was 250. Irvin looks like he's 230 or less.

[Duffman57]

Originally Posted by bitonti

kinda. Smith looked like he was 250. Irvin looks like he's 230 or less.

He looked that skinny last year, but there's a noticable difference in how big he is this year. He's just one of those guys that has that deceptive bulk on him cuz he's really long. I think he could show up in that 240-245 range and EASILY has the frame to add another 10 long the same way Clay Matthews did.

He reminds me of a bit bigger Cam Wake coming out (though he was Derek Wake coming out). I think right away he's only a 3rd down option, but he could have a very Cam Wake like Career, hold the CFL trip to bulk up.

[Duffman57]

Oh and almost forgot here's how id rank them...

1a. Vinny Curry (very Suggs like player, may not be the best athlete, but he's got that motor, burstexplosion, strength and just pure determination to get to the QB)

1b. Orlandus Branch (I just can't seperate the two. Branch is more gifted athletically, but he's not as strong as Curry but he's very long and looks better rushing when he's standing up, both are great prospects that I expect to go in the 1st round.)

3. Jonathan Massaquoi (He's the most physically talented player on here, but football instincts just seem to be lacking. Consistantly getting fooled and easily getting run out of plays.)

4. Bruce Irvin (As I said before, he gets knocked down because he's a project that wont be anything more than a pass rush specialist his first year or two while he bulks up. Is limited to certain schemes like the Packers)

5. Shea McClellin (He's a very solid player in all aspects, but doesn't wow in any one area. He is incredibly versatile so a team that uses OLBs that move around is the best fit for him. Solid, but nothing special as a pass rusher.)

6. Ronnell Lewis (He's one of those guys that just does everything you want in terms of attitude, but there's just not much there to like has a pass rusher. He's a smaller more LB type than a pass rusher. He reminds me somewhat of Lawrence Timmons and I think he makes the move inside, and cas spot start if desperate at OLB.)

7. Chandler Jones (as a pass rusher, he belongs above Massaquoi on my list, but is just way to slow and tight in the hips to play OLB and change of direction skills and short area quickness just aren't there.)

[mightytitan9]

Originally Posted by edgrenade

Am I the only one who thinks that Irvin looks as if he's 230 lbs? Maybe it is just the 11...

He's pretty built, but he almost looks like a big WR to me lol

[FUNBUNCHER]

People don't see Melvin Ingram as outside 34 'backer???

[ATLDirtyBirds]

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

After I saw the first two posts with McClellin at 7, this is what I was waiting for from you haha.

I'm not sure what's going on with him right now, but don't sleep on Bruce Irvin here either. He should be included with this group.

Bruce Irvin is my favorite 34 OLB. Join me APS.

[phlysac]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

People don't see Melvin Ingram as outside 34 'backer???

Mine was just how I currently rank the players he listed. Not my actual rankings of all 3-4 OLB prospects

[CheeseKnuckles]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

People don't see Melvin Ingram as outside 34 'backer???

Read the original post a little closer.

[FUNBUNCHER]

Originally Posted by CheeseKnuckles

Read the original post a little closer.

LOL!!

Thanks.

[SenorGato]

Originally Posted by CheeseKnuckles

So I was just wondering how people would rank the 3-4 OLBs without including Upshaw, Ingram, Perry, and Mercilus. I feel like there are actually quite a few intriguing players after the four I mentioned above, but just wonder how everyone else would rank them.

Players I was looking at:

Andre Branch
Shea McClellin
Bruce Irvin
Johanthon Massaquoi
Chandler Jones
Ronnel Lewis
Vinny Curry

No specific order for me, just wondering how everyone else would rank them.

Vinny Curry

Andre Branch
Jonathan Massaquoi
Shea McClellin
Chandler Jones
Bruce Irvin
Lewis

[TACKLE]

I would add Jake Bequette somewhere among this mix of second tier 34 OLB's.

[DraftSavant]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

People don't see Melvin Ingram as outside 34 'backer???

No, not at all really. ;)