NFL draft preview: outside linebackers
If the Bears go into Draft Night on April 30 determined to add the type of edge rusher they need in their new 3-4 scheme, there's a chance they're taking Clemson's Vic Beasley at No. 7.
Beasley is a beast on tape, he had tremendous production as a two-year starter who played in 48 career games, and he's a workout warrior who flashed elite athleticism at the Scouting Combine.
Beasley's 33 sacks in his final three years established a Clemson career record. In the same time, he had 52 ½ tackles for loss. That already made him a sure-fire first-round pick, but then his performance at the Combine moved him up on most draft boards.
The 6-foot-3, 246-pounder ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, and he was third among all players and first among linebackers and defensive ends with 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench. He displayed an NBA-like, 41-inch vertical jump and had a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump, which was tied for eighth among all players.
Beasley is among a group of four elite edge rushers who could all be in play for the Bears at No. 7. Florida's Dante Fowler is generally the most highly regarded because he is a force vs. the run in addition to his pass-rush prowess, and he has the size to factor as a defensive end in a 4-3.
Then it's Nebraska's Randy Gregory, Missouri's Shane Ray and Beasley. Gregory is rangy but just 235 pounds, and he tested positive for marijuana in late February at the Combine, although he said he stopped smoking in December. If that's true, he had one heck of a December.
Ray and Beasley are almost identical in size, but Beasley is much faster and more athletic. Although Beasley was a defensive end at Clemson, no one doubts his ability to stand up as an outside linebacker and still get after the quarterback. The question is how well he'll play the run.
“He had an incredible workout, his speed, his strength, his athletic ability, everything about him,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “You can run at him, but you can do that with all these guys. Will Vic Beasley be a little more than that? We'll see.”
Much like wide receiver and nose tackle in this year's draft, there are enough quality outside linebackers who project as top edge rushers to last into the second day, if the Bears choose to wait.
Virginia's Eli Harold didn't have as much production as Beasley, partly because he left with a year of eligibility remaining, but he could be an option for the Bears at the top of Round Two (39th overall).
Harold and Beasley are almost identical in size. Harold had 15 ½ sacks while starting all 24 games the past two seasons, and he improved his stock with an impressive Combine as well.
And Harold is the kind of kid you love to root for, especially after hearing that he grew up without a father, and his mother died of pancreatic cancer when he was 15.
“I didn't know she was on her last few days,” he said. “My (older) brothers and sisters didn't tell me. It was kind of rough. I watched her take her last breath.
“Growing up without a father, and having a mother who's really doing everything for you, it's pretty tough when you lose her. She was my rock. She would be proud of me right now.”
Harold was fortunate to have a brother, Walter, who is 23 years older and a pastor. Walter had a full house, but he took in his baby brother.
“He has always been there for me,” Eli said. “He had five kids of his own. One passed away a month before I lost my mom. He was 20. He played basketball, (but) he had an enlarged heart. We didn't know.”
Harold says he'll continue to use his life experiences, even the worst ones, as motivation.
“Every time I go out on the gridiron I think about how much I've lost, how much I've been through early in life,” he said. “And it just pushes me to bring that fire out in me.”
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NFL draft primer: linebackers
Bob LeGere breaks down the top college linebackers in the NFL draft:
OLB Dante Fowler, Florida 6-3 261 4.60
Explosive athlete and pass rusher could also play DE in 4-3.
OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson 6-3 246 4.53
33 sacks over past 3 seasons but must make move from DE to LB.
OLB Randy Gregory, Nebraska 6-5 235 4.64
Raw, but elite pass-rush tools offset positive marijuana test.
OLB Shane Ray, Missouri 6-3 245 4.65
High-motor pass rusher with surprising power. 14.5 sacks in '14.
OLB Bud Dupree, Kentucky 6-4 269 4.56
Big and freakishly athletic: 42-inch vertical, 11-6 broad jump.
OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington 6-0 228 4.64
All-around elite football skills. Could play RB. Lacks size.
OLB Eli Harold, Virginia 6-3 247 4.60
Nice pass rusher for now; needs to get stronger vs. run.
ILB Bernardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 6-4 246 4.66
Instinctive hard-hitting tough guy is strongest vs. run.
OLB Hau'oli Kikaha, Washington 6-2 253 4.90
Best pass rusher in draft (32 sacks in 2 yrs.), despite alarming 40-time.
ILB Stephone Anthony, Clemson 6-3 243 4.56
Very good size-speed-strength combo with instincts and toughness.
Note: Some top OLB prospects could project to defensive end in the NFL for teams that run a 4-3, but they are ranked as 3-4 outside linebackers here based on the Bears' switch to that scheme.