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2017 NFL Draft: Top 5 Off Ball Linebackers

By Tyler Dickson

Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports – Oakland Raiders
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) during warm-ups before the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports – Oakland Raiders /

The top five off ball linebackers in the 2017 NFL Draft, which will surely be a position the Oakland Raiders target.

The Oakland Raiders are in dire need of help at both the inside and outside linebacker positions. Here are the top five “off ball” linebackers in the 2017 draft class.

Reuben Foster – 6’ 230 lbs. – Alabama

Reuben Foster was the leader of the vaunted Alabama defense. He killed SEC offenses in his final year with the Crimson Tide, leading them to the SEC championship and earning Most Valuable Player.

Foster was a 5-star recruit and the no. 1 ranked linebacker in the 2013 recruiting class.

Strengths:

Foster is a wrecking ball. He reads, reacts and fires downhill with such reckless abandon you can’t believe it’s planned.

He loves being physical and plays like he’s out to hurt himself as well as others. He puts the defense on his back and revels in making big plays.

Foster flows with traffic, cutting through weak blocks and knifing into the backfield. He sticks to is zone, reading the eyes of the QB and then makes plays when guys come in is zone.

Reuben has the man coverage ability to stay on the field all three downs. Has quick twitch agility to change direction and he works well in space. He hits with natural pop you can’t teach and is passionate about the game.

Weaknesses:

Foster can trust his quickness too much at times, which causes him to over-pursue or hit the wrong gap. He bites on play action too easily, which NFL quarterbacks will take advantage of.

His injury report is scary — three concussions, two shoulder stingers, one shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff and possibly a second. He drops his head on contact into blocks and tackles.

He’ll blow up blocks with his natural pop and speed but shows inconsistent technique. He fires his shoulder into blockers instead of getting his hands in pads.

Overall:

A player like Foster is what most teams want in the middle of their defense, with his ability to play three downs and the aggression he plays with. It’s tone setting.

Health is the really big thing with him, and you can argue that he has had the worst draft process of any prospect.

NFL Comparison: Ryan Shazier

Film Score: 82.5

Athleticism Score: N/A

Final Score: 80 (Round 1)

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