Pass Rushing Outside Linebackers for the 2009 NFL Draft

We all want our team to put pressure on the quarterback. Defense wins championships and the pass sack and even QB pressure can be a game changing event, often leading to fumbles and interceptions. We all know about the sure fire early rounders like Texas’ Brian Orakpo, Northern Illinois’ Larry English and Georgia Tech’s Michael Johnson, but today I am going to highlight a few sleepers that might be available in the middle to later rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft. These prospects are extremely versatile because of their ability to put their hand down and rush the passer or stand up and play as a conventional linebacker. There are plenty of talented juniors this year and I will cover them later after they declare, but for now I will only cover a few seniors.

The first two prospects from Oregon State will likely be late round 2009 NFL Draft Picks, but they are very interesting and could be late round steals with their uncanny ability to get after the quarterback and chase down the ball carrier.

Victor Butler, 6’ 3” 238 lbs. Oregon State
The MVP of the 2009 Sun Bowl, Butler was fantastic in Oregon State’s 3-0 win. In the game he recorded 11 tackles, four quarterback sacks, five tackles for losses, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovered.
For the season he recorded 12 sacks and an amazing 21.5 TFLs. Blazing fast and versatile, in high school (Eisenhower High, Rialto, Ca) he played receiver, safety, defensive end and ran back kicks.

Slade Norris, 6’ 3” 245 lbs. Oregon State
Norris is right up there talent-wise with Butler, he is just as fast and even has better size. Norris recorded 10 sacks and 18.5 TFLs in 2008.

Connor Barwin, 6’ 4” 248 lbs. Cincinnati
This former tight end is lightening in a bottle; he is very athletic and has a lot of upside. This was his first season playing defense and he looks to have found a home. In 2008 he recorded 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss (TFL).

Stryker Sulak, 6’ 4” 245 lbs. Missouri
Sulak has the speed to chase down plays from sideline to sideline and can drop back into coverage. Sulak is a very under rated prospect. This year he recorded 10.5 sacks and 15.5 TFLs.

Nick Reed, 6’ 2” 249 lbs. Oregon
The scouts aren’t real high on Reed due his questionable foot speed, but he is a player that just gets the job done time in and time out. Over his last two years he has recorded 25 sacks and 44.5 TFLs. I would say that is consistency.

Phillip Hunt, 6’ 1” 253 lbs. Houston
Hunt is super sleeper, playing for Houston he didn’t get the exposure as some of the others, but did you know he was ranked #2 in the NCAA with 14 sacks this season? His 18.5 TFLs weren’t anything to sneeze at either. Maybe at only 6’ 1” he might not have the height as you would like, but he has immense talent none the less.

Cody Brown, 6’ 2” 244 lbs. Connecticut
Brown is an elite prospect and has played both end and linebacker throughout his career. Brown has been clocked in the 4.65 range and recorded 10 sacks and 15.5 TFLs this season. He could be a 2nd or 3rd round NFL Draft pick this year with a good combine.