Projected top LB's in 2013 draft. Who should we pick?

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-03-2012, 01:40 AM

With Urlacher and Briggs nearing the end of their careers (not there yet, but getting closer), should we target one of these guys in 2013? Which one?

Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2012): 1.
5/17/12: Te'o has been a solid and consistent performer for Notre Dame. Te'o recorded 128 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2011. He was a sack away from leading the Irish in sacks and tackles.

Teo registered 133 tackles in 2010. He also recorded 9.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble. As a true freshman in 2009, he notched 63 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss.

Te'o has the skill set to start quickly in the NFL. He has the size, speed and tackling technique to be a three-down linebacker. Te'o has the athletic ability to function on third down and get deep in the middle of the field. As a pass-rusher, Te'o has nice blitzing ability and closing speed. It is clear that Te'o has the instincts for the position. Plus, he is versatile for the next level. He has the bulk to be an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and the speed to play middle linebacker in a 4-3. As long as he stays healthy, Te'o should produce another quality season to be a safe first-rounder in 2013.
Shayne Skov, ILB/OLB, Stanford
Height: 6-3. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
5/17/12: Skov played well in the first two games of the 2011 season with 18 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass broken up. He blew out his knee in the third game of the year, ending his season.

Like teammate Chase Thomas, Skov is a perfect fit in a 3-4 defense. He can play multiple positions and is a good edge rusher. Skov and Thomas should form a strong pass-rushing presence from the inside and outside linebacker position, and both players could see their stock rise in 2012.
Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina
Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
5/17/12: Reddick was solid for North Carolina but unspectacular. He collected 71 tackles with six tackles for a loss, one sack and four passes broken up. Reddick had no interceptions and forced fumbles. He was overshadowed and out produced by Zach Brown. Reddick could standout more with Brown in the NFL.

In 2010, Reddick led North Carolina's defense in tackles last season as a redshirt sophomore. That is saying something considering that defense featured other linebackers like Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant and Zach Brown. On the season, the fast and instinctive Reddick recorded 74 tackles with six tackles for a loss, two interceptions and five passes broken up. With a good supporting cast around him, Reddick could improve his numbers in 2012 as a senior. Like many of the other Tar Heel products, Reddick is a superior athlete.
Alec Ogletree*, ILB, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 236.
Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
5/17/12: Ogletree really came on in the second half of the 2011 season. In the final seven games, he produced 52 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He broke his foot in the season opener against Boise State, and that caused him to miss the next seven games. Ogletree really stood out with big games against Georgia Tech, LSU and Michigan State.

He had 34 tackles as a freshman in 2010. Ogletree is very fast and instinctive. He has the frame to get bigger and stay as a middle linebacker in the NFL. Ogletree has a lot of upside and it wouldn't be surprising if he pushed his stock into first-round consideration after the 2012 or 2013 season.
Tom Wort*, ILB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-0. Weight: 229.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
5/17/12: Wort had 66 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss as freshman in 2010, and Bob Stoops was raving about his improvement entering 2011. Wort stepped up and played well as a sophomore. He led Oklahoma against Florida State with 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception. He finished with 71 tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions.

Wort would have better tackle totals if he played in a conference that ran the ball more consistently. The Big 12 is a passing-driven league, and the benefit is Wort has developed his ability to be a three-down linebacker. He played well down the stretch. Wort has tons of potential and should continue to improve. It would be good if he adds 10-15 pounds of muscle for the NFL.
James Morris*, OLB/ILB, Iowa
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
5/17/12: Morris played middle linebacker for Iowa the past two seasons and has been a solid performer. He made 70 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss and four passes broken up. Morris had 110 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss and one interception in 2011. He has good instincts.

If he doesn't add around 10 pounds, he will have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL. That could be a better fit for him anyway.

**matsellah** · 06-03-2012, 02:43 AM

Any inordinately large Safeties projecting to be an LB in the NFL eligible next year?

**bearsinhouston** · 06-03-2012, 07:49 AM

If Urlachers contunues to play well, I'm not sure we can afford a high pick for his replacement at this point in time. We still have too many needs. How many depend on how the OL plays, do we still need a safety?, is Shea enough at DE?

I think we need a OC (doesn't have to be an early pick though), Still think we need OT help unless Williams or Webb get it done. We need more help at CB, maybe safety. We probably need a high pick at DT.

To many moving parts right now to tell what to spend the early picks on.

**Riczaj01** · 06-03-2012, 08:13 AM

Which one of these guys is the highest and also expected to go no later then 32?

I disagree BiH, you have to get his replacement now and start developing him. The new guy can play SaM until Urlacher goes. That's how GB always ends up w/Good QB's, they always have one waiting in the wings, They've even taken them in the 1st or 2nd during the iornhillbilly's prime.

**Jimmors** · 06-03-2012, 08:30 AM

fwiw...Samurai Mike is only 6'0 and was drafted in the 2nd round. Just throwing that out there.

**short faced bear** · 06-03-2012, 10:12 AM

Dammit, where's Windy with those mock drafts when you need him?

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-03-2012, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

you have to get his replacement now and start developing him. The new guy can play SaM until Urlacher goes. That's how GB always ends up w/Good QB's, they always have one waiting in the wings, They've even taken them in the 1st or 2nd during the iornhillbilly's prime.

This.

Urlacher & Briggs are playing great now. But....

We have two very old guys in these two, who could drop off the map sooner rather than later. We have mediocre talent after Urlacher and Briggs. Roach is decent backup-level LB. Geno, Dom & Blake may be "OK" for backups, but there's no top-tier LB's on our roster now (that lists 11 LB's by-the-way).

Great teams PREPARE so they don't have to be in full-crisis and have to fix a position. Great franchises are pro-active. We really need 3 LB's over the next few years IMHO. Yes, we can have the 2nd-tier talents (like we have) for backups. But the defense needs top-tier talent at LB to work well. Let's not wait to get embarrassed by finding out Urlacher and/or Briggs have hit the wall (and start looking like crap out there) - find out we never prepared for that inevitable day, and have to start 3 backup level LB's in Lovie's "D"....

I hate it when the Bears fail to plan ahead for the inevitable. Last year's QB debacle was just one of countless examples. We can, and should be better than that. Hopefully under Emery we will be.

**The Benjamin** · 06-03-2012, 11:29 AM

The one I wanted was drafted this past draft.

**short faced bear** · 06-03-2012, 11:33 AM

Emery's got to make up some ground from JA's somewhat lack of planning and an aging D. I can see a foray into FA if there is someone worthwhile out there. I'd agree that it's going to take 2-3 LB's but at this point also a CB and a DE. Even in a two year window I don't know if it can all be obtained through the draft.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 06-03-2012, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

Emery's got to make up some ground from JA's somewhat lack of planning and an aging D. I can see a foray into FA if there is someone worthwhile out there. I'd agree that it's going to take 2-3 LB's but at this point also a CB and a DE. Even in a two year window I don't know if it can all be obtained through the draft.

I agree that it will take a few drafts to get the things set. We already have a lot of great talent on the team, so we are not in crisis mode yet (even at LB we're fine for this season). Emery seems like a sharp guy who will be planfull and not let the bottom drop out before getting the LB situation set with solid young replacements for Briggs and Urlacher. And we DO have solid backups there. Too many in fact (carrying 11 LB's on the roster right now).

One last thought. Urlacher and Briggs are going to be more injury prone now that they are very old, and their bodies have a lot of mileage on them. They are really the defensive equivalent of RB's. High speed impacts all season long, year after year. Big men hitting at high velocity thousands of times over the many years they've been our LB's. So, you do have to be pro-active and beginning next draft, grab a top-tier LB who has the potential to be a Singletary, Butkus or Urlacher. Then the following year (2014) spend a pick on a Briggs replacement (doesn't have to be a 1st round pick, but certainly get a guy in the 2nd or 3rd).

It's like not running your car out of gas before you think about stopping at a gas station. You watch the fuel guage and when you're getting low, you get more gas. Same with our LB's. The red warning light is on. Better do something soon.

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