2011 Detroit Lions: What They Need to Look for in an Outside Linebacker

Off on a different tack than my previous article about cornerbacks, I am not even going to attempt to predict who or where the Detroit Lions will take players.

There is this constant debate whether the Lions should draft based on positional needs or take the best player available. I maintain, to the chagrin of many people, that you can use both methods in the same draft.

I've asked the question, and never really gotten a satisfactory answer, why can't a GM decide what the biggest need is and take the best player at that position?

What makes a good-to-great outside linebacker for the Lions' 4-3 defensive scheme? 

An outside linebacker must be able to play in space. They are required to drop back into zone coverages and cover running backs coming out of the backfield.

They must have good hips and flexibility. Speed is important as they need to be able to chase down plays. 

They need to have solid open-field tackling technique as well as the ability to fight off blocks and flow to the ball carrier.

Rushing the QB isn't as important, but if the capability is there, an added bonus.

The following outside linebackers, regardless of where they fall in the draft, are ones the Detroit Lions may consider.

Bruce Carter, North Carolina 

He didn't run the 40 in the combine, but his projected 40 time is 4.60, which is pretty darn fast for a 6'2", 241-pound linebacker. Carter hits big and has great range and athleticism. In 2009, he made 65 tackles, 7.5 of them for losses.

Mason Foster, University of Washington 

Despite living here in Seattle for the last 20 years, I never developed a liking for the Huskies. They remind me too much of the "arrogant asses" days of University of Michigan. 

However, I caught several games and watched Mason Foster. This kid can play. A great physical talent, he notched 85 tackles, 7.5 of them for losses, and broke up six passes for a dismal 2009 Huskie team.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA 

I had Ayers rated pretty high in January. 

His talents are off the charts, as he can drop in coverage, play the run and is a fierce competitor on the field. 

When I watched the Bruins play Washington State, though, he had little effect and pretty much disappeared. 

He had a poor 40 combine time at 4.80 (projection was 4.60) and he has a tendency to become invisible and not make his presence known. Not sure if he is a first rounder, but could be a good pick in later rounds if they can coach out his weaknesses.

Ross Holman, Ohio State 

Even though I'm not a Wolverine fan, no Michigan boy worth his salt would cheer against them when playing the Buckeyes every year. So for me to include Holman on this list tells you something. 

Holman isn't the fastest linebacker but he is very solid and consistent. He's got a nose for the football, proven by the 108 tackles, five of them for losses, five interceptions, five passes broken up and two sacks in Ohio State's 2009 campaign.

Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut 

An underrated player, he had a very productive season in 2009: 140 tackles (11 for losses) and five sacks. Combine time came in slower than the 4.55 time (ran a 4.69), but he is a solid playmaker who can go from side-to-side and has very good instincts.

The Lions have some options as to where they want to pick their much-needed outside linebacker. I think pretty much any of these guys would start in 2012 after getting significant playing time in 2011.

Who would I rate as the best player out of these five? 

Despite dropping lower on my radar, I think Ayers is the best of the bunch. But right behind him is Carter, who I think would adjust faster to the pro game and start sooner than Ayers.

As for the first two rounds of the draft, I hope the Lions take a CB and OLB with their picks. I know there has been talk about getting Julio Jones to augment the Calvin Johnson/Nate Burleson tandem, but the Lions have too many weapons to make that such a high pick. 

I know that Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams haven't proven reliable to Lions fans. With TE's Brandon Pettigrew and Will Heller and with RB Jahvid Best coming out of the backfield, I'm pretty confident we can compete with the receiving corps we currently have. 

The Lions were ranked 12th in the league in passing last year, and that was with three different quarterbacks.

Besides, there is always the option to go with free agency. 

The Lions might have an outside shot (no pun intended) at hometown boy Plaxico Burress. Can you imagine the 6'5" Burress on one side, the 6'5" Johnson on the other with Burleson in the slot? Since most teams don't have two shutdown corners, the Lions would be a very dangerous team if Burress was added to the mix.

But there are the character issues to address and Burress has had a litany of transgressions before going to jail for shooting himself in the thigh in 2008.

It's going to be interesting to see what the Lions do in the draft and how they augment the team via free agency.