2012 NFL Draft: Which Linebacker Is the Better Option for the Eagles?

The linebacker position has been where the Philadelphia Eagles felt the most pain in the 2011 season.

Casey Matthews never emerged as the leader the Eagles hoped for when they drafted him. Jamar Chaney was good as a strong linebacker, but had a lot of troubles when in the middle. And Brian Rolle was a pleasant surprise on the outside and appears the only one who will start next year.

The rest of the linebacking corps features some capable players, but they can’t be more than backups in a team that aims for a deep playoff run. Keenan Clayton, Moise Fokou, Akeem Jordan and Greg Lloyd—one or more of them won’t make the final roster in 2012.

The 2012 NFL draft offers some linebackers with great potential. Courtney Upshaw, Luke Kuechly, Don’t’a Hightower, Vontaze Burfict and Zach Brown are the hottest names right now. Who provides the better option to the Eagles?

Upshaw and Brown are both playing on the outside, while Philadelphia primarily wants to strengthen the middle. They are great players, but the Eagles probably won’t use their first round pick for an outside linebacker.

So, it’s Kuechly, Hightower or Burfict.

Luke Kuechly led the nation both in 2010 and 2011, with 183 and 191 tackles respectively. He is a strong guy with great tackling ability. Speed is not his best attribute, but that doesn’t seem to be stopping him from bringing the opposing running back down.

However, Kuechly is not the bold linebacker that will fill the gaps and stop plays at the line of scrimmage. He hardly misses tackles, but in the NFL he can be limited by blockers. The Eagles are looking for a leader and Kuechly doesn’t look like he can take that role.

Dont’a Hightower was a big part of Alabama’s heavy-duty defense, amassing 79 tackles in 2011 (the Allstate BCS Championship game is not included). A force of nature, Hightower is a big linebacker with a great motor and leadership skills. Additionally, he has been effective at pass rushing situations.

Hightower suffered a torn ACL during the 2009 season, but he returned stronger. Overall, Hightower is a tenacious defender and appears to be the perfect candidate for the Eagles’ middle linebacker position.

Vontaze Burfict is considered one of the best linebacker prospects of the last few years. He has great size and his athleticism is unmatched. Often considered one of the meanest college footballers, Burfict is a dominant presence on the field. He finished 2011 with a total of 68 tackles.

Despite that, he is considered a late first round draft pick—his immature character and some sporadic foolish plays made him drop in many mock drafts. He can be a great fit, but also a big distraction in the locker room.

The Eagles will get a great prospect if they draft Hightower or Burfict. Between these two, I couldn't decide who suits the Eagles better. So, I asked Bleacher Report’s draft expert, Matt Miller.

He replied: “With a strong locker room, I’d take Burfict—if not, then Hightower.” I can’t say I disagree with his response.