NFL Draft 2012: Boise State OLB/DE Shea McClellin Moving Up Draft Boards?

According to Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline, Boise State outside linebacker/defensive end Shea McClellin is beginning to climb up draft boards and may now be a top-50 prospect in April's 2012 NFL draft.

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The word surrounding the Boise State prospects continues to be positive.  There’s a good chance both Shea McLellin and Doug Martin end up as top 45 picks. Martin in the top 45 is no surprise though McLellin would be. 

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National Football Post's Wes Bunting put McClellin in his top five for 3-4 pass-rushers in this draft class. Only Melvin Ingram (South Carolina), Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) and Nick Perry (USC) are ranked ahead of McClellin. 

Bunting had this to say on McClellin:

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McClellin is a productive pass rusher with a big motor; good skill set and can get after the QB in a number of ways. Looks like a starter at the next level who could end up playing just about any linebacker spot in a 34 front.

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At the NFL Combine, McClellin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds—the second-fastest time among defensive linemen. Only West Virginia's Bruce Irvin was faster. 

In a league as pass-dominated as the NFL currently is, finding quality pass-rushers is a focus for each of the 32 teams. With his motor and athleticism, McClellin has the skill set to be an impact rusher at the next level.

Over four years at Boise State, McClellin tallied 20 sacks—including 7.5 his senior year and 9.5 his junior year—and intercepted three passes.

Given that Pauline thinks McClellin has top-45 value, several teams could be interested in the late-first to mid-second round. Teams to consider include the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts (second round), Miami Dolphins (second round), Arizona Cardinals (second round), Dallas Cowboys (second round) and New York Jets (second round).

If Pauline is right, you could see McClellin drafted in the same area as Arizona's Brooks Reed in the 2011 draft. The Houston Texans took Reed with the 42nd overall pick last April, and he gave that top-five defense six sacks during the 2011 season.