Sigmund Bloom's 2012 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Stock Up/Down on Top LB Prospects

The linebacker board has been set in motion by the combine and it will continue to shift as pro day results come in. An early look at who is on the move:

Moving Up

Mychal Kendricks, California

Kendricks' 4.47 40 would have put him in the top-five running backs at Indy and his 39" vertical was the best of any linebacker at the combine. He couldn't have done much more on the field in his senior season, either, winning PAC 10 defensive player of the year. He should be a second-round pick, which is rarefied air for inside linebackers. 

Lavonte David, Nebraska

David's 4.56 40 at the combine matched his film of being a linebacker with terrific range and movement that makes him a formidable match for running backs and athletic tight ends in pass coverage. He is creeping into the first round on some prominent mock drafts.

Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Kuechly strung together some of the most impressive college tape in years, but his athletic ability was questioned, possibly keeping him near the end of the first round going into the combine. His 4.58 40 and 38" vertical put those questions to rest and they could get him ticketed for Philadelphia at the 15th pick of the first round.

Moving Down

Sean Spence, Miami-Florida

Spence suffered a bruised shoulder in the Senior Bowl, but he still attempted the bench press at the combine, mustering only 12 reps of 225 pounds. He also ran only a 4.71 40 and posted the worst three-cone time of any outside linebacker. His tape tells a different story, but there's reason for doubt about Spence going in the first two rounds.

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Upshaw is a defensive end/linebacker twiner, but he looked more like a defensive end in linebacker drills at the combine. He also missed his pro day with knee tendinitis, which bothered scouts, according to a report from Bill Huber from Packer Report. He's unlikely to go in the top 12, where some had him in January.

Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

Burfict did everything wrong that you could at the combine. His 5.09 40 time would have been good if he was a 350-pound defensive tackle, but that's about it. Blaming your coaches and teammates for on and off-field blunders only accelerated Burfict's fall down draft boards.

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