2011 NFL Draft: Order Martez Wilson and the Top 4-3 Linebackers Will Be Taken

In the NFL, 4-3 linebackers are always forgotten.  When you think of the top linebackers in the last couple of years you think of James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, and Clay Matthews.

3-4 outside linebackers get all of the hype in today's game because they get the sacks.

4-3 linebackers take on different responsibilities; play coverage more and blitz less.  With that comes less popularity causing 4-3 studs to get overlooked in the conversation of the league's top backers.  The Bears Lance Briggs and the Titans Stephen Tulloch are examples of that.

During draft coverage this year, you won't hear as much about these guys as 3-4 prospects, but don't underestimate them.

Here is the order the top 10 4-3 linebackers will be taken in the 2011 NFL Draft:

Note: Von Miller not included; he'll be taken by a 3-4 team.  Also, some 4-3 prospects are versatile enough to play in 3-4 defenses and could be projected to do so.

10. Greg Jones

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Stock Update: Greg Jones could've put up better numbers this offseason.  For an "athletic" linebacker, he only ran a 4.69 at his pro day.

He's versatile enough to play outside or inside linebacker.

Projection: 122nd to the Buffalo Bills

9. Lawrence Wilson

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Robby Parris #82 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is brought down by Robert Vaughn #33 and Lawrence Wilson #8 of the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. Connect

Stock Update: Lawrence Wilson may be a bit undersized at 229 pounds, but the 4.56 40 time he ran at his pro day makes up for his weight.  With his impressive pro day, his stock is on the rise.

This is a guy who recorded 250 take downs in his last two years at UConn so he has the potential to be a tackling machine.

Projection: 116th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

8. K.J. Wright

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: Tight end Nick Walker #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks a tackle by K.J. Wright #34 and Marcus Washington #18 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa,

Stock Update: K.J. Wright actually ran a slower 40 time at his pro day than he did at the combine.  A 4.73 probably isn't what he was aiming for.

Teams may overlook that time with his 6'4", 242 pounds frame that could hold even more weight.

Projection: 114th overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

7. Casey Matthews

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks looks on against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Stock Update: Casey Matthews only ran a 4.79 at his pro day.  He still has been getting a lot of attention from teams.  

He could get over-drafted because of his last name.

Projection: 109th overall to the Tennessee Titans

6. Kelvin Sheppard

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/

Stock Update: Kelvin Sheppard is a big man at 6'2", 250 pounds.  Like many of the other linebackers, he ran a slow 40 time at his pro day with a 4.70.

His aggressiveness and leadership ability will be attractive to teams, but his instincts have been questioned.

Projection: 85th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles

5. Quan Sturdivant

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Quan Sturdivant #52 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the LSU Tigers during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Quan Sturdivant's name has been linked to many different teams.  He could realistically sneak into the late or even mid-second round.

He's versatile enough to play any of the 4-3 linebacker positions.

Projection: 78th overall to the St. Louis Rams

4. Mason Foster

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Linebacker Mason Foster #40 of the Washington Huskies follows the play during the game against the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Mason Foster ran a 4.7 at his pro day, but it's not like he's getting burned by his competition.  He's also a guy who has the potential to be selected in the middle of the second round.

His stock seems to be on the rise thanks to his excellent run stopping ability in which he used to record 163 tackles this past season.

Projection: 52nd overall to the New York Giants

3. Bruce Carter

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 08: Linebacker Bruce Carter #54 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a defensive stop against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game at Kenan Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo

Stock Update: It's a shame Bruce Carter hasn't been able to show off his athletic ability this offseason because of an injury.  He's expected to be healthy by the start of the season so don't expect his stock to drop.

If he would've worked out, there's an outside chance he could've drawn interest in the bottom of the first.

Projection: 44th overall to the Detroit Lions

2. Martez Wilson

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Martez Wilson of Illinois works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Martez Wilson didn't do well in the position drills at his pro day.  Still, a good coach is going to look at that 4.44 40 time and believe that he can be coached up. 

He's a first round talent, but it looks like he'll fall to the second.

Projection: 36th overall to the Denver Broncos

1. Akeem Ayers

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stock Update: Akeem Ayers can play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but he's probably better suited for a 4-3.

He did improve his 40 time significantly at his pro day with a 4.68 compared to the 4.8 he ran at the combine.  One's got to be skeptical though about a jump that big at a player's pro day.

Projection: 24th overall to the New Orleans Saints

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.