Rush Linebacker/Outside Linebacker

UCLA

6-3 254

Draft Board Overall Prospect Rank: #17

Draft Board Overall Rush Linebacker Rank: #5

Rating: 87 (mid 1st)

40 time: 4.68

3/30/11: Ayers cleaned up that nasty 4.80 40 at The Combine with a 4.68 at his Pro Day. Pop in the tape and there’s no doubt this is an athletic guy. He can do everything you want an outside backer in any scheme to do, stuff the run, drop into coverage, and pass rush. He has a little bit more value in a 3-4, but 4-3 teams like the Giants and the Eagles will look at him 19 and 24 respectively, as well as the Patriots at 17 and 28, the Chiefs at 21, and the Ravens at 26.

3/21/11: Ayers is still a versatile player and a first round lock, but a 4.80 40 does hurt. 

2/19/11: When I think Akeem Ayers, I think versatility. He played 4-3 outside linebacker at UCLA, but he blitzes well enough and is big enough to play 3-4 rush linebacker. I could also see him sliding inside in either scheme. As a rush linebacker, he’s not going to be a big sacks guy, a Clay Matthews, James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware type who gets you 10+ sacks every year. He’s not that good as a pass rusher. What he is is an adaquate pass rusher who stuffs the run well and drops into coverage with the best of them. Unlike a lot of defensive ends who turn into rush linebackers at the next level, Ayers has a ton of experience playing standing up, which will make the transition that much smoother for him.

As a 4-3 outside linebacker, he will again do everything. He has good speed to the outside. He wraps up his tackles well. He drops into coverage well. He’s a leader on the field and of course he can blitz better than your average 4-3 outside linebacker. He’s naturally very athletic and should post a 4.5 40 in the 250s, with good height and muscle tone. I see him as a jack of all trades and a master of none type player. He’s really just a versatile do everything linebacker and, in my opinion, one of the more NFL ready defenders in this draft class.

NFL Comparison: Mike Vrabel