Draft Preview: Linebackers

For those of you who don't follow extremely dull NFL transactions, you might have missed the Broncos signing Warrick Holdman and DD Lewis. Both of those guys are linebackers who will compete with Nate Webster and Louis Green to replace Al Wilson on the field, whether it be in the middle or (more likely) on the strong side. I think Holdman's a pretty decent option for the strongside spot, at least for a year. He's pretty big for a Broncos linebacker, which is good for taking on blockers and whatnot. Lewis is a slightly younger version, but, once again, he's nothing to write home about.

All that means Denver doesn't really "need" a linebacker in the draft, but it certainly doesn't preclude them from picking one, and Denver loves to draft linebackers high (Williams and Wilson were first round picks, Gold a second round pick). Here are some outside linebackers who might fit Denver's plans on the first day:

• Justin Durant Hampton 6'1" 230 lbs 4.59
• Quincy Black New Mexico 6'2" 240 4.50
• Antwan Barnes Florida International 6'1" 240 4.44

And some inside guys:

• Buster Davis Florida St. 5'9" 239 lbs 4.69
• Brandon Siler Florida 6'2" 241 lbs 4.67
• Zak DeOssie Brown 6'4" 250 lbs 4.62
• Thaddaeus Washington Colorado 5'10" 234 lbs 4.80
• Zach Latimer Oklahoma 6'2" 237 lbs 4.86

Obviously, Bad Thad was included out of CU love, and Latimer out of Colorado love (he went to Gateway and his dad was drafted by the Broncos). The most intriguing name to me is Buster Davis, whose stock has dropped because he's short. Jim Bates was the defensive coordinator in Miami when another ultraproductive college middle linebacker dropped because of height issues. His name was Zach Thomas. I've never seen any of the outside 'backers I listed, but they're big and fast, so at the least they'd be good bets to effectively replace Keith Burns on special teams, which is more than anyone could say for Terry Pierce.

*yeah, that's a picture of Mike Croel. Wanna fight about it?