2013 DRAFTTEK BIG BOARD - Ranked by Position
Top 2013 3-4 Outside Rush LB Prospects
Most Recent Revision: 4/14/2013

Center

LOT

ROT

RBF

RBC

WRF

WRP

WRS

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
3-4

The Outside Linebackers in a 3-4 alignment are the primary pass rushers. Athletic 4-3 DE's who can play standing up and maintain leverage make excellent prospects. Their responsibilities include:

1) Provide the outside pass rush on pass plays
2) Defend end sweeps and provide gap control on off-tackle slants
3) Pass coverage in the flanks, normally dump-offs to backs or tight ends

This diagram shows the Outside LBs in a 3-4 alignment. One prospect may be selected over another based on the following factors:

A. Prevailing defensive philosophy: In a "read and react" 3-4, the defensive line controls the offensive line to allow the LBs to flow to the ball. In "attack and penetrate", the defensive line takes more of a 1-gap approach and the LBs have more gap responsibilities.

B. Opponent's offensive philosophy: In facing a power running game, the OLB has to stay home and support the ILBs. Against slants and sweeps , the OLB has primary responsibility. Passing game responsibilities are outside the hashmarks. If the TE and RB do not go wide, then keying a running QB or executing a blitz is possible.

DE43

DE34

DT43

DT34

OLB43

OLB34

WILB

SILB

Big Ten

SEC

PAC 12

Big 12