NFL Draft: Standout defensive players from the 2017 Senior Bowl

Ralph’s Standout Linebackers

Alex Anzalone, Florida: The high-motor defender is fun to watch and had himself quite a week in Mobile by doing a great job of reading the plays in front of him and finding the football.

What he showed on the practice field is exactly what fans and coaches saw in the actual game with Anzalone flashing the ability to get out in space and instantly meet the ball carrier, as he did on a third-quarter screen to fullback Sam Rogers.

At 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, the underclassman certainly fits the bill from a size perspective. But unlike most defenders his size, he is very capable in both man and zone coverage.

He is also big and versatile enough to blitz up the middle or off the edge, as well as play inside or outside linebacker.

This is due to the fact that Anzalone is a student of the game that uses his superior recognition skills to diagnose the offense.

Like most college prospects, the Pennsylvania-born NFL hopeful needs to get stronger in order to fight off blockers.

This would have been a bigger issue in 1977, but in 2017 speed trumps power for linebackers that play off the ball.

The only thing that will make general managers think long and hard before investing a high pick on this SEC stud is his history with shoulder injuries.

The medicals could be the difference between Anzalone going in the third round or falling all the way to the sixth round.

Haason Reddick, Temple: The converted college defensive end was far and away the player that saw his stock soar higher than anyone else among his peers in sunny Mobile.

In fact, one could have made a three-minute Youtube video of the plays he executed in his weekday practice sessions.

The 6-foot-1 ½”, 237-pound defender made a seamless transition to linebacker by flashing the traits to be a scheme-versatile Jack-of-all-trades that can cover kicks, drop into coverage and rush the passer both as an edge rusher and an off-the-ball blitzer.

In coverage drills, he made instant contact with Hunt off the line and thus negated giving up the two-way go to the running back.

Hunt was once again victimized in pass-rush drills when Reddick got the better of his opponent with an arm-over move to penetrate the pocket.

On another rush, he dipped under and around the 6-foot-8, 361-pound (Zach) Banner on a play that would have undoubtedly resulted in a sack in a real-life game.

The Temple Owls’ representative made another fine play in coverage by sniffing out a tunnel screen to Michigan wide receiver Amara Darboh, who had nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide.

Reddick is every defensive coordinator’s dream in that he projects as a three-down playmaker who brings the added ingredient of toughness to the field.

Dan’s Standout Linebackers

Duke Riley, LSU: Riley was active throughout the game on Saturday, recording a team-high seven tackles, including one for loss. The former LSU linebacker may not have been the flashiest player on the field, but he was definitely one of the most consistent throughout the week.

Every day of practice he showcased his superb football instincts, swarming to the ball carrier in run defending drills, while also holding up well in pass coverage.

Riley stacks and sheds well for a linebacker of his size (6-1, 230), but he also possesses really good speed and athleticism. He’s a good run-and-chase linebacker with the ability to make a lot of stops in pursuit. In the first quarter of the game he even had a nice run stop where he ran down North halfback Kareem Hunt outside the tackle box to stop the run for no gain.

Riley’s quick read and reaction ability give him an edge as a run defender. With his strong performance in Mobile, he solidified himself as a mid-round pick in the draft.

Harvey Langi, BYU: Langi is another South linebacker that stood out in run defense drills throughout the week. At 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, Langi is a former college defensive end who made his debut at linebacker in the Cougars’ final game of the 2016 season.

Langi is still relatively new to the position and feeling his way through the transition, but he shows a lot more promise. He has a knack for reading run progressions and flowing to the ball.

He also has the speed to track down ball carriers in pursuit. During the first quarter of Saturday’s game, Langi showed good lateral movement and quickness to hustle to the sideline and take down running back Kareem Hunt for a two-yard loss.

With a background as an edge rusher, Langi demonstrates good upfield explosiveness and ability to take-on and shed blocks. He also held up reasonably well in coverage drills, which shows promise that his transition to linebacker will work out nicely for him at the next level.

His high-motor, physical playing style translates well to the inside linebacker position.