Sergio Kindle leads a pretty good class of OLB prospects AP Photo/Chris Carlson

There is always a debate on whether draft prospects project better as inside or outside linebackers in the NFL. The debate gets a little more muddled with so many teams running the 3-4 defense where the OLB and DE spots are more of a hybrid position. For our purposes here these players are prospects for the OLB position.

With that said here is a look at the top 10 OLB prospects for the 2010 NFL draft:

1. Sergio Kindle, Senior, Texas- Has played a lot of DE in College, but looks like a NFL OLB. Super competitive, and follows the play over the whole field. He has outstanding strength for his size
2. Sean Weatherspoon, Senior, Missouri- A very well built LB, who has the strength to stack blocks at the point of attack. He is quick, and can make plays sideline to sideline. However he is not as productive when forced to backpedal
3. Ricky Sapp, Senior, Clemson- He has uncommon quickness for a LB, and is another combo guy who can play OLB or DE. He is a little raw, but can also drop into pass coverage.
4. Navorro Bowman, Junior, Penn State- probably the best 4-3 OLB prospect in this draft. Good sped for a bigger guy (243 lbs). He has first round talent, but a litany of off the field incidents may cause teams to wait on him. However he is a disrupter in every phase of the defense.
5. Koa Misi, Senior, Utah- He is versatile having played both OLB and DE in College, as deceptive speed and good range. He also ahs the burst of speed to make play all over the field.
6. Eric Norwood, Senior, South Carolina- Another DE/OLB combo kind of player. Very good pass rusher, and has enough speed to chase down plays. His lack of ideal height and elite speed will hinder his production in a 4-3 defense.
7. Rennie Curran, Junior, Georgia Tech- He is a smaller LB, at 5-11, 225 lbs, but makes up for all that with speed and tenacity. Many consider him to be the most underrated player for this draft. He seems to be a solid middle round pick.
8. Thaddeus Gibson, Junior, Ohio State- Given his size, 6-2 and 240lbs, he may fit best as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme, but he came on strong in his junior season. At Ohio State he played the same position as Vernon Gholston and he has transferred well to the NFL.
9. Roddrick Muckelroy, Senior, Texas- He has the speed to chase down plays, He has excellent agility and flexibility to stay on his feet and make plays in the open field. Has good instincts and can read and react to plays quickly.
10. O’Brien Schofield, Senior, Wisconsin- too small to play DE in the NFL, but fits best at the OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He has incredible pass rushing skills but spent 2009 learning how to drop back into pass coverage.
 

Related Links:

•2010 NFL Draft News, Notes, and Rumors
•Top Ten 2010 QB Prospects
•Top Ten 2010 WR Prospects
•Top Ten 2010 RB Prospects
•Top Ten 2010 DE Prospects
•Top Ten 2010 DT Prospects
•Top Ten 2010 ILB Prospects

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