Oakland Raiders: Three linebackers the team can draft after the first round

Darius Leonard, South Carolina State

Darius Leonard is one of the more versatile linebackers in this year’s draft. In college Leonard put up amazing production against both the pass and the run.

In 2016 Leonard received the MAEC Defensive Player of the Year award after putting up 124 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, three pass break ups, and four forced fumbles in that season.

It is stat lines like these that show his true versatility. Leonard is a cover linebacker first, but also excels at blitzing from the position. He can fill a role similar to that of Bruce Irvin in the previous years.

Irvin would start at outside linebacker and play a coverage role, but could also move down on sub packages and edge rush. With Irvin making the move to full time defensive end this season, the opportunity for Leonard to slide in at that position is there.

Leonard will fall to the second round because some scouts think he lacks the necessary tenacity and strength to be a star linebacker in this league. With the emergence of many smaller, athletic linebackers in this league who are proving to be great players, this is an outdated criticism.

Darius Leonard will be one of the steals of this year’s draft, you heard it here first.