Florida's Dante Fowler and Clemson's Vic Beasley lead a talented group of linebackers.
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> READ: TOP 5 LINEBACKERSLeading the pack: Florida's Dante Fowler is one of five linebackers that could be selected in the first round of this year's draft. He played in a two-point stance and with his hand in the dirt, but is projected as an outside linebacker at the next level. "Fowler is a competitive pass rusher getting by on athleticism and inside moves right now, but has a Pro Bowl ceiling with double-digit sack potential if he takes coaching and addresses his rush technique," NFL.com wrote in their scouting report on Fowler. Clemson's Vic Beasley, Nebraska's Randy Gregory, Kentucky's Bud Dupree and Washington's Shaq Thomson are also potential first-round picks. All five play on the outside.
The second tier: Miami's Denzel Perryman could be the best inside linebacker in this year's draft and he might still be available in the second round. He recorded 110 tackles in 13 games in 2014 and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to college football's top linebacker. A poor performance at the NFL Scouting Combine hurt TCU's Paul Dawson, but his tape speaks for itself. "Studying TCU LB Paul Dawson," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah tweeted. "This dude is exciting to watch. Key/read/fill in a hurry!" Like Perryman, Dawson is projected to be a second-round pick. Also keep an eye on UCLA's Eric Kendricks, Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney, Clemson's Stephone Anthony and Virginia's Eli Harold.
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The best photos from the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Florida State defensive back Ronald Darby jumps before running the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Miami of Ohio defensive back Quinten Rollins grimaces while stretching to be measured at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Florida State defensive back P.J. Williams looks on during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
LSU defensive back Jalen Collins warms up during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Mississippi State defensive back Justin Cox stretches before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama defensive back Landon Collins, bottom left, huddles with other prospects before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
UCLA defensive back A.J. Jefferson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
James Madison defensive back Dean Marlowe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A detail view of Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler's watch is seen during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Chicago Bears area scout Breck Ackley jots down Auburn defensive lineman Angelo Blackson's measurements at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Northwestern State defensive lineman Deon Simon runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A general view of Lucas Oil Stadium is seen during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
NFL Network's Rich Eisen, left, talks to Zara Schwer after he ran the 40-yard dash for charity to help her at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. Schwer is a St. Jude's Hosptial patient. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A detail view of Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick Mckinney's cleats is seen during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
TCU linebacker Paul Dawson stretches during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Harvard defensive lineman Zack Hodges listens to instructions before drills at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, left, walks with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota after participating at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett wears a Miami sticker at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith catches a pass during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
College scouts Jon Salge, top left, of the Tennessee Titans and and Rob Kisiel, of the Houston Texans, keep time as Central Connecticut wide receiver Geremy Davis funds a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mid-round picks:** Because he played for Chattanooga, an FCS school, Tull's tape can be difficult to grade; he didn't enjoy the luxury of competing against NFL-caliber competition on a weekly basis. But what he did do was dominate the things he could control. He was named his conference's Defensive Player of the Year three times, set his school's single-season sack record and was named a first-team FCS All-American twice. Tull also excelled in the classroom, earning a 4.0 GPA. He is expected to be drafted in the third or fourth round. Also keep an eye on Kansas' Ben Heeney, LSU's Kwon Alexander, Washington's Hau'oli Kikaha and Penn State's Mike Hull.
Sleepers: Lynden Trail's physical traits make him an intriguing prospect. At 6-7 and 270 pounds, the Norfolk State product has proven he can both rush the passer and drop into coverage. But he hasn't shown much on tape and had an underwhelming performance at the Senior Bowl. He is a project, no doubt, but has potential. Also keep an eye on Oklahoma's Geneo Grissom, Michigan State's Taiwan Jones and Baylor's Bryce Hager.
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