Cosell Thinks West Virginia's Bruce Irvin Can Play 3-4 OLB
Greg Cosell of NFL Films thinks West Virginia's Bruce Irvin can play OLB in a 3-4 defense.
By Zach Kruse
Greg Cosell, the senior producer of NFL Films and noted player evaluator, projects West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. The Packers are likely to pick a player or two at that position in April's NFL draft.
WVU Irvin a quick accelerator. Exploded off edge. Excellent closing speed. Reminded me of Colts Mathis at times. Movement to play 3-4 OLB.
— Greg Cosell (@gregcosell) March 31, 2012
Irvin, who weighs just 245 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.50 seconds at the NFL combine in last month. In two years at West Virginia, Irvin had 21.5 sacks.
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Comments (9)
March 31, 2012 at 11:52 pm
I think Irvin has a good combination of size, speed, and athleticism to be a 3-4 OLB. Thinking TT and MM should get a solid DT first round and pick up Irvin second round if still available.
April 01, 2012 at 11:07 am
Been thinking the same thing myself. Only thing is I'm concerned that Collins may not play for the Pack again, even if he doctor does clear him seeing as McCarthy seemed uncomfortable with the thought based on statements he made at the NFL Meetings last week. With that said, I'm thinking we may end up getting Barron out of Alabama 1st round...
April 01, 2012 at 10:18 am
Love Me Some Irvin! Think he has the most upside of any 34 OLB in this draft. Granted his background is a little troubling in light of his latest arrest, but the kid was born to play 34 OLB! BTW he ways only 245? Did you know Matthews was 240 at his combine?! No reason to think Irvin can't gain 10 lbs and become a 255 lb Monster!
April 01, 2012 at 11:15 am
EASILY the most explosive 3-4 OLB prospect in the 2012 draft, and not a stretch to say the most complete...because most of the others lack his elite get off and/or explosion. I don't see any real holes in his game and skill set. If his character concerns check out, not sure he makes it to the bottom of the 2nd.
April 01, 2012 at 02:10 pm
We have 12 picks, TT could trade up in the top of the 2nd and get him. Hopefully it works out as well as when we got Raji and then traded up for Clay!
April 01, 2012 at 03:07 pm
Though I will say this...the more I see of Shea McClellin, it's hard not to see him as a perfect fit opposite CMIII. He lined up at three positions (OLB, DE, and ILB/Joker) and was disruptive vs the run and pass from all three. Due to size, versatility, and no character concerns, I'd actually put him just ahead of Irvin on my 3-4 OLB list.
April 01, 2012 at 04:13 pm
Would love to see us get Irvin. With the sighings we have had in FA my feeling is that TT & MM will bundle some picks to move around and get pieces needed. I think if that doesn't happen though we'll take Barron or Konz. We need a rusher opposite of Matthews but there are some other guys I feel we can get. I like the idea of Irvin on passing downs and someone like R. Lewis out of OU to set the edge on 1st and 2nd. Irvin could rotate with those two. More D-line depth, another CB, I could go on...
April 01, 2012 at 04:41 pm
Freak of an athlete, will be a terrific edge rusher in the NFL, but some concerns about his frame, he didn't put weight in college (different from Matthews who, altough was the same weight as Irvin in the combine, put up weight every year in college, and did so again in the pros).
If that's as big as Irvin gets, he cannot start in the NFL. Not as a 3-4 OLB, let alone a 4-3 DE.
April 01, 2012 at 09:18 pm
Let's not overthink Irvin's weight to the extent we're already excluding him as a possible starter at 3-4 OLB. According to WVU, Irvin put on 10 lbs from 2010 to 2011. And as mentioned, he comes in a bit heavier than CMIII when he was drafted, and CMIII was fine weight-wise his rookie year. I also think it's fair to consider Irvin can put on 10-15 lbs over then next year or two, and not lose any explosiveness or speed.