Prospect of the Day: Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

In the 2011 N.F.L. Draft, the LB position, especially for 43 teams, was considered very weak. This will not be the case when the 2012 N.F.L. draft rolls around (assuming players expected to have big years to), a class that could be headlined by the Oklahoma Sooners star LB Travis Lewis.

Here is some video of the Sooners star.

My quick take:

Lewis wouldn’t be a great fit in every scheme and is ideally suited to play the Will in the 43 as he is right now. He could benefit from adding some bulk to his frame. Extremely instinctive and productive with good speed. Lewis fits the mold of the new breed of linebacker in the N.F.L. (43 linebackers) as a player who can chase the ball all over the field and also has the speed to cover to make up for a lack of intimidating size. . He should be a player who can be inserted into the lineup early and have a very nice career

Sayre’s take:

Lewis could be the best WILL linebacker prospect in the entire draft. He has been a projected first round pick since 2010, and likely will be a first round pick in 2012. He combines phenomenal speed to go along with his ideal size for the position. His tackles for loss have gone down every year, but he has still been very productive with 362 tackles, 26.5 for loss, 8 interceptions, and 10 passes broken up. He is a complete prospect who will likely only benefit from another year of seasoning. Started all 41 games he has played in over three year span. Has been named All-Big 12 three years in a row, and in 2008 was the Big 12 defensive newcomer of the year as a freshman. Broke Brian Bosworth’s freshman tackles record with 144. All Big 12 Academic performer who will break the all-time record at Oklahoma of interceptions by a linebacker if he picks off just one pass in 2011. Six career sacks and likely will be a plug-and-play in the NFL. Immediate starter at WILL in a 4-3 defensive scheme.

What are your thoughts on Travis Lewis? Or even the linebacker position in general. Are 43 LB worth a first round pick?

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