With doing my research on skill position offensive players, I noticed one thing about the players picked in that area. The linebackers picked between 11 to 21 seem to have an extremely high rate of success. Teams seem to undervalue quality linebackers, and solidifying the defense with great LB can make a world of difference. Think about Ray Lewis and the impact he has on the Ravens D. Even when he's not in the play, he acts as a de facto QB, making sure his teammates are in position. Many of the guys taken since 2000 at the LB position are difference makers that should be top 10 picks but aren't because of some belief that a quality LB doesn't deserve the same money as a WR or DE. Sorry, I disagree, and this list might prove my point. These are all the LBs taken between 11 and 21 since 2000.
Julian Peterson
Dan Morgan
D.J. Williams
Jonathan Vilma
David Pollack
Derrick Johnson
Thomas Davis
Shawne Merriman
Demarcus Ware
Bobby Carpenter
Chad Greenway
Lawrence Timmons
Patrick Willis
Larry English
Brian Cushing
Brian Orakpo
Forgetting about the popularity contest that is the Pro Bowl, this group of players has made 13 1st or 2nd team All-Pro teams. That is an impressive number. Taking out Pollack, who played sparingly during his injury filled career, and the 3 rookies, 12 players have 12 All-Pro teams (Cushing made 2nd team this year, impressive already). So maybe come draft day, Rolando McClain, Brandon Spikes, and Sean Weatherspoon should be thankful if they get drafted in the middle of the first round.
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