2017 NFL Draft: Big Ten’s All-Draft Team

Outside Linebacker

1st Team: T.J. Watt, Wisconsin (redshirt junior)
1st Team: Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
2nd Team: Carroll Phillips, Illinois (redshirt junior)
2nd Team: Chris Worley, Ohio State
Honorable Mention: Tegray Scales, Indiana (junior)
Honorable Mention: Brandon Bell, Penn State

T.J. Watt will get recognized because of his famous last name but this kid is legit. About 50 lighter than his brother (J.J.), T.J. stands up at Wisconsin but there is no denying the family athleticism. In 2015 he converted from tight end to outside linebacker and as you can see in the clip below, he still has soft hands:

T.J.’s game is built on strength and toughness, and despite the limited experience on the defensive side of the ball, he has natural instincts.

Starting at the opposite linebacker spot from Watt is Vince Biegel. Biegel is more of an edge rusher than Watt because of his aggressive style of play. At 6’4″, 245 pounds and has a frame to get up to 260 if needed, He will appeal to teams who run 43 or 34 systems. Not an elite athlete, but he has solid instincts and a quick initial step, should put him in the day two conversation.

Carroll Phillips is another edge rusher who is best standing up. A bit of a sleeper prospect, some teams will really understand how to use him while others will just like his athleticism and twitchy pass rush moves. I see Phillips as a Kyle Van Noy Type of player who if he lands with the right team he will have a successful NFL career.

Chris Worley is a former defensive back who converted to outside linebacker. Worley plays in the “Star” role at Ohio State that was recently vacated by 2015 first round pick Darron Lee (Jets).  He will likely return to Columbus to gain another year of experience, and if he does he could be a name we’re frequently talking about in 2018.

Tegray Scales is another name to watch for the 2018 draft. An undersized linebacker with speed, Scales led the Big Ten with 116 tackles. He made a name for himself this season on a rising defense, and he will likely return to school to build on his game.

Brandon Bell wears jersey number 11, a high honor at Penn State because of Lavar Arrington. Injury concerns are his biggest issue, as his career has been full of them, including costing him four games this season. But, his 18 tackle game against Ohio State will give scouts a nice piece of game film to watch to see his potential.