2012 NFL Draft: Previewing Brandon Lindsey

Along with Lucas Nix, Brandon Lindsey is almost a lock to be taken somewhere in the NFL Draft. Heading into the season, Lindsey was projected far higher than he'll probably go this week. Still, Lindsey had 18.5 sacks over his last two years at Pitt and is capable of being a defensive playmaker in the NFL.

One good thing about him is that he's played both defensive end and linebacker in college and has a bit of versatility. He's played in a standard 4-3 and also in Todd Graham's 3-4 last year. Lindsey could step into either scheme and feel at least a bit comfortable.

So what are they saying about Lindsey?

CBS Sports has their take on him here and here's the take from NFL.com. The Sports Exchange ranks him as the 26th best outside linebacker and the Mock Draft Club has him as the seventh best outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

While Lindsey is a defensive end and a linebacker, SB Nation's Mocking the Draft says he's probably a linebacker in the NFL:

The NFL is full of college defensive ends that needed to transition to linebacker and that is exactly what Lindsey will have to do. His lack of size and bulk make it very unlikely that he would be able to hold up at the defensive end position. However, his athletic ability and effort makes him someone that will gain attention from scouts.

I've been a bit surprised that Lindsey's stock has seemingly fallen so far. Despite being moved around under Todd Graham, he still posted decent numbers last year. Lindsey could be a late round pick, but he's also frequently mentioned as going in the middle rounds. ESPN's Todd McShay projects him as a fifth-rounder along with Nix.

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