The Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans so I do not expect them to select a linebacker in the first round. The Ryans trade made sense to me because I see no player in this years class that I would commit to with the 15th overall pick

In some instances my linebacker evaluations include players that may project to defensive end in the NFL, but also have the potential to play at the second level.

Luke Kuechly 6-3242, ILBOLB, Boston College

Kuechly is widely regarded as a Top 15 pick and a cant-miss player, but I see too many instances where he struggles to shed blocks to be comfortable taking him so high. The team that drafts him will have to be sturdy up front, to keep him from taking on too much traffic. I like Kuechlys athleticism, but I have concerns about his effectiveness as a stopper in the middle of a 4-3 defense. I believe Kuechly may be a better fit as a 4-3 outside cover linebacker because I just dont see the kind of controlling enforcer that playing the middle requires.

RB would draft him in: second round

Mychal Kendricks 5-11240, ILB, California

One of my favorite linebackers in this class because he brings high energy on every play. Kendricks is a muscular inside player with power and excellent speed. He moves as swiftly as a safety, and is not out of place as a linebacker because of his tenacity and feel for the position. Kendricks gives it his all from snap to whistle and is a willing and effective blitzer. This guy has football player written all over him and I could see the Eagles plucking him with one of their second round picks to play on the outside initially, with an eye toward making him a middle man down the line. Kendrick has first-round talent, but may not land there due to team needs in the back end of the round.

RB would draft him in: late first to second round

Donta Hightower 6-2265, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is a load, and packs a punch with a physical style of play. He mostly played inside in college, but occasionally rushed off the edge. He played on a talent-laden defense, and in my view, Hightower rarely stood out as the best player on the field. In fact, he seemed to be playing at too heavy a weight. Id like to see him shed some pounds, without sacrificing his physical play.

RB would draft him in: third round

Sean Spence, 5-11231, Miami (FL)

This guy is a terrific athlete, but where does he fit? His height might be an issue with NFL teams, but Im not overly concerned. Spence was durable in college (played 47 of a possible 51 games). He blames his low number of twelve bench press reps at the combine on a shoulder bruise in the Senior Bowl. He reminds me of a larger version of Brian Dawkins, always playing with high energy. The question is whats his best position? I see him as a 4-3 WILL, where he can use his athleticism to rush and chase in space. He fits the mold of the smaller, athletic linebacker the Eagles have preferred under Andy Reid

RB would draft him in: fourth round

Keenan Robinson, 6-3242, OLB, Texas

A three-year starter for the Longhorns, Robinson said during the Senior Bowl, he feels most comfortable as a WILL in a 4-3 defense. He has potential as a blitzer from the inside or outside because of his size. He diagnoses plays well, trusts what he sees, and is decisive in his movement. Hes a committed tackler, but sometimes will fail to wrap up. Thats easily corrected with the right attitude, and he seems to be a motivated player.

RB would draft him in: third to fourth round

Ronnell Lewis, 6-1253, OLB, Oklahoma

Well-built and athletic, Lewis has the makings of a stud linebacker if he can answer a question about whether he can cover. He was played out of his natural position as a defensive end at Oklahoma. Hes strong against the run and plays well moving forward. He shows the flexibility to be a rush end in a 3-4, but likely will find a place as a SAM in a 4-3 defense. He is the kind of high-energy, productive player the Eagles favor.

RB would draft him in: second to third round

Cam Johnson, 6-3268, DEOLB, Virginia

A three-year starter, Johnson has a solidly built frame and pretty good speed (4.75 40 time). He played with his hand in the ground in college, so he did not have reps as a coverage backer. A 3-4 team may be intrigued enough by his pass-rush potential to draft him, with the idea it will develop the other necessary skills. Johnson has an explosive first step off the edge that could give offensive tackles problems. He might be best for a team looking to develop him as a situational pass rusher. Johnson does fit the part of what the Eagles have routinely looked for in young defensive ends.

RB would draft him in: third to fourth round

Bobby Wagner, 6-0235, OLB, Utah State

The Eagles mined the Aggies program for Curtis Marsh last year, so they surely noticed this solid athlete. Wagner does many things well, but does not stand out in any one area. He was used in diverse ways, in the middle, on the outside and as a standup rusher off the edge. Wagner is a consistent wrap-up tackler, comfortable as a blitzer and he has little wasted motion when moving forward, a testament to his decisiveness.

RB would draft him in: second or third round

Vontaze Burfict, 6-1248, ILB, Arizona State

He has the size to play the middle, but he plays smaller than that. Not an imposing force in the middle, Burfict lacks instincts and footspeed, and is slow to identify passing routes. Hes sluggish in his movements, plays too upright and doesnt lower his shoulders and drive into the ball carrier. With a chance to impress teams after the season, Burfict consistently downgraded his stock in the pre-draft workouts.

RB would draft him in: No round

Nigel Bradham, 6-2241, OLB, Florida State

Bradham is a muscular and a hard-hitter who could settle in as a 3-4 inside man or 4-3 outside backer. Bradham plays an aggressive, hard-hitting game. He has a good feel for sliding through gaps to rush the quarterback, but will get engulfed by offensive lineman when hes unable to beat them to a spot. Bradham has not shown the instincts to be declared a certain starter at the NFL level, but hes very athletic and could make his earliest impact on special teams.

RB would draft him in: fourth round

Zach Brown, 6-1244, OLB, North Carolina

Brown projects on the strongside. The main thing I notice in Brown is his lack of playmaking skills. Lacks instincts. Does not consistently anticipate plays. Not a physical tackler. Has a hard time shedding blocks. Rarely was the first defender to the ball. Doesnt have a great feel for coverage responsibilities. When used as a blitzer, did not distinguish himself unless he had a free run at the quarterback. Brown does not display the instincts necessary to be an NFL starter. Special teams may be in his future.

RB would draft him in: fifth to sixth round

Shea McClellin, 6-3260, DEOLB, Boise State

McClellin is a determined, undersized DE that could fit in as a 3-4 OLB. Plays hard from snap to whistle. McClellin may get a look as a 4-3 end. If drafted into a 3-4 system, his ability to cover will be the major factor in determining where in the draft he will be selected. At Boise State, he was both a hand-in-the-ground and standout end, and was not called on to defend in the passing game. As an NFL linebacker he will have to display the skills he was not required to show in college.

RB would draft him in: third round

Lavonte David, 6-1233, OLB, Nebraska

A very athletic player who is easier to appreciate the more you watch him. David has a nose for the ball that teams covet, and has the potential to be a consistent tackler on the NFL level because he diagnoses and anticipates well. He can cover and blitz, and comes across as a smart, instinctive player. Davids value is in his ability to get to the football and make the tackle. He has the all-around tools to be a contributor early in the NFL.

RB would draft him in: second round

Bruce Irvin, 6-3245, DEOLB, West Virginia

A former high school dropout, Irvin became a pass-rushing force for the Mountaineers. A March arrest for alleged destruction of property, coupled with his troubled past, could cause teams to downgrade him. Irvin seemed out of place as a DE in college, given his relatively light weight. But, he lined up as a wide-nine rusher, which played to his quickness of off the ball and gave him an advantage because of his speed off the edge. The key to his success will be to find a comfort zone as a 4-3 OLB or prove he can hold up as a 3-4 OLB.

RB would draft him in: third round (on talent, not off-field issues)

E-mail Ron Burke at rburke@comcastsportsnet.com