Linebacker is a mixed-up spot

The hybrid is all the rage.

Among the linebackers in this weekend's draft, the hybrid - the college defensive end who projects to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme - stands out.

Draft analysts such as Mike Mayock of the NFL Network say it's the deepest crop of players they've ever seen at the position. And with as many as 12 teams planning to run some variation of the 3-4, the supply meets the demand.

"There's an awful lot of teams playing the 3-4 defense now, certainly compared to 2000 when I came to New England. It was pretty much us and Pittsburgh," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, noting there is now more competition for players who fit the scheme.

The prototypical hybrid is strong enough to play the run while locked up against offensive tackles, explosive enough to rush the passer off the edge, and athletic enough to drop into pass coverage. An added benefit is that he can stay on the field on third down, and possibly rush from a three-point stance to generate pressure.

Tennessee's Robert Ayers and Larry English of Northern Illinois are hybrids who stand out - one from a well-known Division 1-A school, the other shining at a lower level but showing he could bang with the best at the Senior Bowl. Both have been rising as the draft nears.

Ayers (6 feet 3 inches, 272 pounds) authored a breakthrough season as a senior, as he consistently broke through the line of scrimmage from his right defensive end position (15 1/2 tackles for losses). English (6-2, 255) finished his college career with 32 1/2 sacks, doing what non-Division 1-A players must to put themselves on the NFL radar - dominate.

For teams seeking a disruptive presence (the Patriots would be near the top of that category), Ayers and English will rank highly.

Ayers's favorite player is Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter, and he said he also tries to model his game after Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck and Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. The common thread among those players is their pass-rush ability.

English, meanwhile, has been a standout in interviews with NFL teams, where his humble but confident approach has shined through. While clubs regularly have concern with how the value of a first-round contract might affect a player, English is one of the safest bets in the draft in that regard.

As for other hybrids, Texas's Brian Orakpo (6-3, 260) will likely be the first selected, possibly in the top 10. Penn State's Aaron Maybin (6-3 1/2, 249), Florida State's Everette Brown (6-1 1/2, 256), Southern Cal's Clay Matthews (6-3, 240), and Cincinnati's Connor Barwin (6-3 1/2, 256) are other first-round possibilities, although teams will have to feel confident that they are more than just pure defensive ends. Virginia's Clint Sintim, a borderline first-round prospect, is unique in that he played outside linebacker in a 3-4 in college, so such a projection isn't necessary.

Teams looking for more of a traditional linebacker - a player who could fit at any position in a 4-3 and likely be at inside linebacker in a 3-4 - won't find much depth in the draft. Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing of Southern Cal and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis are top options.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.