Curry Finds Himself in an Odd Position

Wake Forest Linebacker Isn't a Pass-Rushing Specialist, but He Could Be Drafted Early

When the league's talent evaluators get excited about a linebacker during the buildup to an NFL draft, it's usually because that player is an eye-catching pass rusher capable of piling up impressive sack totals and harassing quarterbacks into fumbles and interceptions.

Aaron Curry isn't that linebacker. He never had more than three sacks in a season in his college career, and he caused a relatively modest five fumbles in his four seasons at Wake Forest. Yet he is such a sure tackler and versatile player, able to flatten a running back behind the line of scrimmage on one play and drop into pass coverage with speed and agility on the next, that NFL coaches and front-office executives are plenty excited about him.

Those within the league said they would be shocked if he is not among the first three or four players selected Saturday. He has been called the safest pick in the draft by some analysts, a description he has embraced.

"I believe a safe pick means I can come in instantly and make an impact on anybody's defense, and [with] my versatility as a linebacker . . . you just can't go wrong," Curry said at the NFL scouting combine in February in Indianapolis.

The Detroit Lions, who have the top overall choice, have been negotiating with Curry as well as with Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and Baylor left tackle Jason Smith. What works against Curry is the perception, held by many within the league as well as outside observers, that a linebacker, if he isn't a top pass rusher, isn't worth the huge contract a top pick in the draft receives.

It's rare that a linebacker who plays like Curry is in the mix to be taken so early. Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis, who would go on to become one of the most acclaimed defensive players of his generation, was only the 26th overall pick in 1996.

"If you look at the history of drafts, inside linebackers don't go very high," Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said at the combine. "Ray was undersized, so there were some things working against him from being one of the top-tier players. Now, obviously he became one of the greatest players in the history of our game. But there were some elements that were working against Ray that would have prevented him from being a top 10 player" in the draft.

Curry has the size and skills to play either outside or inside linebacker, but he isn't a pass-rushing specialist, so the concept still applies, and his lofty draft status remains unusual.

"It's the same reason why centers don't go high [in the draft] or offensive guards don't go high," Newsome said. "Unless you're a special tight end, you don't go high. We put the premium on quarterbacks, corners, left tackles and pass rushers. For the most part, those are the guys that are going to come off the board early. And anytime you can get a great defensive lineman, that guy's coming off the board."

This year's draft will be well stocked with linebackers even after Curry is taken. There is talk Southern California teammates Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga all could be first-round selections. Maualuga has drawn comparisons to Lewis, although Newsome suggested at the combine that might be raising expectations too high.

"They're both named Ray," Newsome said. "That's the comparison. Maualuga's a lot bigger. Ray was only 230 pounds when he came out [of college]. Maualuga's been up to as much as 270. In our business we do a lot of comparisons, from one decade to the next and one level of football to the other. Some of it is fair, and some of it is not fair, from my standpoint."

Ohio State's James Laurinaitis also is considered by some within the league a potential first-rounder. And then there's the highly regarded group of "hybrid players," pass-rush specialists who could end up as either outside linebackers or defensive ends in the NFL.

That list includes Brian Orakpo of Texas, Aaron Maybin of Penn State, Everette Brown of Florida State and Larry English of Northern Illinois.

"I'm very encouraged by this group," Arizona Cardinals Coach Ken Whisenhunt said at the combine. "That aspect of defense, finding that type of outside linebacker, especially in the defense we play, is very difficult. There appear to be a number of guys in this draft who fit that bill. . . . I'm encouraged by that and hopefully there will be somebody good [available] when we're picking at some point."