This year's linebacker class will find it difficult to match last season's bumper crop of defenders who might become the standard of excellence for the position for years to come.

In the NFL Draft 2000, six linebackers were chosen in the first round. Nine were taken in the top 50 selections and 16 in the top 100 overall picks. This year's group of defenders has several blue-chip prospects who will make this a solid draft class.

Florida State's Tommy Polley is rated the top prospect at outside linebacker.(Allsport)

Tommy Polley has returned to the Florida State defense and has again shown big-play ability after recovering from a knee problem. He combines the speed, toughness and instincts to become a fine NFL outside defender.

USC's Markus Steele is a talented athlete with all the abilities to excel in the pros. He could be the highest-rated prospect by the time the draft comes on April 21.

Miami's Dan Morgan has provided leadership and playmaking ability for the Hurricanes' nationally ranked defense that has them challenging for another Big East title. Morgan is a throwback type of defender with all the skills necessary to become a fine NFL starter. He is the type of defender who has no athletic weaknesses and combines the intangibles and instincts necessary to play several physically demanding linebacker positions.

More draft analysis

Outside Linebackers

1. Tommy Polley, Florida State
Senior, 6-3, 235
Explosive defender has made a successful return from a knee injury suffered in last year's Sugar Bowl. He shows a burst to the ball to make plays behind the line of scrimmage with the wicked hitting power to force turnovers.

2. Markus Steele, Southern California
Senior, 6-3, 230
Talented senior defender has the complete package to be the next great Trojans linebacker to enter the NFL. He has the speed to match up with backs and the power and quickness to stuff the run.

Miami's Dan Morgan has starred at inside and outside linebacker.(Allsport)

3. Dan Morgan, Miami (Fla.)
Senior, 6-2, 235
Instinctive linebacker has played inside and outside in the Miami defense with equal success. He has the physical tools to play either with the keen instincts to be a consistent playmaker in the NFL.

4. Quenton Caver, Arkansas
Senior, 6-4, 235
Athletic defender has the tools to become an impact player in the NFL. He will flourish on the outside as a pro, where his quick first step will allow him to blitz off the corner or track down ball carriers from behind.

5. Sedrick Hodge, North Carolina
Senior, 6-3, 230
Fast outside linebacker has the outstanding measureables NFL scouts love in a defender. He can go sideline to sideline and has the physical and athletic talents to stuff the run and be an every down defender.

6. Morlon Greenwood, Syracuse
Senior, 6-0, 230
Compact speedy linebacker displays the powerful hitting and range to be a fine NFL defender. He needs work on his reads, but has the tools to become a solid pro on the outside.

7. Eric Westmoreland, Tennessee
Senior, 6-0, 230
Tough senior defender has been a key performer for the Vols' defense since his freshman season. He has fine speed to go sideline to sideline with the instincts and quickness to be a strong run stuffer.

8. Jason Glenn, Texas A&M
Senior, 6-1, 230
Quick outside defender has been a key playmaker in the "Wrecking Crew" over the past three seasons. He has the quick first step to blitz off the edge with the range and speed to chase down runners.

9. Brian Allen, Florida State
Senior, 6-1, 230
Strong, compact senior has been an unheralded defender in the talented Seminoles' defense. He is very strong and plays off blockers well to be a fine run defender.

10. Michael Young, Illinois
Senior, 6-1, 230
Underrated senior has been the leader of the Illini defense in recent seasons. He combines good athletic skills with the toughness and instincts to be a consistent playmaker.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 10 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL minicamps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.