Who Could Make the Switch?

The Vikings have always run a 4-3 defense and will probably always run a 4-3 defense. Even with new defensive coordinators, our defensive scheme seems as stable as the horn that sounds after each Vikings’ touchdown. Mike Zimmer is shaking things up a bit, though. We expect to actually see blitzes from the linebacker position and linemen dropping into coverage at times.

But what if the Vikings ran a different defense? A 3-4 is the first that comes to mind. Who would play what position? I want to take that a step further: what 4-3 defensive ends would make the best 3-4 outside linebackers, and vice versa?

4-3 ends into linebackers

Everson Griffin. I have to start with a Vikings player. We’re going to get a good long look at Griffin this year, but we already know a bit about his production from last year. For 273 pounds, Griffin is fast; he ran a 4.66 forty yard dash at the combine. That was four years ago, but I doubt he’s lost any of that speed. With his ability to rush inside and out, and his combination of size and speed, Griffin would make a fearsome rush linebacker.

from: profootballfocus.com

Robert Quinn, Rams. He’s a stud. He has the power to bull rush, and, sadly to admit, an even quicker burst than Everson Griffin. With a slightly smaller frame, Quinn could be decent in coverage as well.

from: espn.go.com

Michael Johnson, Buccaneers. For all the same reasons as Quinn. Johnson is fast, and while he may not be as strong, he can still get to the quarterback. He’s bulked up to about 270, so he may benefit from dropping a bit of weight if he had to make the switch, but he would still be very effective.

Ezekial Ansah, Lions. A raw product who hasn’t played football long, he’s a crazy athlete. As a 3-4 outside linebacker, he’d be a bit big, but his athleticism would allow him to excel.

Dion Jordan, Dolphins. I love Oregon, and Dion Jordan was all over the defensive field playing multiple positions. While he hasn’t lived up to his early draft position yet, hopefully that turns around soon. Jordan will excel by being lined up all over the place. As an outside linebacker Jordan could rush from multiple positions.

from: philly.com

3-4 linebacker into ends

Aldon Smith, 49ers. He has some personal issues to deal with, but Smith would be a terror lined up as a left or right end. He can rush the passer and stop the run equally well, and he’s very fast for 265 pounds.

Quinton Coples, Jets. At 290 pounds (this varies based on what website you reference), Coples could really be a small 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 end, which means he could play a bigger 4-3 end. He’s not nearly as quick as the others in this article, but coming out of college playing at 280 he ran a 4.78 forty yard dash. That’s very good for his size. He’s got the arm length to reach to either side of the tackle to pull down a runner and enough of a burst to occasionally get a sack.

from: newsday.com

Jadeveon Clowney, Texans. Need I say anything? Ok, I will. He played a 4-3 end at South Carolina, and he’s a freak athlete. Done.

Brian Orakpo, Redskins. He’s just great at everything. He can shed blockers on his way to the passer and to bring down the runner. I would imagine he could do something similar from a three-point and four-point stance.

from: washingtonpost.com

Robert Mathis, Colts. Mathis has proven he can play both positions. He was a stud in their 4-3 defense two seasons ago and led the NFL with 19.5 sacks last year. If he needed to, I believe he could make the switch back to an end. If he hadn’t torn his Achilles, of course. That might slow him down.

I know I left plenty out as there are a lot of crazy defensive athletes in the league, but these are the first ones I thought of. Feel free to comment with others you think could easily make the switch.