Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6’1″/243 lbs.
Age: 24/Experience: 2
College: Georgia

Sometimes I wonder why Ozzie Newsome even bothers drafting linebackers. He has the knack of finding and developing star linebackers that ended up being undrafted. Bart Scott can thank Ozzie for giving him a chance and putting him on a defense that let him flourish. So it comes as no surprise that 2009 rookie Dannell Ellerbe made the team and even had an impact after going undrafted that spring. The dude was a heck of a college player at Georgia but his draft stock was hurt due to his nagging injuries. Needless to say, Ellerbe had an outstanding spring and summer camp. So good that an injury halfway through the preseason didn’t exclude him from making the team. Ellerbe finished the season strong as he replaced the injured Tevares Gooden. He had 10 tackles in the postseason loss at Indy. He also recorded his first interception at oakland.

2010 Analysis: Things are still looking bright for Ellerbe. While it appears that Jameel McClain is the favorite to win the ILB position, Ellerbe has had some snaps with the 1st Team. Whether or not he wins the starting job in for Week 1, it will only be a matter of time before we see him making his impact on the field.