What teams might also be after Von Miller?

Among the players who caught the eye of just about everyone at the Senior Bowl was Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller. With the Redskins in need of a bookend backer to take some attention away from Brian Orakpo, Miller could be the perfect pick for the Redskins with their first-round selection, number in overall. But it seems likely that other teams will have their eyes on Miller, too, including some of the nine teams drafting ahead of the Redskins. One thing that the Redskins have going in their favor is that Miller is considered to be an ideal linebacker for a 3-4 defensive scheme. It’s not that a 4-3 team wouldn’t consider him but such a team likely would not rate him as highly as would a 3-4 team. In other words, he might not be a top-10 talent for 4-3 teams. Working on that assumption, let’s take a look at the defensive schemes run by the nine teams drafting in front of the Redskins: 1. Carolina (2-14) 4-3 2. Denver (4-12) 3-4 3. Buffalo (4-12) 3-4 4. Cincinnati (4-12) 4-3 5. Arizona (5-11) 3-4 6. Cleveland (5-11) 4-3 7. San Francisco (6-10) 3-4 8. Tennessee (6-10) 4-3 9. Dallas (6-10) 3-4 So let’s eliminate the 4-3 teams based on the assumptions made above. That leaves the following teams: 2. Denver (4-12) 3-4 3. Buffalo (4-12) 3-4 5. Arizona (5-11) 3-4 7. San Francisco (6-10) 3-4 9. Dallas (6-10) 3-4 Although there still is a long way to go in the draft process and a lot could change, it doesn’t appear right now that Miller is among the very top players, the elites who will go in the top four picks. That takes Denver and Buffalo out of the picture. 5. Arizona (5-11) 3-4 7. San Francisco (6-10) 3-4 9. Dallas (6-10) 3-4 The Cowboys seem to be pretty well set at outside linebacker with DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer and with needs along the offensive line and at defensive back Miller would be too much of a luxury pick for the top 10. 5. Arizona (5-11) 3-4 7. San Francisco (6-10) 3-4 The Cardinals certainly could use an infusion of youth at outside linebacker. Both of their starters, Clark Haggans and Joey Porter, will be 34 by the time the season starts and they combined for 10 sacks last year. It is possible that if Miller works his way into consideration for the number five pick the Cardinals could give him a good, hard look. The 49ers Manny Lawson is going to be a free agent this offseason so whether or not San Francisco will be in the market may depend on whether or not Lawson is back or if the CBA negotiations permit a free agency period prior to the draft. In any case, new coach Jim Harbaugh may want to look to upgrade from Lawson, who has been a first-round (22^nd overall in 2006) disappointment with 14.5 sacks in five seasons.