Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower declared for the 2012 NFL Draft as a junior and ranks among the best at inside 'backer. His best performance of the 2011 season was an 11-tackle, 1.5-sack, one pass-defensed performance against Mississippi State. 

Better player than athlete

Strengths

• Great size (6-foot-4, 260 pounds)
• Strong build, powerful tackler
• Experienced as an edge rusher
• Well-respected team leader
• Plays with intensity and determination
• Knows his assignments and sticks to them - heady, instinctual player
• Hard worker in the weight and film rooms
• Excellent zone awareness in pass defense
• Ideal fit for inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment

Weaknesses

• Lacks athleticism and speed - will struggle getting to the edge
• Sometimes outright misses on a tackle attempt
• Injury history - torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2009
• Occasionally takes poor angles
• Lacks flexibility and speed in pass defense
• Diagnosis of plays can be a little slow

Expected draft placement

Hightower should be a late first- or early second-round pick in April. He could go to the likes of the San Diego Chargers (No. 18), Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 24) and Baltimore Ravens (No. 29).