Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner is a tackling machine that ranks in the high second tier of linebackers in the 2012 NFL Draft class.

As a senior in 2011, Wagner recorded 147 total stops on the year, notched 4.0 sacks and picked off a pair of passes.

Sure tackler

Strengths

• Very athletic
• Versatile - can play inside and out
• Consistent performer - great production (nine of 13 games with at least 10 tackles, including 18 against Colorado State and 20 versus Louisiana Tech in 2011)
• Two-year team captain
• Instinctual in pass coverage and an excellent run defender
• Intelligent and hard worker
• Lateral agility
• Wrap-up tackler with immediate stopping power
• Patient, read-and-react defender

Weaknesses

• Lacks ideal size (6-foot 1/4, 241 pounds)
• Quicker rather than being fast
• Limited experience as a blitzer
• Teams didn't get to see him work out at the Scouting Combine, as he was hospitalized with pneumonia at the time
• Struggles shedding blocks from larger blockers

Expected draft placement

Wagner earned every bit of the Round 2 grade KFFL deemed him to be, and he shouldn't slide out of that round. We feel he is best served to play 4-3 middle linebacker, but he may have a shot at succeeding as a SAM or even 3-4 strongside 'backer. 

The former Aggie could draw interest from the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks.