The next in a continuing series previewing the NFL Draft, today: linebackers.

It’s not just Andy Reid.

The Eagles have not selected a linebacker in the first round of the NFL draft since Dick Vermeil picked Jerry Robinson of UCLA in 1979.

Marion Campbell, Buddy Ryan, Rich Kotite, Ray Rhodes and Reid have all eschewed the position, at least when it has come to their first overall pick.

Campbell took Jody Schulz in the second round of the 1983 draft. Ryan took Alonzo Johnson in the second round of 1986 and Jesse Small in the second round of 1989. Rhodes took James Darling in the second round of 1997.

The first three were busts, while Darling made a nice career as a spot starter and special-teams player.

Reid took Barry Gardner in the second round of 1999, Quinton Caver in the second round of 2001 and Matt McCoy in the second round of 2005.

Gardner was serviceable, at best, the other two were colossal busts.

Kotite, who never took a linebacker higher than the fourth round, got the best of the bunch when he drafted William Thomas in the fourth round of the 1991 draft.

This year shouldn’t be any different.

The trade that brought the Eagles two-time Pro Bowl player DeMeco Ryans from Houston softened the need for a linebacker, although help on the weak side should still be a priority, which means it will likely be another year without a linebacker in the first round.

Where have you gone, Mr. Robinson?

Here’s a look at the top linebackers in the draft for teams that might actually take one with one of the first 32 picks.

• Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 6-foot-3, 242 pounds — Three-year starter for BC, he amassed over 500 tackles, 35 for a loss. “Good player,” one personnel man said. “He can run around and make plays. He’s smart. He’s like (Paul) Posluszny and (Sean) Lee, only better. He’s the best linebacker in the draft.”

• Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6-1½, 272 — Started for the national champs for two years and had 16½ sacks. He’ll either be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or a strongside linebacker in a 4-3. “I think he fits the 3-4 better,” said a scout, whose team plays a 4-3. “Nick Saban is a great college coach. He really got the most out of this kid.”

• Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 6-1, 264 — He had 21½ sacks for the Gamecocks, both as a down lineman and a stand-up rusher.

“I’m not sure he has a position,” the personnel man said. “I guess he’s an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but I’m not sure. I don’t see that explosiveness.”

• Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, 6-2, 265 — He played inside for the Tide, but some see him moving outside in the pros. “He doesn’t move very well,” one personnel man said. “That knee (injury suffered in 2009) might still bother him.”

• Vinny Curry, Marshall, 6-3, 266 — The Neptune native recorded 26½ sacks in his three years with the Thundering Herd. Curry played defensive end in college, but most like him as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

“He’s tough, and he plays hard,” one scout said. “What else do you want?” Another personnel man said, “I love him. He can play. I don’t know why he’s not more highly-regarded.”

• Andre Branch, Clemson, 6-4, 259 — He had 10½ of his 17½ career sacks last year. Some feel he can fit in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme, but most think he fits best in a 3-4. “He can rush the passer, for sure,” one personnel man said. “Can he do the other stuff? I don’t know. He’s probably best as a 3-4 rusher.”

• Nick Perry, USC, 6-3, 271 — Perry started two years for the Trojans and had 21½ sacks. Most of those came with his hand on the ground, but the pros think he’s too small to play down and will have to be a linebacker.

“He’s more finesse than power,” one scout said. “He’s no Trent Cole.” One personnel man said this about him, “No. Just no.”

• Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 6-3, 239 — He might not hear his name called until the second day, but 21½ sacks in his two years with the Mountaineers isn’t bad. “He might be the best athlete of them all,” a personnel man said. “He can really run. The damnedest thing is he didn’t play that much.”

Next week: Defensive backs.

Contact Mark Eckel at meckel@njtimes.com.

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