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The only straight line Von Miller follows, it seems, is to the quarterback.
Everything else about the prized outside linebacker from Texas A&M describes a cocksure player who traces his own path, no matter how unorthodox.
Rather than head to the NFL as a near-certain top 20 pick after a junior season that saw him rack up an astounding 17 sacks, Miller surprised observers and scouts alike by returning for his senior year.
And rather than keep a low profile entering a draft overshadowed by the league’s ongoing labor standoff, Miller is front and center as the only college prospect among the 10 players — including Osi Umenyiora and Tom Brady — now suing the NFL for antitrust violations.
“I wanted to set a good example for all my teammates and all my brothers back at Texas A&M,” Miller said at the scouting combine when asked why decided to pass up serious first-round money.
Staying for his senior season likely helped Miller with scouts, considering he overcame an early ankle injury to notch 91⁄2 sacks and win the Butkus Award as the nation’s top college linebacker. As for taking part in the players’ lawsuit, scouts say that isn’t expected to hurt Miller’s stock in the April 28-30 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall, either.
Speedy pass rushers with long arms who stand 6-feet-3 and 240 pounds are rare enough and desired enough that only the most foolish owner is likely to penalize him on draft day for taking a stand.
“I guarantee you no coach or scout is thinking about that,” an AFC general manager told The Post. “They just see a monster who can get to the quarterback.”
Miller is especially prized because he was an edge pass rusher in a 3-4 alignment in college. With so many NFL teams going to a 3-4, it’s the perfect time for a player such as Miller to be coming into the league. Miller has plenty of company in that department as The Post continues its draft preview with a look at the top prospects at outside and inside linebacker:
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Miller is the headliner here, but scouts are practically giddy when describing the glut of promising pass rushers.
Missouri’s Aldon Smith, UCLA’s Akeem Ayers and Georgia’s Justin Houston are expected
to join Miller among the first
25 or so players taken next month, and don’t be surprised if North Carolina’s Bruce Carter finds his way into the first round, too.
Scouts say as many as nine outside linebackers are getting no worse than third-round grades from most teams, which is astounding. Some will have to put a hand on the ground as defensive ends in a 4-3 scheme, but there isn’t a top-10 prospect who observers say would be incapable of doing so.
“There are some interesting guys [at outside linebacker] that we really want to flush out,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
The pickings are slim for clubs such as the Giants hoping to address the interior spots.
The crop of inside linebackers is even thinner than last year, which is scary to scouts because that wasn’t close to a great draft for the position, either.
Only one inside linebacker — Illinois’ Martez Wilson — is expected to go in the first round, and at least half of the prospects in the top 10 have no better than fifth-round grades on many draft boards.
How shallow is this group? Wilson is the highest-rated prospect despite missing the entire 2009 season with a neck injury and posting just one memorable year for the Illini.
“You’re probably going for potential at that position [inside linebacker] this year more than a lot of other positions,” Giants GM Jerry Reese said at the combine.
Greg Jones of Michigan State and North Carolina’s Quan Sturdivant could sneak into the first round, but that’s unlikely. Scouts remain so unimpressed with this group that most teams will address needs here through free agency — whenever that starts.
Next week: offensive and defensive linemen.
bhubbuch@nypost.com
WHERE THE GIANTS STAND
For the second year in a row, the Giants need linebackers. Keith Bulluck isn’t expected to return, and Jonathan Goff and Michael Boley are merely serviceable. The more acute need is at the outside spots, though, because Goff had some moments as a run-stuffer in his first season as the starter in the middle.
WHERE THE JETS STAND
Von Miller would be ideal for a team that needs to blitz to pressure the passer, but he will be long gone barring a trade. Luckily for GM Mike Tannenbaum, it’s a terrific draft for outside linebackers, with four likely first-rounders. Another year of Jason Taylor isn’t going to cut it. The Jets also need to replace Bart Scott inside.
Needs to know
Bart Hubbuch continues his division-by-division look at what each team needs heading into the draft:
NFC SOUTH
BUCCANEERS: DE, LB, OL
Help wanted: Tampa Bay mustered just 26 sacks last season.
FALCONS: WR, DE, RB
Pass-catchers a must because Roddy White can’t do it all by himself.
PANTHERS: QB, DT, TE
A team couldn’t possibly need a quarterback more than Carolina does.
SAINTS: DT, LB, S
The defensive interior looked thin and very soft last season.
AFC SOUTH
COLTS: OL, WR, CB, S
Indianapolis has to get
Reggie Wayne some help that can stay on the field.
JAGUARS: DE, LB, S
If Jack Del Rio is supposedly such a defensive coach, why does the defense need so much help?
TEXANS: CB, NT, S
The league’s worst defense, by far, will be addressed. Repeatedly.
TITANS: QB, DT, LB
Time to atone for the Vince Young mistake.
Next week:
NFC North and AFC North.