Indians still exploring trade options for outfielders
March 22, 2016The 10 Percent: Byrd flying in OF, House optioned, Brantley healthy(-ish), and other Indians notes
March 22, 2016The 2016 NFL Draft is just under two months away, meaning teams are in full-fledge evaluation mode of the 2016 NFL draft prospects. The draft is the biggest event of the NFL offseason, giving teams the chance to improve their teams with new talent. Starting with the secondary prospects last week, I have been releasing my top five NFL Draft prospects at each position. Today, we take a look at the inside linebackers group. For reference, here were my top five inside linebackers in last year’s draft.
The Browns will be in the market for an inside linebacker. This offseason, the team released Karlos Dansby, signed Demario Davis, and will likely lose Craig Robertson to free agency.
The Browns desperately need a playmaker on the defense and there are some potential inside linebacker playmakers near the top of this draft class. Injuries have shaped this class, but there are still good players who can help.
Here are my top five inside linebackers in the 2016 NFL Draft.
2016 NFL Draft Prospects Rankings: Safeties | Cornerbacks | Inside Linebackers
1. Myles Jack, UCLA
Myles Jack is a one of the best overall athletes in the entire draft, not just amongst the linebackers. In just three games as a junior last season, he netted 15 tackles, two passes defended and one interception. The UCLA Bruin has freakish athletic ability, which allowed him to play both linebacker and running back in college career. His versatility will allow him be able to play multiple positions on the defense, depending on the situation. His athleticism allows him to play sideline to sideline and be able to chase plays down from behind. This athleticism helps him the most in coverage, allowing him to cover almost any player on the field. He has experience covering running backs, tight ends and receivers in coverage. Jack can move smoothly in coverage and change directions effortlessly. He has good technique in coverage to backpedal and then open his hips to run down field with his man. He has quick reaction time to close on the ball and make a play. Jack does have some question marks. His strength is not a strong point in his game, so he can get stuck on blocks against bigger blockers. He also can miss tackles because of bad angles or poor technique. In coverage, he can get a little too handsy, which could draw penalties. His health is also a question after missing most of his season last year. But, these negatives cannot overshadow his talent and exceptional athleticism to play well in both coverage and against the run.
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2. Darron Lee, Ohio State
Darron Lee is another athletic linebacker who can run like a running back. In 2015 as a redshirt sophomore, he posted 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interception. The Ohio State Buckeye is one of the better athletes at the linebacker position, including running a 4.47 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He is a smooth athlete with the ability to move in space effortlessly. His athleticism allows him to work in coverage either in zone or man against tight ends, running backs and slot receivers. Against the run, he is extremely quick at closing on a runner and can play sideline to sideline. His intelligence and quick twitch ability helps him react to plays extremely fast. Lee is also a very skilled pass rusher, probably the best rusher of all the inside linebackers. He uses his speed and arms to slip past blockers and take down the quarterback. He may not be the biggest linebacker, but his long arms help him slip blockers and keep them away from his body. But, Lee does have some deficiencies in his game. He is not an overly strong player, which can hurt him in several areas of the game. He can get stuck on blocks if he cannot slip them initially. His lack of strength also comes into play with his tackling. He is many times tackling with his arms and can be prone to broken tackles because of this and his lack of strength. He is a young player who is still developing as a linebacker, after playing just two seasons in college. But, his athletic ability and production in college make him an intriguing prospect who could develop into a playmaking linebacker in the NFL.
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3. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Reggie Ragland is a physical linebacker who can really impact the running game. In 15 games as a senior last year, he notched 102 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, seven passes defended and two forced fumbles. Ragland is a hardnosed, physical linebacker who will lay the wood on the ball carrier. His best attribute is his intelligence and instinctiveness. He can read and react quickly to a play, helping him make up for his lack of great speed. To go along with his quick play recognition is his ability to get off blocks and fight through contact. His physical play and strength allows him to be a force at the line of scrimmage and survive against the big bruising linemen. Ragland can fill a gap in the run game, either stopping the runner there or forcing them to go elsewhere. His intelligence allows him to be a solid player in zone coverage because he can read the play and react quickly to it. But, Ragland does have some negatives in his game. He is a not a great athlete, lacking speed and fluidity to go sideline to sideline. His lack of speed can cause him to not be able to catch runners from behind, making him have to react quicker then most linebackers. His lack of athleticism also hurts him in coverage. He struggles to move his hips and run with quick pass catchers, making him less than ideal in man coverage. He can cover the bigger tight ends, but for the most part he is only able to play in zone coverage. Nonetheless, Ragland is a talented and productive linebacker not because of his athleticism but because of his intelligence, strength, physicality and instinct.
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4. Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
If Jaylon Smith did not have the big health risk, he would be my number one inside linebacker. In 2015 as a junior, he notched 114 tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, five passes defended and forced fumble. At 6-foot-2 and arms of 33-inches, the Notre Dame alum has length to pair with good athleticism. He is a player who can do it all on the field for the defense. Against the run, he reads the plays quickly and reacts quickly to a run, with the ability to chase down backs from behind because of his great speed. He has the length and athleticism to slip blocks and get through contact to get the tackle. Against the pass, he has fluid hips and good change of direction to play in both zone and man coverage. He has the ability to cover tight ends, running backs and receivers. What he also adds is the ability to rush the passer that most inside linebackers do not possess. He is a smart player with a good work ethic and motor. But, the reason I have Smith at four rather than one is the uncertainty with his health. He suffered a major knee injury in the bowl game against Ohio State, which has really put his future NFL career in doubt. I decided to put him at four because I think only three players in the inside linebackers class warrant a team to pass on him with the injury concerns. On the field, his biggest question mark is his strength and frame. He will need to add strength and weight to his body. In the end though, Smith is a great football player with top pick talent, but is a big question because of his injury status.
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5. Joshua Perry, Ohio State
Joshua Perry is the second Ohio State Buckeye in my top five inside linebackers rankings. As senior last season, he posted 105 tackles, seven and half tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and four pass break-ups. The number one attribute he has is his size and strength. At 6-foot-4, 254-pounds and arms of 33 7/8-inches, he is a tough man to move, making him a strong player at the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to fight through blocks when tracking a ball carrier. When he has the ball carrier in his sights, he has good technique, along with his strength, to bring down the ball carrier. Perry is a smart player who can read a play quickly and react accordingly. His intelligence also helps him to play in zone coverage. The linebacker will put everything on the field and has an unstoppable motor. But, Perry is not a great athlete, which will hurt him in pass coverage. He is most likely not going to be a linebacker who will get a lot of third down playing time. He does not have the athleticism to cover players in man coverage. He can play in zone, but his change of direction and speed are not great for closing on the ball. He is a player who will be around the line of scrimmage and not be the one chasing ball carriers sideline to sideline. Nonetheless, Perry is a productive run stuffer and a physical player who can set the tone for a defense.
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10 Comments
You sure these aren’t Outside Linebackers?
These guys are 3-4 inside linebackers with a couple of them able to play outside. But I took the view of a 3-4 defense and think they best fit inside
Beep boop beep boop beep boop…and the Sashimetric Computalator picks….
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Jewell Ratliff – Tuskegee University
hi JOE … i think m.jack is worthy of the #2 overall pick if we go a different direction at QB , or trade down.
heck , i’d be happy with any of these guys above … every one of them is better than any LB we currently have.
I am so in the bag for Scooby Wright. He has Daryl Washington written all over him and Ray Horton has the perfect system to take advantage of his skillset. It requires Kirksey being able to handle the strong-ILB spot though.
Tyler Matakevich, Temple – Thumpy Thumperson. Red-headed too.
Josh Forrest, Kentucky – TE/WR & ILB in one. Analytical minds should love him. Really athletic and can be physical (finally learning it in ’15 after shaky ’14 though better stats). Late-round steal.
Maybe. Kirksey was pretty good by the end of last year (and he has been continually getting better, which I always appreciate in a player – shows they are working).
matakevich is a stud …