Inside Linebackers
The Inside LB's class, like usual, will have 1 or 2 guys drafted in the first and 2nd rounds with a flurry of them most likely going in the mid rounds. No great players in this group (with the exception of maybe Maualuga), but could see a sleeper or 2 getting drafted in the mid rounds. Heights and weights, 40 times, reps of 225, vertical leaps, and broadjump results posted.
1. Rey Maualuga - USC
6'2 254, 40-yd dash: 4.7, reps of 225: 23, broadjump: 8-11
projected: 1st round
overall: Maualuga was the heart and soul of the nation's best defense in college. He's a bigtime leader who plays with a devastating mean streak. Maualuga flys to the ball, is a great playmaker, is effective against the run, and displays great range. He has some maturity questions surrounding him. Also, needs to work on coverage in passing situations and is often fooled by playaction. Overall though, Maualuga should be very solid if not a multiple pro bowler and is by far the best ILB in the draft.
2. James Laurinaitis - Ohio st
6'2 240, 40-yd dash: 4.76, reps of 225: 22, vertical leap: 33 in, broadjump: 9-7
projected: early 2nd round
overall: Laurinaitis is a smart tackling machine at ILB. Displays great instincts for the game and is a good character guy who was the vocal leader of that Ohio st defense. Laurinaitis shows good sideline to sideline quickness and pretty good hands for a LB. He doesn't have great straight line speed and lacks explosiveness in his game. Sometimes gets out of position. Overall, he is a solid value pick at the top of round 2 and no question should be the 2nd best ILB in the class.
3. Darry Beckwith - LSU
6'0 242, 40-yd dash: 4.63, reps of 225: 23, vertical leap: 26.5 in, broadjump: 9-2
projected: 3rd round
notes: smart player with good instincts, good work habits...plays with explosiveness...undersized...injury history...not great at rushing the passer and struggles to shed blocks...i believe he may be a bit overrated because of his good speed, be very careful when drafting
4. Dannell Ellerbe - Georgia
6'1 236, 40-yd dash: 4.63, reps of 225: 23, broadjump: 9-10, vertical leap: 35 in
projected: 3rd-4th round
notes: Sparkplug LB who gets through blocks well and is very athletic...he plays low in his pads and displays good coverage ability....injuries last year and a dui in his past raise some concerns...could be a better tackler...Given his past and his intangibles, I would draft Ellerbe..he's a possible sleeper who plays too tough not to get a look in round 3 or 4.
5. Jason Phillips - TCU
6'1 236, 40-yd dash: 4.69, reps of 225: 20
projected: 3rd-4th round
notes: Physical ILB who attacks the line of scrimmage with authority and is very smart in coverage...injured right now but shouldn't hurt draft stock...struggles changing direction and sometimes lacks explosiveness when blitzing...Phillips should be solid, he's smart and proven he can anchor a good defense, if nothing else, he should provide great depth...better fit for a 4-3
6. Scott McKillop - Pitt
6'1 243, 40-yd dash: 4.7, reps of 225: 27, vertical leap: 35.5 in, broadjump: 9-11
projected: 3rd-4th round
notes: Is a great tackler who's very instinctive and smart at his ILB position...works better in a crowd...displayed good kickoff coverage abilities while at Pitt...he doesn't have great range...decent coverage ability but can't cover for an extended time...McKillop is an extremely safe pick i think who could develop into a productive starter
7. Daniel Holtzclaw - Eastern Michigan
6'1 246, 40-yd dash: 4.65 (projected)
projected: 4th round
notes: A tackling machine...hard worker who displays good speed...a possible sleeper
8. Jasper Brinkley - South Carolina
6'2 262, 40-yd dash: 4.67, reps of 225: 26, vertical leap: 36.5 in, broadjump: 9-6
projected: 4th-5th round
notes: 3-4 type of ILB who is fluid in persuit...solid run stopper...high motor type of guy...good blitzing ability...sometimes takes poor angles and gets fooled by misdirection...losses awareness against the pass
9. Worrell Williams - California
5'11 242, 40-yd dash: 4.75, reps of 225: 23, vertical leap: 35 in
projected: 5th round
notes: Compact ILB with a good frame...powerful hitter who blitzes effectively...overaggressive at times and inconsistant...nothing more than a role player at best
10. Anthony Felder - California
6'2 231, 40-yd dash: 4.76, reps of 225: 28, vertical leap: 36 in
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: Solid against the run and displays good blitzing ability...strong and athletic...lacks sideline to sideline speed and doesn't display his good strength on the field...He is a situational LB at the most
11. Antonio Appleby - Virginia
6'4 243, 40-yd dash: 4.75 (projected)
projected: 5th-6th round
notes: Has good size and strength for his position and is a solid tackler...he needs work on his closing speed and doesn't have much speed sideline to sideline...best fit for a 3-4 defense
12. Stanley Arnoux - Wake forest
6'1 240, 40-yd dash: 4.61, reps of 225: 20, vertical leap: 31 in
projected: 6th round
notes: A reliable tacklerwho plays low, allowed him to effectively shed blocks...good in coverage and a team leader...he lacks a quick 1st step and has below average pass rush ability...I think that Arnoux could be a good value pick in round 5 or 6.
13. Frantz Joseph - Florida Atlantic
6'2 243, 40-yd dash: 4.83, reps of 225: 19, vertical leap: 27.5 in, broadjump: 9-8
projected: 6th round
notes: A probable 3-4 ILB who's extremely tough and physical...smart and plays with a mean streak...good in coverage and a team leader...has a lack of speed and lack of strength may hurt him...A likely 6th rounder, Joseph on paper looks like he doesn't have the speed or size to play in the NFL, but he was extremely productive in college and brings nice intangibles for a team to warrant a late round draft pick.
14. Brit Miller - Illinois
6'0 253
projected: 6th-7th round
notes: Good character guy...he lacks speed and is undersized, hence the late round projections.
Others:
Josh Mauga - Nevada 6'2 246, 40-yd dash: 4.61, vertical leap: 32.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Michael Tauiliili - Duke 5'10 231, 40-yd dash: 4.77, reps of 225: 20, vertical leap: 29 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Maurice Crum - Notre Dame 6'0 235, 40-yd dash: 4.85, reps of 225: 18, vertical leap: 28.5 in (projected: 7th-FA)
Other positions
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