Pre-Order The Pro Football Draft Preview Today!!

NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Inside Linebackers

Moving on to what many people perceive as the Packers biggest need, inside linebacker. There are a few prospects worthy of consideration as early as the first round but many of the prospects are in the mid-late round range. Mike McCarthy has said he wants to move Clay Matthews back to OLB and without a lot of quality options currently on the roster at ILB, it’s possible the Packers address the position early. I’ve only ranked players I feel comfortable enough to form a solid opinion/analysis on. It would be disingenuous to rank players I don’t have a strong opinion on.

Previous positional rankings:

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-quarterbacks

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-running-backs

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-wide-receivers

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-tight-ends

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-offensive-tackles

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-interior-offensive-lineman

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-nose-tacklesdefensive-ends

http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/nfl-draft-positional-rankings-outside-linebacker-edge

Inside Linebackers

1.       Myles Jack, LB, UCLA- Jack is a do it all prospect who is an athletic marvel. At 6’1” 245lbs Jack moves like a 190 defensive back able to cover tight ends with ease. He plays so well in space and can deliver big hits in the open field. He has no hesitation taking on blocks but does need to work on play recognition when playing in the box. The team who drafts Jack will have a versatile piece to their difference who offenses will have to account for.

2.       Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame- Smith is coming off a gruesome knee injury in his bowl game and may have to sit out his rookie season. There is no telling if he’ll be back to 100% ever so a team will have to trust their medical staff. When healthy the 6’2” 223lb linebacker covers a ton of ground playing side line to sideline. He is able to read and stuff runs in the hole as well as cover running backs and tight ends. He’s an extremely talented player if healthy.

3.       Darron Lee, LB, Ohio St- Lee is an athletic freak and is really the new breed of linebackers. He’s 6’1” 232lbs and flies around the football field. He is adept at covering receivers, even occasionally lining up over the slot and has no trouble running with them down the seam. He is a bit raw at diagnosing plays while in the box and doesn’t always secure the tackle. Lee’s athleticism is something teams salivate for, he’s a three down linebacker in the NFL.

4.       Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabma- At 6’1” 247lbs Ragland is more in the mold of an old school thumper at linebacker. He isn’t going to wow anyone athletically but he’s always around the ball, can stack and shed, and understands his assignments. He’d be hard to trust in man coverage but teams should have no qualms about trusting him in zone. Ragland also comes from a 3-4 defense where he was asked to be the leader the last two years.

5.       Su’a Cravens, LB, USC- Cravens is another one of the hybrid type of defenders who has experience at safety and at linebacker. The 6’1” 226lb prospect is fantastic in coverage with a real feel for sticking in the hip pocket of the receiver and playing the ball. Cravens is also very good at blitzing and causing havoc behind the line of scrimmage. It remains to be seen if Cravens can be functional playing primarily in the box as a true linebacker in the NFL.

6.       Deion Jones, LB, LSU- Jones is undersized at 6’1” 222lbs but is incredibly fast and can make plays other prospects can’t get too. He struggles some to disengage from blockers and needs to be a more consistent wrap up tackler.

7.       Joshua Perry, LB Ohio St. - Perry is a well-built linebacker at 6’4” 254lbs. Perry has good recognitions skills and is a very sound tackler. Despite testing well athletically, Perry looks a little labored in his movements and can do a better job making plays behind the line of scrimmage.

8.       Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin- Schobert was a very productive player the last two years at Wisconsin and is a versatile defender. While he played primarily 3-4 outside linebacker in college Schobert is probably best suited to play inside in the NFL. At 6’1” 244lbs Schobert plays well in space, is assignment sound, and has displayed very good pass rush abilities.

9.       Nick Vigial, LB, Utah St- Vigil is a bit under the radar nationally but make no mistake, the 6’2” 239lb linebacker is extremely athletic and very productive. Vigil plays with good instincts, can fill run gaps and can also cover well in zone.

10.   Kentrell Brothers, LB, Missouri- The 6’ 245lb is a very hard hitter and displays a good closing burst. Brothers is limited some athletically when in space and may just be a 2 down linebacker in the NFL.

11.   Blake Martinez, LB, Stanford- Martinez was the leader of the Stanford defense the last two seasons. At 6’2” 237lbs Martinez plays well in coverage, and is a very strong. He doesn’t make a lot of plays in the backfield but he is assignment sound and is a good tackler.

12.   Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona- Wright is one of the more entertaining linebackers to watch in the draft class but the 6’ 239lb prospect has limitations. While he is highly instinctive and productive Wright needs to learn to play more under control to minimize missed tackles.

13.   B.J. Goodson, LB, Clemson- Goodson is a very smooth linebacker at 6’1 242lbs. He’s a bit of a thumper who does a nice job taking on blockers and scraping to the outside. Despite testing really well he has some limitations when playing in space but he has a lot of developmental qualities.

14.   Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida- The 6’1” 232lb Morrison is a tough s.o.b defending the run in the hole who seems to love to put his face into offensive players. Morrison is a tone setter on the defense but he doesn’t have the athleticism or abilities in coverage to leave him on the field on 3rd downs.

15.   Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia- Kwiatkoski is a well-rounded linebacker prospect. The 6’2” 243lb Kwiatkoski plays with good awareness in coverage and has been highly productive playing the run. He isn’t uber athletic but makes up for it with good instincts.

0 points
 

Comments (65)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
GBPack's picture

April 14, 2016 at 09:39 am

Cody! It's Asch5. Congrats on the writing gig for CheeseheadTV. Enjoying reading your stuff...

As for the rankings, I've got a couple notes/comments:
1. I'm really interested to see how Jaylon Smith's medical recheck goes. After he was gushing about his interview with the Pack during the combine and our obvious need at the position, it will be interesting to see if taking him in the 1st will be an option for us, even if it's a redshirt year.
2. Cravens is a really interesting player. Even if he's not viewed as a perfect fit in the base defense, we play so much nickel/dime that he would be a huge asset in that area over Joe Thomas. Add in his experience blitzing and playing on the edge, he could be a really interesting chess piece.
3. Martinez and Kwiatkoski are decent back up options who would compliment Jake Ryan as above average coverage LB's. I like both of them.

Keep up the good work!

0 points
0
0
Cody Bauer's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:40 am

Whats up Andrew! Thanks for the kind words. I hope all is going well with you.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 09:34 am

Jatavis Brown...

I love this kid. I think he is going to be a stud. He will be drafted lower because of his size. He plays a lot bigger then his size.
He is a guy that could come in and be the sideline to sideline LB that the Packers have been lacking. He is a perfect fit at ILB for the Packers. He has speed, great instincts and ability. He is a playmaking type of player.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/jatavis-brown-vs-pittsburgh-2015/

0 points
0
0
GBPack's picture

April 14, 2016 at 09:39 am

Nice call. Saw his name in a sleeper article recently.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:43 am

We get locked in to times, heights, weights, arm lengths and all that stuff, but a very important predictor for success is whether or not that player has been successful in a role in the past...

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:16 am

every year there are a few players that don't have the measurable's that get picked in the 2nd-4th rounds that end up being great picks. At times better then players taken in the first round.

The thing I really like about Brown, is not only is he good, but everything I saw him do in the video's, is what he would be doing in Green Bay. He was used very similar to how the Packers use their ILB's.

0 points
0
0
Pack88's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:31 am

RC Packer Fan: I have been all over Jatavis Brown for quite a while. I agree he could be a stud for GB and definitely could help in pass coverage, another guy I like is Travis Feeny from the University of Washington. He is a little bigger than Brown but still really fast and two shoulder injuries will drive him down to the lower rounds!

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:17 am

I have been too. I first saw him at the NFLPA bowl. And when he dominated the 4th quarter of that game, I have been watching him since. I still have no idea why he wasn't invited to the combine. But his performance at his pro day was impressive. His pro days numbers confirms his play on the field which is what you want.

0 points
0
0
holmesmd's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:32 am

Jaylon Smith has his medical reeval. today and tomorrow. Stay tuned! With that info coming up this week and the Titans-Rams shake up trade, the early rounds just got a lot more interesting IMO. I'm not sure even if Smith checks out that most teams are deep enough to spend an r1 pick on a guy who is going to sit out 2016. I think GB is one of the few teams that could get by. Not sure if TT has the stomach for the risk but it's really the only way GB could ever draft a top 10 player! Fascinating!

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:44 am

If Smith's medicals are not a problem, I don't see him lasting to #27. Someone else will take him and stash him for a year.

0 points
0
0
holmesmd's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:52 am

Dobber,
Do you really think so? It would seem like only a handful of the most recently successful teams could afford the risk and they are mostly picking after us. We also have so many pick that we could use as currency to trade up that GB might be in a very unique position. The Packers really seem to be high on the kid. There is so much pressure in the NFL to win now that I really think that the premier teams are the only ones with the stomach & patience to take an r1 unknown. Just another perspective :)

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:07 am

I think picking someone like Smith with the intention of having him sit for a year is easier to do when you're not a contender. Teams like the Packers and other playoff teams have holes to fill in order to compete for the title in 2016.

When you're drafting with an eye toward 2017 or 2018, then you can more easily justify picking someone and sitting them a year.

EDIT: At the same time, contending teams almost by definition have more organizational stability. Therefore, a GM with more job security would be more likely or empowered to make a pick like that.

I can see the argument for both sides.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:09 am

I think its easier for teams that don't solely rely on the draft for means of adding players.

Its hard for the Packers who for the most part solely rely on the draft to add talent.

Its why I have a hard time seeing them draft a OT in the first round to essentially sit or be a backup.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:12 am

"I think its easier for teams that don't solely rely on the draft for means of adding players."

That's a good point. Though, that's literally every team other than the Packers.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:18 am

'Though, that's literally every team other than the Packers.'

That's a very good point as well.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:48 am

I think teams like the Patriots would pick a player like Jaylon and it would be deemed genius.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 11:54 am

yeah, i can definitely see that.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:17 pm

Didn't the 49ers draft some OL who was injured in the 1st round a few years ago...not sure how that worked out.

EDIT: I may be thinking of LaMichael James...

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:32 pm

That RB from South Carolina. Lattimore, I believe. Was that 1st round though?

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:34 pm

It wasn't day 1.

...4th round.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:44 pm

That was the 4th round...and I don't believe he ever stepped onto the field...

I'm not sure who I'm thinking of...maybe Tank Carradine? Man, the 49ers sure have drafted a lot of injured players recently. Lot of good it did them. ha

Lattimore might be a good comp to Smith, though.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:40 pm

I don't know. It's rare though. The only player I know for sure who was drafted in the first while having a major injury was Willis McGahee. Ended up having a nice career.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:45 pm

Would Gurley count?

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:28 pm

@Evan

I wasn't watching college football as much during that time. How fresh was his injury. I remember McGahee's injury was like the final game of the season or Bowl game.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:38 pm

I watch zero college football. I just remember there were a lot of questions of when he'd be ready to play in 2015.

Wikipedia tells me Gurley tore his ACL in November. He missed the whole pre-season but made his debut in week 3, (September 27). That's nuts.

McGahee tore everything (ACL, PCL, MCL) in the Fiesta Bowl on January 3. He missed the entire rookie season.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 02:06 pm

So, all in all -- if the talent is undeniable and the medicals check out the player is worth the gamble.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 14, 2016 at 09:33 pm

Another thing that is worth it is replying to this convo in order to see just how much the little outline/box will shrink.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 06:38 am

oddly if you view this on the cheeseheadtv app, there is no little outline box. It doesn't get tiny. A nice feature of the app

0 points
0
0
holmesmd's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:09 pm

Exactly! I see the premier teams that have a winning tradition as being the most likely landing spots. Who's been better than GB, NE, and SEA over the last 10 years?! Arguments on both sides are fascinating!

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 15, 2016 at 05:55 am

Plus, due to my staggering observational skills, I suspect that many fans of all ages really "love them some winning", as the kids with the hats on sideways love to say.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:37 pm

I think teams are rarely drafting players for who they are right now, and are projecting them out 3-4 years, minimum. In that case, if his medicals aren't long-term scary and think he'll be 100% by camp in 2017 or even able to practice in December, someone will see Smith as a bargain in the middle-to-later parts of the first round.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 14, 2016 at 07:33 pm

It may be a moot point. IMO I would not support using a 1st, or a 2nd round pick on Jaylon Smith.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:18 am

Then we'll disagree: if Jaylon Smith's medicals aren't a problem and he's as good as advertised, meaning he's going to be a perennial All-Pro, he's definitely worth a second and I'd be willing to argue worth a 1st...even if he has to sit a year.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 15, 2016 at 02:19 pm

Well, in some ways we might actually agree, Dobber. I would be fine with using a 2nd, even a 1st: 1) IF Jaylon's medicals aren't a problem; and 2) IF Jaylon is going to be a perennial All-Pro.

We disagree on the risk involved. The two IFs are huge, and disqualifying IMO. I think we can get a good player at #57, and at #27, a starter who probably will be an above average starter or better down the road. Time will tell [insert smiley face here].

0 points
0
0
EdsLaces's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:47 am

As a WVU fan it's awesome to even read Kwiatkowskis name on my favorite Packers site. Excellent list ....hurry up and get here draft day.

0 points
0
0
Community Guy's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:42 pm

great list... interested in 1-9.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:51 pm

interesting...

For everyone talking about how bad Bakhtiari is NFL.com obviously likes him.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000652489/article/2013-nfl-draft-do...

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:56 pm

Prisoners of the moment.

I chalk it up as a bad season where just about everyone on Offense had a down season.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 12:58 pm

Was it even a bad season? I seem to remember Bahk stonewalling some very, very good pass rushers. Didn't he own Ziggy Ansah and Bruce Irvin?

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:02 pm

I really didn't think he had a bad season. He also shut out Khalil Mack.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:19 am

The issue with Bakhtiari has not been the agility guys. He can handle speed. It's the power rushers who can back him up into the pocket that give him trouble.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:01 pm

I didn't think he had a bad season. Maybe bad game or 2. but not a bad season. I could be wrong, but I didn't think he was glaringly horrible as some seem to suggest.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:05 pm

I'm not saying he had a bad season. I'm saying the entire Offense as a whole was bad. I don't know why people don't like Bahk all of a sudden.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:06 pm

I know...not you. But a lot of people have been saying he had a bad 2015. That's just not how I remember it.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:26 pm

Yeah, i don't remember that as well..

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:22 am

He's very steady for who he is. He's not an elite OLT, but he's at least top half. He's no Joe Thomas. But he can hold his own (get it, "hold" his own--I crack myself up) in the league. He's the kind of guy you don't need to worry about, but you always have that feeling in the back of your mind that you can do better.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:34 am

He's also just 24 and has improved every year.

I'd invest in a player like that.

I keep reading "elite money" or "top 5" money - and I don't know where that's coming from. He'll get paid, no doubt, but I don't think it'll be excessive.

$7-8 million a year would put him around #15 on a per year basis. 4 year deal (so he'll hit FA again before 30) for like $30 million, with like $11 mil guaranteed.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:20 am

completely agree... He is worth that investment.

I have no idea where the top 5 money thing came from. No one says he is worth top 5 money. But he should be paid around 15th best in the league. I believe he is in that range.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 01:29 pm

Yeah, I know you haven't said it either. I have seen a number of others suggesting it.

The offense as a whole was bad. The QB, OL, WR's were all injured.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 14, 2016 at 07:53 pm

I like Bakh, but that does not mean I want to pay him $8M AAV. I thought Bakh improved in run blocking. When healthy his pass pro was above average - health led to 10 penalties, 12 adjusted for his snaps. I am okay - not thrilled - with the idea of paying him: he is young and has proven that he can play. I do think he is about an average starting LT. I have some qualms about locking in an average player long term at a premium position. We are locked in with Bulaga due to his contract. I think Bakh might take a jump this year given good health which would end my qualms about locking him up long term. At this point, absent a rookie being drafted, we have little to no option but to re-sign Bakh.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 14, 2016 at 07:57 pm

A left tackle in the hand is worth two in the bush...or something.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

April 14, 2016 at 08:00 pm

I'm laughing -- uncontrollably right now.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:40 am

I think $8M a year is perfectly reasonable. That would make him the 14th highest paid LT.

http://overthecap.com/position/left-tackle/

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:39 am

It would make him the #14 OLT NOW. That's not how an agent is going to negotiate his contract. He's going to look at t he lifetime of the contract, knowing that if he signs a contract for #14 OLT money now, he'll be #20 or lower in about 2 years. That could be a good deal for the Packers but not reflect the market value of the player. Look at ARod and where he now ranks in terms of QB compensation. A decent agent is going to try to get Bakhtiari top-10 money, at least, knowing that in a couple years he'll be at or just below market value for an average OLT.

This is, in part, why we looked at a contract like the one Shields signed and shook our heads at the time...but by the time that deal is up, if he continues to play well, he's going to look like good value relative to the market.

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:46 am

Oh, no doubt. Same was true for Bulaga. Maybe it goes up to $10 mil a year or something, but once the FA feeding frenzy settles down, I am confident whatever deal he signs will end up looking more than fair.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

April 14, 2016 at 10:08 pm

I agree RC. I think it was frustration over the timing of his penalties, which were magnified by all the injuries and instability around him.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 06:46 am

I don't really remember all of the penalty's. But how many of those penalties were simply based on him holding a player so they don't kill the QB? I mean, I would gladly take a 10 yard penalty vs having our QB hurt.

The penalty thing I don't really get bothered by. So many of those penalty's were crappy ones and ticky tacky to begin with. If I'm remembering right there was a TD that was called back due to a holding penalty on him. I remember the play there was absolutely no holding whatsoever. How many of Linsley's holding penalty's were simply based on his brute strength?

0 points
0
0
Evan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:01 am

Yes - Bahk was #7 most penalized OT last season (.61 penalties per game). But we're still just talking about 11 penalties for 79 yards for the entire season, including playoffs (if this site is to be believed). You don't like to see him top 10, but I really can't get too worked up over 11 penalties in 18 games. Just 1 or 2 penalties separates #7 from like #20.

http://www.nflpenalties.com/player/d-bakhtiari-green-bay-packers?year=2015

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:17 am

And honestly, how many of those penalties were truly legit penalties. We all know there are bad calls. The one play I vaguely remember is the TD that was called back on a holding penalty by him. It was a horrible call.

Yeah 11 penalties to me is nothing to be fretting over to be honest.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 15, 2016 at 02:28 pm

I used $8M/yr AAV to be conservative for Bakh. Probably doable on a contract extension done by the bye. It could well be more after he has finished the season.

0 points
0
0
4thand1's picture

April 14, 2016 at 05:45 pm

i wanna go back to the days when you read about the draft in the paper, a week after it was over.

0 points
0
0
TKWorldWide's picture

April 14, 2016 at 09:35 pm

You still can.

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

April 15, 2016 at 07:47 am

Nick Vigial hasn't had a lot written about him, yet he was probably the most impressive ILB at the combine. He's had some very good years so going by TT's standard of < ,7.0 seconds in the 3-cone dril, and his performance he could be on Green Bays list. He's a hit and chase guy.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

April 15, 2016 at 08:46 am

The reports I've read on him have been up and down, but the key is that he's been productive and he makes plays. The projections I've seen put him early on day 3 of the draft. I think there are several players like him in this draft, but the knock is on his play strength. If he adds 5-10 pounds to be strong enough to hold up in the NFL, will he lose quickness? If so, will he be any better than what the Packers have already?

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

April 18, 2016 at 12:29 am

The surprising ranking is Brothers at 10th. I don't have a strong opinion on Brothers, myself. I rarely see him mocked later than the 2nd round, and never later than the 3rd.

0 points
0
0