No position in the modern NFL is as undervalued as the inside linebacker. That makes no sense to me. If you’ve got a good defense, these guys are the players that should be leading your team in tackles. They’re the not-so-thin be-helmeted line keeping the Todd Gurleys and Le’Veon Bells of the NFL from running all over you. When it comes to the draft, it’s rare for more than one or two of these guys to crack the first round.
This time, we might get more as the top four ILBs on this list have a chasm between them and the rest and three of them could end up taken on Day One of the draft.
Here’s who almost made the list.
10. Jason Cabinda, Penn State, 9. Oren Burks, Vanderbilt, 8. Christian Sam, Arizona State…
TOP SEVEN INSIDE LINEBACKERS
7. Jack Cichy, Wisconsin
2017: Injured, no stats (6-2, 234 pounds)
This isn’t a weak class of ILBs necessarily, but most of these guys will need to be role players and hang on in special teams. A knee injury knocked Cichy out of playing his senior year and he decided to skip a medical redshit and come out in the draft. I’m not sure it would have made a difference. In 2016, he had 60 tackles, seven for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two passes defended and two fumbles. He flashes skills on tape, isn’t afraid to take on blocks and brings a pop to finish a play.
Ideal situation: Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles
6. Kenny Young, UCLA
2017: 110 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, one sack, three passes defended, one fumble recovery (6-1, 236)
Young is a project, but one that could pay off. At worst, you’ve got a speedster linebacker for your kick and punt return units. Of his 110 tackles, 77 are solo takedowns and when you look at him, it’s easy to see why. The dude has freakishly long arms that he tangles around ballcarriers to drag them to the ground in a makeshit alligator death roll. With his physical tools and natural tackling ability, a good coach can forge a piece of steel with this kid.
Ideal situation: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals
5. Micah Kizer, Virginia
2017: 143 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, five sacks, four passes defended, two fumble recoveries (6-2, 240)
Kiser is another developmental player that could see plenty of snaps as a pass rusher early. He’s not as fast or as physically gifted as Young, but he has better instincts and could hold down a regular mike position in a 4-3.
4. Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama
2017: 40 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defended (6-0, 228 pounds)
This kid looks like a real NFL starter to me. The good news for the team that drafts him is they probably won’t have to spend a Day One or even Day Two pick to nab him thanks to two consecutive injury-shortened seasons. The tape doesn’t lie and this dude is a first or second round talent that could be added for the cost of a sixth-round pick.
Ideal situation: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans
3. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
2017: 74 tackles, 13 for a loss, six sacks, three passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery (6-3, 234 pounds)
If you want to argue with me about the order in which I’ve put the Top Three, you’d probably win. Each of these men are absolute beasts at the position and all are Day One starters and should be first round picks based on talent. With the run on quarterbacks coming (we might see six go in the first round. Hell, maybe seven), a guy like Evans might end up getting stolen atop the second round on Day Two.
Ideal situation: Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots
2. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
2017: 108 tackles, 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two passes defended, three forced fumbles (6-5, 253 pounds)
Edmunds is a freak of nature. He’s the size of a house and runs a wide receiver 40. The knock on him, if you can believe there is one, is that he’s so physically gifted that he can be slow in diagnosing a play because his athleticism can make up for the time difference. This is a kid that can pass cover, pass rush and is built like a defensive end. He played inside at VTech, but you could line this kid up anywhere, even with his paw in the dirt.
Ideal situation: Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys
1. Roquan Smith, Georgia
2017: 137 tackles, 14 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries (6-1, 236 pounds)
Again, there’s not a lot to state about these top three guys other than the obvious. You have a favorite? You’re probably dead on and, frankly, any team that takes either of these men will be damn happy they turned in that draft card for the next eight or nine seasons. Smith gets the nod for me thanks to his pure, athletic ability. He’s former wideout and should be able to cover pass-catching tight ends from the first day.
Ideal situation: Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins
