I try to pick five guys any time I do one of these NFL Draft Rankings and I’m not always successful. For a while I was just going to go with three this time, but there were aspects of Ben Gedeon and Jordan Evans’ tapes that I liked that made them worth ranking. Needless to say, the gap between the inside linebackers at No. 4 and No. 3 is pretty wide.
That’s not to say there aren’t some decent NFL players in this NFL Draft class, but there are only three that look special and two that separate themselves from the pack with specialized skills. The rest, guys like Northwestern’s Anthony Walker Jr., LSU’s Kendall Beckwith and Wake Forest’s Marquel Lee all look like solid prospects, but I don’t see anything that puts them in the conversation for a Top Five ranking. Connor Harris out of Lindenwood is a complete mystery to me. I see a mid-round grade on him and while I try not to hold a small school against a guy, his tape makes him look like an undrafted free agent to me at best. Especially when a guy like Clemson’s Ben Boulware has a UDFA ranking. I’d put him right with the rest of these guys.
5. Ben Gedeon, Michigan (6-2, 244)
2016: 94 tackles, 15 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two passes defended
So what puts Gedeon on the list? His naturally ability as a blitzer. Gedeon to me looks like a natural fit in an NFL 3-4 defense as a guy that specializes as an inside pass rusher and run stopper. He has great vision and can read the offensive line and scheme, to slide through like a bullet.
Ideal situation: Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals
4. Jordan Evans, Oklahoma (6-3, 232)
2016: 98 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four interceptions, two returned for a touchdown, eight passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
What puts Evans on the list? His stat line is no lie. The guy is an incredible coverage linebacker. If he was 15 pounds lighter he could play strong safety and, frankly, that kind of hybrid linebacker-safety position has played well at the NFL level. With tight ends presenting more and more of a match-up problem, Evan’s ability to run with a TE and take him away should be a lot more coveted than it is.
Ideal situation: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts
3. Jarrad Davis, Florida (6-1. 238)
2016: 60 tackles, six for a loss, two sacks, four passes defended
Davis’ tape calls him “The Next Ray Lewis” and that’s a little strong. Frankly, the “Next Ray Lewis” is probably sitting atop this list. Davis’ biggest problem at Florida was staying on the field. He was nicked up a lot and only played nine games his senior season. It’s hopefully something that NFL trainers, strength and conditioning guys and nutritionists can take care of at the next level.
When Davis is healthy, he brings the complete package. He can rush the passer, drop in coverage, work sideline to sideline and he’s not afraid to bring a load when he pops somebody. That’s one of the reasons he gets hurt.
Ideal situation: Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens
2. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State (6-2, 240)
2016: 102 tackles, seven for a loss, two sacks, five passes defended, two forced fumbles
McMillan is Davis if he played every game. He too is a prototype inside linebacker. You could carve a statue based on his tackling technique. He has a knack of weaving through the trash and keeping blockers’ hands off him as he knifes into the backfield.
McMillan has performed at an elite level on the NCAA’s biggest stages and he’s played with and against NFL talent all three seasons at Ohio State and still put up those numbers. I see a lot of second round grades on McMillan but it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him show up at the bottom of the first round.
Ideal situation: Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams
1. Reuben Foster, Alabama (6-0, 229)
2016: 115 tackles, 13 for a loss, five sacks, two passes defended
If you really want the next Ray Lewis, here he is. Foster is simply a next-level talent. If you watched Alabama football, you understand how difficult it is for Foster to have hit triple digits in tackles. He’s playing with a defense full of first and second-round NFL talent that was one of the best teams in the nation at getting other teams off the field. Yet he somehow managed to be involved in nearly every defensive stop.
Foster not only is the best inside linebacker of this crew, he might just be the best defensive player in this draft, period.
Ideal situation: Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts
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