2010 Inside Linebacker Rankings
C|CB|DE|DT|FB|G|

ILB

|K|OLB|P|QB|RB|S|T|TE|WR
Overall the inside/middle linebacker class is an uninspired group. There are two guys at the top then a third prospect with starting potential. A number of the players have injury or athleticism issues. (updated: 2/23/2010)
RankRndNameAnalysis
11stRolando McClain
Alabama
Well rounded linebacker with a complete game. Picks up coverage assignments, displays good awareness and makes plays sideline to sideline. Dependable versus a true playmaking linebacker.
22ndBrandon Spikes
Florida
Dominant, forceful linebacker who controls the action up the field. Stout run defender who jars ball carriers with crushing hits and causes turnovers. Explosive blitzing up the field. Fluid moving to the sidelines chasing down ball carriers. Struggles moving in reverse in pass coverage, but does show ability in zone. Solid first round prospect.
33rdJamar Chaney
Mississippi State
Disciplined linebacker coming off a serious injury. Very effective making plays in the box or downhill.
43-4Sean Lee
Penn State
One time dominant linebacker returning from a major knee injury. Could be the best linebacker to come from PSU the past five years if he is able to get back to prior playing form, which he's been slow to do.
54-5Pat Angerer
Iowa
Stout, run defending two down linebacker. Strong at the point, plays off blocks and remains disciplined with assignments. Minimal speed to the sidelines and struggles making plays in reverse.
65-6Josh Hull
Penn State
Underrated linebacker zipping up draft boards. Not even rated by scouting services entering the season but has a real chance to be drafted late.
75-6Phillip Dillard
Nebraska
Stout, run defending, two down linebacker with a good head for the ball.
86-7Joe Pawelek
Baylor
Instinctive and hard-nosed linebacker in the middle that can be used in a variety of systems. Stout at the point of attack, shed blocks and attacks assignments. Limited athletically and may be more of a two-down defender yet very underrated at this point.
97-FAAlex Joseph
Temple
Three year starter and one of the nations most underrated middle linebackers. Possesses good size and a tough guy who stacks well against the run.
107-FADarryl Sharpton
Miami-Fl
Athletic linebacker who shows well in pursuit. Displayed a lot of skill in
117-FAMicah Johnson
Kentucky
Overrated linebacker with good physical skills yet marginal instincts.
12FAMike McLaughlin
Boston College
Tough, slug it out two down linebacker with a terrific head for the ball in run defense. Strong wrap up tackler who explodes up the field. Struggles in coverage or making plays in reverse.
13FAJacob Cutrera
LSU
Fast, sudden inside linebacker with a decent upside. Sells out on the blitz yet remains disciplined with assignments. Good prospect.
14FALee Campbell
Minnesota
Tough, feisty two-down middle linebacker.
15FAVincent Rey
Duke
Aggressive and underrated linebacker who stands out in pursuit. Flows to the action, fluid changing direction and fast to the flanks. Offers potential at a number of linebacker positions and on special teams.
16FATravis Goethel
Arizona State
Hard hitting linebacker with a good nose for the ball. Best in a straight line and mostly a two down defender.
17FAMarcus Washington
Georgia
18FAMatt Mayberry
Indiana
Tough, run defending two down linebacker who plays with a nasty attitude and remains disciplined with assignments. Lacks top lateral speed and marginal skills in coverage.
19FARyan Reynolds
Oklahoma
Hard working linebacker who makes plays with his hustle. Best defending the run and really does a great job quarterbacking the defense. Numerous knee injuries will raise red flags.
20FAPatrick Benoist
Vanderbilt
21FAJacob Lewko
Penn
Tough, instinctive linebacker with poor speed. Could back up on the inside of a 3-4 scheme.
22FAMichael Wright
Utah
Solid college defender with limited athleticism and upside for the next level.
23FAClinton Snyder
Stanford
Aggressive safety always flying around the action. Lacks the quick change of direction and best in a straight line.
24FAJonathan Woods
Troy State
Hard working, two down defender only effective in the box.
25FAReed Williams
West Virginia
Two-down defender returning from injury. Good football player yet a limited athlete.
26FAElijah Hodge
Northern Iowa
Former Wisconsin star whose game has fallen on tough times.
27FAJacque Roman
Appalachian State
28FAJonathan Dempsey
Louisville
Quick, aggressive linebacker with good movement skills. Short and smothered at the point.
29FAPrince Hall
Central Washington
30FAMichael Bethea
Nevada
Hard working two down run defender.
31FAMichael Dell
West Chester
32FARyan D'Imperio
Rutgers
Hard working linebacker who chases around the field to get involved in the action. Yet a limited athlete with marginal upside.
33FACardia Jackson
La-Monroe
Hard working two-down defender best in a straight line, up the field.
34FAWesley Flagg
North Carolina
35FAOrie Lemon
Oklahoma State
Two down defender best against the run.
36FALuke Laolagi
San Diego State
37FABrashton Satele
Hawaii
38FAMark Masterson
Maine
39FAMarshall McFadden
South Carolina State
Updated 2/21
RankRndNamePosYear
11stNdamukong Suh
Nebraska
DT5Sr
21stEric Berry
Tennessee
S3Jr
31stGerald McCoy
Oklahoma
DT4Jr
41stRussell Okung
Oklahoma State
T4Sr
51stJoe Haden
Florida
CB3Jr
61stDez Bryant
Oklahoma State
WR3Jr
71stAnthony Davis
Rutgers
T3Jr
81stJason Pierre-Paul
South Florida
DE3Jr
91stBruce Campbell
Maryland
T3Jr
101stDerrick Morgan
Georgia Tech
DE3Jr
111stBrian Price
UCLA
DT3Jr
121stDamian Williams
USC
WR4Jr
131stRolando McClain
Alabama
ILB3Jr
141stEarl Thomas
Texas
S3So
151stDan Williams
Tennessee
DT5Sr
161stSam Bradford
Oklahoma
QB4Jr
171stSergio Kindle
Texas
OLB4Sr
181-2Mike Iupati
Idaho
G4Sr
191stTaylor Mays
USC
S4Sr
201stBryan Bulaga
Iowa
T3Jr
211-2Demaryius Thomas
Georgia Tech
WR4Jr
221-2Brandon Graham
Michigan
DE4Sr
231stJimmy Clausen
Notre Dame
QB4Jr
241stJared Odrick
Penn State
DT4Sr
251-2Arrelious Benn
Illinois
WR3Jr
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