2013 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings

The top 2013 inside linebacker prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * - denotes 2013 prospect. ** - denotes 2013 prospect.

This page was last updated May 20, 2012. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: draftcampbell@gmail.com
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.

1. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 255.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
   Projected Round (2012): 1.
   5/17/12: Te'o has been a solid and consistent performer for Notre Dame. Te'o recorded 128 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2011. He was a sack away from leading the Irish in sacks and tackles.
   
   Teo registered 133 tackles in 2010. He also recorded 9.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble. As a true freshman in 2009, he notched 63 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss.
   
   Te'o has the skill set to start quickly in the NFL. He has the size, speed and tackling technique to be a three-down linebacker. Te'o has the athletic ability to function on third down and get deep in the middle of the field. As a pass-rusher, Te'o has nice blitzing ability and closing speed. It is clear that Te'o has the instincts for the position. Plus, he is versatile for the next level. He has the bulk to be an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and the speed to play middle linebacker in a 4-3. As long as he stays healthy, Te'o should produce another quality season to be a safe first-rounder in 2013.





2. Shayne Skov, ILB/OLB, Stanford
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 243.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
   Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
   5/17/12: Skov played well in the first two games of the 2011 season with 18 tackles, four tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass broken up. He blew out his knee in the third game of the year, ending his season.
   
   Like teammate Chase Thomas, Skov is a perfect fit in a 3-4 defense. He can play multiple positions and is a good edge rusher. Skov and Thomas should form a strong pass-rushing presence from the inside and outside linebacker position, and both players could see their stock rise in 2012.



3. Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
   Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
   5/17/12: Reddick was solid for North Carolina but unspectacular. He collected 71 tackles with six tackles for a loss, one sack and four passes broken up. Reddick had no interceptions and forced fumbles. He was overshadowed and out produced by Zach Brown. Reddick could standout more with Brown in the NFL.
   
   In 2010, Reddick led North Carolina's defense in tackles last season as a redshirt sophomore. That is saying something considering that defense featured other linebackers like Bruce Carter, Quan Sturdivant and Zach Brown. On the season, the fast and instinctive Reddick recorded 74 tackles with six tackles for a loss, two interceptions and five passes broken up. With a good supporting cast around him, Reddick could improve his numbers in 2012 as a senior. Like many of the other Tar Heel products, Reddick is a superior athlete.



4. Alec Ogletree*, ILB, Georgia
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 236.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
   Projected Round (2012): 2-3.
   5/17/12: Ogletree really came on in the second half of the 2011 season. In the final seven games, he produced 52 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He broke his foot in the season opener against Boise State, and that caused him to miss the next seven games. Ogletree really stood out with big games against Georgia Tech, LSU and Michigan State.
   
   He had 34 tackles as a freshman in 2010. Ogletree is very fast and instinctive. He has the frame to get bigger and stay as a middle linebacker in the NFL. Ogletree has a lot of upside and it wouldn't be surprising if he pushed his stock into first-round consideration after the 2012 or 2013 season.



5. Tom Wort*, ILB, Oklahoma
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 229.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/17/12: Wort had 66 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss as freshman in 2010, and Bob Stoops was raving about his improvement entering 2011. Wort stepped up and played well as a sophomore. He led Oklahoma against Florida State with 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception. He finished with 71 tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions.
   
   Wort would have better tackle totals if he played in a conference that ran the ball more consistently. The Big 12 is a passing-driven league, and the benefit is Wort has developed his ability to be a three-down linebacker. He played well down the stretch. Wort has tons of potential and should continue to improve. It would be good if he adds 10-15 pounds of muscle for the NFL.



6. James Morris*, OLB/ILB, Iowa
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/17/12: Morris played middle linebacker for Iowa the past two seasons and has been a solid performer. He made 70 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss and four passes broken up. Morris had 110 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss and one interception in 2011. He has good instincts.
   
   If he doesn't add around 10 pounds, he will have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL. That could be a better fit for him anyway.



7. Andrew Jackson*, ILB, Western Kentucky
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 262.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
   Projected Round (2012): 2-4.
   5/17/12: The Lakeland, Fla. product Jackson grew up in Ray Lewis' hometown and has patterned his game after the future Hall of Famer. As a sophomore, Jackson had 109 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. He played well against the better competition with 12 tackles and a sack against Kentucky and eight tackles and a sack against LSU.
   
   Jackson is a thumper of a linebacker. He has good instincts and some quickness. He is extremely physical and has real presence on the field with a big time demeanor. It was his first season of playing time so Jackson has a lot of potential and high ceiling to get better in 2012 and 2013.






8. Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 228.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.62.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
   5/17/12: Brown is a very good athlete that could use more size for the NFL. If is unable to add weight he should move to outside linebacker. In his first season at Kansas State, Brown recorded 101 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one interception.
   
   Brown started out his college career at Miami. He was a backup for two seasons before sitting out the 2010 season when he transferred to Kansas State. Brown has upside and should improve in his second season as a starter.



9. Chris Borland*, ILB, Wisconsin
   Height: 5-11. Weight: 250.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
   5/17/12: Borland is a thumper middle linebacker that is an excellent run stuffer. In 2011 he totaled 143 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up. Borland missed all but two games in 2010 with a shoulder injury. As a freshman in 2009 he had a solid debut with 54 tackles and five forced fumbles.
   
   Borland is a tough, physical defender that has a knack for jarring the ball loose. In the NFL his best fit could be on the inside of a 3-4 defense. He may not have the speed and athleticism to play in a 4-3 or be a three down player. If he were a little taller, faster and more athletic he would go in the first few rounds.



10. Bruce Taylor, ILB, Virginia Tech
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 253.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
    Projected Round (2012): 3-5.
    5/17/12: Taylor was having a decent 2011 season before missing the final four games with an injury. He had 53 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and five sacks. In 2010 he had 91 tackles with 15.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks. In the NFL, Taylor looks like he may fit best on the inside of a 3-4 defense.



11. Nico Johnson, OLB/ILB, Alabama
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
    Projected Round (2013): 3-5.
    5/17/12: Johnson was somewhat quiet in 2011. His numbers were hurt because he is part of a linebacker rotation, and he comes out on a lot of passing downs. Considering Alabama blew out most of their opponents, teams were throwing a lot in the second half, and Johnson was on the sidelines for a lot of snaps. He is a quality run defender. For the season, Johnson had 47 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception and forced fumble. He played well against LSU's rushing attack with 11 tackles in the first game.
    
    Johnson is a versatile player. Has played inside and outside linebacker. With Dont'a Hightower in the NFL, Johnson probably will be on the inside in 2012. As a sophomore in 2010, Johnson recorded 33 tackles with 3.5 tackles for a loss with an interception. The Alabama defense is loaded with NFL talent, and as a result Johnson is overshadowed but is still a solid pro prospect.





12. Jonathan Bostic, ILB, Florida
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 243.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2012): 4-6.
    5/17/12: In 2011, Bostic has 94 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. He has played well for the Gators, but should stay in school to get better before going pro.
    
    Big things were expected out of Jonathan Bostic in 2011 and he was a minor disappointment. He was a top recruit out of high school and replaced Brandon Spikes as Florida's featured middle linebacker in 2010. Bostic recorded 57 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and three interceptions. Bostic is a good athlete who plays bigger than his size, although he may want to add weight for the NFL. He could rise with a strong 2012 season.



13. Patrick Larimore, ILB, UCLA
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 253.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
    5/17/12: Larimore had a decent junior season for the Bruins and was named the team's Defensive MVP. In 2011 he had 81 tackles with one forced fumble, one interception and two tackles for a loss. Larimore needs to improve as a senior to show he should be more than a third-day pick.



14. Steve Greer, ILB, Virginia
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 225.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
    Projected Round (2013): 5-7.
    9/2/11: Greer is a quality, but undersized middle linebacker. As a junior in 2011 he had 103 tackles with six tackles for a loss and two sacks. In 2010 Greer was second on the team with 59 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss. Greer has to maintain his production and gain some weight in order to be a middle linebacker in the NFL. Greer has his senior year to show improvement. Greer will have to move to outside linebacker if he can't gain 15-20 pounds.




15. Christian Robinson, ILB, Georgia
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 226.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Projected Round (2013): 6-7.
    5/17/12: Robinson recorded 46 tackles with six tackles for a loss in 2010. He started 11 games as a sophomore but went down to only four starts in 12 games played as a junior. Robinson had 47 tackles in 2011. Robinson needs to increase his production and add weight over his final season. With talent around him, Robinson should be able to produce more in 2012.



16. Michael Mauti, ILB, Penn State
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 239.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
    5/17/12: Mauti played in only four games in 2011 with 21 tackles for one interception and three tackles for a loss. In 2010 he had 66 tackles for 5.5 tackles for a loss and two sacks. He could be a late-round flier that helps on special teams.



17. Tanner Brock, ILB, TCU
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
    Projected Round (2013): FA.
    5/17/12: Brock was a third-day pick before he was arrested with some teammates for drug dealing. He was promptly kicked off the team while awaiting the legal process to go through the process. Brock struggled against Baylor and only notched two assisted tackles in the game. He aggravated a foot injury and missed the rest of the season. He should definitely return to school in 2012.
    
    In 2010 Brock led the team in tackles with 106 stops. He also had 5.5 tackles for a loss with two sacks and an interception. Brock was a physical, run-stuffing linebacker who is strong at the point of attack. Brock looked like a good fit as a 3-4 inside linebacker. After his arrest he would be lucky to get a try-out in the NFL even if he avoids a prison sentence.

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   R 05-20-2012 09:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx8.17 (total posts: 1) 4     1 Where's sio moore at? Really productive lb from Uconn who should securely be on the draft boards Mn,nmnmbhhh 03-28-2012 08:33 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.252 (total posts: 1) 18     7 Did u seriously just put burfict ahead of kuechly and say that hes a top 15 pick??? Conor 02-28-2012 01:47 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.68 (total posts: 1) 5     5 I remember watching Tom Wort play in High School in Rhode Island, I hope he goes to the Patriots. Walter 09-02-2011 03:33 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 1) 14     14 First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product. Pages: 1

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