2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

4/27/22: Lloyd amassed 111 tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble, four interceptions and six passes defended in 2021. Team sources who like Lloyd say he is big, long and athletic. They feel he has good instincts, but is not overly twitchy. He is physical and has good length to play off blocks. Lloyd made some impressive plays in coverage and as a rusher in 2021. He has a quality skill set and looks like a safe pick to be a quality starter. If he doesn't go in the first round, Lloyd should at least be a high second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

7/17/21: Lloyd flashed in 2019, logging 6.5 sacks with 91 tackles for the Utes. He wasn't as good in 2020, but he still flashed on occasion. Lloyd needs to return to his 2019 form to have a shot at the pros.

4/27/22: In 2021, Dean showed dangerous blitzing ability while coming up with some clutch plays for Georgia. On the year, Dean recorded 72 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and six sacks. He notched 71 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2020.

Playing off a phenomenal defensive line, Dean made some big plays for the Georgia defense and showed a lot of ability to drop in pass coverage. Dean plays fast as a sideline-to-sideline run defender who can also come with splash plays thanks to very good instincts and intelligence.

Dean's stock dipped in the spring because an injury kept him from running the 40-yard dash and he is said to not be a blazer in that test. He also gutted through his pro-day workout even though he was not 100 percent healthy. Combined with him being undersized, Dean could slip to early in the second round during the 2022 NFL Drafgt.

On top of his on-field talent, Dean is know to be a team leader, hard worker, and a player who loves football. Dean also has interviewed well with teams prior to the draft, illustrating his excellent intangibles.

4/27/22: Team sources think Walker's play was a bit off in early going of 2021, but he finished the season playing really well. He has the tools physically, but he did not always play up to them during his collegiate career. In 2021, he recorded 49 tackles, a 1.5 sacks and a pass broken up.

Walker has a good combination of height, weight and speed. That was given proof with his excellent workout at the combine.

7/17/21: In 2020, Walker was a steady linebacker next to Monty Rice and did a solid job of defending the run. Walker's tackle total will probably increase in 2021 because Rice is in the NFL. Walker also could benefit from playing behind an excellent defensive line.

4/27/22: Harris has a first-round skill set, but he did not consistently play up to it in 2021. On the year, he recorded 79 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes batted. In 2020, Harris notched 79 stops, 4.5 sacks, an interception and two passes batted.

Harris is fast, athletic and strong. That was given proof with an excellent combine workout. He has a lot of upside and could be a good value if he breaks out of his 2021 funk.

7/10/21: Harris notched 68 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two passes broken up in 2020. After an injury to Dylan Moses, Harris was thrust into a larger role and turned in an impressive freshman season for Alabama in 2019. Harris showed a lot of upside and the skill set to improve after gaining experience. He could be a fast riser as an upperclassman. Improving his production in pass coverage would help him.

4/27/22: Muma played well for Wyoming in 2021, recording 103 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and one pass defended. He then played at the Senior Bowl and had a respectable workout at the combine. Muma could be a mid-round pick who develops into being a starter.

7/17/21: Muma had a quality 2020 season stopping the run for the Cowboys. He has to show more pass-coverage ability in 2021.

4/27/22: Smith was decent for Penn State in 2021, and he showed a nice ability to drop into coverage throughout the season. He missed some tackles though, and his splash plays were down from 2020. In 2021, Smith recorded 81 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and five passes defended.

7/10/21: With Micah Parsons sitting out the 2020 season, Smith flashed for Penn State, showing speed and athleticism. Like Parsons, Smith is a big linebacker who has serious speed. In the shortened eight-game 2020 season, Smith collected 37 tackles, two sacks, an interception and a pass broken up. He could be even better in 2021 thanks to his experience as a sophomore.

4/27/22: Clark worked out really well at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, showing excellent size to go along with quickness and athleticism. The combine medical exam, however, revealed that Clark needed neck surgery. The repair is likely to force him to miss the 2022 season and will cause him to slide in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he could turn into a mid-round steal for the franchise that can be patient.

Clark was a tackling machine in 2021, sitting at No. 2 in tackles on the year and shooting up draft boards. In 2021, Clark totaled 136 tackles, two forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks, one interception and two passes defended. He had 63 tackles in 2020 and 49 in 2019 to go along with 3.5 sacks. At the Senior Bowl, Clark had a solid week of practice to help himself with teams.

Some team sources have raved about Clark. They think Clark could be a more athletic and more physical version of Zach Cunningham, who led the NFL in tackles early in his career. Clark is a future three-down starter who is a sideline-to-sideline tackling machine and can contribute well in coverage.

7/10/21: Clark held his own in 2020, forming a nice tandem with Jabril Cox. Clark has the potential to rise taking on a bigger role now that Cox has departed for the NFL. With his size and speed, Clark could continue the LSU tradition of strong linebacker play. He flashed at times in 2020.

4/27/22: Domann was a solid linebacker for Nebraska and showed some improvement as a senior. He recorded 58 tackles in the shortened 2020 season after making 52 stops in 2019. In 2021, Domann totaled 71 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and three passes batted. He could be a backup and special teams contributor in the NFL and may possess the potential to grow into more. Domann was decent, but not especially impressive, at the Senior Bowl.

4/27/22: In 2021, McClain recorded 95 tackles, two sacks and six passes defended. He was a reliable and steady defender for Auburn, but he faces some limitations for the NFL.

7/17/21: McClain was a tackling machine for Auburn in 2020, totaling 113 stops. He also notched three sacks, one forced fumble and a pass defended. It was a big improvement over 2019, when he had 55 tackles, but the sophomore did have three forced fumbles and an interception returned 100 yards for a touchdown. Showing well in pass coverage could help the senior to rise.

4/27/22: While Morgan is not the biggest or fastest linebacker, he has excellent instincts and is a superb tackler. He led the SEC in tackles in 2020 with 123 stops. On top of being a tough run defender, Morgan was a team captain and inspirational leader. In 2021, Morgan recorded 101 tackles, .5 sacks, an interception and three passes broken up. He was also dealing with some injuries, although he continued to play through them.

4/27/22: Luketa notched 61 tackles and an interception in 2021. He was solid, but not dominant, defender for Penn State. Luketa did not stand out at the Senior Bowl.

7/17/21: In 2020, Luketa played well next to Brandon Smith, and they formed one of the nation's better linebacker tandems. Luketa has good size to him and runs well for a thick-build linebacker. Showing more pass-coverage skills in 2021 would help him.

4/27/22: Jackson was a quality linebacker for Appalachian State in 2021, notching 114 tackles, six sacks, one interception and five passes defended. He played well in 2020 with 86 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and six passes broken up.

4/27/22: Spector was solid for Clemson in 2021, notching 74 tackles, an interception, 2.5 sacks and a pass defended. While Spector was a quality defender for Clemson, he could have some limitations in coverage for the NFL.

7/17/21: Spector was decent in 2019, but he broke out in 2020, playing well in the shortened season. Spector had 65 stops with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass broken up on the year. Improving his pass coverage and production in pass defense as a senior would help him.

4/27/22: Team sources say Bernard is a good college player who has limitations for the NFL. He has received third-day grades for the 2022 NFL Draft as a backup and special teams contributor. Bernard failed to stand out at the Senior Bowl.

7/17/21: Bernard has been a tough linebacker for the Bears over the past three seasons. He really played well in 2019, amassing 112 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, two passes defended and three fumble recoveries. In the shortened 2020 season, Bernard recorded 55 tackles with 3.5 sacks, an interception and two passes defended. He looks like has three-down starting potential for the NFL.

4/27/22: Skalski got in better shape in 2021 and played well for Clemson. He is a tough run defender with quality instincts, and his improved conditioning made him more capable to defend the perimeter. Skalski could end up proving to have three-down starting potential for the NFL. In the 2021 season opener against Georgia, Skalski recorded 14 tackles and really played well. He had 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four passes broken up on the year.

7/17/21: Slalski has been a solid contributor for Clemson over the past few seasons. His best year came in 2019, when he had 90 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three passes defended. Skalski could become a three-down starter in the NFL. Testing well before the 2022 NFL Draft will be important for his draft stock.

4/27/22: Gemmel was a solid, but unspectacular, linebacker for North Carolina over the past three seasons. His most productive season came as a sophomore in 2019 when he had 84 stops, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes broken up.

4/27/22: Asamoah totaled 80 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles in 2021 after recording 66 stops with two sacks, an interception and four passes broken up in 2020. Asamoah might fit best as a 4-3 Will - weak side - linebacker in the NFL.

4/27/22: McFadden recorded 77 tackles, three passes defended and 6.5 sacks in 2021. His pass-rush production was impressive, but he is undersized as a rusher for the NFL.

7/17/21: McFadden was a solid run defender for the Hoosiers in 2020 and 2019. He also made three interceptions over those two years. McFadden is a sleeper who could be a backup and special teams contributor.

4/27/22: In 2021, Roberts notched 123 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two passes batted.

7/17/21: Roberts defended the run well for the Beavers during the past two seasons, but he needs to show more pass-coverage skills as a senior to rise.

4/27/22: Rodriguez was very good for the Cowboys in 2021, but he has size limitations for the NFL. In 2021, he had 129 tackles, four forced fumbles, three sacks and two passes defended.

7/17/21: Rodriguez has been a consistent run stopper for the Cowboys over the past three seasons. He broke out with 83 tackles in 2018, improved his total to 103, and made 82 stops in the shortened 2020 season. Rodriguez recorded three passes broken up and an interception in both 2019 and 2020. He could boost his draft stock by improving his pass coverage and production.

4/27/22: In the 2021 season opener, Allen went out for the year with a fractured foot.

7/10/21: During Alabama's undefeated season and National Championship run, Allen showed some ability to rush off the edge and had some timely rushes for the Crimson Tide. In his first season of extended playing time, Allen had five sacks, two forced fumbles and 33 tackles. It will be interesting to see if Allen can build on his resume now that he some additional experience.

4/27/22: In speaking to some team sources, they have Tindall as a late-round or priority undrafted free agent. He was a decent contributor for Georgia in 2021, and he put together an excellent workout at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

4/27/22: Tolson collected 48 tackles, one sack and two passes defended in 2021. He has speed and athleticism to develop.

7/17/21: Tolson has some speed, athleticism and upside. He flashed at times for Illinois in the past two seasons, and he has the skill set to produce more. If Tolson ups his production as a senior, he could rise.

4/27/22: Moon could compete in the NFL to be a backup linebacker and special teams contributor. After Ventrell Miller was injured, Moon moved to inside linebacker. He recorded 49 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss on the year. Moon flashed some edge-rush ability in 2019 with three sacks.

4/27/22: Rose recorded 73 tackles and three sacks in 2021.

7/17/21: Over the past three seasons, Rose has been a tough run defender for Iowa State. He put together a huge 2020 season, collecting five interceptions, 96 stops, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended. Rose has skill-set limitations for the NFL, but he could be a third-day prospect who is a backup and special teams contributor.

4/27/22: In 2021, Jeffers totaled 72 tackles, one sack, one interception and three passes defended.

7/17/21: Jeffers played well over 2018 and 2019 for the Red Raiders, flashing some pass-rush ability to go along with being a decent run defender. He did make as much of an impact in 2020, but he could be a late-round- or third-day-caliber prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft.

4/27/22: Sanborn was decent for the Badgers in 2021, recording 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

7/17/21: Sanborn broke out in 2019 with a lot of splash plays for the Badgers. He had 80 tackles, three passes defended, three interceptions, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumblethat season. He then produced well as a run defender in 2020. Sanborn is a good college player, but skill-set limitations might make him more of a backup and special teams player in the NFL.

4/27/22: Landman recorded 63 tackles, a forced fumble and four passes defended in 2021.

7/17/21: Landman was a solid and productive player for Colorado in 2020. He's a late-round sleeper who could be a backup and special teams contributor. Landman turned in an excellent sophomore season in which he did a good job defending the run and produced a lot of big plays in pass defense. His production was down in 2019, but it can be hard for linebackers to duplicate huge stat lines. Landman needs to show pass-coverage skills with NFL speed and athleticism.

4/27/22: Henry totaled 39 tackles in 2021. He did not impress for the Rebels.

7/17/21: Henry has been a tough run defender in the SEC over the past two seasons. He has a strong build and is a good tackler. To rise as a senior, Henry needs to produce more in pass coverage and show an ability to cover downfield.

4/27/22: Deng recorded four tackles over two games in 2021 before losing the rest of the season to injury. It was his sixth season at California after he took advantage of the extra of eligibility stemming from COVID-19's effects on the 2020 season. Deng declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, but trying to return to California on an injury redshirt return probably would have been the best move to try to improve his draft stock.

7/10/21: Deng has played some inside linebacker for California, but some NFL advanced scouts had list him as an outside linebacker. Unless his listed numbers are vastly exaggerated, he probably will fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker as a pro. After coming to California from the junior college ranks, Deng had a productive 2019 season and was a solid run defender. He then played well in California's shortened 2020 season. Showing additional edge ability could help him to rise.