NFL Draft: Breaking Down the Top Inside Linebacker Prospects

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Chris Borland (44) tackles Brigham Young Cougars running back Adam Hine (28). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

TIER TWO

3. Chris Borland, Wisconsin: 5-11, 245 (4.81)

Watching Borland at Wisconsin, it’s hard to not like his game. He’s tough between the tackles and is that savvy, high-motored player you look for at inside linebacker.

He led the Badgers defense in tackles the past three seasons, going over the 100-tackle mark each season as a starter.

The catch with Borland will always be height and lack of speed. Some scouts wonder if he can hold up in coverage against the big, athletic tight ends commonly seen in the NFL.

Not many teams will spend an early round pick on a two-down player. However, Borland may prove his critics wrong in this department once he gets his chance to start in the NFL.

Borland would be a great value pick in the third round of the draft.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

Connecticut Huskies linebacker Yawin Smallwood (33) forces the fumble as he sacks Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner (98). David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

4. Yawin Smallwood, UConn: 6-2, 246 (5.01)

Smallwood’s draft stock has taken a significant hit with a poor 5.01 forty time at the NFL Combine. However, I still believe Smallwood is one of the better inside linebackers in this draft class.

He may struggle in man coverage in the NFL, but he’s excellent at reading and reacting to plays, especially when playing in the box against the run. Smallwood is also decent when dropping back in zone and defending the middle of the field.

Smallwood plays faster than he times, and this largely has to do with the tremendous football instincts he shows on film. He knows how to quickly diagnose a play and take the proper angle to track down the ball carrier.

Smallwood is still one of the more underrated linebackers in this draft, in my opinion. He may not always look great on paper, but the film speaks for itself.

(Draft Projection: Round 3)

Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Christian Kirksey (20). Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Christian Kirksey, Iowa: 6-2, 234 (4.48)

Kirksey is an athletic, speedy linebacker that could play on the inside if drafted by the Packers this spring. Kirskey’s merit comes as a linebacker who excels in coverage and has the ability to line up over the slot and cover wideouts or athletic tight ends in nickel defense.

Kirksey gives a defense versatility. He has the potential to be a three-down linebacker, and a player that seems fit for today’s pass-happy NFL.

Kirksey is also no slouch when it comes to run defense. He is excellent at using his speed to chase down ball carriers, especially in the flats, and is good at reacting to the play developing before him and meeting the back in the open hole at the line of scrimmage.

If Kirksey were to play on the inside in a 3-4, he would need to bulk up a little more and work on shedding blockers and not getting washed out of plays against the run.

Kirksey brings a lot of upside and is one of the more intriguing linebacker prospects in this draft.

(Draft Projection: Round 3)

UCLA Bruins linebacker Jordan Zumwalt (35). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

6. Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA: 6-4, 235 (4.74)

Zumwalt is a throwback, hard-nosed linebacker that seems to enjoy the inherent violence of the game.

The UCLA product has experience as both an inside and outside linebacker in the Bruins 3-4 scheme and could make an easy transition to the Packers system in the NFL. He has something to offer as both a run stopper and a pass rusher.

Zumwalt is not an elite athlete at the position, but he does play with a high-motor and a certain reckless determination that is easy to like when watching him play.

Zumwalt is still a project when it comes to playing in coverage, but there aren’t many players in this draft better than him between the tackles.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 3-4)

Montana linebacker Jordan Tripp speaks at the NFL Combine. Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

7. Jordan Tripp, Montana: 6-3, 234 (4.67)

The reviews on Tripp and how his game projects to the NFL seem to be mixed. Some, like Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, see Tripp as this year’s Kiko Alonso, while Draft Insider’s Tony Pauline sees the former Montana linebacker as a late-round prospect.

Both very trustworthy draft analysts, but two very different opinions about the same player. That is part of the beauty of the draft.

Tripp can be difficult to evaluate because he played in the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference, which makes it tough to project how well his game translates to the NFL.

Tripp does bring versatility to the table, which helps his cause. He’s one of the few players in this class that could play any linebacker spot, whether it be in a 4-3 or 3-4.

On tape, Tripp seems like an instinctive, well-rounded linebacker that can play both the run and pass well and offers some value at the position as a potential mid-round pick.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 3-4)

Florida State Seminoles linebacker Christian Jones (7). Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

8. Christian Jones, Florida State: 6-3, 240 (4.74)

Jones is another athletic linebacker prospect that seems to be a better fit on the outside in a 4-3 defense, and that is why I have him lower in my rankings.

Jones could go as a high as the late second round to a 4-3 team looking for an outside linebacker; however, in the Packers’ system, Jones would play ILB, and this may take him some time to adjust.

Jones does well at reading and reacting to plays and moving in space to track down ball carriers or make a break on the ball in coverage.

Jones also has the length to hold the point of attack on the edge against the run, but he may struggle in this department taking guards head-on as an inside backer.

The talent is obviously there, but scouts are split on whether or not Jones could make the transition to the inside in a 3-4 defense, which moves him down in my rankings.

(Draft Projection: Round 4)