Packers 2017 NFL Draft: Top five players at each position of need
By Dan Dahlke
Position of Need #6: Inside Linebacker
Position Outlook: It’s hard to tell at this point if inside linebacker is really a legitimate need on the Packers roster. Blake Martinez has shown a lot of promise as a rookie, but he’s also had his fair share of mishaps.
Jake Ryan has certainly taken a big step in his second year, and when healthy, he’s one of the Packers top run defenders. However, he’s still a bit suspect as a pass defender.
Joe Thomas also has had flashes of solid play, but then he’s had games where his lack of size was exposed and he got washed out of plays by opposing offensive linemen.
The Packers still don’t have a complete inside backer on the roster, so if they get an opportunity to draft one of the top prospects of this deep group of inside linebackers, it may be tempting. In the very least they should use a mid-round pick to add depth to the position.
Top-5 Inside Linebacker Prospects
1. Reuben Foster, Alabama (6-1, 240)
2. Josey Jewell, Iowa (6-2, 235)
3. Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State (6-2, 245)
4. Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt (6-4, 230)
5. Jarrad Davis, Florida (6-2, 238)
I love the 2017 class of inside linebackers. Bama’s Reuben Foster checks all of the boxes for a true impact player on defense at inside linebacker. He’s a tackling machine against the run and he has the speed and athleticism to hold his own in coverage. He’s an electric player.
Cunningham is also a big-time playmaker, and he’s quickly rising up draft boards. People seem to love his athleticism and nose for the ball. However, the Vanderbilt standout can also be very reckless on the field and needs to learn to play with better control. His size and frame also make him a better fit as a weakside 4-3 linebacker than a true inside prospect.
McMillan is as solid as they come. He’s rarely out of position and he quietly makes play after play, even if he lacks the flash of Cunningham and Foster’s game. The Buckeye standout is a selfless player that finds ways to impact the game, and he stays on the field on all three downs. With his ability to take on blocks in the middle, I like him a lot as a 3-4 inside linebacker prospect.
Davis is also a fun player to watch, but like Cunningham, he can be a bit out of control at times and tends to over pursue plays. He’s also probably better suited in a 4-3 defense because like Cunningham he also struggles stack and shedding blocks.
My sleeper prospect at the position–Josey Jewell–has yet to declare and may return to Iowa for his senior season. He’s an incredible linebacker to evaluate on film and does everything at the position well. He’s a true three-down prospect. If he returns to Iowa for another year look for him to be the top inside linebacker in the 2018 draft class.
Other Notable ILB Prospects: Anthony Walker (Northwestern), Azeem Victor (Washington), Kendell Beckwith (LSU), Duke Riley (LSU), Steven Taylor (Houston), Elijah Lee (Kansas State), Jalen Reeves-Mabin (Tennessee), Calvin Munson (San Diego State), Micah Kiser (Virginia)