While the top of the outside linebacker group was represented by some of the better athletes in this draft, the top of the group of inside linebackers is filled with tough overachievers who will have their names heard on Sundays for many seasons to come. It is somewhat of a weak draft class for inside linebackers however but this group at the top could be some of the best at the position for years to come.
The following is a look at the top five players at the inside linebacker position going into the 2009 NFL Draft.
1. Rey Maualuga-USC-Despite the fact he has had some issues, Maualuga still ranks as the top inside linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft and could be an impact player for several years to come. He is a very aggressive player and one who can strike fear in the hearts of opposing players thanks to the way that he plays. He has good size (at the combine he came in standing 6’1 ¾” and weighed 249 pounds. He ran a disappointing 4.82 40 and bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times) although he could stand to gain a little bit of weight. He is very physical, very smart and a good athlete. He is the ideal man for the middle of the defense. He can see the play very well and is able to make a play moving from side to side and can track down ball carriers from behind. What might help him may also hurt him and being to aggressive can sometimes force Maualuga into overrunning plays and missing tackles. He also tends to react too quickly to a play and will miss some plays.
Maualuga is a solid prospect who will bring a lot to any team that selects him. He shouldn’t make it out of the top 20 in the 2009 NFL Draft and right now a good target team for him is the Denver Broncos, a team that is retooling their defense and could use someone like him.
2. James Laurinaitis-Ohio State-Perhaps Laurinaitis would have had been a higher choice had he made the decision to come out into the NFL Draft last season but he still comes in as a solid player at the outside linebacker position and the second rated at that position in this year’s 2009 NFL Draft. When you first look at Laurinaitis, you will see that he is a hard worker, a smart player and someone who takes the game very seriously. He has the ideal size for the position (at the combine he came in standing 6’1 7/8” and weighing 244 pounds. He ran the 40 in 4.80 and bench pressed 225 22 times) but his speed is under some question after having a poor showing at the combine. He should be able to show scouts that he has good speed and strength. Laurinaitis can blitz the quarterback as well and can even go into coverage which is a skill that many teams will covet. The problem with Laurinaitis is that he can get tossed around, at times, by bigger blockers. Other than that, there are no real big and very noticeable flaws to his game.
Laurinaitis’s production slipped a little bit since his junior season but in the right system, Laurinaitis should be able to easily flourish. While he is a first round talent, he may not get chosen until the early second round but there are some teams at the bottom of the first round (New England and Arizona for example) that might be able to use him. He should be able to have a strong career wherever he ends up.
3. Darry Beckwith-LSU-Beckwith was one of the top rated college linebackers going into the 2008 College football season but he slipped a little bit in 2008 as did his draft stock for the 2009 NFL Draft. The thing that Beckwith has which scouts love is his speed (at the combine he ran a 4.72 40 and weighed 252 pounds standing 6’ 0 ¼”. He also did 23 reps on the bench press) and his ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. He moves well around the field and has some good instincts. The downside to Beckwith is that he isn’t as big as you would like to see and could stand to gain a little bit of weight. He also has some problems getting off of blocks as well.
While Beckwith has some size issues, his size does allow him to play effectively either in the middle or at a middle linebacker spot in a 3-4 defense and he should be able to excel wherever he lands. His lack of production during his senior season will cost him some draft position though so look for him to go somewhere in the early to middle second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
4. Scott McKillop-Pittsburgh-McKillop comes in as the fourth highest rated linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft. I had originally had McKillop a little bit further down but thanks to some injuries at the position recently, I think that McKillop’s stock has risen. The first thing that you will notice about him is that he is well adept at making plays in the middle of the defense and isn’t afraid to step into the line and make a play. His play recognition skills are good and he makes all the tackles. At the combine, McKillop came in standing 6’0 7/8” and weighed 244 pounds. McKillop ran a 4.77 40 and benched 225 27 times. He has decent but not spectacular size but he does have decent speed. While he is well adept at working against the run, he isn’t a good pass rusher and doesn’t have the ability to cover backs and tight ends if needed.
McKillop is an interesting prospect that has a chance to make an impact in the league of he can improve his quickness and get drafted into the right system. Look for him to be drafted in the middle to late third round right now and play well in the right system.
5. Dannell Ellerbe-Georgia-Ellerbe comes in as the fifth rated linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft and is yet another young player that could have himself a fine NFL career. What scouts like about Ellerbe is that he is someone who has played all three linebacker position (in a 3-4 defense) making him fully capable of switching spots if needed. He is a strong player and is able to work free of blockers and get through or around them to make the play. At the combine, Ellerbe came in weighing 231 pounds and was measured at 6’1” tall. He didn’t run the 40 yard dash or do the bench press. He also has decent speed and can catch up to plays from behind. What most scouts don’t like about Ellerbe is that he isn’t that tall for the position but he makes up for it with his versatility. He is also not well adept at changing direction and can sometimes get tied up with the trash ahead of the ball carrier. He needs to take better angles to the ball as well.
Ellerbe is a player with a lot of upside and one who would probably fit best in a 3-4 defense. A team like Green Bay could probably use his services or even Denver. He looks to be a late third to early fourth round pick and someone who could use some development but could easily be a star at some point in the future.
By Bryan Dietzler
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