DKphin
Active Roster
Gil Brandt from NFL.com discusses the position and the reluctance of teams to expend a high draft choice on it:
Read the rest at http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d811b1d43&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=trueEditor's note: This is part of a weekly series detailing the top senior prospects, by position, for the 2010 NFL Draft.
Over the past 10 years (2000-09), only four inside or middle linebackers have been drafted in the first round of the draft -- the only position with less first-round picks over that time is fullbacks with none (not including punters/kickers).
The reason for this is because unless a prospect can play all three downs as an inside linebacker or can rush the passer and create big plays, teams are waiting to the later rounds to fill a need at the position.
Over the past two years, only 15 inside linebackers have been selected over the entire draft. In 2002, just two were taken in the first four rounds while only four were chosen in the first four rounds in 2006. In the 2009 draft, two very good players James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) and Rey Maualuga (USC) did not get picked until the second round by the Rams (35th overall) and Bengals (38th), respectively.
I wonder what former great Hall of Fame linebackers like Dick Butkus, Sam Huff, Jack Lambert, Willie Lanier, Ray Nitschke, and Joe Schmidt think of this present trend.
TOP SENIOR INSIDE LINEBACKERS1. Brandon Spikes
College: Florida
Height/Weight: 6-2¾, 251
Spikes played as a true freshman in 2006 and for some reason seemed to play better in '07 than he did in '08, though, he did have four interceptions against top-25 ranked teams, returning two for touchdowns. He was the leading tackler on the team as a sophomore and junior as well being the team captain in 2008. He played defensive end in high school before moving to linebacker. He is a good tackler who is strong and does not get driven back when making tackles. Spikes is a playmaker, if his projected speed (4.75) holds up, he will be drafted in the lower half of Round 1.
2. Michah Johnson
College: Kentucky
Height/Weight: 6-2, 255
Johnson played and started two games as a true freshman. He was a highly recruited high school running back. He is fast and has strength, but needs better recognition when he tackles a ball carrier. Johnson can play every down and was first-team All-SEC in 2008, when he had 93 tackles, including 13 for loss.
3. Pat Angerer
College: Iowa
Height/Weight: 5-11½, 233
Angerer is a fifth-year player. Iowa does a great job keeping in-state players and working with them to improve their strength and skills. He went from being a second-team player in 2007 to being named second-team All-Big Ten in 2008. He was the Hawkeyes' leading tackler last season. Angerer has very good speed and athletic ability. I just wish he was taller.
4. Jamaar Chaney
College: Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6-foot ½, 240
Chaney played as a true freshman in 2005, starting three games as an outside linebacker on the weakside. He moved to middle backer in 2007, started 12 games and was the team's leading tackler and second overall in the SEC. He missed the entire 2008 season after being injured in the first game against Louisiana Tech. Chaney has the speed and strength to go along with his competitiveness. The only question about him is whether he is recovered from a broken ankle. He signed with Georgia out of high school, but was released from his scholarship and signed with Mississippi State.
