The inside linebackers aren't
as elite
as the outsiders this year, but then again the insiders
hardly ever get the press. The best inside linebacker
prospect this year is Chad Greenways' Iowa teammate Adbul
Hodge.
Top
Inside Linebackers
1
.
Abdul Hodge, 6-0, 233, Iowa:
Other than lack of size it is not easy
to pinpoint many glaring weaknesses with
this Hodge, he hits like a truck and is
an excellent tackler with great
instincts. His toughness and all around
talent is going to make a lot of teams
fall in love with him. Since inside
linebackers tend to not be a premium
position come draft day, and with
quality depth at linebacker he probably
won't go in the first round, but he wont
be around long.
Hodge also will have some coverage limitations in
the NFL due to just adequate speed and
change-of-direction skills. However, he is a tough
and powerful player who is capable of overcoming his
lack of ideal bulk. Hodge was one of the most
productive linebackers in college football over the
course of his final three seasons at Iowa and his
impressive combination of quickness, strength,
instincts and tackling skills leads us to believe
that he will quickly emerge as a starting ILB/MLB in
the NFL. Overall, Hodge grades out as one of the
top-two inside linebacker prospects in the 2006
class and should come off the board at some point in
the second round
FoxSports:
College's version of Baltimore's Ray Lewis, Abdul
has been a sensational leader for the Hawkeyes since
stepping into the starting lineup as a sophomore.
Teamed with outside linebacker Chad Greenway to give
Iowa the best tackling tandem in the collegiate
ranks.
2. D'Qwell Jackson,
6-0, 228, Maryland : D’Qwell Jackson has good
speed and closes the gap quickly against the ground
game. He is a complete linebacker with favorable
size and an explosive burst. Jackson is the type of
player that won’t get the due publicity, but puts up
solid stats game after game. He is an all-around
athlete with a relentless attitude on the field and
a great work ethic. Physically he doesn't have
everything you look for but his production and
intangibles more than make up for his lack of ideal
measurables.
Jackson is an
instinctive, athletic, quick and powerful linebacker
for his size. In our opinion, Jackson shows the
physical tools and mental capability to emerge as a
starting inside linebacker in the NFL. Even if he's
not ready to play a fulltime starting role as a
rookie, he has the cover skills to play a nickel
linebacker role and he also can contribute by
covering kicks on special teams. Jackson should come
off the board in the second round of the 2006 draft
FoxSports:
High-intensity
defender who might lack the ideal size you look for
in a middle linebacker, but shows enough strength,
playing speed and field instincts to dominate. In
2005, Jackson joined former Terps linebacker Eric
Henderson as the only players in school history to
earn Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of
the Year honors after collecting 10.5 sacks, 24
stops for losses of 89 yards and 15 quarterback
pressures.
3.
Gerris Wilkinson, 6-3, 235, Georgia Tech
:
Gerris is an
interesting prospect who still has some upside if he
can commit to a single position and be allowed to
develop. He is a big hitter and solid tackler.
Probably not going to pay dividends in the first
year, but could develop into an all pro given time.
ESPN/Scout:
Wilkinson has good versatility after spending time
at inside and outside linebacker, as well as
defensive end during his career at Georgia Tech. He
lacks ideal speed and his range versus the run and
in coverage will be far more limited in the NFL.
However, he is a smooth, instinctive athlete with
the potential to develop into a fulltime contributor
in the NFL.
FoxSports:
Strong performance at the Senior Bowl has Wilkinson
moving up the charts. An unfinished product who
appears to have a lot of upside. Two-time
All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at middle
linebacker, but began his career as an outside
linebacker and then played some defensive end
Sleeper
Prospect: Spencer Havner, 6-4, 245, UCLA:
We like his ability to make it at the next level, he
reminds us of San Diego's Donnie Edwards, he may not
have the size, the speed or anything else you look
for, but a ton of heart and he always makes it
happen.
FoxSports: A throwback type, Havner isn't
especially big or fast, he just makes
plays. He has good vision and the
ability to work through traffic, and his
production indicates a player who could
be a pleasant surprise on the inside at
the next level.
1
3. 
Sleeper
Prospect: Spencer Havner, 6-4, 245, UCLA:
We like his ability to make it at the next level, he
reminds us of San Diego's Donnie Edwards, he may not
have the size, the speed or anything else you look
for, but a ton of heart and he always makes it
happen.