Rankings and what to watch for out of all the inside linebacker prospects invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
2020 NFL Combine: Inside Linebackers
Date: Saturday, February 29: DL, LB
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: NFL Network
From the college perspective. here are rankings and quick looks at all of the inside linebackers invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
Before getting into the top five breakdown, here’s a ranking of the best of the rest and what to look for.
2020 Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebacker Best of the Rest Rankings
Number in parentheses is the projected round drafted before the NFL Combine.
23. Clay Johnston, Baylor 6-1, 232 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A try-hard tackler who turned into more of an all-around playmaker last season, he doesn’t have NFL tools. However, he has to be just athletic enough to look like a special teamer who can potentially fill a role as an emergency option on the inside.
22. Chapelle Russell, Temple 6-1, 230 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A very good, very tough, very steady producer over the last three seasons, he was a good college football player with decent potential as a late flier, but medical evaluations on a banged up knee after two ACL tears will be an issue.
21. Michael Divinity, LSU 6-2, 241 (OLB) (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He can play a variety of positions, and he’s got a decent combination of size and pass rushing skills, but he was just okay for the Tigers and missed most of last season. The interview process will be big, but he has to show off enough tools to be worth a draft pick.
20. Daniel Bituli, Tennessee 6-3, 252 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A great hitter who’ll be a tough guy’s tough guy in practices, but he’s got to show some semblance of NFL athleticism. He’s got the size, and someone will love to take a chance, but he has to be able to move.
19. Scoota Harris, Arkansas 6-0, 245 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Moving through the short drills will be his key. There’s no questioning his thump, an he’ll beat everyone up when he gets a chance, but he can’t be brutally slow.
18. Shaun Bradley, Temple 6-1, 230 (OLB) (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: Does he have a set spot, and does he have the NFL tools to find a job anywhere on a defense? He’s not quick enough for the outside, and he’s not enough of a thumper for the inside. He’ll make a squad on special teams, though.
17. Willie Gay, Mississippi State 6-2, 240 (OLB) (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s big and can run, but he didn’t do a whole lot in the Miss State linebacking corps with 99 tackles in three years. However, he has all the tools. The interview will be the big part of the weekend after missing half of last year suspended.
16. Joe Bachie, Michigan State 6-2, 231 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: Just how much are teams going to care about him getting nailed for PEDs? He’s a great player who’ll hit everything, but he has to workout well enough – he’s hardly a blazer – to overcome the concerns.
15. David Woodward, Utah State 6-2, 235 (7)
NFL Combine What Matters: Here’s the problem – his injury concerns might be too much to overcome. He was ultra-productive, he’s just big enough to be fine, and he was a terrific all-around volume tackler for the Aggies. However, the medical evaluation is going to be a big, big concern after missing half of last year.
14. Francis Bernard, Utah 6-1, 230 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: A great all-around playmaker for a fantastic defensive front, he’s great at getting to the ball and he never quits on a play. Can he move, though? He needs to be smooth through the short drills – and quick, too.
13. Mykal Walker, Fresno State 6-3, 230 (OLB) (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’ll never be a big-time athlete who’ll fly all over the field, but he’s a good-sized tackler who’ll make a roster as a special teamer and will offer the versatility to play any linebacker position.
12. Cale Garrett, Missouri 6-3, 230 (Free Agent)
NFL Combine What Matters: It really, really stinks that he got knocked out for the year with a pectoral injury. A hitting machine, he needs the medical evaluation to check out fine. He might not be the most athletic of NFL prospects, but he’s the type who finds his way on a team and turns into a sneaky-good starter.
11. Jordan Mack, Virginia 6-2, 230 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: Everyone will want him on their team as a possible coach on the field. He’s one of the best and smartest leaders in the entire draft at any position, but he won’t do a thing in pass coverage and he’s missing the raw thump against the run. Someone will want him, and on the field in the workout, he needs to provide a reason why.
10. Markus Bailey, Purdue 6-1, 240 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: A great leader and a thumper, he’ll deliver against the run and he’s always moving – he never quits. However, he’s had major knee issues – the medical evaluation will mean everything.
9. Dante Olson, Montana 6-3, 240 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’ll bring the right frame and size, and he’ll bring the resumé with a whole lot of tackles and great tape. Can he run at all, though? He’s a one-gear guy – he’ll stop everything against the run, but that’s it – and it’s just fine.
8. Davion Taylor, Colorado 6-1, 225 (OLB) (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: He’s way too small, but he can really, really move. There will be others who’ll come up with more impressive workouts, but he’s going to fly around the drills. He needs a workout to be worth the mid-round flier.
7. Jacob Phillips, LSU 6-4, 233 (5)
NFL Combine What Matters: A great volume tackler, he might not offer a whole lot of splash at the next level, but he’ll get on the field and work his way into a rotation. If he can show any flash, he’ll quickly move up.
6. Shaquille Quarterman, Miami 6-1, 241 (6)
NFL Combine What Matters: So what that he’s not all that fast and is only a run stopper – get him on your defense and just see if he doesn’t take it over. Just a little bit of movement will be enough to make someone want him – he’s the guy everyone would love to have, leadership-wise.
NEXT: Top Five Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebackers
5. Evan Weaver, Cal 6-2, 235 (5)
Why He’s Here On The List: Like him as an NFL prospect, or he’ll tackle you – that’s not actually a joke. A linebacker’s linebacker, he got in on every stop over the last two seasons with a whopping 191 solo stops. Overall. he came up with 155 tackles as a junior and 181 last year. There’s a lot not to like about his NFL tools … and then he’ll come up with the tackle.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Are there any NFL tools whatsoever? No one will expect him to fly around or put up any decent times, but as long as he’s not brutally slow and painful, someone will want to take a chance early on Day Three.
Bottom Line: Who wants to make a bet that he’ll end up leading every outside linebacker on this list in tackles at least one year? He’s not going to run all that well, and there’s so much missing to his game, but he’s a football player. Don’t compare him to other try-hard linebacker types – he’s an inside linebacker who’ll eat everything up and be a Day One leader.
NEXT: No. 4 Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebacker
4. Jordan Brooks, Texas Tech 6-1, 245 (3)
Why He’s Here On The List: He made lots and lots and lots of tackles over his four years – 360 in all – and he became a better playmaker in the backfield has his career went on. Under the new coaching staff, he dominated in the backfield last season with 20 tackles for loss to go along with 108 stops. He’s a smart veteran who knows how to play and make stops against the more physical teams.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Like all inside linebackers in Indy, he has to move well and show off at least a little bit of smoothness. Can he cover anyone? You’d think playing in the Big 12 would’ve turned him into a solid factor in pass coverage, but that’s not his game.
Bottom Line: Surround him with a bunch of fast all-around playmakers and let him handle everything between the hashmarks. He’s got the experience and the instincts to get into the backfield and sniff out plays, and he’s certainly got the leadership abilities to make a D his.
NEXT: No. 3 Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebacker
3. Malik Harrison, Ohio State 6-3, 246 (3)
Why He’s Here On The List: Chase Young got most the national love from the Ohio State defense, and Jeff Okudah got the rest. Harrison deserved to be right there in the discussion of top Buckeye defenders this year.
He’s big, he can get into the backfield, and he makes a whole lot of tackles. There might be a few tweaks to be made in his overall style – he’s not great in pass coverage and he needs to be a bit more read-and-react – but that’s nitpicking.
What The NFL Types Want To See: How smooth is he? Among the top three inside linebackers, Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen are going to fly though everything and look like defensive backs. Harrison won’t be as good-looking as those two, but he can’t be terribly far off.
Bottom Line: There are better shot-for-the-stars prospects in the mix, but Harrison has the best overall combination of size, athleticism, and experience. He might not be the perfect prospect, and his timed speed is going to matter, but he’ll make come up with a whole lot of stats no matter what the system.
NEXT: No. 2 Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebacker
2. Patrick Queen, LSU 6-1, 227 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: While he’s not going to have the raw stats of several of the other top inside linebackers, and he’s way undersized compared to some of the other prospects, he’s a guided missile who’s built for the new wave of faster, more spread out NFL game. He’s not going to be the big basher who’ll eat up everything on the inside, but he’ll track down mobile quarterbacks and quick receivers.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Will they care about his lack of raw bulk? He’ll fly through all of the drills, but at just 227 pounds, he’s supposed to. He’s physical for his size, and he can blow up ball carriers, but can he hold up compared to the big thumpers?
Bottom Line: No, he’s not the ideal inside linebacker starter in terms of body type and size, but he’ll fit every system and every style. It’ll take a little while for him to get up to speed – he hasn’t had as many reps as some of the other stars up top – but he might be the best inside linebacker in pass coverage.
NEXT: No. 1 Pre-NFL Combine Inside Linebacker
1. Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma 6-2, 234 (1)
Why He’s Here On The List: A volume tackler over his three years at OU – coming up with 325 stops and 36 tackles for loss – he’s been through the wars. A veteran leader, he knows how to get to the ball, an he’s got the wheels and athleticism to get there. No, he might not do enough when the ball is in the air, but he’s the athlete everyone is going to want for the position.
What The NFL Types Want To See: Just how much faster and more athletic is he than the rest of the inside linebacker prospects? He’s going to fly around the drills and has the potential to blow up a few of the drills, but he can cement a spot in the first round by looking the part in the workout, and also …
Bottom Line: The guy is cut out of granite – he looks like he has negative body fat. He’s as maxed out as can be on his frame, but bulk is good enough. He’s got the wheels and the fire to be an almost instant all-star performer who’ll fill up the stat-sheet. However, he has to look the part in pass coverage drills.
