The 2014 NFL Draft doesn’t feature a ton of great talent at the inside linebacker position, especially if you see Alabama’s C.J. Mosley as more of an outside linebacker. Mosley is the only inside linebacker I have with a first round grade at this point.
1. C.J. Mosley, Alabama (1st Round)
Mosley is an explosive and tenacious defender who makes plays from sideline to sideline. His ability to quickly identify the play helps him have a major impact on the game. Mosley features top-end closing speed which allows him to quickly close on the ball and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
He’s the type of linebacker who can stay on the field in passing situations because he plays with good balance. Mosley is quick enough to also get depth in coverage which makes him a potential fit for a cover-2 defense.
Overall, this is a player who’ll consistently make plays and always give 100% effort.
2. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky (2nd Round)
Jackson plays downhill routinely attacking the line of scrimmage and producing tackles for loss. He combines his explosiveness with an ability to quickly decipher post-snap information. Once he reaches the ball carrier, Jackson has a tendency to deliver punishing hits while still remaining balanced.
The one issue surrounding Jackson is his limited size and bulk. This shows up in his play as he is more likely to try and make the blocker miss rather than meeting him in the hole. He’ll need to learn to improve his hand usage in order to maximize his potential.
3. Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut (2nd Round)
Smallwood is a productive linebacker who shows real ability in pass coverage. He just has a natural feel for the routes developing around him, as well as the balance and quickness to break on the ball.
Smallwood’s ability to play the run depends heavily on his use of angles and reading his keys. This is because he struggles taking on blockers at the point of attack and he has yet to show elite closing speed.
He could see his draft stock rise if he’s able to show a better second gear. None the less, he’s a solid prospect who should be productive at the next level.
4. Preston Brown, Louisville (3rd Round)
Brown is a big-bodied linebacker who plays with good power and strength. He flashes good overall quickness and the ability to close on the ball carrier. However, his production is hindered by his hesitant play.
Brown shows a tendency to take false steps and slowly read his keys. This results in a lot of Brown’s tackles coming several yards down the field. He also needs to improve his angles to the football. His coverage ability is a major question mark as he struggles to identify the developing routes. He might be forced to come off the field in passing situations.
He has the natural athleticism to be really effective at the next level, but needs to clean up several areas of his game.
5. Trey DePriest, Alabama (4th Round)
DePriest has good size and athleticism for the linebacker position. He plays with proper balanced and flashes a quick closing burst. However, he has a tendency to hesitate after the snap which allows the blockers to reach him at the second level.
He is also often outshined by C.J. Mosley who’s clearly more explosive and decisive.
6. Chris Borland, Wisconsin (4th Round)
Borland has excellent feel for the position and isn’t afraid to attack the line of scrimmage. He shows a knack for laterally moving down the line to make a play on the football. However, his lack of size will limit his overall potential. Too often, he gets overpowered by the bigger offensive linemen.
7. Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA (4th Round)
Zumwalt is an athletic linebacker who features a good closing burst. He isn’t afraid to play close to the line of scrimmage where he shows the ability to use inside hands. However, Zumwalt needs to do a better job delivering a powerful jolt to create some space. This is a balanced cover linebacker who has a good feel for the developing routes. Zumwalt needs to add some bulk and strength because he’s thin through the hips for the position.
8. Eric Kendricks, UCLA (4th Round)
Kendricks relies way too much on his athleticism and quickness. He routinely waits for the play to develop before he reacts. In the NFL, this will result in a lot of missed tackles and big plays for the offense.
Kendricks has the potential to rise up draft boards, but he needs to show better overall instincts.
9. A.J. Johnson, Tennessee (5th Round)
Johnson plays the game with good balance and has a knack for picking his way through traffic. However, he doesn’t show the overall quickness needed to consistently make plays from sideline to sideline. There are too many instances where he’s a step or two late to the play.
10. James Morris, Iowa (Late 5th Round)
Morris doesn’t play a physical enough brand of football to overcome his lack of elite speed. Too often, he looks to avoid blockers rather than holding at the point of attack. This is an issue because Morris doesn’t have the suddenness or athleticism to avoid the blockers and still make a play. When he does try to play physical he’s often overpowered by the blocker.
11. A.J. Tarpley, Stanford (6th Round)
Tarpley is an undersized linebacker prospect who shows some quickness. However, his lack of size and strength results in a lot plays where he’s neutralized by blockers at the second level. While he shows some quickness, Tarpley isn’t an elite athlete and will struggle making plays sideline to sideline.
12. Shayne Skov, Stanford (6th Round)
Skov is a limited athlete who just doesn’t have the quickness to consistently make plays. His game also features some false steps which only magnifies his lack of speed. Skov struggles to reach sideline runs with proper angles or before the back picks up several yards. He also has a tendency to get lost in traffic on his way to the football.
In the passing game, Skov plays with good balance and a feel for developing routes. However, he just lacks the top-end athleticism needed to be a difference maker in the NFL.
13. Max Bullough, Michigan State (6th Round)
Bullough is a limited athlete who also doesn’t show great overall instincts. He has a tendency to play hesitant waiting for the blockers to come to him. This results in the offense being able to pick up positive yards a majority of the time.
Bullough has the size and bulk to hold up as a middle linebacker, but just isn’t explosiveness to consistently close on the football. He’ll also have to come off the field in passing situations.