Think about the best defenses in the NFL. The Seahawks and 49ers in today’s game, the Bears and Ravens in the early part of the millennium, and the Steelers in the 1970’s are some of the all time great units. One thing each and every one of these teams had in common was strong middle linebacker play. The Seahawks have Bobby Wagner, the 49ers have NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, the Bears and Ravens had Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis. Good inside linebackers can change a game and make a defense a force to be reckoned with.

There may not be any Ray Lewis’ or Brian Urlacher’s in this year’s draft class, but there are two that are underrated and could make a difference in the NFL right away.

2. Shayne Skov, Stanford

Skov was one of the players to watch for this season, as a lot of analysts in the draft community needed to see incredible progression for him to be among the top inside linebackers in the upcoming draft. The redshirt senior did just that. Leading the Stanford defense in tackles with 100 (including 56 solo) while also contributing ten tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four and a half sacks.  The knock on Skov entering this season is that sometimes he would over-pursue, which would result in a missed tackle. This season he has improved in that aspect, and it has shown for the Stanford defense. In the Oregon game this season, he used his instincts and lateral quickness to disrupt the timing and efficiency of Oregon’s quick screens and was the catalyst in stopping the Duck’s running game. An underrated ability of his that was also shown in the Oregon game is the ability to shed a block. In the NFL, a linebacker must be able to shed a block quickly, or else he will not find the field.

Grade: Top 75

1. Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut

Smallwood is one of my favorite players on the defensive side of the football in this year’s class, and has proven time and time again that he can play at the next level. In the last week, there have been reports that he is going to enter the draft this season as a redshirt junior, and for good reason. Outside of Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley, Smallwood is the best in this year’s class in terms of ability to play inside.  Smallwood led the Huskies defense with 118 tackles, four sacks, one interception, and nine and a half tackles for loss. A question some have asked is the competition that he has played against. This season, Smallwood had one of his best games against Michigan, who was then ranked 15th in the country.

In this particular game, Smallwood showed his innate ability to shed one on one blocks to make a tackle, which is a key trait for translating to the NFL. He also is a very underrated pass rusher. In the first half alone he amassed three pressures, with two resulting in sacks. When Smallwood blitzes, he patiently waits for his linemen to engage, then explodes through the given gap for a pressure. Keeping in mind the mobility of Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner will show you just how athletic Smallwood is. In addition, Smallwood is an above average cover linebacker as well. On one play in the Michigan this year, Smallwood dropped in coverage against a Wolverine tight end, and was able to stay with him on a drag route across the field, but was still able to come off coverage and tackle Devin Gardner who pulled the ball down and ran for just two yards. This play shows the instinct and ability to use his eyes. A lot of young linebackers will have their eyes on their opponent in coverage and allow a running lane for the quarterback. Smallwood’s ability to sufficiently cover the tight end but close Gardner’s running lane is a big play, and will catch the eye of anyone watching his tape.

By the time the NFL draft begins, there will be talk of Smallwood possibly breaking into the top 40 picks. He is the second best inside linebacker prospect behind C.J. Mosley, and one team will get themselves an impact player right away in the middle of their defense.

Grade: Top 35