| Inside Linebacker Rankings |
NOTE: Do to time
constraints, I'm only listing
players who would be a
good fit in our defense or
that fit our needs.
constraints, I'm only listing
players who would be a
good fit in our defense or
that fit our needs.
Name Height Weight 40 Time College
1. A.J. Hawk 6’1 248 4.59 Ohio State
Strengths: Excellent athletic ability. Team player with top intangibles. Can play the run and pass
with equal effectiveness. Is always around the action. Probably the surest thing in this years draft.
Weaknesses: Had a good supporting cast. Height isn't ideal.
How He Fits: A.J. is a top 10 pick.
2. Chad Greenway 6’3 242 4.72 Iowa State
Strengths: Great speed and athletic ability. Very intelligent and has good football instincts. Tons
of potential. Best coverage linebacker in the draft. Shows some passrushing ability. Good open
field tackler.
Weaknesses: Senior year wasn’t as good as most expected. Didn’t run as well at the combine
as many thought. Needs to work on shedding blocks. Could use more strength.
How He Fits: Chad would be a versatile linebacker who could play inside or outside in a 3-4.
Wouldn’t be a dominant passrusher, but could be decent in that area while excelling in coverage
and run defense. Solid option in the 1st round.
3. Demeco Ryans 6’1 237 4.62 Alabama
Strengths: Great instincts and intangibles. Team captain and like a coach on the field. Good
attention to detail with his technique. Great tackler. Decent athletic ability. Very productive.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have great speed or quickness. Needs to get stronger and add some
weight. Only average in coverage.
How He Fits: Doesn’t have the size Bill prefers, but you have to love the heart he shows out on
the field. Could come in and start right away. Probably not a great fit in a 3-4 due to his size.
Possibility in the late 1st.
4. Thomas Howard 6’3 240 4.42 UTEP
Strengths: Has rare athletic ability. Former safety who looks great dropping into coverage.
Makes play sideline-sideline. Can bring the wood. Good blitzer. Fairly productive.
Weaknesses: Needs to work on his technique. Lacks great instincts. Sometimes reacts to slow
on plays. Doesn’t have great strength.
How He Fits: Good fit for our 3-4 who would be best suited for inside, but could probably play
outside as well. Good option in the 2nd round.
5. Abdul Hodge 6'1 237 4.76 Iowa
Strengths: Hits like a truck. Excellent quickness. Sure tackler. More productive than Chad
Greenway. Always seems to be in the action. Good technique. Shows great awareness. A true
football player.
Weaknesses: Too short for Bill's liking. Needs to bulk up and get stronger. Struggles to shed
blocks. Not outstanding in coverage.
How He Fits: Classic thumper for the 3-4 scheme. Undersized, but plays much bigger. Good
option in the 2nd round if Parcells gets over his tall LB fetish for this one pick.
6. Rocky McIntosh 6'2 237 4.61 Miami
Strengths: Great athlete. Makes plays sideline to sideline. Playmaker. Lives in an opponent's
backfield. Hard working and a team leader. Smart player with good intangibles. Has tremendous
upside.
Weaknesses: Has major injury concerns. Inconsistent. Doesn't have great instincts. Doesn't
have tons of experience. Needs to improve strengths and ability to shed blocks.
How He Fits: Decent option in the 2nd round.
7. Gerris Wilkinson 6'3 235 4.72 Georgia Tech
Strengths: Great athlete. Good size. Could easily add more weight. Big hitter who excels as a
run stuffer. Great passrusher especially on the blitz. Good instincts. Has some upside.
Weaknesses: Needs to gain some weight. Only average in coverage. Needs to focus on a
position. Raw.
How He Fits: Similar to Kevin Burnett. Could potentially play ILB or OLB in our defense. Good
option in the 3rd round.
8. Kai Parham 6'3 253 5.06 Virginia
Strengths: Excellent run defender. Great size and is a true thumper who loves mixing it up with
offensive lineman. Productive. Strong and very physical. Aggressive. Played in a 3-4. Was the
emotional leader of the defense.
Weaknesses: Poor speed. Doesn't change directions well. Makes too many physical mistakes.
Needs to work on some technique.
How He Fits: Solid option in the 3rd round. Could potentially play ILB or OLB. His 40 time
scares me a little though.
10. Spencer Havner 6'3 242 4.72 UCLA
Strengths: Big and athletic. Has good instincts. Always around the action. Great in coverage.
Great motor. Tough.
Weaknesses: Not very physical. Needs to improve against the run. Poor at shedding blocks.
Needs to work on tackling.
How He Fits: Good player whose style doesn't fit a 3-4 scheme. He isn't a classic thumper like
you want inside.
11. Leon Williams 6'3 245 4.54 Miami
Strengths: Great speed. Excellent size. A physical specimen. Great special teams player.
Tons of potential.
Weaknesses: Lacks experience. Hasn't been real productive. Will basically be drafted for
potential not performance.
How He Fits: Intriguing player in the 3rd or 4th round. Could potentially play inside or out.
12. Tim Dobbins 6'1 246 4.63 Iowa St.
Strengths: Decent size with a thick, muscular frame. Decent athlete with excellent timed speed.
Big hitter. Great tackler and was extremely productive. Strong and tough.
Weaknesses: Not overly athletic. Lacks great range. Struggles in space. Doesn't have great
instincts.
How He Fits: Solid option in the 4th round. Good backup and special teams player.
