2015 Draft: Linebacker Rankings

We are wrapping up the individual rankings rather strongly as we get to the end of the defensive rankings. Today we will be breaking down the top linebackers in the 2015 NFL draft class.

As usual, these rankings our just our thoughts on it and by no ways are official. We all get things wrong all the time. For a comprehensive list of our historical rankings as well as current please see the rankings page.

Note that the 3-4 linebackers are currently ranked by their college positions of defensive end.

 

Inside linebacker rankings:

1. Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Versatile, quick linebacker. Great at spying athletic QBs. Really controls the middle of the field with his quickness.

2. Eric Kendricks UCLA
Good bulk, built stout and powerful not lean. Will be able to engage and beat NFL interior linemen from day 1. Prototypical MLB not particularly fast but an extremely disciplined tackler. First round pick without doubt.

3. Denzel Perryman Miami
Listed at 6’0, I’m not sure he’s even THAT tall. Not very agile or quick, more of a thumper. Size will be his detriment at NFL level. May have to move outside.

4. A.J. Johnson Tennessee
Possibly could have left last year. Recognizes plays very quickly. Mentally a first round pick but lacks elite athleticism. Still maturing athletically. Could be a gem that develops into the best of this class. Was accused of sexual assault in late 2014 along with a roommate. Character issues? NFL teams need to evaluate the status of this incident.

5. Ramik Wilson Georgia
Plays with a healthy reckless abandon. Violent hitter. Probably the quickest of these linebackers. Diagnoses plays well. May translate to the outside as a pro. Started the season second string as a Senior. Coaches pressed to challenge him.

The rest:

6. Stephone Anthony Clemson

7. Ben Heeny Kansas

8. Trey DePriest Alabama

9. Hayes Pullard USC

10. Bryce Hager Baylor

 

Outside linebacker rankings:

1. Shaq Thompson Washington
Versatile. Played RB for this team as well. Very tough and instinctual. Lean frame with room to grow but plays violent enough to get away from big blockers and make plays.

2. Eric Kendricks UCLA
See: above.

3. Paul Dawson TCU
Fits very well in zone packages. Very fast but not elite in speed. Listed at 230 but built like a bigger guy. Fights through and under contact with blockers to make plays. Very underrated athlete.

4. Eric Striker Oklahoma
Not that big at 6’0 219, very lanky frame. Can get into the backfield and disrupt passing game. Very good swim technique to get around tackles without barely being touched. Will this work at the NFL level? Elite NFL backs may cause him problems.

5. Zach Hodges Harvard

The rest:

6. A.J. Johnson Tennessee

7. Geneo Grissom Oklahoma

8. Jake Ryan Michigan

9. Jordan Hicks Texas

10. Ramik Wilson Georgia