2011 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings

The top 2011 inside linebacker prospects available for the 2011 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

Combine 40 Times: As I explained on Twitter (@walterfootball), the official Combine 40 times are incorrect, and they’ve been proven false via the NFL Network’s simul-cam.

For the 40 times, I use the NFL Network’s unofficial times, which are more accurate. NFL teams use their own timed 40s anyway, so the official 40s are meaningless.

This page was last updated April 16, 2011.

1. Martez Wilson, ILB, Illinois – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.44.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 36. Arm: 34 5/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 2.
   3/17/11: Martez Wilson did not have a good Pro Day. He didn’t hurt himself with a slow 40 or anything; rather, Wilson displayed horrific footwork. The consensus sentiment was that Wilson really hurt his draft stock.
   
   3/1/11: If it weren’t for Von Miller, Martez Wilson would have drawn all the attention during Monday’s workout session. At 6-4, 250, Wilson ran a 4.44 40 and notched a 36-inch vertical.
   
   1/28/11: Write-ups for these rankings will be added later; there were “personnel complications” on the site, which is why these rankings haven’t been updated in a while.
   
   2/16/09: Didn’t emerge as the star everyone believed he would be; starting a handful of games, Martez Wilson had 73 tackles, 5.5 TFL and three sacks. However, the big story is that Wilson had to go to the hospital in December after being stabbed outside of a bar.
   
   8/2/08: Martez Wilson didn’t start as a freshman, but he displayed his outstanding athleticism and play-making skills in relief efforts. Once Wilson establishes himself as a star in the Big Ten, he could be atop his list. He already has the combine numbers.
   
   
   
   
2. Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 241.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.65.
   Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 34. Arm: 32 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   4/1/11: Quan Sturdivant did run the 40, contrary to my previous report. He posted a 4.65.
   
   10/9/10: Sturdivant looks like the top consensus inside linebacker at the moment. He is a hard hitter with adequate range in coverage and good instincts who doesn’t miss his gaps.
   
   5/12/10: Quan Sturdivant collected 79 tackles and 12 TFL as a junior.
   
   
3. Colin McCarthy, LB, Miami
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 238.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 23. Vertical: 36.5. Arm: 29 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/27/11: Colin McCarthy had a very good Pro Day, as he looked great in the drills. He stood on his Combine numbers.
   
   1/30/11: Colin McCarthy isn’t very fast, but he was all over the field in the Senior Bowl. He has great instincts, and some team may like that enough to pick him in Round 3 this April.
   
   5/9/10: Colin McCarthy was finally healthy in 2009, when he recorded 94 tackles and 10 TFL. If he can stay off the injury reports, he has a good chance to be a second-round pick.
   
   1/8/10: Granted a medical redshirt, Colin McCarthy bounced back off an injury-ridden 2008 campaign to garner 94 tackles and 10 TFL.
   
   
4. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 250.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.
   Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 33.5. Arm: 31 3/4.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/15/11: Kelvin Sheppard had a pretty mediocre 40 time at LSU’s Pro Day. He stood on his other numbers.
   
   10/9/10: Sheppard has gotten a lot of hype this season, but I haven’t seen him really produce on tape yet. I think he needs to step it up.
   
   5/12/10: Kelvin Sheppard collected 110 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2009, and there was speculation that he’d declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.
   
   
5. Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 242.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.75.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.69.
   Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 31.5. Arm: 32.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   10/9/10: Jones best fit at the next level is weakside linebacker with his outstanding range in coverage and his ability to be a run-and-hit linebacker. He is very fast and seems to always be around the ball.
   
   5/12/10: A bit undersized right now, Greg Jones had a terrific junior campaign, notching 154 tackles, 14 TFL and nine sacks.
   
   
6. Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 232.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.79.
   Benchx225: . Vertical: 32.5. Arm: 31 1/2.
   Projected Round (2011): 3-4.
   3/11/11: Casey Matthews had just a mediocre Pro Day, but no one was really expecting a great workout. Matthews, like his brother, is much better in games.
   
   5/12/10: Casey Matthews notched 81 tackles, 4.5 TFL, five passes broken up and three sacks in 2009.
   
   
   
   
7. Nate Irving, ILB, North Carolina State
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.
   Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 32.5. Arm: 33 1/4.
   Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
   3/25/11: Nate Irving ran a 4.76 40 in front of 22 teams, including the Ravens, Panthers and Buccaneers linebacker coaches. He looked terrific in his workouts.
   
   10/9/10: Irving looks like a developmental linebacker at the next level because of his lacking speed and range.
   
   
8. Mario Harvey, ILB, Marshall
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 257.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.76.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.43.
   Benchx225: 27. Vertical: . Arm: .
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   3/18/11: Mario Harvey really turned some heads at his Pro Day. Despite bulking up to 257 (from his 250-pound listed weight), Harvey ran a 4.43 on Thursday. He also recorded 27 reps of 225. Harvey ran like a receiver by some accounts.
   
   10/9/10: Harvey has been getting a lot of hype this season for his play and rightfully so. He’s outstanding in run support as a sure tackler and being able to shed blockers at will.
   
   5/12/10: Mario Harvey has a knack for getting to the quarterback; as a junior, he had 117 tackles, 8.5 TFL and seven sacks, earning All-Conference USA First Team honors.
   
   
9. Mark Herzlich, ILB, Boston College
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.92.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 4.96.
   Benchx225: 29. Vertical: 32.5. Arm: 32 5/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
   4/7/11: Mark Herzlich actually ran a slower 40 at his Pro Day than at the Combine.
   
   1/28/11: Mark Herzlich looked great at the weigh-in, but was very slow in coverage. I’m rooting for Herzlich, but he struggled Monday.
   
   10/9/10: Herzlich hasn’t lived up to the preseason hype, but this should be expected. It looks like he’s lost a step and he isn’t the same player he used to be. We will be conservative with his projection now, but there’s the possibility he falls very far in the 2011 NFL Draft.
   
   5/9/10: Great news – Mark Herzlich appears to have won his battle with cancer. He had a steel rod implanted in his leg, but has already begun working out. Can’t way to see him out on the field this fall.
   
   5/20/09: Mark Herzlich has revealed that he has cancer in his leg. Let’s hope he has a speedy recovery.
   
   1/10/09: Announced he’ll be returning for his senior season.
   
   12/6/08: Mark Herzlich was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He had 98 tackles, nine TFL, 2.5 sacks and seven passes broken up. Most impressively, he had six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
   
   
10. Akeem Dent, ILB, Georgia
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 242.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.73.
    Benchx225: 24. Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    
    
    
11. Josh Bynes, ILB, Auburn
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 240.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.80.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    3/9/11: Josh Bynes’ slow 40 could hurt him on Draft Day.
    
    1/8/10: Josh Bynes notched 104 tackles and six TFL as a junior. Did not declare for the 2010 NFL Draft.
    
    
12. Mike Mohamed, ILB, California
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 239.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.73.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 32. Arm: 33.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    5/12/10: Playing in Cal’s 3-4, Mike Mohamed managed 111 tackles, eight TFL, three passes broken up and three picks as a junior.
    
    
    
    
13. Chris White, ILB, Mississippi State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 237.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.68.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.72.
    Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 34. Arm: 30 7/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    
    
    
14. Greg Lloyd, ILB, Connecticut
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 246.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.82.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 32. Arm: 33 1/2.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    1/1/11: Son of Steelers legend Greg Lloyd.
    
    
15. Nick Bellore, ILB, Central Michigan
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.81.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    
    
    
16. Alex Wujciak, ILB, Maryland
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 255.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.84.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 21. Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    5/12/10: An All-ACC First Team member, Alex Wujciak had 131 tackles and 8.5 TFL. As with Brandon Spikes, Wujciak’s 40 will be crucial because his sideline-to-sideline coverage is a concern.
    
    
17. Orie Lemon, ILB, Oklahoma State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 243.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.87.
    Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 31. Arm: 32.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    3/1/11: Orie Lemon didn’t have a good Combine. He ran a 4.99 40 at 6-1, 242, and I thought he struggled in the drills.
    
    
18. Elijah Joseph, ILB, Temple
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 243.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
    Benchx225: 31. Vertical: . Arm: 32 3/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    3/22/11: Elijah Joseph posted 31 reps on the bench during his Pro Day, but wasn’t able to do anything else because of a knee injury. If he can’t work out prior to April 28, he probably won’t be drafted.
    
    5/9/10: Elijah Joseph notched 63 tackles and 6.5 TFL as a junior.
    
    
19. Obi Ezeh, ILB, Michigan
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
20. Brian Duncan, ILB, Texas Tech
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 249.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.86.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    10/9/10: Duncan has been racking up the sacks this year for Tech, but his skill set doesn’t project very well to the next level.
    
    
21. Derrell Smith, ILB, Syracuse
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 244.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.76.
    Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 33.5. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
22. Brian Smith, ILB, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/12/10: Brian Smith notched 71 tackles, 5.5 TFL and two interceptions in 2009.
    
    
23. Kendall Smith, ILB, Florida State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 224.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/12/10: Kendall Smith’s size is an issue, but he had 85 tackles and seven TFL as a junior.
    
    

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