2018 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2018 Inside Linebacker prospects available for the 2018 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2019 prospect. ** – denotes 2020 prospect.

This page was last updated April 25, 2018. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Roquan Smith*, ILB/OLB, Georgia
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 236. Arm: 32.
   40 Time: 4.51.
   Projected Round (2018): Top-20 Pick.
   4/25/18: Smith is an instinctive linebacker who is a tremendous tacklers and is consistently around the football. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Smith had a strong performance with a fast 40-yard dash despite gaining weight. He is projects to be excellent pass-coverage linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed in run defense.
   
   Scouting sources were raving about Smith early in the 2017 season as he was tremendous for Georgia. Smith was all over the field for the Bulldogs with a big presence in defending the run while also being a reliable contributor in pass coverage. The fast and instinctive Smith flies around the field, making tackles while also showing the ability to play in pass coverage. He has drawn comparisons to the Buccaneers’ Lavonte David and the Falcons’ Deion Jones.
   
   Smith amassed 137 tackles with 6.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and two passes batted in 2017. In 2016, he totaled 95 tackles with five tackles for a loss, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.





2. Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 232. Arm: 32.25.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
   Projected Round (2018): 1-2.
   4/25/18: In 2017, Evans totaled 66 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, one forced fumble and three passes broken up. The senior possesses an impressive skill set with size, speed and physicality. He did well rushing off the edge for Alabama in 2017. Many team sources think that Evans is worthy of going late in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Other see his value as more of a second-rounder, but Evans stands a good shot at being a Thursday night selection.
   
   9/1/17: Evans was a backup in 2014 and 2015 before rotating onto the field during the 2016 season. As a junior, he totaled 53 tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, two passes broken up and one forced fumble. Evans has athletic upside to grow.



3. Leighton Vander Esch*, ILB, Boise State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 256. Arm: 33.88.
   40 Time: 4.65.
   Projected Round (2018): 2-3.
   4/25/18: In surveying team sources, Vander Esch mostly graded out as a second-round pick. Some think he could sneak into the first round, while other thinkg he could go in Round 2. WalterFootball.com was first to report that some teams have major durability concerns with Vander Esch, including that at least one team removed him from their draft board after flunking him medically. There were other team sources who said that Vander Esch was alive on their board but that they had major medical concerns. On his combine injury report, it listed a concussion, a neck issue and a minor knee injury.
   
   Vander Esch broke out in 2017 with massive production for Boise State. The junior totaled 141 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four passes broken up and three interceptions on the year. He showed well as a blitzer and is a rare big interior linebacker who is functional in pass coverage thanks to surprising athleticism with quickness. He is natural in space, can redirect, is intelligent, and a good form tackler. A lot of his tacklers come downfield, and he is not a big-time presence at the line of scrimmage like a Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly.
   
   Vander Esch was limited to six games in 2016 because of the injuries. He had 27 tackles and a sack that season after notching 20 tackles as a freshman.



4. Darius Leonard, ILB/OLB, South Carolina State
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 229. Arm: 34.13. Hand: 10.38.
   40 Time: 4.70.
   Projected Round (2018): 2-3.
   4/25/18: Scouting sources told me that Leonard really impressed them during the fall. He flew around the field, producing a lot for his defense. Leonard amassed 113 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, eight sacks, one pass batted, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 2017. He has a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage, totaling 42 tackles for a loss with 13.5 sacks combined over his freshman, sophomore and junior years. Leonard has NFL size and dominated his level of competition. He was impressive at the Senior Bowl, showing pass-coverage ability while also running sideline-to-sideline in the ground game.



5. Malik Jefferson*, ILB, Texas
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 236. Arm: 32.
   40 Time: 4.52.
   Projected Round (2018): 2-3.
   4/25/18: Jefferson totaled 110 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss and four sacks in 2017. He played hard for Texas and turned in his best season. Jefferson isn’t great in pass coverage or at taking on blocks in the run game. He is at his best being a pursuit linebacker when running free and using his instincts to make plays.
   
   Sources have said that teams are hearing that Jefferson doesn’t have a deep love for football. That was illustrated in him not producing up to his great skill set early on in his collegiate career and in offseason training according to league contacts. Jefferson supposedly was unhappy with his role in the former staff’s scheme, but that makes team sources question if Jefferson’s work ethic will change when he has coaches going and coming as a pro.
   
   9/1/17: In 2016, Jefferson recorded 59 tackles with 5.5 sacks and three passes broken up. The numbers don’t illustrate how good of a linebacker he was. Jefferson was highly recruited and showed why as a freshman contributor for the Longhorns. He totaled 61 tackle with seven for a loss, 2.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one forced fumble in 2015. Jefferson had a bigger presence than the numbers illustrate.
   
   The junior has a nice combination of size and speed. He has a ton of upside, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he is in store for some massive seasons for Texas.





6. Joel Iyiegbuniwe*, ILB, Western Kentucky
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 229. Arm: 32.63.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/25/18: Iyiegbuniwe totaled 116 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted in 2017. Iyiegbuniwe entered the draft early because he was poised to graduate and wants to go to medical school after his football career ends. He had 64 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2016. Iyiegbuniwe could be a nice mid-round value pick.



7. Oren Burks, ILB, Vanderbilt
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 228. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.
   40 Time: 4.59.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/25/18: Sources from multiple teams have told me that Burks impressed them during 2017. They like his combination of size, quickness and instincts. He could be a nice mid-round value pick.
   
   Burks totaled 82 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, one interception and three passes broken up in 2017. In 2016, he formed a potent linebacking tandem with Zach Cunningham. That season, Burks notched 59 tackles with 3.5 sacks and six passes broken up. He displayed some coverage and ball skills over his whole career, making six more breakups as a sophomore and seven as a freshman.



8. Josey Jewell, ILB/OLB, Iowa
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 234. Arm: 32.
   40 Time: 4.82.
   Projected Round (2018): 3-5.
   4/25/18: Jewell totaled 136 tackles with 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 11 passes batted in 2017. He missed some time with injuries, but still produced well for Iowa. Jewell has limitations in his skill set for the NFL.
   
   9/1/17: Jewell recorded 124 tackles with six tackles for a loss, nine passes broken up and one forced fumble in 2016. He is a good run defender who will need to get stronger for the NFL and show more pass-coverage skills as senior. The NFL draft advisory board told Jewell he should return for his senior year rather than enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
   
   In 2015, Jewell was a tough defender for Iowa as he racked up 126 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, six passes broken up, one forced fumble and four interceptions. It was an impressive season from the Hawkeyes defender. If he stays consistent to his play-making production as a senior, his stock could really rise.







9. Tegray Scales, ILB/OLB, Indiana
   Height: 6-0. Weight: 230. Arm: 30.75.
   40 Time: 4.77.
   Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
   4/25/18: In 2017, Scales totaled 89 tackles with six sacks, two interceptions, one pass batted and 12.5 tackles for a loss. He was a solid defender for Indiana.
   
   9/1/17: Scales was a contributing defender for the Hoosiers with 46 tackles as a freshman and 64 as a sophomore before a massive jump as a junior when he notched 126 tackles on the season. He also had 23.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two passes batted, one interception, and one forced fumble in 2016. Sources have said that Scales is a solid defender who is unspectacular for the NFL, similar to Clemson’s Kendall Joseph or Ohio State’s Jerome Baker.



10. Tre’ Williams, ILB/OLB, Auburn
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 238. Arm: 32.5. Hand: 9.25.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Williams was solid for the Tigers in 2017 with 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, flying around the field and delivering a lot of hard hits.
    
    9/1/17: Williams had 67 tackles with 3.5 for a loss, one sack and two passes broken up in 2016. He had 55 tackles as a rotational player in 2015. Following Auburn losing some fellow linebackers to the NFL after 2015, more was expected out of Williams in 2016.



11. Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 228. Arm: 31.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Hamilton totaled 40 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2017. He went down with a knee injury in early November and didn’t play the rest of the season. Alabama missed Hamilton in some big games, including its loss to Auburn.
    
    9/1/17: In 2016, Hamilton started the majority of games next to Reuben Foster. Hamilton totaled 64 tackles with nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass broken up on the year before tearing an ACL in the SEC Championship Game against Florida. Alabama held him out of spring practice, but Nick Saban has stated the Crimson Tide believe Hamilton will not be restricted from practicing in fall camp.





12. Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 236. Arm: 31.88. Hand: 9.25.
    40 Time: 4.66.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Kiser amassed 145 tackles in 2017 and was dangerous as a blitzer, notching five sacks. He also had four passes batted and 9.5 tackles for a loss on the season.
    
    9/1/17: Over the past two seasons, Kiser has been a tackling machine for Virginia. He had a breakout 2015 season as a sophomore where he totaled 117 tackles with 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two passes broken up. In 2016, he managed to increase his tackle production with 134 stops, 10 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, seven passes broken up, five forced fumbles and an interception.
    
    Kiser is a tough run defender who is strong, intelligent, instinctive, and physical in the tackle box. He is not a fast linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed, however. He also isn’t a great athlete and will need a lot of development in pass coverage to be a three-down defender in the NFL. At the next level, Kiser would fit best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense with a fast run-and-chase linebacker next to him. He could be limited to being more of a run-stuffing linebacker for the pro game.



13. Dorian O’Daniel, ILB, Clemson
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 215. Arm: 31.13. Hand: 9.38.
    40 Time: 4.61.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: In speaking to team sources, most had O’Daniel graded as a fifth-rounder, with one saying the fourth round. O’Daniel put together a solid 2017 season for Clemson with 88 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, five sacks, five passes broken up and two interceptions. O’Daniel took on a bigger role with Ben Boulware in the NFL and performed well for the Tigers. O’Daniel had 54 tackles with 10 for a loss and 2.5 sacks in 2016. He played well on special teams in 2015, making 19 special teams tackles.



14. Nick DeLuca, ILB, North Dakota State
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 243. Arm: 33.5. Hand: 10.13.
    40 Time: 4.85.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: DeLuca had a strong enough year to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He recorded 74 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes batted, three forced fumbles and an interception in 2017. DeLuca put together a big 2015 season with 135 tackles, six passes broken up, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He received a medical redshirt in the 2016 due to a shoulder injury in the first month of that season.



15. Airius Moore, ILB/OLB, N.C. State
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 237.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.61.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: In speaking with team sources, they say that Moore is getting mid-round grades. Moore had a good senior season, but went under the radar because so much attention was paid to Bradley Chubb and the Wolfpack defensive linemen. Moore totaled 67 tackles with three interceptions and four passes broken up in 2017. As a junior, he recorded 86 tackles with five passes broken up. Moore collected 78 tackles as a sophomore and 37 as a freshman.





16. Garret Dooley, ILB/OLB, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 248. Arm: 32.63. Hand: 9.38.
    40 Time: 4.80.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Dooley turned in a strong senior season for the Badgers as a tough defender in the Big Ten. He was a solid edge rusher, totaling 7.5 sacks for 2017. Dooley also chipped in 41 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one pass batted on the year. As a junior, he notched 3.5 sacks.
    
    Dooley has versatile size for the NFL to be a Mike – middle – or Sam – strongside- linebacker in a 4-3 defense, yet also would be able to contribute on the inside or outside of a 3-4 defense. He didn’t impress with his Senior Bowl performance.



17. Frank Ginda*, ILB, San Jose State
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Ginda turned in a huge 2017 season with 173 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, three passes batted, two sacks and three forced fumbles. He built on solid sophomore – 99 tackles – and freshman – 80 tackles – production. If Ginda were taller with more length, he would be rated higher.



18. Matthew Thomas*, ILB, Florida State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 227. Arm: 33.
    40 Time: 4.58.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Thomas is a fast and athletic linebacker who has a good skill set, but teams evaluators have said they are grading Thomas on the third day of the 2018 NFL Draft because of a lack of instincts and awareness. In 2017, Thomas totaled 85 tackles with two passes batted, two sacks and an interception. The senior has a good athletic skill set and probably could help himself in pre-draft workouts, but his 2017 tape didn’t impress evaluators. He had another year of eligibility, but decided to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
    
    9/1/17: Team sources say that Thomas has a first-round skill set and a lot of upside to develop. In 2016, he totaled 77 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, two passes batted and one forced fumble.



19. Azeem Victor, ILB, Washington
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 240. Arm: 33.
    40 Time: 4.72.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: Victor totaled 30 tackles with three passes batted in 2017, plus was suspended one game of the season. Sources were disappointed in Victor’s play in 2017. They say he was too heavy, losing some of the special speed he had in the past.
    
    9/1/17: Last year, Victor went down with a broken leg that required surgery and ended his season early. He recorded 67 tackles, three for a loss, one forced fumble and a pass batted through 10 games. As a redshirt sophomore, Victor totaled 95 tackles with nine for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six passes broken up and an interception.



20. Jack Cichy, ILB/OLB, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 233. Arm: 32.13.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: During fall camp, Cichy went out for the season with a torn ACL. The senior could have taken a medical redshirt for the 2017 season and returned to Wisconsin for 2018, but he decided to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
    
    Cichy was a tough defender for the Badgers in 2016. He was good versus the run and a leader on the defense. That season, the junior recorded 60 tackles with seven for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles across seven games. As a sophomore in 2015, he had 60 tackles with eight for a loss, five sacks and four passes broken up.



21. Genard Avery, ILB, Memphis
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 248. Arm: 31.
    40 Time: 4.59.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: In 2017, Avery totaled 80 tackles with 22 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, two passes batted and two forced fumbles. He had 81 tackles with 11 tackles, five sacks, two breakups and two fumbles as a junior. Avery will have to show quickness and athleticism in pre-draft workouts, or he will be viewed as a situational run-down linebacker.



22. Christian Sam*, ILB, Arizona State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 244. Arm: 31.5.
    40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 4-6.
    4/25/18: After a big 2017 season, Sam decided to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. He totaled 127 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one pass batted, one forced fumble and one interception on the year. Sam missed the 2016 season after suffering a knee injury in that season’s opener. In 2015, he recorded 97 tackles with an interception, three sacks and two passes batted.



23. Joel Lanning, ILB, Iowa State
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
    Projected Round (2018): 5-7.
    4/25/18: Lanning displays surprising instincts for a former-quarterback-turned-inside linebacker. In 2017, he totaled 114 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two passes broken up. Lanning followed that up with an impressive performance at the East-West Shrine. He could be a nice sleeper to develop as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor.






24. Leon Jacobs, ILB, Wisconsin
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 246. Arm: 33.5.
    40 Time: 4.48.
    Projected Round (2018): 5-7.
    4/25/18: In 2017, Jacobs totaled 60 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He had 37 tackles as a junior. Jacobs will have to compete as a backup linebacker and be a star on special teams to make a NFL roster. He helped himself with a lightning-fast 40 time at the combine.



25. Keishawn Bierria, ILB, Washington
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 230. Arm: 31.13.
    40 Time: 4.79.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: In 2017, Bierria totaled 60 tackles with one sack, four tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and two passes batted. He recorded 70 tackles as a junior and 77 in his sophomore season.



26. Chad Whitener, ILB, Oklahoma State
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 248.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: Whitener totaled 76 tackles with one pass broken up across 2017.
    
    9/1/17: Whitener has been a solid linebacker for Oklahoma State the past couple of seasons. Last year, he recorded 71 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and four passes broken up. Whitener had 93 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, one forced fumble and two interceptions in 2015.



27. Peter Kalambayi, ILB/OLB, Stanford
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 247. Arm: 33.5.
    40 Time: 4.57.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: In 2017, Kalambayi totaled 61 tackles with four sacks. As a redshirt freshman, he looked like he was poised to become a serious prospect as he had 6.5 sacks that season, but Kalambayi was just an average player over the next three seasons.



28. Nyles Morgan, ILB, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: Morgan played well in 2017, recording 92 tackles with 1.5 sacks, seven tackles for a loss, one pass broken up and a forced fumble. Sources have said they see Morgan as a late-round choice in the 2018 NFL Draft or a priority free agent.
    
    9/1/17: The Notre Dame defense really struggled in 2016, but Morgan was one of the few defenders who was pretty steady for the Fighting Irish. He totaled 93 tackles with six for a loss, four sacks and three passes broken up.



29. Myles Pierce, ILB, The Citadel
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: Pierce’s quality play in 2017 earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. In his final season, he totaled 91 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, three sacks and four passes broken up. Pierce had 78 tackles with 11 for a loss and a forced fumble in 2016.



30. Christian Covington, ILB, Indiana
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 245. Arm: 32.5.
    40 Time: 4.78.
    Projected Round (2018): 6-FA.
    4/25/18: Covington didn’t do much early in his collegiate career, but he turned in a solid senior year with 85 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks and five passes broken up. Covington had 29 tackles and two sacks as a junior.



31. Kenny Young, ILB, UCLA
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 236. Arm: 32.38.
    40 Time: 4.60.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/25/18: Young totaled 99 tackles as a senior with zero sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions. He also had two passes broken up. Young will have to compete to be a backup linebacker and special teams contributor.



32. Andre Smith*, ILB, North Carolina
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 235.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/25/18: Smith only played in two games in 2017 because of a knee injury. He totaled 21 tackles before going out for the year. In 2016, Smith collected 113 tackles with three passes broken up, six tackles for a loss and a sack. Smith may not have the skill set to be a NFL starter, but he could get drafted on Day 3 as a potential backup and special teams contributor.



33. Reggie Carter, ILB/OLB, Georgia
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 229.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2018): 7-FA.
    4/25/18: Carter recorded 36 tackles with a pass batted in 2017.
    
    9/1/17: Carter recorded 45 tackles last year after making only two tackles in 2015 before a shoulder injury ended his season. He had 28 tackles in 2014 as the backup to Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera. Carter has potential, but he must stay on the field and produce.



34. Taylor Young, ILB, Baylor
    Height: 5-10. Weight: 225.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2018): FA.
    4/25/18: Young notched 60 tackles with eight for a loss, three sacks and one pass batted in 2017.
    
    9/1/17: Young totaled 93 tackles with nine for a loss, 4.5 sacks and one pass broken up on the year. He has been a solid defender for the Bears over the last three seasons. In 2014 as a redshirt freshman, Young had 92 tackles with four sacks, three passes batted, two forced fumbles and an interception. He recorded 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks and one pass broken up as a sophomore. Young lacks height and length for the NFL, so he may be limited to a backup role.

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