2019 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
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The top 2019 inside linebacker prospects available for the 2019 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2020 prospect. ** – denotes 2021 prospect.

This page was last updated April 20, 2019. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Devin White*, ILB, LSU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 237. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 9.75.
40 Time: 4.42. Three Cone: 7.07.
Bench: 22. Vertical: 39.5. Broad: 9-10.
Projected Round (2019): Top-10.
4/20/19: A number of teams picking in the top 10 have White in contention for their selection, so he should go off the board quickly. As far as pure football players go, White is one of the five best players in the 2019 NFL Draft.

At the combine, White solidified his standing for the top half of the first round with an excellent workout, including a faster than expected 40 time. He is your quintessential linebacker who is a physical force against the run, covers ground in pass defense, and is a team leader who sets the tone for a violent, intimidating defense. White is worthy of being a top-16 pick in any draft class because he looks like a future difference-maker as a three-down starter in the NFL. He is a good fit for either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense. White should be a starter quickly in his NFL career and could be a Pro Bowler early on.

White totaled 123 tackles with 12 for a loss, six passes broken up, three sacks and three forced fumbles in 2018. The junior was rock solid for LSU, showing excellent run-defense skills with the ability to contribute in coverage. White is also effective at generating pass pressure when blitzing. He is extremely instinctive and has a big-time presence.

8/29/18: White had an excellent 2017 season, totaling 133 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one interception. White didn’t get the attention of other SEC linebackers like Roquan Smith and Rashaan Evans, first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but that could easily change this fall. Here is how one of the National scouts summarized White.

“This kid could end up being similar to Ray Lewis. I’d take White over any of the linebackers this year. He’s unbelievable. Unless he gets hurt or completely shuts it down to protect himself, he’ll be the first linebacker drafted next year. He’s the complete package. Great character. He’s the signal-caller of the defense with a super football IQ. He’s big, study, and stout enough for Mike – middle linebacker; swift enough for Will – weakside linebacker -, great athlete and coverage instincts. Stacks up the stat boxes, all of them. He’s fast, an explosive tackler, and [has] elite reactionary quickness.

“Right now, he’s among the best, and maybe the best, I’ve scouted. Better athlete and versatility than [Dont’a] Hightower. More explosive, violent, and bigger than C.J. Mosley; same level of instincts. Better than Jerod Mayo at Tennessee. Bigger than Jonathan Vilma while being more violent and instinctive than D.J. Williams, same kind of freak athlete explosiveness-wise. [A] thumper like Sean Weatherspoon. Basically, he’s a bigger version of Roquan Smith in the 240-250-pound range. He’s FUN to watch. Unbelievable stamina and motor. He could be the best linebacker ever to come out of LSU.”

Devin Bush*, ILB, Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 234. Arm: 32.00. Hand: 9.63.
40 Time: 4.43. Three Cone: 6.93.
Bench: 21. Vertical: 40.5. Broad: 10-4.
Projected Round (2019): 1.
4/20/19: At the combine, Bush blazed a fast 40 time and helped to solidify his standing as a first-round pick. Bush has a shot at being a top-20 selection and shouldn’t make it to pick No. 30.

Bush is an undersized linebacker, but he is a fast defender with sideline-to-sideline speed. Bush shows the ability to be a three-down starter with the ability to drop into pass coverage and help defend receiving threats in the intermediate part of the field. Bush totaled 78 tackles with five sacks, nine tackles for a loss, six passes broken up and five sacks in 2018.

8/29/18: If Bush were taller and had more length, he would be rated higher as he has been an impressive defender for the Wolverines. In 2017, Bush totaled 101 tackles with five sacks, eight passes broken up and an interception. He has speed, instincts, and some athleticism.

Tre Lamar*, ILB, Clemson
Height: 6-3. Weight: 253. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.50.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2019): 2-3.
4/20/19: Lamar did not run at the combine. In 2018, he recorded 80 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, three sacks, one pass broken up and one interception. Lamar played well for Clemson, setting a physical tone in the middle of the field. He showed some intriguing edge-rush skills also. Adding weight and moving to outside linebacker to be a speed rusher is an interesting idea to maximize Lamar’s speed and athleticism.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Lamar checks in 6-foot-3, 243 pounds with 32.5-inch arms, 9.5-inch hands and a 78-inch wingspan. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.

Sources have told me that Lamar has a ton of potential and athletic upside. He possesses an impressive skill set with length, size and speed. As a sophomore, he flashed with 50 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. His initial projection from teams is that he has late first-round to early second-round potential if he continues to improve.

Mack Wilson*, ILB, Alabama
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.25.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Vertical: 32. Broad: 9-9.
Projected Round (2019): 2-3.
4/20/19: An injury kept Wilson from running at the combine. Team sources say that Wilson has second-day potential for the 2019 NFL Draft, but his interviews and off-the-field concerns could case him to slide somewhat in the second round.

Evaluators love what Wilson can do in pass coverage with his rare instincts and ability to defend the pass. Inside linebackers with pass-coverage skills are always in demand, so there will be plenty of NFL teams hoping to land him. It isn’t out of the question that he sneaks into Thursday night during the 2019 NFL Draft.

Wilson recorded 71 tackles with five passes broken up, two interceptions and five tackles for a loss in 2018, but he only played one half in many games due to Alabama blowing out so many opponents.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Wilson checks in at 6-foot-1, 238 pounds with 32.13-inch arms, 9.13 inch-hands and a wingspan of 74.63 inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds.

Team sources say that Wilson has been projected to have potential as a first- through fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, entering the 2018 season. In 2017, Wilson collected 40 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, two passes batted and four interceptions. Inside linebackers with pass-coverage skills are always in demand, so if Wilson maintains that kind of play in coverage, there will be plenty of NFL teams hoping to land him.

Germaine Pratt, ILB, N.C. State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 240. Arm: 31.63. Hand: 9.00.
40 Time: 4.57.
Bench: 24. Vertical: 32.5. Broad: 9-8.
Projected Round (2019): 2-3.
4/20/19: In 2018, Pratt totaled 104 tackles with 10.5 for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes broken up. The senior played really well. He is a strong and physical run defender with the ability to defend sideline-to-sideline. Pratt also has shown some pass-coverage skills, and that is not that surprising considering he landed at N.C. State as a safety. Pratt could be a three-down starting inside linebacker early in his NFL career. He had a solid combine.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Pratt checks in 6-foot-2, 241 pounds with 31.5-inch arms, 8.75-inch hands, and a wingspan of 75.88 inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds.

The Wolfpack defensive line was loaded with four future draft picks in 2017, but the program also had some quality linebackers who went under the radar. Pratt was one of those players, as he totaled 69 tackles with two pick-sixes, 5.5 tackles for a loss and two passes broken up. Pratt possesses a good build and some surprising speed.

Te’Von Coney, ILB/OLB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-0. Weight: 234. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.13.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2019): 3-4.
4/20/19: In 2018, Coney had 123 tackles with 9.5 for a loss, four sacks, one interception and four passes broken up. He played well for Notre Dame and was a good college player. Coney did okay at the Senior Bowl, although he did not impress.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Coney checks in 6-foot, 231-pounds with 33 inch arms, 9.25 inch hands, and a wing span of 77.5. inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds.

Coney had 116 tackles with three sacks, 12.5 tackles for a loss and one forced fumble in 2017. He played well for Notre Dame. Coney is a good run defender who has instincts and intelligence. He totaled 61 tackles as a sophomore in his first season as a starter. Coney has talent and could rise as a senior.

Blake Cashman, ILB, Minnesota
Height: 6-0. Weight: 237. Arm: 30.13. Hand: 8.75.
40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2019): 3-5.
4/20/19: In 2018, Cashman was productive for Minnesota with 104 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, five passes broken up, and one forced fumble. Cashman worked out really well leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft with a fast 40 time. As a sophomore, he had 7.5 sacks for the Minnesota.

Cameron Smith, ILB, USC
Height: 6-2. Weight: 238. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 10.13.
40 Time: 4.69.
Bench: 15. Vertical: 39. Broad: 10-3.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Smith is a solid inside linebacker who is a good run defender. He has improved his pass-coverage skills, but he is a bit stiff and slow to cover for the NFL. Smith will need more development to become a pro three-down starter. In 2018, he had 81 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and four passes broken up.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Smith checks in at 6-foot-2, 253 pounds with 33.25-inches, 10-inch hands and a wingspan of 77.38 inches. He is said to run the 40 in 4.65 seconds.

Smith has a thick build, yet runs faster than would think. In 2017, Smith totaled 112 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and one interception. He was a solid defender for the Trojans. As a sophomore, Smith totaled 83 tackles with seven for a loss, one sack, four passes broken up and one forced fumble. He started as a freshman in 2015 while totaling 78 tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up.

Josiah Tauaefa*, ILB, Texas-San Antonio
Height: 6-2. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: In 2018, Tauaefa totaled 113 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He had 29 tackles in eight games in 2017. For 2016, Tauaefa recorded 115 tackles with nine for a loss, six sacks, one breakup and one interception.

Juwon Young, ILB, Marshall
Height: 6-1. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Young totaled 44 tackles with 2.5 sacks, six tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles in 2018.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Young checks in 6-foot-1, 243 pounds with 31.75-inch hands, 9.75-inch hands and a wingspan of 77 inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds.

Even though Young hasn’t produced a big season in big-time college football, team sources have him on their preseason lists as having potential to be a pick in the first four rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft. In 2017, Young had 41 tackles with three tackles for a loss, .5 sacks, three passes broken up and one forced fumble.

T.J. Edwards, ILB, Wisconsin
Height: 6-0. Weight: 230. Arm: 31.25. Hand: 9.38.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Bench: 16.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Edwards amassed 113 tackles with 11.5 for a loss, three sacks, two passes broken up and three interceptions in 2018. He put together underwhelming performances in the losses to BYU and Michigan, but played better late in the season, including in the bowl game versus Miami.

8/29/18: According to NFL teams’ preseason data provided by team sources, Edwards checks in at 6-foot, 247 pounds with 31.13-inch arms, 9-inch hands and a wingspan of 74.25 inches. They have him running the 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds.

Edwards is an instinctive defender who is a physical presence in the tackle box. He also is dangerous in zone coverage, consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the ball. As a junior, he recorded 81 tackles with 11 for a loss, two sacks, seven breakups and four interceptions. In 2016, Edwards had 89 tackles with three interceptions, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and two passes batted. He totaled 84 tackles with four breakups as a freshman.

Drue Tranquill, ILB/OLB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234. Arm: 31.00. Hand: 9.75.
40 Time: 4.57. Three Cone: 6.94.
Bench: 31. Vertical: 37.5. Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Tranquill had 86 tackles with nine for a loss, 3.5 sacks and three passes broken up in 2018. He is a smart defender, but could end up more of a backup as a pro due to skill-set limitations.

8/29/18: Tranquill is a good college player who may not have the skill set to transition to the NFL. However in 2017, he was a big presence for Notre Dame who made a lot of clutch tackles. He totaled 85 stops with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, three passes broken up and an interception on the year. In 2016, he had 80 tackles with two breakups and a pick.

Tyrel Dodson*, ILB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-0. Weight: 237. Arm: 31.75. Hand: 9.13.
40 Time: 4.60.
Bench: 24. Broad: 9-10.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Dodson recorded 70 tackles, three passes broken up, seven tackles for a loss and an interception in 2018. As a sophomore, he totaled 96 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and five passes broken up. Dodson has decent size to him and was a solid interior defender for the Aggies.

Sione Takitaki, ILB, Brigham Young
Height: 6-1. Weight: 238. Arm: 32.00. Hand: 9.63.
40 Time: 4.63. Three Cone: 7.21.
Bench: 24. Vertical: 37. Broad: 10-5.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Takitaki was very productive for BYU in 2018, totaling 118 tackles with nine for a loss, three sacks, three passes batted and one forced fumble. In his first season of lots of playing time, as a junior, Takitaki had 79 tackles with 12.5 for a loss, five sacks and two passes batted.

Deshaun Davis, ILB, Auburn
Height: 5-11. Weight: 234. Arm: 31.25. Hand: 10.00.
Projected 40 Time: 4.87.
Bench: 25. Vertical: 31. Broad: 9-3.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Davis is a shorter linebacker, but one who is put together like a Mack truck, checking in at 234 pounds. The senior notched 107 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks and two passes batted for 2018. Davis had 82 tackles in 2017 and 63 stops the previous year. His height is a problem for mismatches in coverage in the NFL.

Bobby Okereke, ILB, Stanford
Height: 6-1. Weight: 239. Arm: 34.75. Hand: 10.13.
40 Time: 4.58. Three Cone: 7.25.
Vertical: 33.5. Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: Okereke recorded 96 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, five passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2018. As a junior, he totaled 96 tackles with four sacks with one pass batted and one interception.

Okereke earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl and was okay in Mobile. He has good size to him and is a solid run defender. Improving his pass coverage for the NFL will determine whether he can develop into a starter.

Jeff Allison*, ILB, Fresno State
Height: 5-11. Weight: 228. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 10.00.
40 Time: 4.82. Three Cone: 7.20.
Bench: 12. Vertical: 31. Broad: 9-7.
Projected Round (2019): 4-6.
4/20/19: In 2018, Allison was very productive for the Bulldogs. He totaled 132 tackles with six tackles for a loss and two interceptions on the year. In 2017, Allison recorded 126 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, three breakups and two forced fumbles.

Kendall Joseph, ILB/OLB, Clemson
Height: 5-11. Weight: 233. Arm: 31.63. Hand: 9.75.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Bench: 25.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: Joseph recorded 81 tackles with five for a loss, four sacks and one pass broken up in 2018. He looks like a backup linebacker and special teams contributor for the NFL.

8/29/18: Joseph recorded 96 tackles with five tackles for a loss, .5 sacks and a pass broken up in 2017. He was solid, but unimpressive. Joseph runs around too many blocks and needs to improve at taking blocks on. Ben Boulware got a lot of attention in 2016, but Joseph was the best linebacker on Clemson’s National Championship team. That season, Joseph totaled 108 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks and one interception.

Joe Giles-Harris*, ILB/OLB, Duke
Height: 6-1. Weight: 234. Arm: 31.25. Hand: 8.50.
40 Time: 4.75.
Bench: 17. Vertical: 29.5. Broad: 9-3.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: In 2018, Giles-Harris had 81 tackles with two passes broken up and .5 sacks.

8/29/18: Giles-Harris is a smart defender who has been a steady linebacker in the ACC over the past two seasons. He amassed 125 tackles with 16 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, four breakups, one forced fumble and one interception in 2017. For 2016, Giles-Harris totaled 107 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception and two breakups.

Dakota Allen, ILB, Texas Tech
Height: 6-0. Weight: 232. Arm: 31.25. Hand: 9.25.
40 Time: 4.77. Three Cone: 6.88.
Bench: 23. Vertical: 31.5. Broad: 9-8.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: Allen was a decent linebacker for the Red Raiders over the past three seasons. As a senior, he totaled 73 tackles with with two passes batted and 6.5 tackles for a loss. His best season came as a junior with 102 tackles, six for a loss, two sacks, four passes batted, one forced fumble and two interceptions.

Bryce Allen-Williams, ILB, South Carolina
Height: 6-0. Weight: 236. Arm: 31.50. Hand: 9.75.
40 Time: 4.88. Three Cone: 7.40.
Bench: 14.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: Allen-Williams had 41 tackles with 10 for a loss and two sacks in his nine-game 2018 season. His best season came in 2016 when he had 75 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

Emeke Egbule, ILB/OLB, Houston
Height: 6-2. Weight: 245. Arm: 33.00. Hand: 9.25.
40 Time: 4.65. Three Cone: 7.38.
Bench: 20. Vertical: 33. Broad: 9-11.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: Initially, Egbule could compete to be a backup linebacker and special teams contributor in the NFL. In 2018, he totaled 69 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, five passes batted, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Egbule provides versatile size to play inside or outside.

Terez Hall, ILB, Missouri
Height: 6-1. Weight: 230. Arm: 33.50. Hand: 10.38.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Bench: 20.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: As a senior, Hall totaled 45 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. He had 85 tackles with three passes batted in 2017.

Ty Summers, ILB, TCU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 241. Arm: 31.50. Hand: 10.00.
40 Time: 4.51.
Vertical: 36. Broad: 10-3.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: Over the past couple of seasons, Summers was a quality blitzer for TCU, totaling eight sacks over the those two seasons. His tackle total surprisingly fell off from early in his career. Prior to 46 tackles as a senior and 64 in 2017, he had 121 tackles as a junior and 85 as a freshman.

Khalil Hodge, ILB/OLB, Buffalo
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2019): 5-7.
4/20/19: In 2018, Hodge totaled 144 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and three passes broken up.

8/29/18: Hodge is a tackling machine for Buffalo. In 2017, he notched 154 stops with three sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The previous season saw him collect 123 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, one sack and one breakup. Hodge is a steady player, and it will be interesting to see if he shows the skill set to translate to the NFL.

Joe Dineen Jr., ILB, Kansas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
Projected Round (2019): 6-FA.
4/20/19: Dineen totaled 147 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two passes broken up and one interception in 2018.

8/29/18: Dineen was all over the field for Kansas in 2017, racking up a ton of tackles. He totaled 137 stops with 25 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes broken up and one forced fumble. It was a nice rebound for Dineen, who had only played in three games in 2016. The previous year saw him collect 86 tackles and three sacks.

Ulysees Gilbert III, ILB/OLB, Akron
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2019): 7-FA.
4/20/19: Gilbert totaled 85 tackles with 7.5 for a loss, one pass batted and .5 sacks in 2018.

8/29/18: Gilbert is a tackling machine for Akron. He flies all over the field, taking down ball-carriers and making his presence felt. In 2017, Gilbert totaled 140 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, four passes broken up and three interceptions. He had 122 tackles with four sacks, three breakups and 11.5 tackles for a loss as a sophomore.

Azeez Al-Shaair, ILB/OLB, Florida Atlantic
Height: 6-0. Weight: 234. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.50.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2019): 7-FA.
4/20/19: Al-Shaair recorded 43 tackles with 1.5 sacks over his six-game season before going down with a torn ACL and a torn MCL.

8/29/18: Al-Shaair was very productive in 2017, totaling 147 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four passes broken up and one forced fumble. He had 112 tackles as a sophomore and 94 in his freshman season.

Charles Wright, ILB/OLB, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-3. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2019): 7-FA.
4/20/19: Wright had 16 tackles over six games in 2018.

8/29/18: Wright showed some edge potential in 2017 on his way to nine sacks on the year. He also collected 43 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss. Wright needs to build on his 2017 season to move his stock higher.

Tre Watson, ILB, Maryland
Height: 6-2. Weight: 236.
40 Time: 4.94.
Projected Round (2019): FA.
4/20/19: Watson ran extremely slowly at his pro day, and some character issues have come up with him. Sources say that Watson is likely to go undrafted.

Watson was decent against the run for Maryland. In 2018, he led the Big Ten in tackles with 110, plus notched three tackles for a loss, one sack and a forced fumble. Watson was a real standout in pass coverage as well, nabbing a shocking total of five interceptions and three passes broken up. Watson played at Illinois before finishing out his collegiate career with Maryland. He had 102 tackles as a sophomore for the Illini.