2015 NFL Free Agents: Inside Linebackers

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2015 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2015.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

  1. Rolando McClain, ILB, Cowboys. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Cowboys (1 year, $3 million)

    Rolando McClain came out of nowhere last year. He failed in Baltimore and was out of the league for a season. Dallas gave him a chance, and it paid off; McClain was tremendous against both the run and the pass, serving as the leader of the defense. There’s a chance he could regress, but perhaps he has truly turned his life around.

  2. Craig Robertson (RFA), ILB, Browns. Age: 29.
    Tendered by Browns

    Craig Robertson really struggled in 2013, but rebounded well this past season, holding up well against the run and the pass. He’s an adequate starting inside linebacker with no glaring weaknesses in his game.

  3. David Harris, ILB, Jets. Age: 31.
    Re-signed with Jets

    Though David Harris is now 31, he’s still a capable starting inside linebacker who thrives in run support. He tends to have issues in coverage, so he would be best used as a two-down specialist.



  4. Rey Maualuga, ILB, Bengals. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with Bengals (3 years)

    An inconsistent player, Rey Maualuga was on the field about two-thirds of the snaps this season. Maualuga was having a mediocre campaign until the end of the season, which is when he caught fire and started playing some of the best football of his career.

  5. Mason Foster, ILB, Bears. Age: 26.
    Mason Foster missed half the season with a shoulder injury. He’s still young – he’ll be 26 in March – but he hasn’t really lived up to expectations thus far.



  6. Nate Irving, ILB, Broncos. Age: 27.
    Signed with Colts (3 years)

    Nate Irving is pretty strong against the run, but proved to be a liability in coverage this past year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He needs to be on the field for only two downs.

  7. Curtis Lofton, ILB, Saints. Age: 29.
    Signed with Raiders (3 years)

    Curtis Lofton had a solid 2013 campaign, but completely fell off in 2014. He was absolutely horrific and looked like he didn’t belong in the NFL. It’s strange that he would completely fall off like that as a 28-year-old, so perhaps he was dealing with an undisclosed injury. He might be able to rebound next year. He’s still young enough to.

  8. Brandon Spikes, ILB, Patriots. Age: 27.
    Brandon Spikes played well on a 1-year “prove it” deal, serving as a stout, two-down run-defender. Unfortunately, he is dealing with some off-the-field concerns.

  9. A.J. Hawk, ILB, Packers. Age: 31.
    Signed with Bengals (2 years)

    A.J. Hawk has regressed over the past couple of years, so his release was not surprising, especially considering that it saved $3.5 million in cap space. Hawk didn’t play much down the stretch and could be completely done. He’ll most likely get a second chance on a 1-year deal.

  10. Jerrell Freeman (RFA), ILB, Colts. Age: 29.
    Tendered by Colts

    Jerrell Freeman covers very well, but he’s a major liability in run support. He missed four games this season with a hamstring injury.




  11. Arthur Moats, ILB, Steelers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Steelers (3 years)
  12. Brad Jones, ILB, Packers. Age: 29. — Signed with Eagles
  13. Jasper Brinkley, ILB, Vikings. Age: 30. — Signed with Cowboys
  14. Jason Trusnik, ILB, Dolphins. Age: 31. — Signed with Panthers
  15. Nick Bellore, ILB/ST, Jets. Age: 26. — Signed with 49ers
  16. Ramon Humber, ILB/ST, Saints. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Saints (2 years)
  17. Chris White, ILB/ST, Patriots. Age: 26.
  18. Jeff Tarpinian, ILB, Texans. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Texans
  19. Andrew Gachkar, ILB, Chargers. Age: 26. — Signed with Cowboys (2 years)
  20. Josh Mauga, ILB, Chiefs. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Chiefs (3 years, $8 million)
  21. Akeem Dent, ILB, Texans. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Texans
  22. D.J. Williams, ILB, Bears. Age: 33.
  23. J.T. Thomas, ILB, Jaguars. Age: 27. — Signed with Giants
  24. Colin McCarthy, ILB, Titans. Age: 27.
  25. Dane Fletcher, ILB, Buccaneers. Age: 28.
  26. Jamari Lattimore, ILB, Packers. Age: 26. — Signed with Jets
  27. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, Dolphins. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Dolphins
  28. Reggie Walker, ILB, Chargers. Age: 28. — Signed with Broncos
  29. Jonathan Casillas, ILB, Patriots. Age: 28. — Signed with Giants
  30. Casey Matthews, ILB, Eagles. Age: 26. — Signed with Vikings
  31. Joe Mays, ILB, Chiefs. Age: 30. — Signed with Jets
  32. Larry Foote, ILB, Cardinals. Age: 35.
  33. Steven Johnson (RFA), ILB, Broncos. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Broncos
  34. Moise Fokou, ILB/ST, Saints. Age: 30.
  35. Zac Diles, ILB, Browns. Age: 30.
  36. Stevenson Sylvester, ILB, Bills. Age: 27.
  37. Jerry Franklin (RFA), ILB, Saints. Age: 27.




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