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When the NFL Draft commences in a little over two weeks, inside linebacker will be a position of need for the Baltimore Ravens. While the top end of the ILB depth chart remains strong, there are now two holes to fill in the position group, with Malik Harrison and Chris Board departing via free agency.
The Ravens have already hosted at least one ILB, Georgia's Smael Mondon Jr., at the Under Armour Performance Center this month, and they'll likely bring in more between now and draft day. Let's take a look at three ILB prospects who might fit in nicely with the Ravens.
Kobe King, Penn State
These days, inside linebackers are generally devalued in the draft, certainly so when compared to their value in yesteryear. With the NFL shifting from a run-first to a pass-first league, outside linebackers now take higher priority over their interior counterparts.
In a different time, a prospect like King could conceivably be a day one, instead of a day two prospect, as he's your perfect prototype for the Mike position. Just about everybody claims to be the "Linebacker U." but PSU is a place that actually has the consistent history to back up that bold assertion.
And the way King quarterbacked the defense in Happy Valley conveyed just how much potential he has to be a starter in the NFL. An elite run-stuffer, he could quickly become a rotation player on early downs in Baltimore.
Xander Mueller, Northwestern
Roquan Smith is admittedly one of his main player role models, so that's a good start right there. A native of the Chicago suburbs, he has spoken publicly about what he's observed in Smith, and how he hopes to emulate the winner of multiple Butkus awards at the next level.
At Northwestern's Pro Day, he ran a 4.6 in the 40 and registered a 34.5" vertical. Mueller, who met with nine teams at the Tropical Bowl, discussed his work to impress pro scouts.
“I was focused on everything,” he said in an exclusive with RG.org. “I just wanted to show that I could move in space and move better than a lot of them would think I could, so I did that today in all the drills.”
Mueller, who should be available for selection on day three, is your quintessential locker room guy. His leadership qualities and other intangibles make his draft stock more valuable than it might first appear.
Barrett Carter, Clemson
He's undersized, to be sure, but he's got a motor to match his athleticism. Carter has a work ethic on par with his raw, pure talent. He came to Clemson as a five-star recruit and left as a Butkus award finalist and unquestioned leader of a College Football Playoff/ACC champion defense.
He has the skills and the speed to overcome his lack of height. Like King, he'll make his way on early downs as a run-stuffer. He has a grit that would fit in well in the Ravens locker room.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Three Inside Linebacker prospects the Ravens should consider
Continue reading...
The Ravens have already hosted at least one ILB, Georgia's Smael Mondon Jr., at the Under Armour Performance Center this month, and they'll likely bring in more between now and draft day. Let's take a look at three ILB prospects who might fit in nicely with the Ravens.
Kobe King, Penn State
These days, inside linebackers are generally devalued in the draft, certainly so when compared to their value in yesteryear. With the NFL shifting from a run-first to a pass-first league, outside linebackers now take higher priority over their interior counterparts.
In a different time, a prospect like King could conceivably be a day one, instead of a day two prospect, as he's your perfect prototype for the Mike position. Just about everybody claims to be the "Linebacker U." but PSU is a place that actually has the consistent history to back up that bold assertion.
And the way King quarterbacked the defense in Happy Valley conveyed just how much potential he has to be a starter in the NFL. An elite run-stuffer, he could quickly become a rotation player on early downs in Baltimore.
Xander Mueller, Northwestern
Roquan Smith is admittedly one of his main player role models, so that's a good start right there. A native of the Chicago suburbs, he has spoken publicly about what he's observed in Smith, and how he hopes to emulate the winner of multiple Butkus awards at the next level.
At Northwestern's Pro Day, he ran a 4.6 in the 40 and registered a 34.5" vertical. Mueller, who met with nine teams at the Tropical Bowl, discussed his work to impress pro scouts.
“I was focused on everything,” he said in an exclusive with RG.org. “I just wanted to show that I could move in space and move better than a lot of them would think I could, so I did that today in all the drills.”
Mueller, who should be available for selection on day three, is your quintessential locker room guy. His leadership qualities and other intangibles make his draft stock more valuable than it might first appear.
Barrett Carter, Clemson
He's undersized, to be sure, but he's got a motor to match his athleticism. Carter has a work ethic on par with his raw, pure talent. He came to Clemson as a five-star recruit and left as a Butkus award finalist and unquestioned leader of a College Football Playoff/ACC champion defense.
He has the skills and the speed to overcome his lack of height. Like King, he'll make his way on early downs as a run-stuffer. He has a grit that would fit in well in the Ravens locker room.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Three Inside Linebacker prospects the Ravens should consider
Continue reading...
