The Colts have needs all over their defense, but one of the biggest needs is Inside Linebacker. Despite making the Pro Bowl, D’Qwell Jackson played poorly in 2014 and holds a contract that was specifically designed to make cutting him in 2016 relatively pain-free, costing only $500K in dead cap space. Jackson is not the future at Inside Linebacker and the team knows it. Jerrell Freeman is the other starter at Inside Linebacker and has been a solid starter since he came into the league, showing flashes of great talent, while also making mistakes and showing limitations. Neither Jackson nor Freeman are particularly great players and both have uncertain futures with the team beyond the 2015 season.

Recently, the Colts signed Nate Irving to a three year deal, giving them a solid depth player who can start if needed. Even with this signing, it is important for the Colts to come away from the draft with an Inside Linebacker for the future, particularly one that has some speed and can drop into coverage effectively. These are the two areas where the Inside Linebackers currently on the roster struggle. With speed over the middle and coverage ability in mind, as well as the all-important Handsome Rating®, here is the top of the 2015 Inside Linebacker draft class.

The Star

Eric Kendricks, UCLA

If you’re looking for the best Inside Linebacker in the draft, your should already know about Eric Kendricks. Kendricks is a stud Inside Linebacker and the reigning Butkus Award winner (given to the best Linebacker in college football). Previous recipients of this award include CJ Mosley, Luke Kuechely, and Von Miller. Kendricks has everything that you look for in a Linebacker: instincts, speed, durability, leadership, intelligence, and three-down ability. Unfortunately, Kendricks is such a good player (top 15 talent by my valuation) that he is unlikely to reach the Colts at the 29th pick.

Strengths: Great instincts and very good coverage ability. Shows great speed downhill and can play sideline to sideline. Missed few games at UCLA and proved to be a durable player. Regarded as having very high character, which comes across in interviews.

Weaknesses: His size has been mentioned frequently (though it is worth noting NaVorro Bowman was nearly the same size) Not particularly impressive as a blitzer. Can occasionally lose form on tackles and miss.

Fit with the Colts: Because of his size, many have penciled in Eric Kendricks as a 4-3 Weakside Linebacker; however, I have no doubt he would make a very good 3-4 Inside Linebacker as well. He should be a three-down Inside Linebacker for the Colts if not from day one, by the end of the season. Kendricks did not stand out as a blitzer, so the Colts would probably not want to rely on him bltizing as much as they blitz Freeman and Jackson. However, because he is so excellent in coverage, they should feel comfortable blitzing Freeman (who is effective doing so) and allowing Kendricks to cover for him. Leadership seems to come naturally to him and, for a defense that needs young, talented leaders, Kendricks would be an ideal pick.

Projected draft range: Mid 1st to Mid 2nd

James’s Value: Mid 1st

Handsome Rating®: 9/10

The Tweener

Shaq Thompson, Washington

Some prospects are just plain football players. Get them in pads and get them on the field, then worry about their position later. Shaq Thompson is one of those players. Thompson played Safety, Linebacker, and Running Back for the Huskies in his college career and played each position well. Unfortunately, this means he gets the classic “tweener” label in the draft, as he doesn’t have a clear-cut position. Thompson is more than talented enough to play in the NFL though and should still be regarded as a very talented prospect.

Strengths: Long and extremely athletic, flies around the field. Always seems to have a nose for being around the ball. Good coverage ability at LB. Intelligent, hard-working player.

Weaknesses: Plays at a very light weight for an Inside Linebacker and it shows up when filling the box against the run. Not the most sound tackler. Did not test as well at the Combine as would be expected, given his athleticism.

Fit with the Colts: Thompson’s size is more likely to limit his ability as a 3-4 Inside Linebacker than Kendricks, but I still believe he can play there. His athleticism and intelligence are more than enough to make you want him on the field as often as you can. It is possible that Shaq could play Strong Safety on 1st and 2nd down, while dropping down into an Inside Linebacker or “big Nickel Safety” look on passing downs, though this is a projection of his ability there and should probably be kept at ILB (a position where he’s proven to be good). Thompson wouldn’t be a large step up for the Colts versus power running games, e.g. New England gashing them, but should help enough in the run game and the passing game to warrant a 1st round selection.

Projected draft range: Mid 1st to Mid 2nd

James’s Value: Mid 1st

Handsome Rating®: 7.5/10

The Combine Casualty

Paul Dawson, Texas Christian

If you put on a game with Paul Dawson, he will stand out every time. Dawson is a player that seems to be everywhere on the field and is routinely making plays, regularly drawing comparisons to Lavonte David. Based on tape alone, you would have to think this guy is at worst a top 50 selection, but then the Combine happened. It wasn’t just that his numbers at the Combine were poor, Dawson looked lethargic during drills and generally out of shape. Throw in rumors of personality and character issues at TCU, and it makes you wonder just what will happen with Dawson.

Strengths: Strong downhill thumper in the middle. Shows great instincts reading lanes and meets the runner with power, despite size. Looks fluid moving on tape. Very productive tackler, highest run-stop percentage in CFB, per PFF. Good at avoiding and getting off blocks.

Weaknesses: Can occasionally miss tackles by going for the big hit. Not great in coverage, though it isn’t a big weakness. Strongly alluded to having personality and character issues, though nothing specific has ever been brought up to my knowledge. That freaking Combine, man; historically bad athletic metrics using Combine data.

Fit with the Colts: Any personality issues aside, Dawson would be an instant impact player at the ILB position for the Colts. While coverage isn’t his strongest trait, he is very strong versus the run and capable in coverage. His run help would allow the Colts to freelance with Freeman more, which would be mutually beneficial. Dawson could step into the rotation from day one and be capable of playing all three downs.

Projected draft range: Late 1st to Early 3rd

James’s Value: Early 2nd

Handsome Rating®: 5/10

The Prototype

Bernardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

Based on body type alone, Bernardrick McKinney was born to play Linebacker in the NFL. He is an absolute specimen from a physical stand point. McKinney has the length and size desired at the ILB position and can meet the Running Back in the hole with power. However, due to his dimensions and the evolving NFL game, there are questions about what McKinney will be able to bring at the next level.

Strengths: Prototypical 3-4 ILB size. Strong run stopper who can and will attack Linemen and Tight Ends with strength to beat blocks. Looks very good as a blitzer. Good wrap up tackler who missed few tackles when he got his hands on them.

Weaknesses: Possibly due to his size, looks very awkward when changing direction. Not very smooth in space. Coverage ability wasn’t terrible, but will limit his ability some at the next level. If offenses spread the defense out, McKinney could be a liability in the middle of the field.

Fit with the Colts: If the Colts are determined to stop getting run over by Power Run games (all of the New England tears), then McKinney is a great fit. He has the prototype size for the position and, with his strength and size, could be a good complement for Jerrell Freeman. With his ability as a blitzer, he would also allow the Colts to get very creative with how they blitz their Linebackers. The issue would lie in pass coverage, particularly versus Running Backs in space. I can’t say I’d feel confident having McKinney in the middle of the field with teams throwing checkdowns and screens to Running Backs. At very least, McKinney could provide a strong, two-down thumper with the potential to become an adequate cover LB that can play on passing downs.

Projected draft range: Early 2nd to Early 3rd

James’s Value: Late 2nd

Handsome Rating®: 6/10

The Horseshoe Guy

Denzel Perryman, Miami

When you think of the “horseshoe guy” with “grit” that Chuck Pagano and Ryan Grigson are always talking about, you are probably going to imagine a player just like Denzel Perryman. Perryman stands out on tape because when he connects with a ball carrier, he absolutely levels them. He plays hard and can fly through gaps to hammer Running Backs. This aggression can be great, but does sometimes lead to him taking bad angles and blowing assignments. Similar to McKinney, Perryman has the potential to be a strong run stuffer in the NFL with below average coverage skills.

Strengths: Very strong to the hole and hammers Running Backs. Is a fairly sound tackler, thought he does occasionally misfire. Plays extremely hard and fast, as if his hair was on fire. More than willing to take on lead blockers. Relatively good instincts. Plays like a guy that loves to hit people, which is a good trait for an ILB. Plays like a poor man’s version of Ray Lewis, which we know Pagano will love. Delivers the big hits that get teammates and coaches excited.

Weaknesses: Can sometimes be so eager to attack that he picks the wrong gap, thus removing himself from the play. Rarely saw him turn his hips and run to cover Tight Ends and Receivers, definitely a minus in coverage. Can be removed from the play by Linemen, showing limited hand usage once engaged.

Fit with the Colts: A running joke around Colts Draft Twitter has been about Pagano and Grigson loving Denzel Perryman so much that they would trade up to draft him in the 1st round. Our inaugural Mocking The Mocks piece featured a 1st round mock with Perryman to the Colts. He is Linebacker with so much Grit and Tough-As-Nails attitude that there is no doubt the Colts will love him. Perryman has the talent to step in on run downs from day one and provide big hits and effective run stops. In coverage, he would need to be limited early on, but could possibly develop into a player that isn’t a liability. Like McKinney, Perryman being good against the run would enable Freeman to freelance more and would help keep Freeman upright to clean up run plays.

Projected draft range: Mid 2nd to Mid 3rd

James’s Value: Early 3rd

Handsome rating®: 6.5/10

The Athlete

Stephone Anthony, Clemson

Coming on the heels of a great Combine, Stephone Anthony has seen his stock skyrocket as of late. You could argue that Anthony went into the Combine as a Day 3 draft pick, but he is now being talked about as a potential 1st round pick. Despite his potential and the athleticism that he showed at the Combine, this is much too rich for my taste.

Strengths: The Combine numbers really speak for themselves. Anthony showed tremendous speed and explosiveness at the Combine, all at prototypical Inside Linebacker size. Has enough speed to play sideline to sideline. Adequate movement and speed to play in coverage, though instincts are lacking. Hits with force.

Weaknesses: Questionable instincts. Routinely takes himself out of plays by misdiagnosing the action. Plays very passive at times, just sort of stuck in the middle, unsure of what to do. Change of direction does not look smooth.

Fit with the Colts: I once heard someone say that an Inside Linebacker with poor instincts is a bad Inside Linebacker. It’s difficult for me to not think of that quote when I watch Stephone Anthony play. He has all of the athleticism you could desire on a perfect frame, but I never feel like he is a good Linebacker. He can be a thumper at times that will help in the run game, but he also takes himself out of plays. He can display the speed and movement to drop into coverage, but he is almost as likely to get lost as he is to blanket a Tight End. Anthony could step into the rotation with the Colts, but I’m not sure he will ever be a good starter in the NFL.

Projected draft range: Early 2nd to Late 2nd

James’s Value: Late 3rd

Handsome Rating®: 7/10