NFL Player Rankings     Updated - 8-13-10

 

 

INSIDE / MIDDLE LINEBACKER

 

1. PATRICK WILLIS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

-High motor, excellent instincts and sound tackler. If San Francisco becomes a winner, he will become a household name.

 

2. RAY LEWIS, BALTIMORE RAVENS

-Still one of the more instinctive, well prepared players in the game. Amazing leader and motivator. Doesn’t have the speed he once had, but he is still great to watch. All-time great.

 

3. JON BEASON, CAROLINA PANTHERS

-Highly instinctive and speedy. He can chase down anything and is a rock in the inside. Is improving his ability to create game changing plays.

 

4. BRIAN URLACHER, CHICAGO BEARS

-May not be the super athlete he was, but he has plenty left. He may be the best coverage ILB in the game. Will be motivated for a big season in 2010 if he can stay healthy.

 

5. LONDON FLETCHER, WASHINGTON REDSKINS

-Tackling machine. Great leader and captain. Finally got his Pro Bowl due in 2009. How will he respond to the switch to the 3-4?

 

6. DEMECO RYANS, HOUSTON TEXANS

-Never takes a false step and reads plays extremely well. Fluid in coverage and makes plays on the ball well.
 

7. D.J. WILLIAMS, DENVER BRONCOS

-Amazing athlete and can run with backs and tight ends. Has work to do as far as taking on blockers.

 

8. BARRETT RUUD, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

-One of the more underrated players in the league. He could be higher on this list if the Bucs’ defense were better.

 

9. D’QWELL JACKSON, CLEVELAND BROWNS

-Despite his rift with the coaching staff, he is a great player. Fast and instinctive. Big mistake if the Browns let him go.

 

10. DAVID HARRIS, NEW YORK JETS

-Another undervalued guy. A rock vs. the inside run and makes plays all over the field. Racks up tackles.

 

11. JEROD MAYO, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

-Solid and dependable. Rarely misses a tackle he can get to. Doesn’t make enough splash plays.

 

12. BART SCOTT, NEW YORK JETS

-Intense and smart. One of the better blitzers from the ILB spot. Solid tackler and above average in coverage.

 

13. JONATHAN VILMA, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

-He has become a well-rounded player. Very heady and aware. Not the speed maven he was as a Jet.

 

14. LOFA TATUPU, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

-Technically sound and has a gym rat mentality. Not overly athletic, but has enough to be a dominant player. Returning from a 2009 injury.

 

15. GARY BRACKETT, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

-What he lacks in measurables, he makes up for in heart and smarts. Always around the ball and has become a leader on that defense.

 

16. JAMES FARRIOR, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-The quintessential team leader. Always in position to make a play. Appeared to have lost a step in 2009 and needs to bounce back.

 

17. JAMES LAURINAITIS, ST. LOUIS RAMS

-Smart, instinctive and efficient. Gets to the ball carrier in short fashion. Needs to learn to take on blocks better.

 

18. KARLOS DANSBY, MIAMI DOLPHINS

-Physical and strong at the point of attack. Great blitzer. Doesn’t make enough big plays to warrant the huge contract.

 

19. E.J. HENDERSON, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

-If he’s healthy, he immediately vaults into the top 5. Physical and powerful. Very good athlete. How will the leg hold up?

 

20. KIRK MORRISON, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

-Vastly underrated. Consistent and sturdy vs. the inside run. Makes very few game changing plays.

 

21. DHANI JONES, CINCINNATI BENGALS

-Has always been a steady, dependable player. Can’t run like he once did, but takes great angles in pursuit.

 

22. STEWART BRADLEY, PHILADELPHIA

-If healthy, he’s a lot higher on this list. Big, physical and athletic. His biggest asset is his intelligence.

 

23. BRADIE JAMES, DALLAS COWBOYS

-Locks down the inside running game. A good blitzer from the middle. Not a game changer on the regular, but has shown the ability.

 

24. CURTIS LOFTON, ATLANTA FALCONS

-Thickly built and physical. Plays downhill and rarely takes bad angles. Doesn’t have the athleticism you’d want in a premier ILB.

 

25. NICK BARNETT, GREEN BAY PACKERS

-Very smart football player. Rarely caught out of position. Has enough speed and agility to make plays. Not as physical as you’d like all the time.

 

26. LAWRENCE TIMMONS, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-Extremely gifted as an athlete. One of the game’s better blitzers and is a big hitter. Not very instinctive and his motor runs cold too often. Doesn’t take on blocks well.

 

27. LARRY FOOTE, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

-Smart and physical. Sheds blocks very well and is a sure tackler. Not very fast and not really comfortable in coverage.

 

28. DEANDRE LEVY, DETROIT LIONS

-Amazing athlete for the position. Has the natural instincts to make plays on the ball. Not very experienced and must learn to use his hands to shed blocks better.

 

29. CHANNING CROWDER, MIAMI DOLPHINS

-Very stout vs. the run. Fast enough to get out the box and make tackles. Not the best in coverage and doesn’t make many splash plays.

 

30. STEPHEN COOPER, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

-Good size and solid mobility. Not as aggressive as you’d like on a consistent basis. Makes a lot of tackles, but not much else.

 

31. KEITH BULLUCK, NEW YORK GIANTS

-Making the switch to ILB after 12 years on the outside. Rangy athlete, should be able to make the adjustment. I question how well he’ll hold up, especially after an ACL injury.

 

32. A.J. HAWK, GREEN BAY PACKERS

-Has all the tools to be successful. Must show more consistency. Should be more comfortable in the second year of the 3-4 scheme.

 
 

ROOKIES (WITH A CHANCE TO CRACK TOP 32)

 

1. ROLANDO MCCLAIN, OAKLAND RAIDERS

-Big and physical. Has to develop a consistent motor…which is hard to do. Is he Brian Cox or Chris Claiborne.

 

2. BRANDON SPIKES, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

-Although he slipped in the draft, he has enjoyed a great offseason. May start and team with Mayo to form a solid, young duo.

 

3. DARYL WASHINGTON, ARIZONA CARDINALS

-Will have the chance to start early, but may struggle. Needs to add strength / bulk to hold up in the 3-4.