DRAFT TRACKER 2016

Thumping inside linebacker with throwback size and tone­setting mentality. Ragland is a confident and capable early starter in league who has the temperament to become one of the premier run­-stopping inside linebackers in the pro game. Ragland has some coverage and speed limitations, but his instincts and overall awareness should be able to mask those issues.

Scooby Wright probably won’t tear up the combine with eye-popping athletic numbers and his injury-plagued 2015 season put his name on the back­burner as far as draft discussions, but his instincts, production and overall competitive fire make him one of the safer second day bets in this draft. He could make a late move up the draft board for teams who value elite production.

Small, but rangy linebacker with very good play speed but a lack of desired strength. It's easy to want to write Alexander off considering his issues with play strength, but then you look at his downhill tackling and ability to get to the ball and you reassess. Alexander's ability to cover in space should pair well with a move to outside linebacker in a 4-­3 where he can avoid some of the size coming at him that gave him issues inside.

Glass eater who will be the first in line to battle. Morrison's leadership, toughness and aggressiveness will be exactly what NFL teams want, but his lack of instincts and size are barriers that may always hinder his pro potential. After his knee injury, Morrison's athleticism wasn't quite where it was in 2014 so he might be at full strength by 2016. Morrison may be too tight to play outside linebacker in a 4-­3 and lacking the instincts to play in the middle. His best fit could be as the WILB in a 3­-4 where he figures to be an eventual starter.

Norris isn't a plus athlete, but he has enough athleticism within the context of what he has to do on the field. His instincts help to guide him around the field, but he doesn’t have the technique or speed to be a high­-end playmaker. Norris looks the part of a backup WILL inside linebacker in a 3­-4 who has the potential to become an average starter down the road.

Physical linebacker who has produced high­-end tackle numbers over the last two years at Ohio State. Perry played the role of thumper on a loaded Ohio State team, but may be lacking the athleticism and overall speed to replicate his college production in the pros. His best fit may be as a physical, 3-­4 inside linebacker who has to leave the field on passing downs.

Vigil has the desire and instincts to play in the NFL, but his slim frame and lack of play strength will need to be addressed in the weight room and the training table. Vigil’s athletic scores at the combine could push his draft stock in either direction, but with more mass, he has the ability to stick on a roster even though it may need to be as an outside linebacker in a 4-­3 defense.

Tall linebacker who could play inside in a 3-4 or outside in a 4­-3. Smith has the chase speed to be a factor all over the field, but the production doesn’t match up with the athleticism. Smith doesn’t have the play strength to consistently finish as a tackler and he shows a surprising lack of tackles for loss considering his speed and the defensive linemen he has played behind. As a former sprinter and jumper in high school, Smith should star at the combine which could get him drafted ahead of where his production says he should go.

Full-­time starter over the last two years who plays with the temperament and ruggedness that Stanford wants in the middle of their defense. Martinez is a muscled-­up, throwback linebacker in a league that covets twitch and play speed over throwback traits. His special teams ability and overall tackle production is a big plus, but his draft stock might not match up with his elevated college production due to concerns over his quickness.

With his athleticism and length, teams may be tempted to try him out as an edge rusher, but he is a much better straight-­line blitzer through the A and B gaps than he is around the edge. Forrest is a WILL linebacker with the size and range teams look for, but his combination of average instincts and wasted movement in space could be an indicator of up-­and-­down play in the pros.

Thumper in the middle who can rock ­and ­roll in collision drills but gets lost when he has to activate athleticism and instincts inside of a game. McKinzy is a tough guy who can wrap and finish when he's got a clean shot and he might have some special teams value as a pro. He might not be trust­worthy enough to leave him alone in the middle of a 4-­3, but could find a spot on the inside with a 3-­4 defense.

Kwiatkoski is known for his weight room work and has transitioned his body type from safety to inside linebacker. He has some physical limitations that could prevent him from becoming a full-­time starter, but his mean streak and ability to finish as a tackler could serve him well as a special teamer which is likely how he will have to make a team.

Undersized with average athleticism, Kirby is a try-­hard linebacker with good football character but only moderate production at best during his time at "The U." While I wouldn't rule out his chances of battling for a roster spot, his ACL tear could make being drafted an uphill climb.

On first glance, Daniels simply appears to be too big and stiff to be able to function as an NFL linebacker, but the more you watch, the more you realize that his motor and strength makes up for some of his deficiencies. Daniels has flexibility limitations that will hurt him, but his production over the last three years as a downhill player should be considered. He plays better football than he tests and could become a consideration for 3­-4 teams looking for a thumper to add some depth.

Three-year starter lacking the size and toughness to win against the run, but above average production and man cover talent against the pass. The tape shows a player who is too often confused and out of position to be relied upon as a starter, but his pursuit speed and ability in the passing game gives him a shot at making a roster as an outside linebacker if he can prove to be a special teams winner.

Primarily a time­share linebacker who plays steady, but lacks the productivity NFL teams generally look for from draftable linebackers. On tape, his overall speed appears to fall below the acceptable border and he doesn’t thump well enough to make a living in the box. Sarao might need to make it into camp and impress with special teams ability to have a shot.

Hardworking, undersized linebacker with good instincts and feel for his position, but might lack the necessary size and athleticism to execute at a level that would make him an NFL contributor.