2020 NFL Draft – Inside Linebacker Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – ILB:

You are currently viewing the best inside linebackers in the 2020 NFL Draft. Our top inside linebacker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best middle linebackers in college football. Even though only about 10-15 will get selected in the draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft sleepers, draft stars, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2020 inside linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 16, 2020)

2020:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

When I first watched Kenneth Murray play as a freshman, I took down a note that he would be a top 50 pick when he entered the draft. A couple years later, he’s my #1 ILB. His tackling form is beautiful, consistently squaring up and giving a hard hit to the ball carrier. He has great closing speed and overall athleticism, and works incredibly hard to make the big play. His range is as good as anyone in the class, and he has the chiseled frame of an NFL superstar. Murray is as decisive as you’ll find a linebacker, helping him close on ball carriers fast. This will occasionally trick him and pull him out of position, but he’ll almost always make the right decision. Murray is also one of the better run blitzers in the class, and has all the makings of a 3 down linebacker.

2019 Stats

14 games: 102 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 4 passes defended

Patrick Queen has a lot of the same qualities as Kenneth Murray, he just didn’t get as many opportunities to showcase them. He has very impressive athletic ability, running a 4.50 40 time, with a 125" broad jump. He squares up hits and separates from blocks extremely well. He showed great instincts and ability to diagnose plays, while rarely ever missing the tackle. His athletic ability, tackling form, and instincts make him a great inside linebacker prospect. The biggest issue is one that many teams could regret worrying about: production. While he wasn’t unproductive, ILB’s put up insane numbers on a routine basis. Queen didn’t receive All-SEC recognition, and was only a 1 year starter.

2019 Stats

15 games: 85 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception

Logan Wilson had a quiet yet productive combine, silencing any speed or athleticism concerns with above-average numbers. People knew he played fast, but might not have speed to translate to defending running backs. He has a great tackling form, plays fast and instinctive, and is always in the right place. Wilson is a really good coverage defenders with great instincts in zone coverage, having amounted an insane 10 interceptions over his 4 years as a linebacker, including 4 this past season. Wilson doesn’t offer too much as a pass rusher, but he able to bend around the edge well when lining up as a SAM linebacker. He has 3 down ability and good leadership.

2019 Stats

13 games: 105 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 11 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble forced

Troy Dye has great instincts, long-time production, a very high football IQ, and a well rounded game. I don’t see him as much of a pass rusher, but he is one of the better coverage linebackers in the class, which can’t be understated. He has too thin of a frame to play as an outside linebacker, but offers some versatility in special teams. He likely won’t need multiple positions though, because he plans to be a starter at inside linebacker. Dye has the leadership, IQ, and diagnosing ability to make every play, and enough speed to get sideline to sideline.

2019 Stats

13 games: 84 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles forced

Brooks is an extremely athletic linebacker with a sturdy build (6’0" 240 pounds) who is one of the best run stoppers you’ll find at inside linebacker. His 20 tackles for loss were among the top in the nation, despite only 3 of those being sacks. Brooks is not only fast, he’s also really quick side to side and a good decision maker. His athletic profile and overall production make him look like a sure fire linebacker, but he is completely lacking in coverage ability. Inside linebackers need to have a well rounded game to cover tight ends, spy, and drop back in zone. Brooks has been really poor in nearly every coverage scheme and has a long way to go before he can be NFL caliber in this area.

2019 Stats

11 games: 108 tackles, 20.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 fumble forced

Complete draft rankings for 2020 – Inside Linebacker

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2020: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

This is an interesting class because I feel like I’m constantly changing my rankings at inside linebacker. As is fairly common, there isn’t too much that separates the players in later rounds from their undrafted counterparts. There is usually great late round depth here because mike linebackers have incredible productivity, great instincts, and don’t require big size to be productive. The workhorse players are well represented here with guys like Evan Weaver (led the FBS with 336 total tackles these past 2 years), and Christian Rozeboom (who exceeded 100 tackles in all 4 seasons at SDSU). Like outside linebacker, this position is trending towards faster and smaller players. While this happens, there’s a chance for instinctive guys with a nose for tackling to be undervalued and become a steal for a smart team. While I think there’s a huge dropoff after the top 2 prospects and day 2 might not be a good one for ILB’s, day 3 and free agency will see lots of great players find a home.