2021 NFL Draft – Inside Linebacker Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – ILB:

You are currently viewing the best inside linebackers in the 2021 NFL Draft. Our top linebacker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented defensive players in college football. Even though only about 15 will get selected in the draft, a lot 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 stars, QB sleepers, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2021 NFL draft inside linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 19, 2021)

2021:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Micah Parsons is an insane athlete who can do a little bit of everything. He can line up anywhere at linebacker, with the strength to play outside and the diagnostic abilities and leadership to move inside. Parsons rarely ever misses an assignment, filling gaps in a heartbeat and shedding tackles to get in the backfield and blow up plays. After being a Freshman All-American in 2018, he improved to being an actual All-American in 2019, before sitting out 2020. The growth from year 1 to 2 was outstanding, and he looks like a man amongst boys compared to some of these other inside linebackers. While he never grabbed an interception, he also broke up a lot of passes due to his reactive athleticism and ability to read offenses.

2019 Stats

13 games: 109 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 5 passes defended, 0 interceptions

Did not play in 2020. 

Jamin Davis had a breakout sophomore season, eclipsing 100 total tackles in just 10 games. He’s put on a lot of muscle throughout his career, with a powerful core and quick hips to provide a solid mixture of speed and strength. He got a lot better at shedding blocks and finishing the tackle, and improved his positioning dramatically. Coverage ability was also a surprise for Davis, bringing in 3 picks this past season. Even though he’s raw and hasn’t played much, his natural talent is impressive and his rapid growth over the past year is a good sign of things to come.

2020 Stats

10 games: 102 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, 3 interceptions

Nick Bolton is a lot smaller than some of the other linebackers here, but being 6’0" 230 pounds is plenty big to play inside at the next level. Bolton has quick hips and a good first step, with decent overall speed and quickness. Despite not being the biggest, he has a very compact build and accelerates into his hits, generating more power on his tackles than some 250 pound linebackers. He has plenty of experience dropping back in coverage and has been decent mirroring the moves of running backs and tight ends. The best part of his game is how quickly he diagnoses plays, and the consistency of his tackling.

2020 Stats

10 games: 95 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 5 passes defended, 0 interceptions

Surratt is a perfect player in any 4-3 scheme with versatility to play outside or inside. It’s easy to forget that he played QB his first 2 years at UNC given his instincts and tackling ability. At 6’1" 230 pounds Surratt doesn’t have elite size and isn’t the fastest linebacker in the class. But he reads offenses very fast, has a very high football IQ, and has been productive as a pass rusher. With only a couple years of experience under his belt yet a host of ACC accolades, Surratt is a quick learner who can offer leadership and consistency inside.

2020 Stats

11 games: 91 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception

Baron Browning is one of 4 great Ohio State linebackers this past year, capable of playing any linebacker position. He spent more time outside in order to keep Tuf Borland inside, but Browning projects to move in at the next level. The stats aren’t eye popping, but Browning always jumps out on film while scouting OSU. He is a natural athlete who reads the defense well and can cover a lot of ground. His tackling ability is above average, and he’s not afraid to take on blocks instead of getting out of position in the hopes of making a big play. His consistent, team-first style of play is a breath of fresh air for coordinators.

2020 Stats

7 games: 29 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 2 passes defended, 0 interceptions

Complete 2021 ILB draft rankings

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2021: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Linebackers will always help themselves by stuffing the stat sheet, but that was a lot tougher this year with many prospects not playing a full season, if at all. As a result, it doesn’t feel like there’s too much depth here. In fact, there’s only one inside linebacker who really stands out to me in this group, and he’ll probably be gone in the top 10 picks. In a normal class I don’t think anyone else would go in the first two rounds, but players like Bolton, Surratt, Browning, or Jamin Davis could see improved stock due to the weakness of the position. In general, there isn’t much separating the 5th best player in the group from the 15th best player in the group.