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By Michael Stewart/@golferbad

2019 NFL Draft: Prospect Spotlight/Inside Linebackers

Introduction: Another position of need could be at inside linebacker as Alec Ogletree could be a cap casualty and B. J Goodson is not developing as well as the team would like. If so, then GM Dave Gettleman will have many options to choose from in this year’s draft.  The 2019 class of inside linebackers features many play-makers that play physical and cover a lot of ground. Here are my top 10 inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft.

Devin White (LSU) 6’1/255: White is currently ranked the 1st overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. White has good speed to cover a lot of ground from sideline to sideline. White’s ability to tackle with a vengeance either inside the box or in the open field makes him a very lethal weapon. Comparison NFL Player: Jarrad Davis

Mack Wilson (Alabama) 6’0/231: Wilson is currently ranked the 2nd overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Wilson is very aggressive and like many at Alabama, plays with a great motor. Wilson attacks the line of scrimmage and has great instincts and range in pass coverage. Comparison NFL Player: CJ Mosley

Tevon Coney (Notre Dame) 6’0/240: Coney is currently ranked 3rd overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Coney has a lean looking physic and could add more size to his frame. Exceptional athlete who can make plays inside the tackles or in the open field. Comparison NFL Player: Reggie Ragland

Kendall Joseph (Clemson) 6’0/230: Joseph is currently ranked 4th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Joseph plays behind arguably the best collection of defensive linemen entering the 2019 draft. But that shouldn’t diminish his skill set. Joseph is a read and react linebacker with an extremely high football IQ. Comparison NFL Player: Jaylon Smith

Dre Greenlaw (Arkansas) 6’0/230: Greenlaw is currently ranked the 5th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Greenlaw is undersized by NFL standard, but don’t let his size fool you as Greenlaw is a disruptive presence for the Razorbacks defense. Greenlaw can cover from sideline to sideline and has great instincts for the ball. Comparison NFL Player: Darron Lee

Devin Bush (Michigan) 5’11/222: Bush is currently ranked 6th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 draft. Bush plays with great effort and is extremely for his size. Hits the gaps well and also can make plays in the open field. Comparison NFL Player: Denzel Perryman

Bobby Okereke (Stanford) 6’2/234: Okereke is currently ranked 7th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Okereke is super explosive and is a true playmaker. Okereke has the ability to excel against the run and also in pass coverage. Comparison NFL Player: Zach Cunningham

Joe Giles-Harris (Duke) 6’2/240: Giles-Harris is currently ranked 8th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Giles-Harris has good mechanics and angles in pursuit. Giles-Harris is a three-down linebacker as he excels in pass coverage and also defends the run. Comparison NFL Player: Raekwon McMillan

Tuf Borland (Ohio State) 6’1/230: Borland is currently ranked 9th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Borland will not make many highlights reels with menacing tackles. However; his athletic ability allows him to make plays anywhere on the field. Comparison NFL Player:Roquan Smith

T.J Edwards (Wisconsin) 6’1/248: Edwards is currently ranked 10th overall among inside linebackers in the 2019 NFL draft. Edwards is a solid tackler with a blue-collar mentality. Edwards is more effective in the trenches between the tackles and needs more time to develop into a better open field tackler and pass defender. Comparison NFL Player: Alec Ogletree

Final Thoughts:

Adding a playmaker at the inside linebacker position could be on the Giants wish list and the 2019 draft has many to choose from. The Giants have a deep history of talented linebackers from Mel Hein to Lawrence Taylor.

GM Dave Gettleman understands the need to have talent at the linebacker position, so I expect him to continue to look to improve this position in the offseason. His options could include looking at free agency as well, but if he is looking for an impact inside linebacker for the long-term, then the draft seems to be the way to go.