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2016 NFL Draft Pre-Combine: Ranking the Top 10 Inside Linebacker Prospects

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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

There isn’t a lot of inside linebacker depth headed to the NFL Draft this season, so it’s more important than ever that teams scoop up the talented defenders while they’re available. These 10 are the best at the position heading into the NFL Combine.

10. Luke Rhodes - William & Mary

Luke Rhodes - William & Mary Getty Images
Rhodes is as physically gifted as some of the other players on this list, but he just didn't get as much exposure playing at William & Mary. If a team wants to take a chance on him, they might just get a steal.

Rhodes is as physically gifted as some of the other players on this list, but he just didn't get as much exposure playing at William & Mary. If a team wants to take a chance on him, they might just get a steal.

9. Jared Norris - Utah

Jared Norris - Utah Getty Images
Utah is known for developing edge rushers, but Norris is a great interior defender. He's slightly undersized, but he's very quick for someone on the inside. His size could turn out to be an issue, but don't expect him to be deterred.

Utah is known for developing edge rushers, but Norris is a great interior defender. He's slightly undersized, but he's very quick for someone on the inside. His size could turn out to be an issue, but don't expect him to be deterred.

8. Blake Martinez - Stanford

Blake Martinez - Stanford Getty Images
Martinez is also slightly undersized, but his instincts are off the charts. His football IQ is extremely high, which makes him a great on-field leader. With some seasoning, he could be a very solid NFL linebacker.

Martinez is also slightly undersized, but his instincts are off the charts. His football IQ is extremely high, which makes him a great on-field leader. With some seasoning, he could be a very solid NFL linebacker.

7. Antonio Morrison - Florida

Antonio Morrison - Florida Getty Images
It takes a lot of talent to play inside linebacker in the SEC, but Morrison made it look easy. He can play sideline to sideline and if he improves his pass coverage, he could be a starter in the league.

It takes a lot of talent to play inside linebacker in the SEC, but Morrison made it look easy. He can play sideline to sideline and if he improves his pass coverage, he could be a starter in the league.

6. Nick Vigil - Utah State

Nick Vigil - Utah State Getty Images
Vigil doesn't always find himself in the right spot on a play, but he makes up for that by being crafty. That may not work in the NFL, but if he gets a little quicker, his combination of craftiness and speed could make him very good.

Vigil doesn't always find himself in the right spot on a play, but he makes up for that by being crafty. That may not work in the NFL, but if he gets a little quicker, his combination of craftiness and speed could make him very good.

5. Tyler Matakevich - Temple

Tyler Matakevich - Temple Getty Images
Matakevich has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL very soon. He's quick, has the frame and instincts and isn't afraid to take on anybody. If those tools all translate well in the league, whoever takes him will be thrilled.

Matakevich has all the tools to be a starter in the NFL very soon. He's quick, has the frame and instincts and isn't afraid to take on anybody. If those tools all translate well in the league, whoever takes him will be thrilled.

4. Dominique Alexander - Oklahoma

Dominique Alexander - Oklahoma Getty Images
Overall, Oklahoma's defense wasn't great, but Alexander was a bright spot. He got plenty of experience in pass protection against spread offenses in the Big 12, so if he proves capable of stopping the run, he could be a star.

Overall, Oklahoma's defense wasn't great, but Alexander was a bright spot. He got plenty of experience in pass protection against spread offenses in the Big 12, so if he proves capable of stopping the run, he could be a star.

3. Scooby Wright III - Arizona

Scooby Wright III - Arizona Getty Images
Once upon a time, Wright seemed like a sure first-round pick, but injuries have majorly set him back. Teams are going to be wary of him because of that, but if he stays healthy then he's going to be a stud because of his quickness.

Once upon a time, Wright seemed like a sure first-round pick, but injuries have majorly set him back. Teams are going to be wary of him because of that, but if he stays healthy then he's going to be a stud because of his quickness.

2. Kentrell Brothers - Missouri

Kentrell Brothers - Missouri Getty Images
While playing in a tough SEC, Brothers excelled, especially in 2015. He plays sideline-to-sideline, is very good in pass protection and is a tackling machine. If he were a little bigger, he would be a sure first-round draft pick.

While playing in a tough SEC, Brothers excelled, especially in 2015. He plays sideline-to-sideline, is very good in pass protection and is a tackling machine. If he were a little bigger, he would be a sure first-round draft pick.

1. Reggie Ragland - Alabama

Reggie Ragland - Alabama Getty Images
Ragland has everything you look for in an inside linebacker: size, speed, athleticism and instincts. Rumor has it that Alabama prepares linebackers well for the NFL as well. He will likely be the only one in this group taken in the first round.

Ragland has everything you look for in an inside linebacker: size, speed, athleticism and instincts. Rumor has it that Alabama prepares linebackers well for the NFL as well. He will likely be the only one in this group taken in the first round.

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