It’s a position that has seemingly been underrated over the last few years, but don’t under estimate the importance of the middle linebacker position. They’re the quarterbacks of the defense, usually responsible for directing their teammates pre snap.
They don’t always end up on SportsCenter, but middle linebackers are the glue that hold the defense together. It’s tough to find a great defense that doesn’t have a great middle linebacker, so there are plenty of teams that will be looking to find a stud there in this year’s draft.
NEED: 4-3 MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Minnesota Vikings
Middle linebackers currently on roster: Jasper Brinkley (4th year), Tyrone McKenzie (3rd year), Marvin Mitchell (7th year), Larry Dean (2nd year),
The Vikings don’t appear to be planning on re-signing middle linebacker EJ Henderson. His play has declined over the last several seasons and at this point isn’t much more than veteran depth. Minnesota may elect to see if Jasper Brinkley can handle the starting role, but he’s inexperienced and unproven.
They may get lucky and have Luke Kuechly fall to them at the top of the second round, but that’s looking increasingly unlikely. James Michael Johnson out of Nevada or Mychal Kendricks from Cal may be options for the Vikings a little later on in the draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Middle linebackers currently on roster: Mason Foster (2nd year), Adam Hayward (6th year), Mike Balogun (2nd year)
Tampa Bay thought they had the successor to Barrett Rudd when they drafted Mason Foster in 2011. But while Foster did start at middle linebacker all during his rookie season, he didn’t play well and looked comfortable throughout the season.
It may feel too early to move Foster outside, but the Buccaneers will need to seriously evaluate his future at middle linebacker. Tampa Bay has the potential to be a good team, but they’ll need to find someone who can be solid in the middle to fulfill that potential.
Seattle Seahawks
Middle linebackers currently on roster: Barrett Rudd (8th year), Michael Morgan (2nd year), Tressor Baptiste (2nd year)
After the loss of former starting middle linebacker David Hawthorne, the Seahawks now have a big void to fill in the middle of their defense. They’ve signed Barrett Rudd to potentially be the new starter, but he struggled to stay healthy in 2011. Even when he was able to be on the field he looked washed up, and Seattle shouldn’t rely on him to be their middle linebacker for 16 games.
To keep their defense playing at a high level, they’ll need to add another linebacker at some point during the draft. Unfortunately it’s not a deep class of middle linebackers, so their options will be limited.
NEED: 3-4 INSIDE LINEBACKER
Arizona Cardinals
Inside linebackers currently on roster: Stewart Bradley (6th year), Paris Lenon (11th year), Quan Sturdivant (2nd year), Reggie Walker (4th year), Daryl Washington (3rd year)
To say that Stewart Bradley’s first year as a Cardinal was disappointing would be a huge understatement. There’s a chance he could turn things around in his second year there, but it doesn’t look likely. The rest of Arizona’s defense has the parts to be solid, but it’s lacking that “glue” in the middle that a good inside linebacker duo provides in a 3-4.
Even if Bradley were to have a surprisingly good 2012 season, this area is still a concern for the Cardinals. Perhaps the missing piece here is linebacker prospect Luke Kuechly. He should go somewhere in the range of Arizona’s thirteenth overall pick in the first round, and he would be a player who could start on their defense in week one.
Baltimore Ravens
Inside linebackers currently on roster: Ray Lewis (17th year), Jameel McClain (5th year), Brendon Ayanbadejo (10th year), Cody Glenn (4th year)
It’s hard to believe that Ray Lewis has been making plays in the NFL for nearly two decades. It’s amazing that he’s played at such a high level for so long. It’s tough for Ravens fans to imagine, but it’s time to start planning for what the middle of Baltimore’s defense will look like after Lewis retires.
Jameel McClain has been solid playing next to Lewis, but he’s pretty much all they’ve got. Neither Brendon Ayanbadejo nor Cody Glenn are long term answers. The Ravens may not need more than depth here in 2012, but it’s likely they’ll need a starter by 2013.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Inside linebackers currently on roster: Lawrence Timmons (6th year), Larry Foote (11th year), Brandon Hicks (2nd year), Mortty Ivy (3rd year), Marshall McFadden (2nd year), Stevenson Sylvester (3rd year)
Pittsburgh is in the midst of rebuilding an aging defense, and one step in that process was the release of James Farrior. He was a fixture in the Steelers’ defense for 10 years, where he only missed eight starts since 2002. His play was declining, however, and it was time for Pittsburgh to move on.
Lawrence Timmons is solid at one inside linebacker spot and Larry Foote can be a temporary fix, but he’s not a long term solution. The Steelers may try to find a developmental prospect, but there needs to be a long term solution found in this years’ draft.
Oakland Raiders
Inside linebackers currently on roster: Rolando McClain (3rd year), Travis Goethel (3rd year)
If the Raiders do as expected as switch to a 3-4 defense, they’ll hopefully put the struggling Rolando McClain in a position to finally excel. They’ll need to find another linebacker to play alongside him, however. One potential solution would be found on their roster currently by sliding Aaron Curry from outside linebacker to the inside.
Even if Curry is moved inside, it’d still be a good idea for the Raiders to add a starting quality inside linebacker. McClain’s off the field troubles are a big enough concern that some quality insurance is necessary, and there’s no guarantee that Curry’s potential move inside would be successful. Another inside linebacker would be a quality investment and allow for some flexibility on defense.
NEED: INSIDE LINEBACKER DEPTH
Atlanta Falcons
Middle linebackers currently on roster: Akeem Dent (2nd year), Lofa Tatupu (8th year)
The Falcons lost their leader on defense when Curtis Lofton signed with division foe New Orleans. It’s a tough loss for Atlanta, as it creates a new hole on their roster while at the same time giving a boost to a rival.
They signed Lofa Tatupu in an attempt to replace him, but there are some huge questions surrounding his health. The Falcons drafted Akeem Dent in the third round of the 2011 draft and there’s a good chance he’ll be the starter in 2012. Atlanta will need some insurance in the case that neither Tatupu nor Dent pan out.
New York Jets
Inside linebackers currently on roster: Bart Scott (11th year), David Harris (6th year), Nick Bellore (2nd year), Matthias Berning (2nd year), Josh Mauga (3rd year)
For a portion of the off season it seemed Bart Scott was going to talk his way out New York, but it looks like he’s going to be a Jet for at least one more season now. The duo of Scott and David Harris at inside linebacker has worked well over the last several years, and it should continue to do so in 2012.
If the Jets’ front office was rational, they’d go ahead and cut Scott now and get rid of some of the locker room drama. That won’t happen, but the Jets do need to plan for Scott’s eventual replacement. He’ll be 31 this year and doesn’t look like he has a ton left in the tank. A prospect they can groom to start in a year or two would be ideal here.
Tennessee Titans
Middle linebackers currently on roster: Colin McCarthy (2nd year), Tim Shaw (5th year)
When the Titans drafted Colin McCarthy in the 4th round of the 2011 draft, they weren’t expecting him to become the starter in week 10. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what he did. After racking up 68 tackles in an outstanding rookie season, McCarthy will be Tennessee’s undisputed starter at middle linebacker in 2012.
There’s not much behind him, however. Tim Shaw was recently re-signed by the Titans, but while he’s a special teams standout it’s debatable how much of an impact he’d have on defense. Tennessee needs to add another middle linebacker to provide some depth at t
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
