Rating the top inside linebackers in the 2016 NFL draft

Included in measurables are height, weight, age they turn this year (if available) and 40-yard-dash time. Players are listed at the position they are projected to play in the 3-4 scheme the Chiefs run.

1. MYLES JACK, UCLA

Measurables: 6-1, 245, 21, DNR*

Bio: Three-year starter who had 15 tackles (zero for loss) and zero sacks in three games in 2015. Also had one interception and two pass deflections. Declared after his true junior season, which was shortened after three games by a season-ending knee injury.

Consensus: Is young for a prospect; he doesn’t turn 21 until September. Former running back with outstanding athleticism. Does not possess ideal size but plays fast; flies to the football and covers lots of ground against the run and in coverage. Jack-of-all-trades defender who can turn and run with tight ends and running backs with ease. Can even match up with some receivers; even lined up at nickel corner on some occasions. Has great feet for a linebacker. Is comfortable in space. Willing tackler who will strike you and packs a punch at the point of attack. Is occasionally used as an edge rusher, where he lacks size and feel but flashes excellent burst. There is reportedly some long-term concern about his knee, but those reports might be overblown.

Grade: 7.2

*Did not run 40

2. REGGIE RAGLAND, Alabama

Measurables: 6-1, 247, 23, 4.72

Bio: Two-year starter who had 102 tackles (6.5 for loss), six quarterback hurries and 2.5 sacks in 15 games in 2015. Also had zero interceptions and seven pass deflections.

Consensus: Smart, productive player who has the look of an old-school inside linebacker. Has the bulk to hold up in the box and at the point of attack against offensive linemen in the running game. Uses his hands well. Long speed isn’t great but he shuffles his feet well and shows good short-area quickness and burst. Packs a punch as a tackler. Has good instincts; plays the game with his eyes. Does a nice job sifting through trash against the run. Occasionally lined up as an edge rusher in a three-point stance. Leader who reportedly has good football character. Lost 12 pounds from the Senior Bowl to the combine; will need to keep his weight in check.

Grade: 6.9

3. DARRON LEE, Ohio State

Measurables: 6-1, 232, 21, 4.47

Bio: Two-year starter who had 66 tackles (11 for loss), 4.5 sacks and seven hurries in 13 games in 2015. Also had one interception and two pass breakups. Declared after redshirt sophomore season.

Consensus: Is young for a prospect. Tore it up at the combine, posting a blistering 40 while posting great marks in the vertical (35.5 inches), broad jump (133 inches) and 20-yard shuttle (4.20). Excellent athlete who projects as a three-down linebacker. Sideline-to-sideline player who can cover plenty of ground, blitz and play the run. Disciplined run defender who understands gap responsibility and takes good angles to the ball. Has a closing burst to the quarterback. Is aware and mostly knows where the ball is. Isn’t a take-on run defender; can get overpowered in the phone booth by linemen. Will have to increase the jolt in his hands; otherwise he’ll be forced to rely solely on his speed and smarts to defeat blockers at the next level.

Grade: 6.9

4. JOSHUA PERRY, Ohio State

Measurables: 6-4, 254, 22, 4.68

Bio: Three-year starter who had 105 tackles (7.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks and four hurries in 13 games in 2015. Also had zero interceptions and four pass breakups.

Consensus: Posted a good broad jump (124 inches). Great bulk and size for the position. Willing to play downhill. Flashes the ability to pack a punch at the point of attack and has a good feel for running angles. Has the size to hold up in the interior. Flashes a decent closing burst when he’s decisive. Must continue to train his eyes. Flashes the ability to make tackles in space but is a bit high-cut and stiff in coverage. Is reportedly a very good leader with strong football character. Plays hard. Good motor.

Grade: 6.6

5. SU’A CRAVENS, Southern California

Measurables: 6-1, 226, 21, 4.69

Bio: Three-year starter who had 86 tackles (15 for loss), 5.5 sacks and one hurry in 14 games in 2015. Also had two interceptions and eight pass deflections. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Is young for a prospect; he turns 21 in July. Spent most of his time at or around the line of scrimmage. Is at his best going forward — has a real burst going upfield and might have some upside as a blitzer, where he times his rushes well and can outquick offensive linemen. Does a nice job timing his leaps to deflect passes in the backfield. Possesses some range against the run and has a good closing burst. Lined up plenty as an edge rusher. Needs to do a better job of shedding against the run but has a surprising amount of pop in his hands for his size. Can be a tad slow to trigger. Sometimes gives inconsistent effort in plays run away from him. Could be a weapon, particularly in nickel. Played some slot corner and has the athleticism to match up on tight ends and some receivers.

Grade: 6.6

6. DEION JONES, Louisiana State

Measurables: 6-1, 222, 22, 4.59

Bio: One-year starter who had 100 tackles (13.5 for loss), five sacks and six hurries in 12 games in 2015. Also had two interceptions and five pass deflections.

Consensus: Excellent athlete with sideline-to-sideline speed and agility. Showed this at the combine with an excellent 40 time. Also has good burst. Has the ability to cover tight ends and be a three-down player. Lacks bulk but fits the mold of the new-age linebacker. Can get overpowered in the phone booth; will have to win with smarts and quicks. Flashes the ability to sift through the trash. Instinctive player. A bit underpowered as a tackler; needs to add strength to finish plays off. Is only a one-year starter.

Grade: 6.5

7. JAYLON SMITH, Notre Dame

Measurables: 6-2, 223, 21, DNR*

Bio: Three-year starter who had 114 tackles (nine for loss), one sack and six hurries in 13 games in 2015. Also had zero interceptions and five pass deflections. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Is young for a prospect; he turns 21 in June. Had a formal interview with the Chiefs at the NFL combine. Has a nice combination of size, bulk and athleticism. Has above-average closing speed with good range. Instincts are above average — seems to understand football concepts and will attack the football once he’s processed it. Can make plays behind the line of scrimmage when he trusts his eyes. Will occasionally line up in space and shows good instincts in the passing game. Can be overwhelmed in the phone booth against the run, but is generally willing to take on the contact and flashes the ability to stack and shed. Flashes the ability to sift through the trash. Will occasionally rush off the edge as a pass rusher but doesn’t show any pass-rush moves. Plays hard and gives good effort. Projects as a three-down inside linebacker in the NFL. Will likely have to redshirt in 2016 as he recovers from a significant leg injury sustained in the bowl game. Would easily have a grade of 7.0 or above were it not for the injury.

Grade: 6.4

*Did not run 40.

8. De’VONDRE CAMPBELL, Minnesota

Measurables: 6-4, 232, 23, 4.58

Bio: Two-year starter who had 92 tackles (6.5 for loss) and four sacks in 13 games in 2015. Also had one interception and four pass deflections. Junior college transfer.

Consensus: Posted a blazing-fast 40 time at the combine. Good athlete. Combination of size and speed will be attractive to NFL teams who will think they can coach him up. Has very good length; has the potential to grow into a three-down player with the right team. Drag-down tackler who doesn’t have a ton of pop at the point of attack and needs to continue to train his eyes.

Grade: 6.3

9. BLAKE MARTINEZ, Stanford

Measurables: 6-2, 237, 23, 4.71

Bio: Two-year starter who had 141 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and two hurries in 14 games in 2015. Also had one interception and seven pass deflections.

Consensus: Had a formal interview with the Chiefs at the NFL combine. Good tester who posted solid marks in the bench (22 reps), three-cone (6.98) and 20-yard shuttle (4.20) but is a bit of a one-speed guy and isn’t necessarily explosive; loses his feet a bit too often and isn’t a sideline-to-sideline guy. Has solid eyes for the position. Will occasionally miss tackles in space. Drag-down tackler. Shows a closing burst as a blitzer. Occasionally gets engulfed by offensive linemen in the running game. Good football player who reportedly has very good character and makeup.

Grade: 6.3

10. PHILIP “SCOOBY” WRIGHT III, Arizona

Measurables: 6-0, 239, 22, 4.90

Bio: Three-year starter who had 23 tackles (3.5 for loss), two sacks and zero hurries in three games in 2015. Also had zero interceptions. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Was ridiculously productive in 2014, when he posted a preposterous statline of 163 tackles (29 for loss) and 14 sacks. Was the Pac 12 defensive player of the year that year over 2015 Vikings second-round pick Eric Kendricks. Has very fast eyes; diagnoses running and passing plays very quickly. Has limited range but is always around the ball and consistently makes plays. Willing to take on blockers against the run. Occasionally lined up as an edge rusher and was productive there. Is a talented blitzer; has a real knack for timing his rushes and shows good burst going forward. Is undersized — has short arms and an injury history. Will have to overcome some physical limitations to make it, but reportedly has good football character and might have the passion necessary to overachieve anyway.

Grade: 6.3

OTHERS TO WATCH: Kentrell Brothers, Missouri; Travis Feeney, Washington; Nick Kwiatkoski, West Virginia; Tyler Matakevich, Temple; Nick Vigil, Utah State.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Rating the top inside linebackers in the 2016 NFL draft."