New York Giants

New York Giants: Inside Linebackers To Consider In 2017 NFL Draft

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:23 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Maxwell Ogden/FanSided via GMEN HQ

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) celebrates after a fumble recovery during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants need to improve at inside linebacker. Which 2017 NFL Draft prospects would make sense for Jerry Reese to target?

The 2016 NFL season has come to a close and the offseason has officially begun. For the New York Giants, nothing will be more important than complementing the stars in place by addressing the few voids that remain.

As the Giants evaluate the current roster and pinpoint the areas of weakness, few stand out quite as much as inside linebacker.

Devon Kennard is becoming a solid NFL player, but New York is thin at linebacker. Only one Giants linebacker earned a Pro Football Focus grade above 70.0 in 2016, which is a fair indication of how much of a weakness linebacker remains.

With Kennard on the outside and Kelvin Sheppard now a free agent, the Giants need to find a player who can solidify the defensive interior at middle linebacker.

New York drafted B.J. Goodson in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but there’s no guaranteeing that he’ll develop into a starter at middle linebacker. For that reason, Jerry Reese must evaluate his options in 2017.

Fortunately for the New York Giants, the crop of inside linebackers in the 2017 NFL Draft is nothing short of promising.

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) tries to get past LSU Tigers defensive end Tashawn Bower (46) and linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Kendell Beckwith, LSU Tigers

Age: 22 (12/2/1994)
Height & Weight: 6’3″ & 247 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 10 GP, 91 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 1 fumble recovered

Kendell Beckwith is the physically imposing middle linebacker that many teams covet in run defense. He’s acceptable in zone coverage and naturally competitive, but the true appeal is his power in tackling runners head-on.

There are other options to consider, but Beckwith’s combination of strength and physicality will be tough to pass up in a division with Ezekiel Elliott.

Beckwith suffered a torn ACL during the 2016 season, which is a red flag that must be acknowledged and monitored. When healthy, however, Beckwith has been one of the best linebackers in the country.

The fair and obvious question pertaining to Beckwith is simple: can he return to 100 percent and become the player he’s capable of being?

Beckwith’s greatest strength is his ability to take on runners and shake off blockers. He’s an athletic phenom who can cover ground and has the competitive edge to take down even the strongest of running backs.

Beckwith could fall down draft boards due to his injury, which makes him an ideal mid-round acquisition for Jerry Reese and the Giants.

Nov 19, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores inside linebacker Zach Cunningham (41) is congratulated by teammates after a fumble recovery during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt Commodores

Age: 22 (12/12/1994)
Height & Weight: 6’4″ & 230 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 13 GP, 125 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 2 fumbles forced, 4 fumble recoveries

Though he may not have attended a traditional powerhouse, Zach Cunningham ranked amongst the best linebackers in the SEC. That alone is reason to evaluate game film and determine just how well his game translates to the NFL—and dominant defense in the SEC usually translates.

Cunningham is likely to turn heads at the NFL Draft Combine, but until then, the game film doesn’t lie: he has the talent to be special.

Cunningham was everywhere for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2016, recording an SEC-best 125 total tackles. His ability to cover ground against the run borders on being elite, as evidenced by his 16.5 tackles for loss—No. 3 in the SEC.

Some are afraid that Cunningham isn’t yet ready to play in the NFL, but he’d be the perfect player for Steve Spagnuolo to develop at middle linebacker.

It’s tough to find linebackers who have Cunningham’s combination of size, athleticism, and instincts as a tackler. He needs to polish his game fundamentally, but he’s flashed consistent signs of brilliance.

If the Giants are going to overcome the challenges that face them in the NFC East, having a linebacker like Cunningham will be crucial.

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) communicates at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Reuben Foster, Alabama Crimson Tide

Age: 22 (4/4/1994)
Height & Weight: 6’1″ & 236 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 15 GP, 115 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks

The likelihood of Reuben Foster falling to No. 23 overall is slim to none. Inside linebackers often slide down draft boards, however, and if he comes within reach of the New York Giants, it would behoove Jerry Reese to do what’s necessary to make him a member of Big Blue.

Foster is the best inside linebacker in this draft class and one could argue that there isn’t a close second—more a testament to his talent than the depth of this class.

There’s a growing belief that Foster will be better as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. He’s perfectly suited to be an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but there’s rational concern that he isn’t built to be a MIKE in the 4-3.

If Reese, Ben McAdoo, and Steve Spagnuolo decide otherwise, however, Foster would be the perfect addition to the Giants’ defense.

This wouldn’t be the first time New York has drafted an Alabama player who doesn’t project to fit the mold. Landon Collins was believed to be weak in pass coverage, but has since become an elite defensive player.

By placing Foster in the middle, the Giants would land the thunderous tackler necessary to further solidify the run defense behind Damon Harrison.

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) lines up against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State Buckeyes

Age: 20 (11/17/1996)
Height & Weight: 6’2″ & 243 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 13 GP, 102 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 fumbles forced

Aside from the obvious Wu-Tang Clan appeal, Raekwon McMillan is an experienced middle linebacker who could be the perfect addition to the New York Giants. He’s a competitive tackler who has the pedigree to become a leader on defense.

McMillan has areas in which he must improve, but he takes coaching well and has an uncanny ability to show up where he needs to be.

McMillan has the size and viciousness to be a physically overwhelming force against the run. He’s a tackling machine who covers ground, bursts through holes in the offensive line, and destroys running backs in the backfield.

Coupled with the speed and natural athleticism to improve in coverage, McMillan’s development should continue once he reaches the NFL.

McMillan may not yet be consistent in coverage, but he’s made progress since 2015. His work ethic appears to be strong, just as his physical gifts are intriguing and his ability to disrupt the run has been proven as a strength.

In a division with promising young offensive players such as Ezekiel Elliott, Robert Kelley, Dak Prescott, and Carson Wentz, McMillan’s athleticism could be a game changer.

Oct 22, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Devonte Williams (2) is tackled by Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (1) in the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Walker Jr., Northwestern Wildcats

Age: 21 (8/21/1995)
Height & Weight: 6’1″ & 245 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 13 GP, 105 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered

Anthony Walker Jr. could stand to cut his weight down, but it’d be asinine to deny his talent. Playing in a deep and physical Big Ten conference, Walker developed into one of the most productive middle linebackers in the country.

Nicknamed, “The Franchise,” Walker has the potential to be an elite playmaker at the middle linebacker position in the NFL.

Walker is cut from the same cloth as Luke Kuechly as a playmaking middle linebacker who creates turnovers and always seems to be in on a play. That isn’t to say that he’ll be as great as Kuechly, but the potential exists for him to be a force to be reckoned with.

By coupling Walker with Landon Collins, the Giants would effectively solidify the middle of the defense with two gifted playmakers.

The key to Walker’s rise to fame has been his elite production. Over the course of the past two seasons, Walker has recorded 225 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defended, seven forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.

There’s more to it than statistics, but there aren’t many linebackers more productive than Walker, and that has to count for something.

The question is: which interior linebacker would you like to see the New York Giants select?

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