It’s the NFL Draft from the college perspective with a simple mindset: can the guy play at the next level or not? What are his chances to succeed, and is he worth the time and effort? What’s his value? 

The class is … stronger than it’ll get credit for. This is such an amazing year for outside linebackers and pass rushers that the inside linebackers aren’t going to seem as sexy, but it’s terrific. There are plenty of leaders and more than enough excellent tacklers. Can any of them run? Not really, otherwise they’d be on the outside, but there are several mid-round players in the group. 
The most overrated prospect: Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 
The top underrated prospect: Denzel Perryman, Miami 
The deep, deep sleeper: Ronell Williams, West Chester 
The best value prospect: Zach Vigil, Utah State 

1. Eric Kendricks, UCLA 6-0, 232
– He moves well enough to play inside or out, he’s smooth as silk, and he has shown this offseason the abilities in workouts to be exactly what’s needed for the next level. He’s not just a great football player, he’s also a terrific athlete with almost no bust potential. 
– Can he be used more as a pass rusher? He has the quickness and he has the speed to be flashier if used a wee bit differently than he was in college. He might not be built like a pass rusher, and he might not have come up with enough impact plays for a superstar linebacker, but he can and will. 
Yes or No: He’ll slide a wee bit because he’ll try to be sold as an outside linebacker in a draft full of sensational pass rushers, and while he came up with four sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss last year, that’s not his game. He’ll be terrific no matter where he plays. 
Round Value: Second Round

2. Denzel Perryman, Miami 5-11, 236
– Purely an inside linebacker, he’s been too sluggish and slow in offseason workouts, and he’s not an elite athlete, but he’s the type of defender who ends up leading an NFL team in tackles. He’s a fantastic leader, he’s built like a true middle linebacker, and he’ll tackle everything while bringing a pop. 
– Strong, he came up with 27 reps on the bench at the combine, cementing himself as a nasty and tough interior force. Consider him a tone-setter who’ll take over a defense and make it his from Day One. 
Yes or No: You know what you’re getting. He’s not going to cover anyone in pass coverage, and he’s not going to turn into a pass rusher, but that’s not his game. The stats and numbers will be there, but the flash won’t – some NFL team won’t care. 
Round Value: Third Round

3. Paul Dawson, TCU 6-0, 235
– There’s no question about his ability. He’s able to play anywhere in a linebacking corps and be a playmaker, and he’s really quick and really athletic, but he has one big question mark among the scouting community – his attitude. Teams won’t care too much if he lives up to his talent and potential.
– Here’s the other concern – the lack of raw speed. His pro day was good enough with a 4.75, but the 4.93 at the combine is still out there – figure the real time is somewhere in the middle. He’s not a workout warrior, and he doesn’t look nearly as fast or quick in shorts as he does on the tape. 
Yes or No: If he drops outside of the first 50 picks or so, it’ll be because scouts are questioning his character. Don’t believe the hype – there might be several teams that’ll pass, but more than a handful will be all over him if available in the late second or into the third. He’s a tough defender who’ll bring the A effort on the field. 
Round Value: Third Round

4. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State 6-4, 246
– Shockingly explosive, he wasn’t smooth at the combine, but he came up with a humongous 40 ½” vertical along with a good 4.66 in the 40. He might not quite look the part of a normal NFL inside linebacker, but he makes lots and lots of plays and he’s more than strong enough to hold up in the interior. He’s a tough guy built a bit like a tweener defensive end. 
– Can he cover anyone? He’s not an outside linebacker and he might not be for everyone, but he’ll be great against the run and he could turn into a bit of a playmaker behind the line with the smarts and savvy to make big things happen from time to time. 
Yes or No: He’s a different sort of prospect, and he might not quite fit into the right stereotype of what an inside linebacker could and should be, but he’s a leader who can shine if he’s flanked by smooth, fluid athletes. 
Round Value: Second Round

5. Stephone Anthony, Clemson 6-3, 243
– Really, really fast and with the prototype body type, he looks the part. Quick and with 4.56 wheels, he was phenomenal in Indy as he checked off any and every box. While all the tools might not quite translate to what he did on the field at Clemson, there’s a lot to work with – the upside is enormous. 
– Can he harness all of his athleticism? He runs himself out of plays and he doesn’t come up with the big bang when working on the inside, but it’s all correctable. He won’t be able to get by at the next level by being quicker than everyone else, but he’ll fit in just fine. 
Yes or No: The stock has shot up over the offseason process with a great Senior Bowl and even better workouts. While he’s hardly a finished product, he looks like an NFL linebacker. Some defensive coordinator will love the potential. 
Round Value: Second Round

6. Hayes Pullard, USC 6-0, 240
– While he might not have superior straight line speed, he has silky-smooth cutting ability and defensive back-like movements. While he’s not going to blow up anyone on the inside, he’s more of a functional tackler who’ll get in on just about everything.
– He’s not a pass rusher and would need tweaking to his game and lots of coaching to become more of a factor on the outside. While he might not be for every style, he has the body and the size to hold up against the run.
Yes or No: While he’s not going to be a big-play performer, he can cut, he can cover, and he can be a good part of a great defense. If a coaching staff can turn him into a guided missile, the upside is enormous.
Round Value: Fourth Round

7. Jordan Hicks, Texas 6-1, 234
– He’s a good all-around prospect and he’s going to be everything a team wants, but can he stay healthy? He missed way too much of his career, and while that doesn’t necessarily make him injury-prone, he’s been worn down by life. If you could promise that he’d stay in one piece, he’s be a top 50 pick.
– Able to play inside or out, the tools are all there with great size, excellent quickness, and solid straight-line speed. He’s an athlete with explosive ability to go along with his great character and smarts. He’s a pure football player and a great leader.
Yes or No: He’ll slide because of the constant injury issues, but he’s the type of player you want in the linebacking corps. He’s worth a third round pick, and he could be one of the draft’s biggest steals after the first 100 picks are off the board.
Round Value: Fourth Round

8. Ramik Wilson, Georgia 6-2, 237
– He’s not big enough, and he’s not that great in coverage, and his 4.77 at the combine was way too slow, but he runs well and cuts effortlessly. He gets around well and is great at getting in on plays, and he makes up for his lack of raw bulk by fighting through to make a tackle.
– Versatile enough to work inside or out, he’s a tweener who’s underpowered for the interior and not good enough in pass coverage to shine on the outside, but he’ll find a home. He’s too good a football player not to find a home somewhere.
Yes or No: He’ll drop because he doesn’t have a true NFL linebacker position, and he’ll likely start out shining on special teams, but he’ll work his way into a lineup and put up big-time tackle numbers.
Round Value: Fourth Round

9. Ben Heeney, Kansas 6-0, 231
– Shockingly quick and fast in workouts, he blew the doors off the combine flying through the short drills and coming up with a 4.59 40 to up his stock. One of the fastest and most athletic linebackers in Indy, all of a sudden, the view changed on him after a strong career for a bad defense.
– Great character and excellent leadership. He might not be a good enough tackler and hitter, but he’s a baller who’ll do anything needed.
Yes or No: A late round flier before the offseason, the workouts were enough to be a mid-round selection as a core special teamer and excellent backup if he doesn’t find a starting gig.
Round Value: Fourth Round

10. Zach Vigil, Utah State 6-2, 240
– There are always guys who seem to fall through the scouting cracks into the late rounds and ends up cranking out huge numbers – welcome to him. With a non-stop motor and a great drive, he finds ways to make plays in the backfield as well as against the run. He’s a producer who’ll do anything needed.
– Can he hold up against power teams? He’s more of an outside linebacker playing inside, and he’s not going to be a tough guy against the nastier ground games, but he can get get around the ball.
Yes or No: There were big questions throughout the process about his workout speed matching his on-field production – he ran a terrific 4.67 on his pro day. He might not be a main man for a linebacking corps, but he’ll work his way into a job on special teams until he gets his chance on a D.
Round Value: Fifth Round