A Scout's Take on the Top Inside Linebacker Prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft

The process has started for the 2015 NFL draft. There have been all-star matchups like the East-West Shrine Game, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

Next comes the NFL Scouting Combine, which will start on Feb. 17, then the pro days.

The NFL draft will start April 30 and run through May 2.

In terms of what the Green Bay Packers will do in the draft, most observers feel that inside linebacker is one of the team's biggest needs. I certainly concur.

In fact, I believe that the Packers will release both A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones at some point in the near future, which will make the need for more quality depth at that position even more apparent.

Most draft boards list Benardrick McKinney of Mississippi State, Eric Kendricks of UCLA and Denzel Perryman of Miami as the top three inside linebackers in the draft.

That is why I wanted to get the opinion about those three from scout Chris Landry, who is one of the best in the business. I was able to talk with Landry on Friday on 620 WDAE's Steve Duemig Show.

First, Landry talked about the 5'11", 242-pound Perryman, who played in the Senior Bowl and interviewed with the Packers, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Perryman had a great senior season at Miami, as he had 110 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Landry liked what he saw from the hard-hitting Perryman.

"I love Denzel Perryman," Landry said. "When healthy, and he's not completely healthy right now, he is outstanding. He's got great range and has cover ability. He's got the ability to blitz and he's a big-time playmaker.

"He looks like one of the old Miami defenders of yesteryear."

That's saying a lot when one thinks of some of the great linebackers of the past for the Hurricanes like Ray Lewis, Nate Webster and Dan Morgan.

Landry then talked about the 6'0", 230-pound Kendricks, who ended up winning the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy for his play in 2014. Kendricks led the country in solo tackles and had 149 overall. He also had 11.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and three interceptions in 2014.

"Kendricks is another good player that I like a lot," Landry said. "I think he's a physical point-of-attack guy and a downhill run defender and I think he plays well in space."

Finally, Landry talked about McKinney, who has excellent size at 6'4", 249 pounds. In 2014, McKinney had 71 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

"I really like the Mississippi State kid a lot," Landry said of McKinney. "He's more physical. He's not as good in space. But I think he's really physical at the point of attack.

"To me, he's more of a 'Sam' (strong side) guy who can play over a tight end. He's a really good run defender. And I think he has some ability as a rusher off the edge. I think he has some versatility in the 30 (3-4) or 40 (4-3) front."

The Packers have the 30th pick in the first round, and there is a reasonable chance that one or more of these three will be available at that point.

Then it will be up to general manager Ted Thompson to make a decision—a decision of whether that player is the best on their draft board.

The Packers were fortunate in the 2014 NFL draft when safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was available with the 21st pick. Not only was Clinton-Dix the highest-rated player on Thompson's draft board, but he also filled the team's biggest need.

We shall see if the same thing occurs in the 2015 NFL draft.