NFL Free Agency 100: Top 8 Inside Linebackers
We love to rank things in the NFL world, including free agents. But this time they’re being ranked with a scouting emphasis to give a full picture of what each team is getting with a free-agent contract.
The goal of the NFL Free Agency 100 is to look at each player the way an NFL front office will. By evaluating on-field play (production), past injuries (durability), off-field and locker room behavior (intangibles), potential as a player (upside) and the type of contract expected (value), we’re able to get a complete image of the player.
In the case of ties, I have asked myself, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes. But ties are no fun.
Each player was scouted by me and a team of experienced evaluators with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study.
All statistics from Pro Football Focus. Players' heights, weights and seasons from NFL.com.
8. Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati Bengals
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Production
An old-school thumper at middle linebacker, Rey Maualuga looks like he played in the late 1990s. At 6’2” and 255 pounds, he is not the lean athlete most teams are trying to find at middle linebacker, but rather a stout run-stuffer with impressive strength to take on inside run plays. Maualuga doesn’t offer much in pass coverage and is seen as a two-down player only.
Durability
Maualuga has been healthy for a full season just twice in six seasons. He has missed a combined seven games over the last two years.
Intangibles
Maualuga was arrested for DUI in 2010 but hasn’t had any documented issues since that time. The NFL would not release whether or not he’s in the league’s substance abuse program.
Upside
At 28 years old, Maualuga still has good football ahead of him, but he’s a scheme-specific player who may be limited athletically in today's NFL. The ideal scenario for him would be a team that values a run-stuffer but isn’t worried about losing him in nickel situations.
Value
Maualuga will be a low-cost, solid-value signing for teams. He should look to teams running a 3-4 defense in which he could be the No. 2 inside linebacker or try to stay in the run-heavy AFC North for maximum value.
Overall
7. Colin McCarthy, Tennessee Titans
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Production
The University of Miami has produced some of the NFL’s best linebackers over the last 20 years, but Colin McCarthy’s potential has been limited by injuries since leaving school. At 6’1” and 243 pounds, McCarthy looks the part and has the athleticism needed for the position. He’s agile and fluid in coverage and a rangy tackler against the run, and when healthy he’s produced solid starting numbers.
Durability
McCarthy didn’t suit up in 2014 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Over his four seasons, McCarthy has played in all 16 games just once (2013).
Intangibles
There are no issues surrounding McCarthy on and off the field. He’s not a concern as a character signing.
Upside
If healthy, McCarthy can be a starting linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, but he’s struggled with injuries, and his body may not be able to handle the hardship of the NFL. If a team is willing to roll the dice on him, he could be a steal.
Value
McCarthy won’t see big money as a free agent but should at least compete for a starting linebacker job. He could be a good low-cost signing for a team in need of a short-term fix at middle linebacker.
Overall
6. Jamari Lattimore, Green Bay Packers
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Production
A lean, athletic linebacker (6’2”, 229 lbs), Jamari Lattimore may be at home in a 4-3 defense, but the past four seasons he’s been playing in the middle for Green Bay. The Packers have Lattimore starting part-time, but he’s made enough of an impact to warrant a second look. Lattimore is adequate in coverage and has the athletic tools to become a better asset there with time and reps.
Durability
Lattimore suffered through a neck injury and ultimately was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury in 2014. He must be thoroughly vetted before being signed.
Intangibles
On and off the field, Lattimore has never been an issue for his team. The former undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State has a clean rap sheet.
Upside
Lattimore has flashed potential when on the field, and the hope is that given more reps he could turn those flashes into consistent production. He’s athletic enough to make the move to a starting position in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
Value
Lattimore may have the most potential of this year’s middle linebacker free-agent class. He’s young (26), athletic and has been impressive when healthy.
Overall
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5. Nate Irving, Denver Broncos
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Production
In just his second season as a starter, Nate Irving presented himself very well when on the field. Irving is a two-down linebacker with the range and instincts to be very good against the run. He fills gaps well with his 245-pound frame and can be a lockdown defender inside the hashes. He struggles in coverage and isn’t likely to be on the field for nickel packages.
Durability
Irving went on injured reserve in November with a knee injury after playing in just eight games. Teams must check him thoroughly before signing.
Intangibles
There are no skeletons in Irving’s closet. He’s a clean player on and off the field with no arrests or suspensions noted.
Upside
Irving will be 27 years old when the 2015 season starts and has shown improvement when given the chance to make plays. But he’s limited athletically, and while viewed as a starter, he’s not a three-down linebacker in a league craving those players.
Value
Irving is young and talented enough to still become an impact starter at middle linebacker. His ability to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme makes him all the more valuable.
Overall
4. Brandon Spikes, Buffalo Bills
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Production
A classic in-the-box middle linebacker, Brandon Spikes has experience in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. He doesn’t have great range outside the tackle box but is a thumper inside the hashes and can lock down gaps in the run game. He’s more of a two-down linebacker, though, and isn’t an asset in coverage.
Durability
Spikes didn’t miss a game in 2013 or 2014 and missed just one in 2012. He enters free agency healthy and ready to go.
Intangibles
After spending four seasons in New England, Spikes spent one year in Buffalo and has learned how to be a leader at both stops. He’s dependable on the field and hasn’t let his 2010 suspension for violation of the NFL’s banned substance policy affect him since.
Upside
Spikes is still relatively young—he’ll turn 28 on opening weekend—and has many years left on his career if healthy. But he's not likely to improve his athleticism, which is the one area preventing him from making a bigger impact on the field.
Value
With Spikes being a run-only linebacker, his value isn’t expected to be very high on the open market. He’s very good at what he does, though, and can be a starter with early-down impact for a good price.
Overall
3. Rolando McClain, Dallas Cowboys
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Production
A former top-15 player on my 2010 Big Board, Rolando McClain has all the talent in the world; harnessing it is his struggle. McClain returned to football in 2014 and looked like his former self. He’s athletic with good closing speed, very stout against the run and shows the instincts needed to be a star. He’s still getting back into football mode, too, which makes you feel good about his upside when healthy.
Durability
Injuries plagued McClain as a Cowboy, with knee and head injuries placing him on the injured list. These could be related to his time away from the game and getting back into “football shape,” but they definitely must be considered.
Intangibles
McClain once walked away from football and retired for a season, but in 2014 he was the leader of the Dallas defense and showed the type of on-field and off-field work ethic needed to live up to his potential. Keeping McClain committed on the field also keeps him out of trouble off it. He’s had three documented arrests while in the NFL, but none since April 2013.
Upside
If a team can provide McClain with the structure and leadership to keep him focused on football, he can be very good. But the other side to that upside is his downside, which is big. You never know when he might slip back into his troubled off-field self and become an issue.
Value
Because of McClain’s talent, he’ll get a look from multiple teams. But because of his off-field issues, it’s likely any deal he signs will have major protection in it for the team.
Overall
2. Mason Foster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Production
Mason Foster is the type of linebacker the NFL is shifting to: athletic, smart, agile and showing a skill set that allows him to play all three downs. Foster has range and hands in coverage, top-tier instincts against the run and is athletic enough to pull the chain and rush the passer. He didn’t look at home in new head coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defense, though, and may look for a change of scenery.
Durability
Foster missed six games in 2014 with a shoulder injury. That will need to be checked, but he was nursing an Achilles injury at season’s end that may be a bigger concern.
Intangibles
On and off the field, Foster has been a model citizen and a leader through some very bad football in Tampa.
Upside
At just 25 years old now (26 when the 2015 season starts), Foster still has plenty of great football ahead of him. And if placed into a scheme that fits his strengths, he could excel and become a legitimate top-10 middle linebacker. A 4-3 scheme is ideal for his upside.
Value
Foster is a big name and a productive player, so don’t expect a great value signing here. But he’s a starter from Week 1, a very impressive athlete and can anchor a defense.
Overall
1. David Harris, New York Jets
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Production
A second-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft, David Harris has been a consistent starter for the New York Jets but hasn’t become a top-tier linebacker in his career. He’s at his best in the run game, using his size and strength to lock down inside rushing lanes. He was also used more as an interior pass-rusher in 2014, and he picked up 5.5 sacks, getting back to his early-career numbers as a pass-rusher. In pass coverage, he can be picked on and may be best served as a two-down linebacker.
Durability
Harris has been unusually dependable and healthy given his position. He hasn’t missed a game since 2008 and is healthy heading into the offseason.
Intangibles
A leader on and off the field, Harris has no red flags.
Upside
Already 31 years old, Harris is hitting an age when linebackers lose a step and must rely more on instincts. He was very productive in 2014, though, and looks to be the rare player who is able to fend off injury and produce consistently.
Value
Harris won’t come cheap if he leaves the Jets, but he’s a legitimate starting linebacker who may be a top-10 player at the position right now. Those aren't available very often.
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