2010 NFL Draft: Middle linebackers

McClain is the most sure-thing as a middle linebacker prospect in the draft since Patrick Willis. He's a prototypical combination of size, athleticism and intelligence. He's strong and rangy. Playing on the inside, McClain doesn't wait for the ball carrier to come at him, he attacks.

- Scouting report -

If he had entered the 2009 NFL Draft, Spikes would have likely been a first-round selection. Spikes is a good athlete who has optimum size. His speed isn't the best, but he's a box linebacker. Possesses outstanding recognition ability. He'll be an immediate starter.

- Scouting report -

Lee profiles a lot like former Penn State linebackers Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor. He may not be the most imposing tackler, but Lee shows great ability as a tackler. Wraps up on a consistent basis. He's a heady player with solid strength and athleticism. He'll probably never be a spectacular player, but he's very solid.

- Scouting report -

Angerer rates so highly mainly because he can stay on the field for all three downs and will be a great special teams player. He's smart and rough, which helps him overcome some physical and athletic deficiencies. He really came on as a junior and senior as Iowa's unquestioned leader on defense.

- Scouting report -

No player arguably benefited more from the offseason process than Butler. During Senior Bowl week, he showed off his speed and athleticism. He can make plays all over the field and is one of the better coverage linebackers in this year's draft.

Chaney has played both outside and inside. He's a fluid player who makes up for some size deficiencies with his athleticism. He's a quick-reacting linebacker and should flourish playing on the weak side.

A top recruit out of high school, Johnson is a plugger who can fit in a 3-4 or a 4-3. He's very strong and sheds blocks pretty easily. He has the size and tackling ability to be very good against the run, he's just never seemd to put it all together on a consistent basis.

Pawelek is a really strong and instinctful inside linebacker who might work best in a 3-4. He's not the best athlete and sort of a liability in coverage. He makes his name against the run and should be a solid special teams player.

Sharpton doesn't have great size, but he's very fast. He flies all over the field to make plays sideline-to-sideline. He plays with a lot of passion and never quits on a play.

Dillard is stout against the run and sheds blocks impressively. He isn't much of a lateral playmaker, but does well taking on the ball carrier between the hash marks.

Carter is an aggressive linebacker, which sometimes gets him into trouble. However, more often than not, he's in a position to make a play. He has good instincts and will be back in the middle this season.

A tackling machine, Lee had more than 350 stops in his career. He has the athleticism to line up inside in the 3-4 or outside in a 4-3. The biggest question about Lee is his size and whether he can take on stronger players.

Hull is a walk-on done good. He's a scrappy player who doesn't have the best athleticism or speed. What he does have is heart and instincts. He's a smart player who at the least should be a good backup linebacker.

Wilson was the leader of a talent-packed South Florida defense. He has experience playing the middle and weak side. He's athletic enough to make plays outside the hashes and physical enough to stop the run.

McLaughlin may go undrafted after recovering from a ruptured Achilles. He's a stout player and is a good box tackler. He might only be a special teams player, but he's heady.

Benoist is beginning to put together quite the career for Vanderbilt after topping 100 tackles last season. Although he is undersized, Benoist is tough and is adequate in coverage. He's a solid one-gap player.

D'Imperio is one of those linebackers who always seems like he's on the move. He flies all over the field and has imposing size. He needs to become more instinctful, but he has some solid tools to work with.