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NFL Draft 2015: Who are the top ILBs of the draft class?

And will the Cardinals draft one of them?

The Arizona Cardinals could be looking in this year's NFL Draft to upgrade the inside linebacker position. Yes, they signed Sean Weatherspoon, but it was to a one-year contract. Yes, Daryl Washington could be reinstated, but he could be facing another suspension related to his aggravated assault plea, and he has yet to show he is a guy the Cardinals can count on. Yes, they drafted Kevin Minter in the second round two years ago, but he hasn't shown to be anything more than a two-down player.

So the Cardinals could take an inside linebacker. Some have mocked inside linebackers to the Cardinals in the first round -- Benradrick McKinney and Eric Kendricks have both come up multiple times -- but NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock doesn't believe any of the top players at the position are first round talent, although one "could sneak into the first round."

In the SB Nation Studios video with Matt Ufford and Ryan Nanni, we see a list that includes Eric Kendricks from UCLA, Paul Dawson from TCU, Stephone Anthony from Clemson, Denzel Perryman from Miami and Denardrick McKinney from Mississippi State.

Kendricks is ranked at the top. He makes plays and is instinctual, but might not have the size to last in the league. He is very good in coverage.

Dawson also has size concerns, as well as some football IQ questions and character questions. He is compared a lot to Daryl Washington, who also played at TCU.

Anthony doesn't have size issues, but there are questions of his in-field discipline. he is incredibly athletic, but he frequently plays out of position and doesn't make the right read. He does come from Clemons, which appears to be a favorite program for the Cardinals to find players (there are currently five players on the Cardinals roster from Clemson -- the most of any school).

Perryman is physical and strong against the run, but there concerns about his ability in pass coverage. He sounds a lot like a guy the Cardinals already have -- Kevin Minter.

McKinney is huge. His size can get in the way.

If the Cardinals were to draft one of these five players, who should it be, and should it be in the first or second round?

Poll

Which of these ILBs should the Cardinals draft?

This poll is closed

  • 34%
    Eric Kendricks
    (43 votes)
  • 12%
    Paul Dawson
    (16 votes)
  • 15%
    Stephone Anthony
    (19 votes)
  • 4%
    Denzel Perryman
    (5 votes)
  • 27%
    Benardrick McKinney
    (34 votes)
  • 6%
    Other
    (8 votes)
125 votes total Vote Now