NFL Draft 2016: Top 10 Inside Linebackers Giants Should Target
By Neal Lynch
1. Reggie Ragland (Alabama Crimson Tide)
6 feet 1 inch, 259 pounds
GRADE: 6.51
40 yard dash: 4.72 seconds
Vertical Jump: 31.5 inches
Broad Jump: 116.0 inches
20 yard shuttle: 4.28 seconds
Projected Round: Top-25 Pick
WalterFootball.com ranked Reggie as the #2 inside linebacker in the draft, writing:
"“Sources say that Ragland is not a special athlete, but he’s just a really good football player. He has instincts, toughness and brings a real physical presence to the middle of the defense.”"
From NFL.com: Ragland’s described as an old school, throwback linebacker who’s instinctive, nasty hitter who doesn’t miss tackles. Needs to punch and shed to avoid getting locked up by NFL linemen and man coverage skills are limited. Could be premiere run-stopper, but was also used as edge rusher in some packages at Alabama.
I don’t know about the rest of Giants fans, but this guy just sounds flat out awesome. The Giants have sorely missed a big, bruising middle linebacker. They had Micheal Barrow and Antonio Pierce, but Reggie reminds me more of Pepper Johnson or Harry Carson. Ragland probably isn’t worth the 10th pick, but it’s possible that the G-Men could trade up using their second round pick to land him.
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CONCLUSION:
It would be ideal to land a guy like Scooby Wright who can play the run and cover the pass, but even in a pass-heavy league and division, I can’t help but push for a big ‘thumper’ like Blake Martinez, Joshua Perry, or Reggie Ragland.