NFL Draft 2016: Top 10 Inside Linebackers Giants Should Target

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Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal linebacker Blake Martinez (4) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford Cardinal linebacker Blake Martinez (4). Photo Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports /

9. Blake Martinez (Stanford Cardinal)

6 feet 3 inches, 253 pounds
GRADE: 5.32
40 yard dash: 4.71 seconds
Bench press: 22 reps (Top Performer)
Vertical jump: 28.5 inches
Broad jump: 113.0 inches
3-cone drill: 6.98 seconds (Top Performer)
20 yard shuttle: 4.20 seconds
Projected round: 3-5

WalterFootball.com ranked Martinez 8th among inside linebackers, adding:

"“had an excellent senior year, making a lot of critical tackles for Stanford. He was the Cardinal’s most steady defender. In 2015, Martinez totaled 141 tackles with 6.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, six passes broken up and one interception. He had 101 tackles as a junior.”"

From NFL.com: “one of the most powerful, pound-for-pound players in the program. Has desired temperament to play in the middle. Physical, productive tackler. Downhill linebacker. Business-minded machine against the run, maintaining consistent gap responsibility. Disciplined on back-side squeezing cutback lanes… lacks quickness… a muscled-up, throwback linebacker in a league that covets twitch and play speed over throwback traits.”

This is my pick for the Giants in Round 4 or 5.

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