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New York Giants: Inside Linebackers To Consider In 2017 NFL Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) communicates at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reuben Foster (10) communicates at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Devonte Williams (2) is tackled by Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (1) in the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Devonte Williams (2) is tackled by Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (1) in the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Anthony Walker Jr., Northwestern Wildcats

Age: 21 (8/21/1995)
Height & Weight: 6’1″ & 245 pounds
2016 Season Statistics: 13 GP, 105 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered

Anthony Walker Jr. could stand to cut his weight down, but it’d be asinine to deny his talent. Playing in a deep and physical Big Ten conference, Walker developed into one of the most productive middle linebackers in the country.

Nicknamed, “The Franchise,” Walker has the potential to be an elite playmaker at the middle linebacker position in the NFL.

Walker is cut from the same cloth as Luke Kuechly as a playmaking middle linebacker who creates turnovers and always seems to be in on a play. That isn’t to say that he’ll be as great as Kuechly, but the potential exists for him to be a force to be reckoned with.

By coupling Walker with Landon Collins, the Giants would effectively solidify the middle of the defense with two gifted playmakers.

The key to Walker’s rise to fame has been his elite production. Over the course of the past two seasons, Walker has recorded 225 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, two interceptions, nine passes defended, seven forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.

There’s more to it than statistics, but there aren’t many linebackers more productive than Walker, and that has to count for something.

Must Read: Offensive tackles to consider in the 2017 NFL Draft

The question is: which interior linebacker would you like to see the New York Giants select?

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