It’s not a great year to be an NFL team looking to draft a big, physical inside linebacker to put in the middle of its defense.
So that means it’s a great year to be Rolando McClain of Alabama.
McClain (6-feet-3 and 254 pounds) is the top-rated inside linebacker on this year’s draft board. He also may be the only inside linebacker selected in the first round of the April 22-24 draft.
On this year’s draft board, there are plenty of defensive end-outside linebacker types to rush the passer. They’re led by Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan and Michigan’s Brandon Graham. But as far as the interior thumpers go, McClain stands alone.
It’s a big reason he entered the draft after his junior season with the Crimson Tide. The Butkus Award winner can play the middle in a 4-3 defense or the strongside position in a 3-4 defense.
He runs, he hits, he’s a sure tackler and he plays hard.
The only issue any NFL scout has raised is over McClain having Crohn’s disease, which he was diagnosed with as a ninth-grader. It’s an inflammatory condition with the intestines that can affect digestion and occasionally bring on abdominal pain.
McClain has made NFL teams aware he has the disease. It should help them to know that he never had to leave an Alabama game because of it.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has Crohn’s disease, and most teams say their medical staffs have told them there is little concern over how the disease will affect McClain in the NFL.
It would be a stunning development if McClain drops below the Jaguars, who have the No. 10 pick overall, or the Broncos (No. 11).
The teams that need inside help and don’t get McClain will have to be patient and selective.
Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon (6-1, 239) may sneak into the bottom of the first round. He’s active, runs well and almost tried too hard at the Senior Bowl to show he could be a vocal leader of a defense.
Some linebacker coaches believe Weatherspoon might be undersized. But in a thin draft year at his position, he will hear his name called relatively early.
Another good prospect is Texas Christian’s Daryl Washington, who consistently ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range in his workouts. Washington also was an impact special-teams player with the Horned Frogs. That makes him even more attractive to NFL teams.
Some teams like Penn State’s Navorro Bowman more than Washington because Bowman is bigger. Bowman is a no-nonsense player who gets the job done without a lot of flair.
Bowman’s teammate, Sean Lee, also is available. Lee suffered a knee injury in 2008 and didn’t have a great season in 2009, but he is a top-shelf tackler in the open field.
Florida’s Brandon Spikes was rated more highly before the 2009 season but hasn’t run well in his workouts, so he could slide down the draft board.
Donald Butler worked hard and played hard for Washington, despite his team not having much success. Those are the kinds of players to keep an eye on.
South Carolina’s Eric Norwood is another good prospect. He had 54-1/2 tackles for a loss during his college career, but he needs some work in coverage.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
