Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland was a tackling machine for the Crimson Tide in his senior year and a leader on the defensive side of the ball. The 2015 SEC Defensive Player of the Year helped lead the Crimson Tide to a National Championship and has become one of the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 247-pound inside linebacker brings an old-school football mentality to the field, and he will bring an immediate presence to an NFL team in Week One. In his senior season, Ragland recorded 102 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and forced two fumbles, and he is garnering plenty of interest from multiple teams with the draft now less than a month away.
The coveted middle linebacker said that the Bears, Saints, Falcons and Dolphins have reached out to him the most, and that he had personal workouts with both the Bears and Colts. Out of the teams Ragland listed, the Chicago Bears will have the first opportunity to select the talented Alabama linebacker, but after acquiring two inside linebackers in Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman in free agency, the Bears may look to go in another direction like offensive line, pass rush or secondary with their first round pick.
The Saints could also be in the market for a strong presence in the middle of their defensive, but much like the Bears, New Orleans has acquired their starting middle linebacker in free agency this offseason in James Laurinaitis. The former Rams linebacker will turn 30 years old at the end of next season, which could lead general manager Mickey Loomis to seriously consider drafting the young Alabama prospect. The Saints have multiple needs, especially their pass rush in the upcoming draft, and while Ragland could make a fit in New Orleans, it's unknown if they would be willing to use a first round pick on a inside linebacker.
The Dolphins traded for inside linebacker Kiko Alonso earlier this offseason and likely believe that he can lead the middle of their defense. The former Bills and Eagles linebacker has had has his share of injuries over the past two seasons, and drafting Ragland would give Miami depth and security at the linebacker position.
While each of the teams that Ragland has listed as having the most interest currently have a starting middle linebacker in place, the Atlanta Falcons would likely provide the strongest fit. The Falcons middle linebacker Paul Worrilow signed his restricted free agent tender to stay with Atlanta in 2016, but adding a player of Ragland's caliber could be too good an opportunity to pass up on. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is changing the mentality of Atlanta's defense, and adding a player like Ragland would give them an immediate tone-setter in the middle of their defense.
It's unknown how far Ragland will slide in the draft, but two other teams to watch out for in the draft are the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts, as they both could be looking to bolster the middle linebacker position in the early rounds of the draft. There is no questioning that the talent that Ragland will bring the next level, but team needs could determine where he lands, as NFL franchises are usually looking to add an immediate starter to their roster with their first round pick.
