There's a lot to like about the top of the 2012 inside linebacker class, especially when you consider recent draft history at the position.
The only true inside linebacker taken in the first round during the past four drafts is the Oakland Raiders' Rolando McClain, who was drafted eighth overall out of Alabama in 2010. What about Houston's Brian Cushing (15th, 2009) and New England's Jerod Mayo (10th, 2008), you might ask?
Cushing was one of the best strongside linebackers in the country coming out of USC and didn't move inside until the Texans went to the 3-4 in 2011, and while Mayo played in the middle while at Tennessee, he was seen as a versatile prospect -- so in the NFL he lined up primarily on the outside until last season.
Even if you include Mayo in the conversation, that still makes only two inside linebackers taken in the first round over the past four years, and during that stretch the average number of ILBs drafted in the first two rounds is only 1.25.
This year's inside linebacker group could buck that trend. Two prospects are likely to come off the board in the first round and another could be taken before the second round is over. The class isn't extremely deep, but the remainder of the top five includes a pair of intriguing middle-round prospects.
Here's how each player breaks down and he they might fit in the NFL.