Continuing the Flea Flicker Top-15 series and passing the time before training camp, here's a look at the Top-15 Inside Linebackers entering the 2016 season.
15. Avery Williamson, Tennessee Titans
This might be the last year for Williamson at the back of this list. He's a fast ascending player on a team that only needs a couple more players like him to be a contender.
14. Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati Bengals
Maualuga has been a steady presence in the middle of talented Bengals defenses for all of his seven years in the league.
13. Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have added a lot of young, talented playmakers to their defense over the last couple of seasons. Posluszny is the veteran leader tasked with keeping all that young talent pointed in the right direction.
12. Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
This might be a little optimistic but Kendricks was excellent as a rookie last season. The only thing that will keep him from climbing this list is an often-talked about, eventual move to outside linebacker. Even if that does happen he'd still man the middle of the field in the nickel. He's so instinctive.
11. David Harris, New York Jets
Harris has been the heart of the Jets defense since their AFL days. He's only 32 but it feels like he's been playing for decades. He's always around the ball and he always gets the carrier of it to the ground.
10. Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
Shazier has to stay healthy and on the field to justify this ranking. He runs like a corner and hits like a linebacker.
9. Jerrell Freeman, Chciago Bears
Freeman was a tackling machine in his four years with the Indianapolis Colts. His and fellow inside lineabcker Danny Trevthan's migration to Chicago have the talking heads intrigued with the potential of the Bears' defense.
8. Deonne Bucannon, Arizona Cardinals
Bucannon might be a glimpse of the future at linebacker in the NFL. He's the prototype for the linebacker/safety hybrid with an incredible combination of speed and tackling ability.
7. C.J. Mosley, Baltimore Ravens
Mosley was outstanding as a rookie in 2014. He might have taken a step back last season but an excessive number of injuries made everything rough for the Ravens last season. He has the talent and instincts to be among the best inside linebackers for a long time.
6. Danny Trevathan, Chicago Bears
Trevathan played extremely well in the shadows of all the stars on the Denver Broncos talented defense. He took his talents to Chicago this offseason.
5. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
As with Trevathan, Marshall gets a little overshadowed on a talented defense. If appearances are accurate the Broncos picked Marshall over Trevathan this offseason.
4. Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
It feels like Johnson has been playing forever. At 33, he's still among the best in the game.
3. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
Wagner makes plays all over the field. It's fun watching him fly around making those plays.
2. NaVorro Bowman. San Francisco 49ers
Bowman's recovery from a brutal leg injury in the 2013 playoffs is incredible. He missed all of the 2014 season rehabbing that injury and rejoined the best in the game in 2015.
1. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
Kuechly is simply the standard for today's middle linebacker. He's among the best to have ever played the position.
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