Hub Arkush: Wealth of speed, athleticism in this year's class of linebackers

Ninth in a series of our updated post-NFL Combine draft prospect rankings, with comments on players who appear likely to be fits for the Bears.

This is a solid group of linebackers with some star power among the day one prospects, nice depth and a number of prospects with inside or outside flexibility depending on whether they land in 4-3 or 3-4 base packages.

Unlike the edge rushers, most of the top prospects in this group did run at the combine and there is a wealth of speed and athleticism here, and a number of smaller, faster inside linebackers in the Roquan Smith mold.

While Chase Young will go ahead of him because of the enhanced value of pass rushers these days it will not be at all surprising if Isaiah Simmons proves to be the best player in this draft.

The Bears are set for the next two or even three seasons inside with Smith and Danny Trevathan if they can stay healthy but they need depth as Joel Iyiegbuniwe hasn't shown much beyond special teams chops and Nick Kwiatkoski and Kevin Pierre-Louis have moved on.

They should also be looking for depth and an heir apparent to Robert Quinn outside so it wouldn't be shocking of if the Bears target a couple of these kids in rounds five through seven.

Davion Taylor: Turn on the tape and you might think you're watching Roquan Smith. Taylor has the same body type and perhaps not the same quick twitch or initial quickness but he runs like the wind and will make plays sideline to sideline. He is a developmental project though having played only one game in high school because religious beliefs kept him off the field on Friday nights and Saturdays. His ceiling is sky high which could take him off the board on day two but he's raw as can be right now.

Cameron Brown: When was the last time anyone went wrong with a Penn State linebacker? Brown was extremely productive at Happy Valley but will need to get thicker and stronger to project at the next level. He is an attractive prospect though with the look of a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme who will need to develop a tool box of moves but seems to have the instincts to be a playmaker.

Markus Bailey: Bailey is another Roquan Smith clone but he doesn't have the athleticism or speed of Smith or Taylor. What he does have though is a nonstop motor and a knack for showing up at key points in a ballgame. He appears to love the game and should add value on special teams while he learns the ropes of the NFL.

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