Mason's top 10 inside linebacker free agents
Andrew Mason lists his top 10 inside linebacker free agents for the 2018 offseason.
Davis combined strong production against the run with improved work in pass coverage in his return to the Jets after one season away. He finished with career highs in tackles (135) and sacks (5), and remained a durable player, having never missed a game as a pro. (Bill Kostroun/AP Images)
Although he played on the outside in the Eagles' 4-3 scheme, Bradham would likely project to an inside role in the 3-4 alignment. What jumps out about Bradham is his coverage ability. There are better run thumpers available than the 241-pound Bradham, but perhaps no better linebackers in pass coverage. (Matt Rourke/AP Images)
The durable Brown is always around the football, posting four consecutive 100-tackle seasons, including a career-high 144 last year. The 251-pound Brown has also never missed a game in his four seasons with the Bills. (Al Messerschmidt/AP Images)
Oakland's run defense showed marked improvement in the first six games after Bowman joined the Raiders in October. Although that upturn eventually leveled off, Oakland allowed 0.14 fewer yards per carry in games Bowman played than it did before he arrived. (Ryan Kang/AP Images)
Williamson is one of the league's strongest linebackers against the run, and although he has endured some ups and downs in pass coverage, the 246-pounder's status as an outstanding two-down linebacker should ensure he's snapped up quickly. Williamson also has two 100-tackle seasons in the last three years. (Rick Scuteri/AP Images)
Bostic started a career-high 14 games in 2017, and he responded with 97 total tackles -- 13 more than he ever had in any previous season. Bostic was able to successfully put a foot injury behind him before he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Denver in Week 15. (David J. Phillip/AP Images)
His work in coverage declined last year, even before he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but he is just one year removed from an outstanding season in that regard. His work against the run also remained solid last year before the injury. Cincinnati could opt to move on from Minter after one season, but he should have offers elsewhere. (Frank Victores/AP Images)
Toomer punctuated his 2017 season with a 59-yard pick-six against the Bills, but his tackle numbers were down -- from 75 in 2016 to 48 -- despite the fact that he started in the same number of games (eight) and played in two more games than he did in 2016. Toomer is a bit of a specialist, but he's a specialist that is more needed in the air-centric NFL. (Jae C. Hong/AP Images)
Still solid after 14 years, Dansby has played all 16 games in six of his last seven seasons and finished 2017 with 95 total tackles, four passes defensed and an interception. He is one of just five players with at least 40 sacks and 20 interceptions; two of the other four are members of the 2018 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Ryan Kang/AP Images)
Although he will go into his 12th year in 2018, Posluszny still has plenty of value as a two-down run thumper and as a locker-room leader. (Mark Zaleski/AP Images)
