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Top 10 Sleeper Inside Linebackers For The Bears In The 2016 NFL Draft

By Johnny Hatelak

Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers line backer Nick Kwiatkoski stops Liberty Flames running back Desmond Rice in the backfield during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers line backer Nick Kwiatkoski stops Liberty Flames running back Desmond Rice in the backfield during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Joe Schobert (58) Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Joe Schobert (58) Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports /

PLAYER OVERVIEW:

Joe Schobert Wisconsin Joe Schobert was originally a walk at North Dakota, but then was offered a roster spot on Wisconsin and took it. The rest as they say is history. Schobert increased his play every season all culminating with an excellent senior season which garnered him such prestigious honors as 2nd team All American by both USA Today and the Associated Press, as well as Big Ten linebacker of the year and All-Conference totaling up 9.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Played primarily OLB at Wisconsin, but is not big enough or athletic enough to play out there in the NFL. probably profiles best as a 3-4 WLB.

MEASUREABLES AND PRODUCTION:

Schobert is not known for his athleticism, but he isn’t exactly a stiff out there either.  Showed good explosion at his pro day with a 35 1/2″ vertical, and broad jump of nearly 10 feet. Ran a respectable 40 in the high 4.7’s, and looked good in drills at both the combine and the Wisconsin pro day. to view his measureables click here. I’ve already mentioned some of the numbers he’s had. You can check out the rest of it here.

SCOUTING REPORT:

Positives: Excellent production in his two seasons as a starter. Extremely competitive, and plays with a high motor. Good football intellect. Has great ability to compensate for less than élite physical skill set and win with technique and anticipation. Can turn his shoulders and get skinny to knife through the line of scrimmage and makes plays in the backfield. Excellent hand use helps keep bigger stronger blockers off his body and from manhandling him. Has very good eye discipline and is assignment sound in zone coverage. Holds his own in man as well. Will be an excellent special teamer right off the bat for Bears special teams coach Jeff Rodgers.

Negatives: Lack of élite athleticism is probably his one true flaw. This is all that holds him back from being an élite blue chip prospect. lacks size and strength as well, but with a strong work ethic that should improve with an NFL strength program where he can devote in-disposable time into it. until than he may be easy to move off the line of scrimmage and be a target on short yardage runs should he be forced to play on defense in those situations.

Next: Inside Linebacker Sleeper #3

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