Vontaze Burfict has had as disappointing of a season as any player this season. Because of that, it was impossible to consider him the top player at the position. In fact, I nearly dropped him to fourth or fifth in the rankings.
Updated 2012 NFL Draft middle linebacker rankings
Making his debut on the rankings is Arthur Brown of Kansas State. I didn't have him ranked before the season after he sat out 2010 following a transfer.
| 1. Manti Te'o | 6'2, 245 pounds | MLB | Notre Dame * - Prospect notes |
| 2. Luke Kuechly | 6'2, 235 pounds | MLB | Boston College * - Prospect notes |
| 3. Vontaze Burfict | 6'3, 245 pounds | MLB | Arizona State * - Prospect notes | Profile |
| 4. Dont'a Hightower | 6'4, 258 pounds | MLB | Alabama * - Prospect notes |
| 5. Kevin Reddick | 6'3, 240 pounds | MLB | North Carolina * |
| 6. Arthur Brown | 6'1, 225 pounds | MLB | Kansas State * |
| 7. Audie Cole | 6'4, 239 pounds | MLB | North Carolina State |
| 8. James-Michael Johnson | 6'2, 240 pounds | MLB | Nevada |
| 9. Bobby Wagner | 6'0, 232 pounds | MLB | Utah State |
| 10. Mychal Kendricks | 5'11, 240 pounds | MLB | California |
| 11. Emmanuel Acho | 6'2, 245 pounds | MLB | Texas |
| 12. Brandon Maye | 6'3, 230 pounds | MLB | Mississippi State |
| 13. Chris Galippo | 6'2, 250 pounds | MLB | Southern California |
| 14. Jerry Franklin | 6'1, 241 pounds | MLB | Arkansas |
| 15. Garrick Williams | 6'2, 234 pounds | MLB | Texas A&M |
| 16. Chris Marve | 6'0, 230 pounds | MLB | Vanderbilt |
* denotes underclassman
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