This yr’s class of off-ball linebackers isn’t a robust go well with of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it surely presents some high-end prospects that ought to hear their title known as on the primary two days. The general depth of the place this yr is fairly skinny, so if a staff needs to bolster the linebacker corps, they higher tackle it early.
A gaggle of SB Nation’s draft analysts from our 32 NFL staff communities ranked their high LBs within the draft and this high 10 is the results of these cumulative rankings.
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Additionally receiving votes within the high 10: Kobe King (Penn State), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky)
10. Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon took benefit of his final yr as a Buckeye. The staff captain had an eye-popping 112 tackles, together with 12.5 TFLs and 7 sacks. He’s a well-seasoned faculty soccer participant who appeared to have issues click on for him this season. His means to diagnose performs and get to the soccer was vital in Ohio State’s playoff run.
9. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser is a sixth-year senior who performed a college report 70 video games for the Combating Irish. His athleticism leaves one thing to be desired, however his expertise and soccer IQ assist him make up for it. Probably solely a two-down LB and particular contributor on the NFL stage.
8. Smael world Jr., Georgia
Mondon has boom-or-bust potential; he wants time to develop and put all of it collectively on the NFL stage. He was a top-30 five-star recruit popping out of highschool and has the pedigree to emerge as an eventual starter if he can course of the sport at NFL pace.
7. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
A high-volume tackler on the inside linebacker place who had three straight seasons with over 100 tackles. Stutsman is your prototypical inside-the-box downhill defender. He will get the job executed with excellent play recognition and block shedding.
6. Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
“Pooh” is finest suited as an outdoor linebacker in a scheme that doesn’t ask him to play a lot man-to-man protection. Paul Jr. is a positive tackler who reveals good burst to shut in on ball carriers and has a knack for locating the proper run match.
5. Basa Jeffrey, Oregon
Bassa is a three-down linebacker who performed inside at Oregon however has the athleticism to play exterior within the NFL. Bassa suits the mould of the brand new age weak-side linebacker, providing succesful protection abilities and a few juice as a blitzer.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter has a stable really feel for the sport on the linebacker place and has the athletic traits to be a sideline-to-sideline three-down participant. Carter is at his finest when his agility and quickness are allowed to shine as a blitzer or QB spy.
3. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina
Knight tied with Carson Schwesinger for probably the most second-place votes, however was barely edged out. Knight has an enormous body and makes use of it to unleash violent hits towards his opponent. Tailored for motion contained in the field, his aggression and willingness to struggle via site visitors make him an excellent match for a staff that wants an inside LB.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
The previous walk-on changed into an All-American for UCLA in his fourth yr. Schwesinger is a rangy backer who’s adept in zone or man protection. He ought to discover the sphere as a beginning LB early on, but when he doesn’t, he has expertise being a special-teams ace.
1. Jihad Campbell, Alabama
Campbell was our unanimous high participant at off-ball linebacker. The previous top-15 recruit is at his finest when speeding the passer or in protection, the place his 6’3” body and superior athletic talents can take over. His particular ability set will possible see him land within the first spherical of the NFL Draft, and he ought to immediately enhance any staff’s protection.
