LB RANKINGS 1.0 2024 NFL DRAFT

This years linebacker class is certainly, interesting. There is no blue chip talent, and there is no clear number 1, or even top 5 linebackers in this class. I think there are some really talented players, who, with the right coaching, can become prominent starters, and maybe even some stars. the top 2 linebackers I wouldn't be shocked if they snuck into round 1, but I didn't give them a round 1 grade.

25. Dallas Gant, Toledo

24. Easton Gibbs, Wyoming

23. Aaron Casey, Indiana

22. Darius Muasau, UCLA

21. Omar Speights

LSU

6'1

235

2023 STATS:

69 TOT 21 SOLO

PROS:

Tackling
Coverage
Blitzing

CONS:

Run defense
Speed

DAY 3 GRADE

Speights to me is a low risk high reward type player. For sure a guy you can draft on day 3, and if it works out, he can be a guy that potentially plays a lot of downs of solid football. It's just that he isn't good at tracking down defenders and moving laterally across the field. He can cover tight ends and running backs well, just not recievers. He has some pass rush upside, but it also needs to be developed.

20. Jackson Sirmon

Cal

6'2

240

2023 STATS:

47 TOT 27 SOLO 1 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Run defense
Pursuit
Hitter

CONS:

Motor
Physical ceiling

DAY 3 GRADE

Sirmon is a prototypical run defender, who pursues backs really well across the whole field. He is good at pursuing any ball carrier across the whole field and laying the boom on them to make a play. His holes in his game is he is limited to run defense only, as his pass coverage is pretty lackluster, and he has a physical ceiling, in terms of theres not really any stand out traits that can make him be noticed at the next level.

19. Tatum Bethune

Florida State

5'11

229

2023 STATS:

71 TOT 33 SOLO 1 INT

PROS:

Play recognition
Coverage
Quick acceleration

CONS:

Run defense
Footwork

DAY 3 GRADE

Bethune has good coverage skills for a day 3 linebacker prospect. He is quick to diagnose plays and quickly make pre-snap adjustments to the play. He is good at covering almost any type of player, and has good change of direction skills. However, in the run game, he often gets overwhelmed by blockers and gets moved easily, and doesn't plug holes well. I think it's fixible if he bulks up a tiny bit though.

18. Jordan Magee

Temple

6'1

228

2023 STATS:

80 TOT 45 SOLO 3.5 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Instincts
Playmaker
Size

CONS:

Speed
Block shed
Man coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

Magee has a lot of admirable traits, as he is an athletic linebacker who relies on his instincts to make plays. It is a good thing, as he often knows when to plug certain holes or time certain things, but when it's a play he isn't anticipating, he is lackluster. He struggles with disengaging with blocks, and struggles in man coverage.

17. Steele Chambers

Ohio State

6'1

226

2023 STATS:

83 TOT 41 SOLO 1 INT

PROS:

Run defense
Play recognition
Coverage
Qb spy/contain

CONS:

Block shed
Upper-body strength

DAY 3 GRADE

Chambers played a lot of quality football for Ohio State, and he certainly can have uses in the NFL. He is a very smart linebacker, as he easily diagnoses plays and can both drop back into coverage and plug running lanes. Ohio state used him a lot as a contain on the edge or a qb spy. However, my major concern is he has no ability to disengage with blockers, and his upper body strength makes him a easy tackler to break. I think he is a really smart player, but in the kindest way possible, he isn't neccisarily that strong, however his ceiling is high.

16. Nathaniel Watson

Mississippi State

6'2

233

2023 STATS:

137 TOT 35 SOLO 10 SACK 2 FF

PROS:

Physicality
Instincts
Patience
Blitzer

CONS:

Block shed
Coverage

DAY 3 GRADE

With Watson, I do personally enjoy the paitence in his game. It's not something you see in linebackers, who often anticipate plays for better or worse, but his paitence combos well with his instincts, which leads him to find the ball carrier with ease on just about every down. He also has some good potential as a pass rusher, but struggles to disengage with blockers. He also isn't very good in coverage, but there is quite a bit to like with Watson.

15. Michael Barrett

Michigan

5'11

233

2023 STATS:

65 TOT 39 SOLO 3 SACK 3 FF

PROS:

Improvement from year-year
Effort
Man-D
Tackler

CONS:

Size
Instincts
Acceleration

DAY 3 GRADE

Barrett was apart of the great Michigan defense of last year. What stands out the most to me is his ability to evolve his game, year after year, and get better. Combine that with his effort, and you have a player that coaches will love. He plays pretty solid man defense against tight ends and aome receivers, but lacks the ability to cover the quick ones. He doesn't have great instincts, which is fine in a linebacker, but he's also not terribly big either, so he will definitely need to rely on his coverage and IQ.

14. Edefuan Ulofoshio

Washington

6'0

236

2023 STATS:

94 TOT 62 SOLO 3 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Measurables
Wingspan
Block Shed
Coverage

CONS:

Play recognition
Range

DAY 3 GRADE

Ulofoshio feels like an outside linebacker, who has some high end pass rush skills, but also some good coverage skills. I think he possesses the ability to move to an edge, with his measurables and block shed ability. However, he can use his wingspan to swat a lot of passes around the line of scrimmage. He doesn't react to plays fast enough, and often he doesn't have the range to make up for that. However, a team for sure should buy into his upside.

13. Tyrice Knight

UTEP

6'0

233

2023 STATS:

140 TOT 84 SOLO 4.5 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Tackling
Run -D
Measurables
Freestyle play-style

CONS:

Instincts
Zone-D

DAY 2 GRADE

Knight has one of the more unique playstyles in the NFL draft for a linebacker. He has a freestyle type of play, where he can kind of wander the field trying to make a play. I said it was a pro, because more often than not, he will. However, some teams won't like that and won't draft him or try to coach that out of his game. I think he is an excellent run defender, and a great tackler, and I can see him going on day 2.

12. JD Bertrand

Notre Dame

6'1

230

2023 STATS:

76 TOT 41 SOLO 2.5 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Run Defense
Prodution
Moves blocker
Special teamer

CONS:

Range
Physical ceiling

DAY 2 GRADE

Bertrand is certainly a safe pick for this linebacker class. Has good run defense, has consistent production when on field. and can move blockers he's engaged with. Not great coverage skills nor range, and has a physical ceiling, but I beleive his pros are NFL ready.

11. Curtis Jacobs

Penn State

6'1

241

2023 STATS:

50 TOT 31 SOLO 2.5 SACK

PROS:

Physicality
Run -D
Technique

CONS:

Instincts
Blitzing
Open field tackling

DAY 2 GRADE

Jacobs has good skills in the run game, as a supporting outside linebacker. I think he's not a good enough open field tackler to be the middle linebacker. I think he is very technically refined, which will make a lot of teams like him.

10. Jaylan Ford

Texas

6'2

240

2023 STATS:

101 TOT 47 SOLO 1 SACK 2 INT

PROS:

Measurables
Anticipation
Pursuit
Coverage

CONS:

Limited in versatility
Impatient

DAY 2 GRADE

Ford is almost a really good linebacker prospect. He has the measurables and size, but he also has elite coverage skills in both zone and man coverage. He also pursues runners and anticipates run plays, often a little too much. Sometimes he becomes impatient and jumps the wrong gap, and takes himself out the play. Other than that, I really like Ford.

9. Ty'Ron Hopper

Missouri

6'2

221

2023 STATS:

55 TOT 36 SOLO 3 SACK 3 PD

PROS:

Long
Speed
Run - D
Blitzing
Hard hitter

CONS:

Vision
Inconsistent coverage
Play recognition

DAY 2 GRADE

Hopper is a pure athlete at the linebacker position, who makes highlight reel plays. He is long, and fast, who flies across the field to either track down running backs or QB's. He also is an incredibly hard hitter, which depending on the coach, could be a good thing. He doesn't have great play recognition, and it can prevent him from making plays, but other than that he is a really exciting prospect.

8. Tommy Eichenberg

Ohio State

6'2

239

2023 STATS:

80 TOT 40 SOLO 1 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

Versitile
Run- D
Tackling
Middle linebacker

CONS:

Physical ceiling
Inconsistent coverage

DAY 2 GRADE

Eichenberg is probably one of the more safer picks again, and can probably slot into a starting MLB role in the NFL. I think he is versitile, and makes plays in the run game, and is an incredibly sure tackler. He is also a smart linebacker, who can lead a defense. He has some physical limitations, but I would feel safe with the high floor he provides.

7. Marist Liufau

Notre Dame

6'2

235

2023 STATS:

44 TOT 23 SOLO 3 SACK 1 FF

PROS:

IQ
Eats blockers
Burst

CONS:

Anticipation
1 on 1 tackling

DAY 2 GRADE

Liufau is a little different in terms of what he brings to the linebacker position. He can get up on the line of scrimmage and take up 2 blockers and clog up running lanes, or burst right through and make a play. I think he is incredibly smart for a linebacker, which makes him good in coverage and in the run game. However, he can be easily fooled in a 1 on 1 tackling situation, and doesn't have a whole lot of anticipation in his game. However, his upside is absolutely worth it.

6. Trevin Wallace

Kentucky

6'2

241

2023 STATS:

80 TOT 45 SOLO 5.5 SACK 1 INT

PROS:

Explosive
Insane speed
Ball skills
Tackling

CONS:

Play recognition
Zone defense

DAY 2 GRADE

If you want to talk about a player who gets shot out of a cannon, it is Wallace. He is explosive, and maybe the fastest linebacker in the class. Combo that with good ball skills, you have a natural playmaker on your hands. Sure, he has some downsides to his game, but his upside as a NFL player is ridiculous.

5. Cedric Gray

North Carolina

6'3

235

2023 STATS:

121 TOT 64 SOLO 5 SACK 2 FF

PROS:

Long
Fast
Gap shooter
Man coverage

CONS:

Run - D
Missed tackles

DAY 2 GRADE

Gray is such a talented and well-rounded linebacker, but with also a high ceiling. He is long and measures out well, and has above average speed to combo with that. I like him in coverage, and I like how frequently he makes plays in the run game. He has a little bit of an issue with missed tackles, but if he starts wrapping ball-carriers up, he can be a legitimate key for a defense.

4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr

Clemson

6'0

228

2023 STATS:

87 TOT 54 SOLO 5.5 SACK 2 INT

PROS:

IQ
Block shedding
Speed/ Change of direction
Tackling
Blitzing

CONS:

Coverage
Easily fooled

PRO COMPARISON

Patrick Queen

DAY 2 GRADE

Trotter is an absolute unit of an athlete, who has elite pass rushing skills, and is just a solid linebacker. He is intriguing because his upside is the best in this class, but also possesses a relatively high floor. His issues can easily be coached out.

3. Junior Colson

Michigan

6'3

247

2023 STATS:

95 TOT 44 SOLO 2 PD

PROS:

Instincts
Blitzing
Run defense
Speed
IQ

CONS:

Zone defense

PRO COMPARISON

Willie Gay

DAY 2 GRADE

Colson is like the JJ McCarthy of the linebacker class. He shows a lot of upside, and could potentially be a super elite linebacker in the NFL, we just don't have a ton of film on him. Whenever he does play, he is elite, and does just about everything well. The only thing he is shaky at is zone defense, but you can just simply not do zone defense, and that problem is solved.

T-1. Edgerrin Cooper

Texas A&M

6'3

230

2023 STATS:

83 TOT 39 SOLO 8 SACK 2 FF

PROS:

Man coverage
Speed
Long
Blitzer

CONS:

Inconsistent run defense

PRO COMPARISON

Jerome Baker/ Jordyn Brooks

DAY 2 GRADE

Cooper is a lot of people's LB1, which is completely understand, but I have him sharing the top spot. He certainly has a lot of upside, as he os maybe one of the most athletic well rounded linebackers, and can blitz very well. I think his tape backs himself up, and I wouldn't even be mad if he slipped into the 1st round.

T-1. Payton Wilson

NC State

6'4

238

2023 STATS:

138 TOT 69 SOLO 6 SACK 3 INT

PROS:

Fluid
Zone defense
Ball skills
Shoots gaps
Tackling

CONS:

Injuries

PRO COMPARISON

Demario Davis/ CJ Mosley

DAY 2 GRADE

But I think Wilson is the safest and best linebacker in the class probably. He has THE highest floor of any linebacker, and would start right away on every team in the NFL. Why? He does everything at such a mature and NFL ready level, that just shows how advanced of a linebacker he is. He has a little bit of an injury history, but I wouldn't really concern over that.

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