The paper’s Ryan Dunleavy lists the top 10 linebackers in this year’s NFL Draft, based on evaluations and conversations with league officials.
1. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, 6-2, 230
Do you want a bag? He had eight. Do you need insurance?
He can manup tight ends and backs (eight pass breakups over the past two seasons). Want to tackle?
The ball carrier saw his 83 stops last season. Tips for spying on a two-way quarterback.
The crime of excessive pursuit.
2. Junior Colson, Michigan State, 6-2, 238
A big, physical run staffer who brushes off blocks, finds gaps, and sniffs out the ball.
A wrap-up tackler won’t let many get away.
He has plenty of ability as a three-down player in pass coverage over the middle.
No interceptions in 43 career games.
3. Peyton Wilson, North Carolina, 6-4, 233
All attributes, physical and mental, can become first-rounders.
Chuck Bednarik (college football’s top defensive player) has had a long injury history, but has come back from everything to win a championship in 2023.
The tackling machine still has his speed and range. In 2019, he was arrested on alcohol-related charges.
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson, 6-0, 228
After his father made the Pro Bowl with the Eagles, he probably doesn’t need any introduction.
He is an instinctive and powerful player who always takes the lead.
As a blitzer, he causes chaos. Always controlled, but there are concerns about his size and ability to cover.
5. Cedric Gray, North Carolina, 6-1, 234
In 2023, he completed the box score for the third consecutive season with 100 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, and 1 interception.
Charge downhill and take the correct angle.
It can be swallowed by larger body blockers.
6. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, 6-2, 233
Best season was 2022 (12 of 120 tackles for loss) He always plays at full speed, sometimes overrunning the ball and getting stuck in arm tackles, and can run in space as a tight end.
Braking is slow on intermediate routes.
An old school football junkie.
7. Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State, 6-2, 233
He led the SEC in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (137) last season, bringing his two-year total for loss to 25.
I have a box, but it’s not that important for edge pursuit or wide coverage.
Arrested twice (drunk driving, assault). This could lead to a personal foul.
8. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky, 6-1, 237
A polarizing prospect with attractive traits such as footwork, physicality, quickness, and defensive range.
He makes small gains bigger because he goes for the ball.
Potential to develop into a three-down player with improved down and distance awareness.
9. Curtis Jacobs, Penn State, 6-1, 241
Especially noticeable late-game explosion behind the line of scrimmage (24 total tackles for loss).
I had a long jump of 10 feet 4 inches.
If he doesn’t improve his field awareness in coverage, he could be a two-down defensive player, but he could also be a core special teamer.
10. Jordan McGee, Temple, 6-1, 228
FCS turned down an offer to play quarterback in college.
A three-year starting middle linebacker who never called for punt coverage.
Accelerate towards the ball carrier. Look for ways around blocks instead of going through them.
He underwent bicep surgery in November last year.
Oversleeping in the morning
Steele Chambers, Ohio State, 6-1, 226
The former running back still thinks like a ball carrier, especially with his sniffing for the ball attitude. He packs a punch, but doesn’t always wrap around the ball carrier. Once he learns how to read the quarterback’s eyes, his athleticism lends itself to versatility in coverage.
fall rapidly
Marist Liufo, Notre Dame Cathedral, 6-2, 234
He attends a school in Hawaii known for producing NFL talent. Despite covering a large amount of ground, you will never run out of energy. We live by the tackling credo of “all 11 to the ball.” Too many 1-on-1 tackle mistakes when he’s in a rush. More reactive than instinctive.
the wonders of a small school
Tyrice Knight, UTEP, 6-0, 233
Lined up in full formation, he collected 140 tackles. He is better as a blitzer than in coverage. He allowed more freestyle than most NFL defenses. Not easily juked, shaken or faked.
