Top 5 Linebackers

A good linebacker can change your defense for the better, and there are some guys in this class that can do just that. We are staying with a strict top five list on this one, taking the best from this draft. Look no further, because we’re looking, (remember, worst to best.)

5.) Carson Schwesinger. This is a guy is an absolute breath of fresh air. If you look at the definition of “linebacker” in the dictionary, Schwesinger’s name will come up next to it. He was the heart and soul of the UCLA Bruins defense for three years. He is a natural leader, unbelievable in his pursuit, and has a great combination of speed and power. He has a never-ending motor and a dog mentality that is shown on tape consistently. His football IQ is through the roof as his ability to diagnose plays and get back into coverage are beautiful. He is a tad smaller for a middle linebacker, and will need to work on his block shedding, but he is a proven linebacker with a history of production.

4.) Chris Paul Jr. You want a leader from the WILL position, Paul is it. He has some incredible power for his shorter size, and his speed off the edge is something to behold. He can close down almost anyone off the edge, running back, tight end, or quarterback. It doesn’t matter. Paul brings some juice and energy to the linebacking corps, but he is equally as effective in coverage. His problem lies with his smaller size and sometimes his over-aggressiveness. He will need to bulk up a little bit, but he is a scheme versatile linebacker that is beyond appealing on tape.

3.) Travon Walker. This one right here is an athletic specimen. An absolute freak of nature. Walker brings a certain power that is just different. He has speed to go along with it, and a surprising ability to bend and get smaller against linemen if need be. He is disruptive in anywhere in the box and has a relentless motor and drive. The reason I don’t have Walker higher is because he is not a great off-ball linebacker. He focuses primarily on the run game and is somewhat a liability in coverage. That being said, his physical upside is there, it’s just about refining a couple skills.

2.) Demetrius Knight Jr. Demetrius Knight is going to be a name we may remember for a while. He is a bigger linebacker, but he shows no issues in coverage. He has good speed for his size, but he is an absolute menace in the trenches. He has absurd downhill power and is a middle gap wrecker. He is a natural blitzer and spy, and like many linebackers, he also brings a certain juice and leadership to his team. He can be over-patient, which is rare, and he has trouble going horizontally, but this is one of the more well-rounded linebackers in this draft.

1.) Jihaad Campbell. Congratulations to anyone who selects Jihaad Campbell. This man is a heat seeking missile with an explosive first step that packs a powerful punch. He is fast and able to split gaps, he’s able to recognize play design, and he is able effectively get out in coverage. He brings that energy and pop to the defense, he is lanky and long, and he is a strong guy. I think like any linebacker prospect, he may get over-aggressive and loses gap/zone responsibility, but man is he good at what he does. Pursuit, tackle, and coverage. And he can blitz. Campbell is going to be a good one, those Bama boys usually are.