Joey The Tooth's Early Prospect Analysis: Linebackers (Part 1)

Joey offers his initial thoughts on four of the top LBs in this year's class.

Joey The Tooth is back to offer prospect analysis in the run-up to the NFL Draft. In the first installment, he looked at four of the top edge rushers. This time around, he’s offering up some initial takeaways after studying four standout linebackers.

Be sure to buy a copy of the IDP Guys Rookie Draft Magazine (which covers offense and IDP), in which Joey will be doing a deeper dive on the players you see in these articles.

Also, be sure to follow Joey on Twitter to keep up with all his analysis.

Chad Muma, Wyoming

Pros:

• High-level football IQ

• Top-level processor

• Terrific run defense

• Patient: fills and shoots gaps with ferocity

• Excellent tackling angles and technique

• Top-notch fundamentals

• IQ shows in coverage, always in the right spot

• Excellent side to side, good lateral agility

Cons:

• Lacks great speed

• Great in zone, though his lack of elite athleticism may be an issue in man coverage

• Not as athletically gifted as other top LBs

Summary

Chad Muma is a blue collar, you-ask-he-does-it kind of player. His mental processing of the game may be the best of any LB prospect in this draft class. His run defense is elite, and his coverage skills are good as well. Where he will get beat in coverage is when he is asked to cover athletic move TEs.

He isn’t a twitchy or overly explosive athlete. He uses excellent technique to win. Muma is a 3 down LB who can run your defense and could easily be the 3rd or 4th LB off the board. Looking to follow in Logan Wilson’s footsteps.

Draft Grade: Late 2nd/Early 3rd Round

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Brandon Smith, Penn State

Pros:

• Athletic freak

• Powerful finisher

• Good at shedding blocks

• Great blitzer

• Powerful punch

• Terrific in coverage, very fluid snd has no problem on tight ends

• Stays with the play, never checks out

Cons:

• Poor tackle angles

• Too many missed tackles

• Never dominated how many thought he would in college

• Run defense is suspect, not a good suit at MIKE, likely best as WILL

Summary

Brandon Smith is a freak of nature athlete. He has a perfect blend of size, speed, and power. His coverage ability should make NFL scouts drool. He can thrive in both man and zone coverages. To boot, he is very good at rushing the passer and can even overwhelm smaller offensive linemen with his power and aggression.

He will need to work on the angles he takes to the ball and squaring up to become a more efficient tackler. He needs more patience in the run game as he often overshoots gaps. Smith is a bit of a work in progress but has mouth-watering potential.

Draft Grade: Mid 3rd Round

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Christian Harris, Alabama

Pros:

• Coverage ability in man and zone

• Fluid hips, especially for 235 lbs

• Closing speed shooting gaps

• Great job filling lanes

• High-level IQ

• Great timing on blitzes

• Good tackling technique

Cons:

• Strength

• Block shedding

Summary

I fell in love with Harris’ game as a freshman and he only improved every single season. He is a complete package linebacker. He has elite coverage ability, understanding zone concepts and depths while having the fluidity and speed to cover in man. Harris has tremendous closing speed and routinely shoots and blows up gaps.

He has great blitz timing which he showcased in the national title game. Harris is also a very sound tackler. His biggest knock is his strength which goes along with his struggle shedding blocks. Harris has a tough time shedding opposing offensive linemen when they reach the second level. On a couple of occasions, I saw him pushed back on his heels/backside with relative ease. Don't be scared by his strength though, he is a complete package and could thrive at either MLB or WLB.

Draft Grade: Early/Mid 2nd

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Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Pros:

• Super explosive

• Very athletic and rangy

• Probably the best LB in the draft in coverage

• Quick twitch ability to change direction and explode into running lanes

• Excellent play diagnosis

• Sideline to sideline speed

• Sound tackler

• Very good speed rusher off of the edge

• Excellent blitz timing

• Great pre-snap processing

Cons:

• Small in stature 6’0” and 225 lbs

• Can be attacked high when covering tight ends

• Has a tough time sometimes shedding blocks

Summary

Nakobe Dean is everything you want in a linebacker. He has great in-line and sideline-to-sideline speed with a quick twitch to change direction and stay with a play. His coverage skills are elite in both man and zone, though his size gives him some limitations in man. He can blitz with the best of them and is a solid speed rusher off of the edge. His tackling is fierce for a smaller LB—he doesn’t miss on many attempts.

He does get stacked up at times by strong offensive linemen, but his tenacious nature helps him fight through. Dean will be an instant impact player in the NFL.

Draft Grade: 1st Round