Top 10 Rookie Linebackers (Pre-Draft)
Who are the possible future green dots in this class? Mike Woellert digs in.
The light at the end of the tunnel is the NFL Draft barreling down the tracks. It’s draft season, also known as silly season. Believe everything. Believe nothing. Rookie mock drafts are in flight. Rookie drafts are getting scheduled. So, it’s time to take a look at the shiny new toys that are going to draw our attention like a cat to a laser pointer.
Here are my pre-draft rankings for the 2024 off-ball linebacker class. I ended up liking this class a lot more than I thought I would, and possibly more than others. There are some good athletes who can develop into solid pros.
1. Payton Wilson, NC State
No matter the format, I think he’s my top IDP overall from this draft class. I say this, not just because of my fondness for the LB position. He took over the Combine with his metrics and his impact confirmed what I’ve seen on tape.
Wilson is a freak athletic with insane range and chase-down speed, akin to Agent Smith chasing down Neo. There’s no wasted movement and he rarely misses tackles. After missing 27 tackles in his first two seasons, Wilson improved upon his missed tackle rate, as he missed just 13 over the next three. Don’t get chased off by the early injuries. He appeared in over 700 snaps in 2023 and finished with a 19.3% tackle rate and 17.5 TFLs. He also brings big-play upside, adding 6 sacks and 7 QB hits. He fights to get through blocks and doesn’t give up on plays, lulling linemen to a false sense of security that they’ve won the rep.
It’s worth noting his age, as he’ll be 24. I do think this will be a thing of the past as more players enter the transfer portal and play an extra season or two. He does sometimes take his size and length for granted and doesn’t utilize his traits consistently. Even with his checkered injury past, I think he’ll stand up to the rigors of the NFL game. His traits are difficult to ignore.
2. Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Gray was a three-year starter with the Tar Heels. Had Payton Wilson not been part of the class, he might have been my LB1.
He has a wide tackle radius and is fluid in his movement. He can dip and bend like an edge rusher. He finished with a 21% pressure rate and five sacks. He’s also a menace at the LOS, recording 23 TFLs over the last two seasons.
Another trait that jumps out is his speed. I think NFL defensive coordinators are going to love his flexibility. He can stop on a dime and change direction with no wasted motion. Like Payton Wilson, Gray has a tremendous second and third effort. Gray has length and wraps up the ball carrier. Gray is a big hitter with plus range and his zone coverage abilities should keep him on the field.
Despite the strengths, there are a few weaknesses. He’s struggled with missed tackles, producing a double-digit missed tackle rate in three seasons. He tends to come in high when tackling and needs to improve his read on offenses, which leads to him being a bit late in identifying plays.
I think Gray possesses the size and athleticism to excel at the next level. I’m not leaving the draft without this guy.
3. Junior Colson, Michigan
Junior Colson and Cedric Gray present a challenging decision for me, as both possess the qualities of the prototypical off-ball linebacker. I do like Gray a tad more, but I’d have no issues with Colson if I get sniped on Gray.
Colson was a 36-game starter with Michigan over three seasons. He’s active around the line of scrimmage and a durable run defender. He’s also above average in coverage and graded among the top 30 linebackers according to PFF. He’s a physical backer and is not afraid to take on contact and blockers.
I think he’ll be a good candidate to wear the dot for any team because of his strong communication and pre-snap recognition abilities. He won’t run out of position and shows a good change of direction. The one thing you won’t have to worry about with Colson are missed tackles. He had just 12 missed tackles over three seasons. He has the build and traits to be a three-down LB at the next level.
4. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Cooper was an All-American in his first year as a starter and has the build of the prototypical off-ball LB.
He had solid production, as he gradually increased his tackles, TFLs, and sacks from 2021 through 2023. Cooper finished his 2023 season with a 13.8% tackle rate and produced 17 TFLs. He also improved his pass-rushing, improving to an 86.4 PFF grade. The improvement led to 27 pressures and 8 sacks.
He has the athleticism to excel on the big stage. He can eliminate passing lanes. When coupled with his length and downhill speed, he takes away any big plays in the run. He rapidly identifies plays in coverage and adapts his positioning effectively, particularly in zone coverage schemes. Despite weighing 230 pounds, he displays a surprising amount of power and physicality.
This is probably one of my favorite plays of his:
He’s on the taller side, so pad level is going to be the focus in the NFL. If he fails to lower his stance and take control, he may be pushed back. He dodges linemen instead of taking them head-on.
5. Jaylan Ford, Texas
Ford has demonstrated elite production in a competitive Big 12 conference. As a full-time linebacker over the span of just two seasons, he amassed over 1,500 snaps during that time.
In terms of his production, he recorded 220 tackles and a 14.7% tackle rate during his two full-time seasons. He has the leadership abilities of a general and excels in communication pre-snap. He can quickly diagnose what’s in front of him.
He uses tremendous hand control in getting through blocks. Those hands are busy and want to generate turnovers, as he forced 4 fumbles. Ford gets a head of steam when running downhill and is solid in zone coverage, though he does get caught out of position. He has plus timing off the snap, catching blockers off guard. His size and balance give him the ability to keep up with tight ends. He has plus-awareness and doesn’t get caught by surprise.
I’m not sure what happened last season, but his range shortened and opposing runners evaded him. His man coverage will need improving.
He’ll need to process and anticipate more quickly, but as a tackler, he’s quick to the ball and makes good contact. He might start as a base run-stuffer but can develop into a full-time player.
6. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
I really like his size and his NFL Combine performance confirmed what I’ve seen on the field. He’s an explosive player and athlete with a 9.65 RAS.
If he sees a gap opened up, he uses his burst to close in on his target. He seems to move faster with the intent of destroying the play in front of him. A disruptor in the truest sense of the word. He doesn’t get fooled on the RPO. He does a good job of following the QB’s eyes when dropping in coverage, and if he does allow a reception, he limits the yards. He allowed just 140 yards after the catch. His speed and quickness make him a great candidate to be a QB spy.
He takes good angles to the ball and is willing to take on blocks, but he can be a bit late to react against the run and plays stiff.
Wallace’s instincts and athleticism jump off the page for me and has a knack for playing through contact. Almost welcoming it. Think of the movie 300 when they are welcoming the arrow attack from the Persians: “We’ll fight in the shade.”
7. JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
Bertrand was a two-time captain and led the Irish in tackles over three seasons. He’s raw but I think in the right spot, he could develop into a solid LB.
He has the intangibles to be an NFL LB. He communicates well and is a natural leader. He has a good first step of the snap and closes well on the ball carrier:
He keeps balanced and slices through blocks and maintains speed. He has plus speed and can hang with slot receivers and running backs. He changes direction like a cornerback in coverage. He allowed just 47 yards after the catch over 19 targets.
Even though he can take good angles to the ball, he’ll sometimes overrun them. He has an average tackle radius and falls off the tackle, as evidenced by his 14.3% missed tackle rate.
I still think the intangibles get him drafted, making him a nice stash post-rookie draft.
8. Tyrice Knight, UTEP
Knight is one of my favorite small school sleepers. His size and production can’t be overlooked. He played in 700+ snaps over three seasons at UTEP and produced a 14.8% tackle rate, which resulted in 390 total tackles. He has the leadership qualities you look for in an LB and has the physicality to play in the box as an off-ball LB. He has length for days and can make plays in coverage.
He goes head-first into gaps to make plays against the run:
He can go rogue, which leads to him losing assignments. He needs to react and recognize blocks and not just guess.
He can make plays and his size puts him on the radar for NFL scouts. He’ll need some seasoning in the NFL, but is worth a stash while he develops.
9. Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., Clemson
I’m not ranking him here for clicks or to deliver an outlandish take. I know who he is. I’m definitely lower on him than the consensus, and I’m fine with that.
There’s no doubt about Trotter’s production. He’s produced a 14.5% tackle rate over the last few seasons, which has resulted in 177 tackles. He can get to the QB and finish off sacks. He generated a 26% pressure rate over his two full-time seasons at Clemson, converting 27% of his pressures into sacks (12). He’s instinctive and he stands his ground. He’s a tough player and plays with leverage.
Trotter Jr. has shorter arms and length, which leads to misses. He had a 15.6% missed tackle rate. That’s not the reason I’m off him, as most of these LBs have battled missed tackles. He’s limited in coverage and can be ineffective outside of small areas. Trotter’s agility is something to be desired.
For me, Trotter won’t be on any of my squads. I think his speed and his strength are limited and he displays hesitancy when he sees intricate plays. He didn’t run the 40 or do any explosive drills but scored okay on agility. I mean, he plays better than his metrics, but I see him more as a base-down LB and not a true three-down LB.
10. Edufuan Ulofoshio, Washington
Ulofoshio is a guy who got on my radar late in the evaluation process and he announced his presence with authority. He was one of the key cogs in Washington’s playoff march.
He battled adversity, dealing with injuries during his 2021/2022 seasons. It’s difficult to ignore the tackle production. Ulofoshio produced a 19.7% tackle rate over 1,284 career snaps. During his senior year, he recorded a career-high 94 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 3 sacks. He also had 5 career forced fumbles.
He has experience and is battle-tested on the field. He doesn’t get fooled and processes plays quickly.
He’s an instinctive defender in all facets and takes smart angles to the ball. He doesn’t get stuck in traffic and knows how to slither around blockers. He’s sure-handed and tackles well, as he has a career 7.1% missed tackle rate. I think his pass-rushing is a bit underrated.
He has limited recovery ability if he does make a mistake. He can be a bit sluggish, as he just needs to keep moving.
He’ll be one of those guys who goes undrafted during rookie drafts, so you’ll likely be able to get him from the wire. The landing spot will be key, but he’s a nice sleeper for sure.
Keep Them On Your Radar
Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
The Butkus finalist takes good angles and squares up in one-on-one situations. He tracks tight ends and runs with them stride for stride. Hopper is solid in the pass rush, producing a 24.2% pressure rate over his 2022/2023 seasons. His length catches everyone by surprise.
Trevor Williams, Sam Houston State
He’s small but mighty. He's a candidate to play that STAR role, as he can play LB, slot, and DB positions. He’s a four-time captain and he’s quick to break off contact and get himself back into the play. There’s no wasted motion and he has good change of direction. He’s agile and gets under blocks. I can’t ignore the production of a career 17.2% tackle rate and 2024 54.7% pressure rate. He could be this year’s Ivan Pace.
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Highly regarded as a top-10 LB in rookie drafts, Eichenberg just misses for me, but he’s still a really good football player. He’s a polished player and is spry in coverage. Plays with determination downhill and uses his hands well against blockers. If he’s on your “my guys,” by all means, grab him. I think I’d still draft over Trotter Jr.
Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
A broken ankle derailed his 2021 season, but he got back on track in 2022. He has above-average run-stopping ability and is a solid blitzer. Liufau generated a 19.4% pressure rate, finishing with 6 sacks and 5 QB hits. He’ll catch tight ends and pass-catching RBs off guard. He plays with urgency near the line of scrimmage.
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
Jacobs explodes downhill and kicks it up a notch when asked to get to the QB. He’s a high-motor guy chasing plays and fighting through traffic. He’s physical when finishing tackles and makes sure to take his guy down.
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