LINEBACKER
1
Jalon Walker
EDGE/LB | GEORGIA | 6’2 | 245
Strengths: Walker is a versatile and high-floor, high-upside prospect. He’s a natural linebacker who has also been very productive rushing the passer. Walker’s biggest asset is his eyes/vision. He’s super disciplined and does a great job of staying patient and correctly reading the play. Walker shows good power to deconstruct blocks and adds major upside as a pass-rusher Weaknesses: Walker is still inexperienced. His athleticism is good, but not freakish Bottom Line: Walker’s instincts, vision, and versatility will make him a highly-reliable defensive star in the NFL.
Grade: Round 1
Jamie Collins
2
Jihaad Campbell
LB | ALABAMA | 6’3 | 244
Strengths: Campbell is a well-rounded defensive playmaker. He has great size for the position. Campbell is an explosive athlete who really gains steam while attacking downhill. He’s a high motor guy who has a knack for finding the ball. Campbell adds additional value as an effective pass-rusher Weaknesses: I’d like to see Campbell maintain a consistent pad level and get a little lower at times Bottom Line: Campbell is going to be a rock; a defensive leader for a good unit
Grade: Round 1
N/A
3
Carson Schwesinger
LB | UCLA | 6’2 | 225
Strengths: Schwesinger is a unique and high-uspide defender. He does a great job squaring up to make the tackle in open space. Shwesinger is a versatile defender who can contribute as a blitzer and make plays on special teams. He has good trigger and can quickly make a play on the ball Weaknesses: Shwesinger is still very raw and inexperienced at the position. You can tell he’s still learning the nuances—especially in coverage where I’d like to see him be more proactive. Additionally, he needs to add mass Bottom Line: Shwesinger is a project, but has the tools and instincts to become a playmaker.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
4
Chris Paul Jr.
LB | OLE MISS | 6’1 | 235
Strengths: Paul Jr. is an athletic and consistent linebacker. He has a great motor with impressive awareness; constantly seeking out the ball and making plays. Paul Jr. takes good angles in the run game and he’s disciplined in coverage. Weaknesses: Paul Jr. is a little undersized and can get swallowed in traffic Bottom Line: With his blend of athleticism and skills, Paul can be a very good defender in the NFL.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
5
Jeffrey Bassa
LB | OREGON | 6’2 | 235
Strengths: Bassa is an explosive and versatile LB with a unique skillset. As a former safety, he has the ability to effectively drop back into coverage. Bassa has great range and shows the athleticism to make plays in open space. He has a good trigger and shows solid awareness Weaknesses: I’d like to see Bassa improve at shedding blocks in the run game. Additionally, he could add some more mass to his frame Bottom Line: There is so much untapped potential here; Bassa could be a unique piece in the right scheme.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
6
Jay Higgins
LB | IOWA | 6’2 | 232
Strengths: Higgins is an old school thumping linebacker with great vision and discipline. He is an extremely reliable tackler who does a great job of squaring up and finishing plays. Although Higgins’ bread and butter is his physical consistency, he is a proven playmaker—with a good number of INT’s, FF’s, pressures, and PBU’s over his career Weaknesses: Higgins has average athletic ability and won’t be a sideline-to-sideline roamer Bottom Line: Higgins may be limited to certain schemes, but his physical presence and reliability will make him a good starting linebacker in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
7
Barrett Carter
LB | CLEMSON | 6’1 | 230
Strengths: Barrett is an electric linebacker with high-upside traits. He’s got great closing speed and burst in space; capable of chasing down the ball from sideline-to-sideline. Barrett is solid in coverage, he has a good sense of awareness, and has the tools to run around with anyone Weaknesses: Barrett’s eyes need some improvement in the run game; occasionally misdiagnosing the gaps. I’d like to see him add some more mass, as he can sometimes get swallowed in traffic Bottom Line: fit will be everything for Barrett; whose tools and speed could make him a fun hybrid defender.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
8
Danny Stutsman
LB | OKLAHOMA | 6’4 | 241
Strengths: Stutsman has a great blend of size and speed. He has the ideal build with impressive length. Stustman moves extremely well for his size; he’s able to pivot efficiently, shows closing burst in space, and can make plays across the field. He shows flashes as a pass-rusher too Weaknesses: Stutsman is still a work in progress while diagnosing the run, and I’d like to seem him take better angles Bottom Line: With his size and athleticism, Stutsman is a high upside pick with a ton of traits
Grade: Round 4
N/A
9
Smael Mondon Jr.
LB | GEORGIA | 6’3 | 235
Strengths: Mondon Jr. is a unique linebacker with high-upside traits. He has great range; utilizing his speed to make plays in space and run sideline-to-sideline. Mondon Jr. has the tools and athleticism to contribute as a coverage linebacker Weaknesses: Mondon Jr. is not physical; he can get swallowed in traffic and will need to get better at deconstructing blocks Bottom Line: Scheme will be everything here. Mondon Jr. is a fun player who can be a weapon when schemed up in space, but won’t give you much as a thumper.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
10
Lander Barton
LB | UTAH | 6’4 | 236
Strengths: Barton is a long and athletic linebacker. He moves well in space and has the combination of size and mobility you want to see out of a prospect. Barton is a high IQ player and has the awareness to produce in coverage Weaknesses: Although size is good; I’d like to see Barton add some mass at the next level. He needs to improve his ability at deconstructing blocks, and will need to learn how to consistently take the proper angles Bottom Line: Barton has the length and athleticism to be a nice developmental piece.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
11
Nick Martin
LB | OKLAHOMA ST. | 6’0 | 220
Strengths: Martin is a high-flying LB with great speed. He shows good burst in open space and is a very fluid mover. With this athleticism, Martin can be used in many ways—adding value in coverage and as a pass-rusher Weaknesses: Martin is very undersized for the position and is an ‘in-betweener’ who will need to be schemed up. He can get caught on blocks and needs to be better at disengaging. Martin can get overaggressive and needs to be more disciplined in the angles he takes Bottom Line: Martin could contribute some value in a scheme that knows how to utilize him.