This 12 months’s class of off-ball linebackers isn’t a robust go well with of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it surely gives some high-end prospects that ought to hear their identify known as on the primary two days. The general depth of the place this 12 months is fairly skinny, so if a group needs to bolster the linebacker corps, they higher handle it early.
A gaggle of SB Nation’s draft analysts from our 32 NFL group communities ranked their prime LBs within the draft and this prime 10 is the results of these cumulative rankings.
Our rankings are dropped at you by FanDuel Sportsbook. Enroll at present.
Additionally receiving votes within the prime 10: Kobe King (Penn State), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky)
10. Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon took benefit of his final 12 months as a Buckeye. The group captain had an eye-popping 112 tackles, together with 12.5 TFLs and 7 sacks. He’s a well-seasoned school soccer participant who appeared to have issues click on for him this season. His potential to diagnose performs and get to the soccer was essential in Ohio State’s playoff run.
9. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser is a sixth-year senior who performed a faculty file 70 video games for the Combating Irish. His athleticism leaves one thing to be desired, however his expertise and soccer IQ assist him make up for it. Doubtless solely a two-down LB and particular contributor on the NFL stage.
8. Smael world Jr., Georgia
Mondon has boom-or-bust potential; he wants time to develop and put all of it collectively on the NFL stage. He was a top-30 five-star recruit popping out of highschool and has the pedigree to emerge as an eventual starter if he can course of the sport at NFL pace.
7. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
A high-volume tackler on the inside linebacker place who had three straight seasons with over 100 tackles. Stutsman is your prototypical inside-the-box downhill defender. He will get the job completed with excellent play recognition and block shedding.
6. Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
“Pooh” is finest suited as an out of doors linebacker in a scheme that doesn’t ask him to play a lot man-to-man protection. Paul Jr. is a certain tackler who reveals good burst to shut in on ball carriers and has a knack for locating the proper run match.
5. Basa Jeffrey, Oregon
Bassa is a three-down linebacker who performed inside at Oregon however has the athleticism to play outdoors within the NFL. Bassa matches the mildew of the brand new age weak-side linebacker, providing succesful protection expertise and a few juice as a blitzer.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter has a strong really feel for the sport on the linebacker place and has the athletic traits to be a sideline-to-sideline three-down participant. Carter is at his finest when his agility and quickness are allowed to shine as a blitzer or QB spy.
3. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina
Knight tied with Carson Schwesinger for probably the most second-place votes, however was barely edged out. Knight has an enormous body and makes use of it to unleash violent hits towards his opponent. Tailored for motion contained in the field, his aggression and willingness to struggle by way of visitors make him a great match for a group that wants an inside LB.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
The previous walk-on became an All-American for UCLA in his fourth 12 months. Schwesinger is a rangy backer who’s adept in zone or man protection. He ought to discover the sector as a beginning LB early on, but when he doesn’t, he has expertise being a special-teams ace.
1. Jihad Campbell, Alabama
Campbell was our unanimous prime participant at off-ball linebacker. The previous top-15 recruit is at his finest when dashing the passer or in protection, the place his 6’3” body and superior athletic talents can take over. His particular ability set will seemingly see him land within the first spherical of the NFL Draft, and he ought to immediately enhance any group’s protection.
