He spent two seasons working as the MIKE and was a team captain for two seasons at Iowa. The 2022 NFL Draft big board rankings are reflective of Bucky Brooks' top five 2022 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0 and ESPN's NFL Draft "Best Available" list. How? In 2020, Harris notched 79 stops, 4.5 sacks, an interception and two passes batted. He is listed as the second best linebacker on NFL.com and the best inside linebacker prospect on ESPN's Best Available. The Detroit Lions have made use of all the draft picks they received when they dealt Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Hed be a nice depth piece to have while he develops. However, he makes up for it with impressive length, short-area quickness and explosiveness. Trenton Simpson: +500. But in a middling draft for linebackers, they might be better off casting their net for a Rodriguez or Houston late. 7/10/21: Deng has played some inside linebacker for California, but some NFL advanced scouts had list him as an outside linebacker. His best year came in 2019, when he had 90 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three passes defended. With only one linebacker signed beyond this season, the Detroit Lions should be in the market to to add through the draft. 7/10/21: Clark held his own in 2020, forming a nice tandem with Jabril Cox. He also improved on his coverage skills last year and ended the year with three interceptions thanks to his stellar instincts and understanding of routes developing in front of him. NFL.com Overview: "A high-cut linebacker, Muma has a nose for the football but his methodology for getting there will need an upgrade to earn NFL playing time. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). One thing that surprised me was the number From 2013 to 2022, an average of 32.5 LBs were selected, with a low of 25. Jake Hansen, Illinois (fifth round) 7. Testing well before the 2022 NFL Draft will be important for his draft stock. Heres a breakdown of the top linebackers available By Eddie Brown April 25, 2022 6 AM PT Welcome to draft season! Which 2022 NFL Draft prospects fully showed out at Lucas Oil Stadium? Campbell (6-5, 249) and Sanders (6-4, 235) are bigger linebackers who clog passing lanes with their size. Recent Lions draft picks at LB: 2022-Malcolm Rodriguez (6th round), James Houston (6th round). This draft class is loaded with linebacker talent from the conversation between Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd at the top to several players worth a selection on Day 2. 2022 NFL Draft: Inside Linebacker Rankings 1. He had 87 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four passes broken up on the year. His production was down in 2019, but it can be hard for linebackers to duplicate huge stat lines. He wasn't as good in 2020, but he still flashed on occasion. 2022 NFL Draft Outside Linebacker Rankings. Christian Harris, Alabama (JR, 6'1", 226 pounds) Harris was a three-year starter at Alabama Volume of career productivity is remarkable: 409 tackles and 13 forced fumbles in 60 games (48 starts) over two seasons at safety and two at linebacker. 4/27/22: Lloyd amassed 111 tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble, four interceptions and six passes defended in 2021. Can break down, which is a tackling technique of stopping before you tackle someone so you dont get beat by last second moves. Vasha Hunt/Copyright 2019, The Associated Press. Had 115 tackles (18.5 for loss) in 2021. Sanders was a unanimous All-American in 2022. The best linebackers in the league today are playing between 220 and 230 pounds. He could be a great special teamer and depth piece to the linebacker room. A three-year starter and team captain in 2022, Orji has enough size and great length to go along with elite athleticism at the position. Landman needs to show pass-coverage skills with NFL speed and athleticism. Malone could challenge for a future starting job as a 3-4 outside linebacker and offers immediate special-teams value.". Beavers is strong, physical at the line of scrimmage and proved to be quite athletic at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. 6. Forty Time Secs 4.52. 44 and No. Harris is fast, athletic and strong. His coverage is not the best, and he can be caught lacking at times. 2022 NFL Draft - SAM Linebacker Rankings. All it takes is one team to fall in love with him, though, and that team will reap the rewards from one of the best playmaking defenders in this class. Simpson (6-2, 235 pounds) is a hybrid linebacker who excels as a pass defender. Landman turned in an excellent sophomore season in which he did a good job defending the run and produced a lot of big plays in pass defense. All rights reserved. Like Parsons, Smith is a big linebacker who has serious speed. His struggles in coverage and inefficient tackling numbers give you great pause, but the elite athleticism and impressive physicality will give coaches plenty to work with. Lions' Jameson Williams gambling: Minor NFL transgression may be bigger cause for concern, Lions depth chart for 2023 season entering NFL draft, How James Houston could have Micah Parsons-like impact on Lions defense in 2023, Isaac Darkangelo gave up a car to chase his Big Ten dream, now is on verge of making NFL, the younger brother of Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell, Time for Lions to make backup QB decision beyond Jared Goff, Lions have enticing RB options to complement David Montgomery, Michigan's Jake Moody could solve Lions' kicking woes, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. For position rankings: Big Board QB RB WR TE OT OG/C EDGE DL LB CB S Make sure to check out our NFL Draft page for more content like 2022 NFL Draft linebacker Rankings! Thompson had 20 sacks in three seasons with the Lumberjacks. He is listed as the third best prospect on NFL.com and the fourth best on ESPN. He projects as an NFL strong safety and low-hole defender who should be a regular on special teams.". Player History. Heres how the linebackers in this draft class stack up. Michigan linebacker Mike Morris (90) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game against TCU, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in The 2022 NFL Draft is fast approaching and teams are zeroing in on their needs for the draft. The Alabama defensive back led the Crimson Tide in tackles in 2022. Sideline to sideline agility and range. He has the prototypical size, athleticism, and versatility that all 32 teams are going to covet. He recorded 58 tackles in the shortened 2020 season after making 52 stops in 2019. It was his sixth season at California after he took advantage of the extra of eligibility stemming from COVID-19's effects on the 2020 season. Top NFL linebackers in 2022 1) Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers It says a lot about Fred Warner that he had a relatively subdued campaign in 2021 at least by his standards but still heads into the 2022 season as the top linebacker in the NFL. Tindall: Didnt make a ton of plays for Georgia, but then again neither did likely top-two overall pick Travon Walker. That was given proof with an excellent combine workout. 7/10/21: During Alabama's undefeated season and National Championship run, Allen showed some ability to rush off the edge and had some timely rushes for the Crimson Tide. Forty Time Secs 4.52. Showing more pass-coverage skills in 2021 would help him. Maybe the toughest scouting reports to make, because a lot of confusion: Inside linebackers in 3-4 arent generally premium players in the draft, but there is always a couple that have exceptionally well rounded skillsets that sneak into early rounds. Sanborn is a good college player, but skill-set limitations might make him more of a backup and special teams player in the NFL. Evaluating the pass-rush talent, on the other hand, is quite easy. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. His athleticism is off the charts, and he has experience playing various linebacker positions. He is listed as the fourth best prospect on NFL.com and the ninth best interior linebacker prospect on ESPN's Best Available. He could be a backup and special teams contributor in the NFL and may possess the potential to grow into more. Hes a big He has a lot of upside and could be a good value if he breaks out of his 2021 funk. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson), Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith (50) and defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (2) tackle Vanderbilt running back Rocko Griffin (24) for a loss during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt), Alabama defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (2) cheers after a stop of Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt), Alabama defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (29) plays against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. 2023 NFL Draft: SFA Linebacker BJ Thompson Selected in 5th Round By Kansas City. 224 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Domann was decent, but not especially impressive, at the Senior Bowl. Vasha Hunt/Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. Here are the NFL Draft odds, courtesy of FanDuel. Home Draft Simulator Walker has a good combination of height, weight and speed. He does lack some power and it can be difficult for him to play the edge position on passing plays due to him playing smaller than his size. The Detroit Lions 2023 NFL Draft haul has opened the Super Bowl window, The Lions crossed the threshold of good team to great team during the NFL Draft, Alabama Q&A: Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs will make you forget about positional value. Unfortunately, the Lions will probably not be in the range to take Lloyd unless they trade back from the second overall pick or trade up from 32. Quay Walker, Georgia - Round Grade: 2. Houston is a favorite to start this fall, ahead of Julian Okwara, though he should play as a more traditional edge rusher on pass downs. Lloyd needs to return to his 2019 form to have a shot at the pros. Ht/Wt: 6-3, 235. Rodriguez, one of the stars of Hard Knocks, finished last season with 87 tackles and one sack. Deans dominance was evident on film, but with his size in question, many scouts are looking at another linebacker from Georgia, Quay Walker. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. All Scouts Average Overall Rank 20.8. All rights reserved. ESPN has him listed as the 6th best outside linebacker prospect. Three straight seasons with double-digit tackles for loss, including 22, as well as seven sacks and four interceptions (two for touchdowns), in 2021. Often referred to as off-ball linebackers, just another term for a guy suited for ILB in 3-4 or middle linebacker. When watching Chenal on film, you probably wouldnt have guessed that this was the case, though. That was given proof with his excellent workout at the combine. NFL Draft rumors: How, why the Detroit Lions drafted RB Jahmyr Gibbs at 12. 4/27/22: Muma played well for Wyoming in 2021, recording 103 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and one pass defended. Christian Harris, Alabama (third round) 2. ESPN/Mel Kiper -- A. Mel Kiper gave Philadelphia the top grade out of all 32 teams. https://coltswire.usatoday.com/lists/indianapolis-colts-2023-nfl-draft-big-board-rankings-linebackers/, it isnt clear what his timetable looks like, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Experts grade the Colts' 2023 draft class, Introducing the Colts' 2023 NFL draft class, 10 takeaways from the Colts' 2023 NFL draft haul, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting CB Darius Rush, How Twitter reacted to Colts drafting OT Blake Freeland, 2023 NFL draft: Players selected with picks Colts traded away, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Here are the 2022 NFL Draft linebacker rankings. Moon flashed some edge-rush ability in 2019 with three sacks. Hampton posted a team-best 9.5 tackles for loss in 2022, adding seven sacks, 39 tackles and His hand usage and balance raise some question marks, but he can be coached up in the right system. He scored an unofficial 9.98 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. Perhaps Abdullah should have been with the edge rushers, but he measured in at just 6-foot-1 at his pro day. As we break down the prospects by round, think of the rounds as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them. A three-year starter, Jones is a bit light and doesnt have the length or speed the Colts like to see. The 2023 NFL draft class of linebackers is a full buffet of different body types and skill sets, which fits the current paradigm of need. 4/27/22: Rose recorded 73 tackles and three sacks in 2021. BIG BOARD RANK: 36. Doesnt take the bait because avid film study has made him good at diagnosing plays. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, arguably the Lions best performing linebacker last year, was lost to the Texans on a two-year, $7.5 million deal. Dean plays fast as a sideline-to-sideline run defender who can also come with splash plays thanks to very good instincts and intelligence. 4/27/22: McFadden recorded 77 tackles, three passes defended and 6.5 sacks in 2021. Wisconsins Nate Herbig, Washington States Daiyan Henley and Oregons Noah Sewell, the younger brother of Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell, are potential Day 2 picks, while Graham is the most highly regarded local prospect at the position. For all Positions: QB RB WR TE OT OG/C EDGE DL Not only that, but most of those guys tested extremely well at the combine or at their pro days. Chase down running backs and wide receivers. Trenton Simpson, Clemson A two-year starter, Simpson has the length, speed and range for todays NFL. Those three only begin the list of potential first-round edge defenders in the Luketa has good size to him and runs well for a thick-build linebacker. On one hand, he averaged 11 tackles per game in the last two seasons and has a nose for the football. Tindall did most of his damage as a tackler in the open field and as a blitzing linebacker off the edge, but hes limited in coverage and is too stiff to become a full-time pass rusher. He uses quick feet, a flexible frame and unusually successful recovery balance to slink into playmaking positions in the run gameHis slender frame will get knocked and he needs to craft a more repeatable rush, but he is competitive and savvy. Malone's wiry build belies his toughness and play strength at the point of attack. Nik Bonitto has great speed and burst, allowing him to achieve great success in the run game. The Falcons have selected defensive back DeMarcco Hellams from Alabama with the No. Though he does not have the elite 4.4 speed that some of the other linebacker prospects in this class have, he is still an elite all-around athlete, and that much is obvious when you see him take the field. He scored an unofficial 9.33 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. He was a reliable and steady defender for Auburn, but he faces some limitations for the NFL. He scored an unofficial 9.33 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. Though a bit lean, Williams has the length, range and athleticism the Colts will like. 7/17/21: Henry has been a tough run defender in the SEC over the past two seasons. Christian Harris, Alabama (third round) 2. On the year, he recorded 79 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes batted. Loves footballthis is mentioned for this position more than any other (referring to linebackers in general). Te'von Coney, Philadelphia Stars 5. His rush needs to be more consistent and he needs to work on his power because sometimes he can be swallowed up by pass blockers. Thisis the fourth in an eight-part series. 4/27/22: In the 2021 season opener, Allen went out for the year with a fractured foot. Two-time Butkus Award winner as nations best linebacker in high school and college. As a run defender, Muma doesnt let many ball carriers slip by him. He has the type of profile to work on special teams while developing the rest of his game as a depth piece. Lloyd made some impressive plays in coverage and as a rusher in 2021. 7/17/21: Spector was decent in 2019, but he broke out in 2020, playing well in the shortened season. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Harris' lack of desired recognition will result in missteps and mistakes that could prove much more costly on the NFL levelHarris has the physical attributes and athletic ability to make plays as an eventual starter but he might lack three-down versatility.". Mr. In free agency, the team was focused primarily on bringing back players from last years roster on one-year deals, like re-signing Alex Anzalone, Shaun-Dion Hamilton, and Josh Woods. Nakobe Dean, Georgia (fourth round) 5. NFL.com Overview: "Long, athletic inside linebacker whose strengths and weaknesses could make him a target for a move outside. He ran a 4.87 in the 40-yard dash, jumped a 36.5 in the vertical jump, and posted a 117 in the broad jump. Here is the 2022 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Linebackers. He notched 71 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2020. He joins a safety corps that includes Jessie Bates III, Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins. For instance, his movements when changing directions can look a bit labored, especially when dropping back into coverage, where hes shown his fair share of struggles. Despite his size, hes been more of a He could boost his draft stock by improving his pass coverage and production. Blitzing ability (or general pass rush ability). Chad Muma is an interesting prospect. ", Full draft prospect analysis from NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. All rights reserved. He is the second best outside linebacker on ESPN's Best Available, so he has a high chance to be chosen on day 1. With that said, he has a stat sheet full of production in every major category, including 43 tackles for loss over the last three seasonsLloyd will make plenty of plays and should become a good starter as an inside or strong-side linebacker, but inconsistent process could limit his consistency. Everything you need to know about the Falcons draft class, including scouting reports, analytics and independent analysis on each selection. You are currently viewing the best linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft. Maybe. A little undersized, he won 17.6% of his pass-rushing attempts and registered a tackle resulting in a defensive stop on 8.7% of his snaps in run defense. Odds and lines subject to change. And even though new GM Ryan Poles doesnt have a first-round pick, he is set to usher in a new era of Bears football with Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and a host of other newbies. I was impressed by his instincts in coverage despite being new to the position, but he is still very unrefined as a tackler. However, there are a few guys who are versatile enough to thrive wherever you place them in. 7/17/21: Landman was a solid and productive player for Colorado in 2020. He will occasionally get swallowed up by blocks in the run game or get bullied in coverage by bigger tight ends. Kingsley Enagbare has a forceful demeanor and great tackling power that bode well for an NFL team. He did make as much of an impact in 2020, but he could be a late-round- or third-day-caliber prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers (fifth round) 8. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. True test of leadership. NFL.com Overview: "Mafe's evaluation requires the evaluator to focus more closely on the flashes than just the play-to-play action. $$ Pure WalterFootball with no advertisements for $7.99 a month. Does everything well enough stops the run, covers the pass, blitzes but nothing great. Atlanta drafted Bergeron with the No. His size and physicality are what jump out at you the most on film. Chad Muma is one of those guys. Free Press sports reporter Dave Birkett takes a position-by-position look at the top prospects and biggest Detroit Lions needs in the 2023 NFL draft. Here's a summation of his NFL potential from The Athletic's Dane Brugler and his draft guide. The Utah product led the Pac-12 with six interceptions in 2022, Head coach and GM, explain why OL Matt Bergeron, DL Zach Harrison fit what Falcons are building up front, The Ohio State product played defensive end for the Buckeyes. What youre getting with Lloyd is someone youll never have to take off the field on defense and someone who can fit any scheme you throw at him. 7/17/21: Muma had a quality 2020 season stopping the run for the Cowboys. This ranked 48 out of 2188 LB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/Hev3rEx8U1 #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/C5mC97ARpA. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. One-year starter whose athleticism pops, but who still needs development, including in weight room. 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Linebacker Feb 27, 2022 at 12:45 PM Fran Duffy The linebacker group is a fascinating one to watch every year in the Draft because of the wide variety of shapes and sizes and skills sets leveraged in today's NFL. 4/27/22: Skalski got in better shape in 2021 and played well for Clemson. TRENDING:Lions' Jameson Williams gambling: Minor NFL transgression may be bigger cause for concern. He could be a fast riser as an upperclassman. 4/27/22: Luketa notched 61 tackles and an interception in 2021. Kevin Hickey. On the year, Dean recorded 72 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and six sacks. Irrelevant of the 2023 NFL Draft! The off-ball linebacker position is losing some value in the modern NFL, but a playmaking linebacker in the middle of the defense can still be highly valuable in pass and run defense. 4/27/22: Team sources say Bernard is a good college player who has limitations for the NFL. While Spector was a quality defender for Clemson, he could have some limitations in coverage for the NFL. Skalski could end up proving to have three-down starting potential for the NFL. Hes got the tape to back it up. Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson, right, and safety Tyler Venables, left, reacts in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. At the Combine he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53, had a vertical jump of 38, and jumped a broad jump of 125. Please check your email for a confirmation. Follow the Colts at Colts Wire, and for the best local Indianapolis news, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to The Indianapolis Star.