2025 NFL Draft: LB Rankings
1
Jalon Walker
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
Walker is a hybrid off the ball LB and edge rusher who brings a lot of upside and talent at both positions. His athleticism is really what enables a lot of it. He has burst and high end speed, but also twitch, which is critical for both positions. As a LB, his downhill speed allows him to snuff out run plays quickly. Though he isn’t the biggest guy, his scrappy style somewhat makes up for it. Waler can go sideline to sideline to make a play, and is a reliable tackler who is keen on wrapping up. On some plays, when it looked like the tackle opportunity had passed him by, he was still able to get him by the shoelaces. His athleticism gives him the ability to play in coverage. Though he wasn’t used a whole lot in this area in my exposures, the talent is certainly there, and he looked good when he did get the chance. His change of direction skills allow him to cover a lot of space in zone coverage, and should allow him to also be effective man to man. Walker is dangerous as a blitzer from the LB position. He can penetrate gaps quickly, and he seems to know how to find the soft spot. As an edge rusher, his speed and bend are threatening to OT’s. As well, he has a nice swim move that has worked for him. Walker seemed to show improved instincts later in the year, which bodes well for his development.
Weaknesses:
Walker was never a starter until this past season. This, along with being a hybrid guy, means that there is still some rawness to his game, and inconsistencies that are present. His instincts as an off ball LB are a work in progress. He showed improvement later in the year, but can still get better. Same can go for his instincts in coverage. As a rusher off the edge, he is definitely undersized, and he’ll face tougher matchups against NFL OT’s. In some matchups, he risks getting engulfed and taken out of the play.
Summary:
Walker has sky high potential as both an off ball LB and an edge rusher. His elite athleticism and scrappiness make for a good combination in both positions. As a LB, he can play the run and cover. As an edge guy, he can win with speed or finesse. Instincts are still a work in progress, but his improvements later in the year leave me optimistic that he can continue to grow. His size will cause issues in some matchups for him as a rusher, but overall, his upside is tremendous. Elite potential to be a guy who can make an impact in many different ways.
| Grade: 90.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Jihaad Campbell
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 235 lbs
Strengths:
Campbell has all the tools to be a top LB in the NFL. When you watch his tape, the combination of size and athleticism really stand out. As an athlete, he plays with tremendous burst as a straight line move, and just as much speed and twitch when he is moving laterally. Campbell has the athleticism to be a sideline to sideline type of guy. Not only can he quickly and efficiently get to where he needs to go, but he is a strong tackler, as well. Campbell has elite natural length, which helps him as a tackler. His form is really good, and he’ll wrap up on most occasions. Campbell’s size means that he doesn’t get bullied out there when he is pursuing the ball. His movement skills make him a talented option in coverage. He plays well in zone, with the agility needed to cover his area, and the speed to break forward towards the ball. Campbell is also an ideal fit for man coverage. He has the athleticism to blanked RB’s or TE’s, and the size to go up against any kinds of opponents. Campbell is a great blitzer, and his downhill speed is tough for the protection to pick up, and tough for the QB to handle. Further, Campbell gets some action on the edge as a rusher. The success was middling in my exposures, but to have this in the toolbox is amazing, and he did find success from time to time.
Weaknesses:
Most of his weaknesses are to do with the mental side of his game. At times, he plays a lot more reactionary than anticipatory. There are instances where his inability to quickly react to a run has led to the RB turning the corner and continuing along the sideline. Not only does he have some slow reactions, he also bites on play action and other fakes. Campbell sometimes bites on play action or other kinds of fakes. This has him end up out of position and gives an opening to the pass catcher. Against the run, he tracks things well along the line of scrimmage. However, there were instances where he was tracking it well, but was just unable to get off his block. Medicals will need to be monitored. As a rusher off the edge, size and bend issues will lead to inconsistencies. This is a nitpick though, as he is a LB, not a full time DE/edge.
Summary:
Campbell has all the tools you could want in a LB. Size and strength to play the run up the guy or closer to home, the agility and speed to go sideline to sideline to make plays, and the talent and athletic ability to play in any kind of coverage. He can even handle WR’s in shorter areas. His mental game is still a work in progress, but otherwise, I’d imagine him being a lock for the top 15. At this point, he bites on fakes too often and is on the slower side when it comes to reaction time. The talent and athleticism he possesses gives him a high floor. He should at least be able to be a rotational guy and a great special teamer. But he could also become an elite off the ball LB with the ability to also rush the passes. Campbell, most importantly, will have to improve his reaction time in order to limit any big plays given up in either phase. The tools are there for him to actually be an elite player, however, the mental aspects will have to improve for him to get there. He is a 1st round talent, but his projection is a bit muddy due to an injury.
| Grade: 88.9 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Carson Schwesinger
School: UCLA
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 242 lbs
Strengths:
Schwesinger is a highly instinctive LB who is able to make plays all over the field. He reads things quickly and can react as it all is still happening. On inside runs, he is able to shoot the gap and plug it up. The athleticism is also there to complement the instincts, and facilitate plays that are closer to the sideline. Schwesinger is good in coverage, and can play man to man. Though I do prefer him in zone, where things are kept in front of him, and he can scan the field and hunt for turnovers. Schwesinger is a very sound tackler. His technique is spot on, as he centres up his frame and wraps up with his arms. You won’t see too many misses from him. At the next level, if he isn’t a full time starter right away, you can bet that he’ll excel on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Schwesinger is a good all around player, but probably doesn’t have that elite physical traits. Don’t get me wrong–his athleticism is very good. I’m not trying to really knock him there, but the truth is that it isn’t at the same elite level as some other players in the class. He is big enough and strong enough to be reliable as a tackler. However, he doesn’t have the strength to consistently go toe to toe with bigger guys in the trenches. If a lineman is able to latch on, Schwesinger can sometimes have a tough time disengaging. In some cases, he is taken out of the play.
Summary:
Schwesinger has the makings of a starting LB at the next level, and a good one. His athleticism isn’t quite elite, but it is high quality. Speed is decent and he’s got twitch to go sideline to sideline and have success in coverage. His instincts are the name of his game, however. Schwesinger reads plays quickly as a run defender, and often acts as a first responder with how fast he gets there. His mental game also shines in coverage, especially zone, where he has been able to read the QB and jump routes. Schwesinger is currently a bit light when it comes to strength, and battles in the trenches are a little hit or miss. He’ll have to add to his frame, but I hope he won’t lose any quickness as a result. If he can maintain that athleticism while also adding strength and power to his game, Schwesinger should be a good starter in the NFL. In the meantime, if he isn’t starting right away, he can be a good situational guy and special teamer.
| Grade: 85.9 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Danny Stutsman
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 233 lbs
Strengths:
Stutsman has the traits to be a 3 down starting LB in the NFL. His frame is built well enough to handle contact, whether as a tackler, or in the trenches when he is taking on blocks. He has good sideline to sideline speed, and there have been flashes of plays being recognized very early, which allowed him to go make a play. Stutsman played a lot of zone coverage and was very fluid and reliable, for the most part. You could see how smooth he is laterally, in addition to the downhill speed when he needs to make a tackle. He didn’t play much in man, in my exposures, but he has the athleticism to stick, and the length to breakup passes. His speed and ability to navigate traffic has made him an effective blitzer. He is also someone who can play on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Stutsman has a frame that can handle contact, but I think he even still has room to add. I’d like to see him play with a bit more of a mean streak and with more pop when he hits or makes a tackle. His instincts are generally good, but not without the odd blip. His instincts are generally good, but there were a couple of times where he misdiagnosed or committed a false step. When pursuing outside runs, or even a receiver after the catch, his angles to the ball carrier could sometimes be more efficient.
Summary:
Stutsman has the athleticism and length to do what is needed vs the inside and outside run, as well as in zone and man coverage. Stutsman does have the odd blip with his recognition skills, but also has a lot of anticipatory plays. I’d like to see him add a little more mass to the frame and hopefully play with a little more pop and nastiness when he is going in for a hit or playing in the trenches. His game admittedly lacks flashiness, but he is generally reliable all around, and should eventually end up as a starting 3 down LB.
| Grade: 79.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
5
Smael Mondon
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 224 lbs
Strengths:
Mondon is an athletic LB who shows clear coverage talent. Though maybe not elite, his speed and twitch are both enough to stick in coverage with RB’s and TE’s, and to be effective in deep zone. He’s got a long reach which is an asset when he is looking to get his hand in there to breakup the pass. His long arms also give him a bigger tackle radius, and he has been very reliable as a tackler, up to this point. Mondon has the athleticism to hold up against outside runs. He has shown that he can move laterally along the line to follow the ball carrier, before elevating his speed as he transitions into his downhill pursuit. His high motor and feisty playing style have allowed him to be in positions to make plays.
Weaknesses:
Mondon is on the lean side, and can get overpowered when face to face with an offensive lineman in the trenches. Although he plays a tough game, that can only take him so far, given that he isn’t the strongest guy out there. He’ll need to fill out his frame a little bit. Mondon is instinctive in coverage, but the opposite is true against the run. When he goes to track down the ball carrier, hesitations and false steps often prevent him from reaching his landmark, and the runner is able to turn the corner, if it is an outside run. Mondon has dealt with a foot injury the last couple of seasons, and teams will be looking into his medicals.
Summary:
Mondon is a coverage LB with good athleticism and instincts to suit this style. His height and long arms help him make plays as a run defender, but his leaner frame can sometimes make it tough to battle through blocks and finish plays. He’ll need to get stronger in order to be more consistent in this area. As well, his instincts as a run defender are still a work in progress. Mondon has some issues to work through, but the length, athleticism, and coverage talent are all appealing. He should be able to make it at least as a rotational coverage LB and special teamer. If he can get stronger and be more consistent down low, he has a chance to develop into a starter.
| Grade: 76.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
6
Barrett Carter
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 231 lbs
Strengths:
Carter is a rangy LB that plays the game like he is bigger than he really is. Once he has identified where the ball has gone, full effort goes into tracking it down and making a tackle. He can play sideline to sideline and when he gets a guy lined up, he’ll hit him hard. Carter has good speed and good lateral agility. The speed is noticeable when he is going downhill to make a play on the ball. The agility suits him perfectly for when he is in shallower zone. He moves laterally, parallel to the line of scrimmage as he takes away targets that are passing by his zone. Carter holds his own in man coverage and has enough general athleticism to stick with RB’s. He has also had some success as a blitzer.
Weaknesses:
Carter is undersized, and can get mixed up in the wash when he is navigating traffic in or close to the trenches. He isn’t someone that has the length or size to disengage if it happens that an offensive lineman has latched onto a block. As well, his tackle radius is quite small, and he has had some issues with tackling in the past. Even if improved last season, there were times it looked like the guy had a chance to slip out. It feels like this vulnerability will hang around. Carter is good in coverage, but at times can look a tiny bit mechanical when changing directions. The one scenario that might cause trouble is if a RB takes him deep and forces him to flip his hips and transition. His ball skills also aren’t super great. Carter is still developing his instincts and mental game. There are times where he is either late to diagnose or just flat out bites on a fake.
Summary:
Carter has the making of a 3 down LB. He has the athleticism to go sideline to sideline and to play in coverage. Though he is undersized and will have some ups and downs, he generally is still good in the downhill game. There are some small issues that are present in various parts of his game, but the main thing that he’ll need to work on at the next level is improving his mental game. Sensing things quicker and playing a more anticipatory game, rather than reactionary. He also needs to cut down on how many fakes he bites on. Carter isn’t a perfect prospect by any means, but the tools are all there for him to be a good starter, and I’d expect him to be playing regularly early on in his career.
| Grade: 76.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
7
Eugene Asante
School: Auburn
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 223 lbs
Strengths:
Asante is an ultra athletic LB with the talent to become an elite player at his position. When he’s at his best, he is flying all over the field. He can make plays at the far end of the field. True sideline to sideline speed. And he isn’t the heaviest guy out there, but he plays a much bigger game. Asante can navigate through the trenches, and his elite quickness helps him to dodge blocks and make plays against the inside run. This also makes him a great blitzer. He knows how to avoid the blocks and can then accelerate towards the QB. Asante has great cover talent for both man and zone. In man coverage, his fluid movements and high end speed give him the ability to stick with anyone. The quick movements and ability to redirect without losing momentum also translate nicely to zone. His performance at the Shrine Bowl should help his stock.
Weaknesses:
You could nitpick about his frame, but it isn’t something I’m worried about. He plays much bigger than his size. The main issue for Asante is instincts. He can be late to diagnose plays and will bite on a variety of different things. In coverage, he can get caught watching the QB, or sometimes is just lost in general. For all the talent he possesses, there were just too many mental lapses.
Summary:
Asante has elite upside at the LB position thanks to his elite athleticism and good functional strength. He is rangy enough to fly from sideline to sideline, and can also lock guys down in coverage. However, there are too many mental mistakes that persist right now. He’ll be a core special teamer on day 1, and should get work as a blitzer too. Once he develops the mental side further, he shouldn’t have any problem seeing the field. But in the early days, there are likely to be growing pains if he sees the field. Patience is the best recipe for Asante, and you hope that he can put it all together. The pick isn’t without risk, especially if taken too early, but Asante has home run potential.
| Grade: 75.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
8
Jeffrey Bassa
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 232 lbs
Strengths:
Bassa is a solid all around LB, showing a decent blend of traits and the ability to contribute wherever needed. His athleticism is pretty solid. He is able to get some depth in his backpedal, and is relatively reliable in zone coverage. Bassa reads it well and knows when to vacate his zone and attach himself to a downfield target. I don’t see them asking for much man coverage out of their LB’s in my exposures, but his skill set should translate to decent play. He is a solid tackler and does alright playing the downhill game. He isn’t super physically imposing, but doesn’t get dominated either. Bassa has shown he can get down low and make tackles to prevent bigger gains.
Weaknesses:
Bassa is a good athlete, overall, but does show some slight signs of stiffness when moving laterally. He can play in coverage, but certain matchups might put him to the test. His instincts as a run defender are still improving. There were instances where he was a little late to react. As well, his ability to get off blocks is a bit inconsistent. Bassa has a solid build, but isn’t super powerful. He tackles well, for the most part, but can get washed out of a play if he gets latched onto by an offensive lineman.
Summary:
Bassa’s well rounded but unspectacular skill set projects him as either a solid starter or a high end backup. He’s got enough athleticism to play man or zone coverage, though he doesn’t always look perfectly fluid. His frame is big enough to handle duty in the trenches, but he doesn’t play with an enforcer’s mindset. He is not super hard hitting when lining up the ball carrier, but he is generally a reliable tackler. Where I’d like to see improvements are to his instincts diagnosing run plays, and his ability to fend off linemen who have caught him, whether at the second level or closer to the line of scrimmage. His traits and tape don’t scream high upside, but he does everything at least decently well, which should earn him a starting spot at some point.
| Grade: 74.6 | Round Grade: 4th |
9
Demetrius Knight
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 235 lbs
Strengths:
Knight has good size and length for the position, and plays a tough brand of football. His long arms allow him to disengage quickly from his blocks, and he’s got the strength also to win those battles. Once off the block, he can get into the gap quickly to plug it up, and he is generally a reliable tackler. He is one of those tacklers where you can almost feel the impact when watching it. A hard hitter, but at the same time, he doesn’t sacrifice technique to deliver a big hit. Knight can give you basic capabilities in zone coverage, and has decent downhill speed to make a play in things that are in front of him.
Weaknesses:
Knight has decent speed, but is lacking in twitch. This can make it tough to make late reactions as he is going in for a tackle on a shifty player. I wouldn’t have a ton of confidence in him to play in man coverage, as athletic RB’s or TE’s can separate on him. Physically, he is capable of some shallow zone. However, pump fakes and eye manipulation from the QB have baited him into jumping routes, only for the ball not to be thrown. This led to an open spot down the field that set up an easier completion. His lack of twitch also limits his impact defending against runs to the outside.
Summary:
Knight has a sturdy frame and good length, and has shown to be an asset against inside runs. He is instinctive enough against the run to make plays against outside runs. However, his athleticism, specifically twitch, is lacking. As a result, he isn’t dominant as an outside run defender. As well, it is hard to trust him in man coverage. He can give you work in shallow zone, but his instincts in these instances will have to improve. Knight might be too limited to be a quality starter, but he may find a starting lineup if he ends up on the right team. Though I’d prefer him as a special teamer and rotational backup who can give you decent snaps if filling in for injury.
| Grade: 73.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
10
Chris Paul
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 222 lbs
Strengths:
Paul is an instinctive player when playing the inside run. Right at first sign of the handoff, he is already inching forward, and when he determines that the RB got the ball, it is straight to the backfield. His determination to get there is impressive. He somehow manages to identify routes that will allow him to get there relatively cleanly, despite all the traffic at the line. Same can be said for his work as a blitzer. Sometimes an offensive lineman will get to him, but he is actually pretty good at getting off those blocks. Paul has had some decent moments in zone coverage. He is capable of getting some depth on his backpedal, and can get his body adjusted to the ball to breakup a pass.
Weaknesses:
Paul is an average athlete who shows some signs of stiffness when moving laterally. Outside runs really outline this. He loses ground when he has to transition, and also doesn’t have high end pursuit speed to chase him down. While capable in zone coverage, these limitations have also led to instances where catches were allowed and he wasn’t able to make a play in time. He can get vertical depth, but he can get exposed horizontally. I wouldn’t say he is someone I’d want regularly playing in man coverage. Paul generally has good instincts, but there are instances where he is over eager to get into the backfield, and will bite on a play action fake. For a guy who is better against the run than he is the pass, his frame is a little on the smaller side, though it didn’t seem to be a huge issue.
Summary:
Paul projects as a good backup at LB, or a lower end starter. His ability to sniff out runs in the backfield is impressive. He meets enough baseline requirements to be a “first off the bench” type, but might be a bit too lacking athletically to be a starter. Enough is there for some responsibilities in zone coverage, but he is inconsistent, and it seems like certain vulnerabilities will stick with him. As well, he doesn’t offer much in man coverage. His ability to navigate traffic not only will give him some moments as a blitzer, but also should make him a plus special teamer. Paul should offer decent value as a mid round pick that can bolster the depth of a LB room.
| Grade: 73.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
11
Collin Oliver
School: Oklahoma State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
Oliver is a converted DE who has all the talent necessary to be a great off ball LB. He is a fluid athlete who can cover ground effortlessly in zone coverage. Oliver and mirror the line of scrimmage when playing shallower, preventing the QB from easily completing a quick pass. He also gets good depth when backpedaling into the second level. His ability to flip his hips or change directions is smooth, which also gives him the potential to handle duties in man coverage against RB’s or TE’s. As a former lineman, he isn’t afraid of dirty work. He’ll shoot through gaps to make plays on the ball carrier, and he is able to take on offensive linemen. His experience as an edge rusher can also see him reprise this role from time to time.
Weaknesses:
Size is not feasible for an every down DE, which prompted the position change. Oliver made the position change in 2023, and suffered a season ending injury just a couple of games into the 2024 season. Needless to say, his experience is limited. Going back to his 2023 tape, you could see the wheels turning a lot of the time, as he was trying to process and read plays. This was the case when playing the run, and in coverage. The likely reality is that he will need developmental time before he is ready for significant usage on the defensive side. After the switch, he did still see some snaps as a rusher off the edge, but didn’t look particularly effective. As far as that position goes, it is more a case of him being able to play there in a pich, rather than a team needing to still get him snaps there because he is that effective.
Summary:
Oliver is a boom or bust developmental LB. He has all the talent, showing off the athleticism to cover and to track outside runs, as well as the grit and strength to play in the trenches. However, his instincts still seem to need a lot of work. With essentially just 1 season of experience at his new position, this isn’t a surprise. But development with this kind of stuff isn’t always linear, so it is hard to say how long it will take, or if it will happen at all. The risk is too high for a day 2 pick, but in the middle of day 3, the upside is much more appealing. His floor is someone who never plays a down in the league, but his ceiling is an elite, do it all LB. In intriguing dice roll at the right price.
| Grade: 68.6 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Nick Martin
School: Oklahoma State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 221 lbs
Strengths:
Martin is a highly athletic LB with decent bulk on his frame to handle contact. But it is the speed and the twitch that stand out. He can fly across the field, going sideline to sideline to hunt for tackles. You can see he is hungry to make plays. His speed and acceleration means that he can be sent in late for a blitz and still get there in time, while also catching the QB off guard. His physicality allows him to have some effective moments in the trenches and against runs in between the tackles. His athleticism gives him coverage upside to take with him to the next level.
Weaknesses:
Martin has all the physical talent, but is not ready yet when it comes to the mental side of the game. His recognition skills are slow, and you see mistakes happen more frequently than you’d like. When playing the run, this leads to him being late to his spot and missing out on the tackle. Big plays have been allowed as a result. But it is arguably worse in coverage. Someone with his physical skill set should be used frequently in coverage, but he is too much of a liability right now. Mistakes in zone and poor route anticipation in man. Martin also missed his fair share of tackles, which is something he’ll have to clean up.
Summary:
Martin is a boom or bust developmental prospect at the next level. His athleticism and upside are both elite for the position. He has the speed and fluidity to play sideline to sideline and in coverage against top players. However, he does not have the instincts to do it without a large number of mistakes. The missed tackles are also a concern. It looks like Martin will need some time to figure things out, but the pot of gold does exist at the end, if a team can get there. In the meantime, he can find a role as a situational blitzer and a special teamer.
| Grade: 68.4 | Round Grade: 5th |
13
Jack Kiser
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 231 lbs
Strengths:
Kiser is an experienced player who makes up for average athleticism with outstanding intelligence on the football field. He is so quick to read plays. On an outside run, that early step in the right direction allows him to keep pace and potentially make a play. He plays a tough game and has no problem mixing it up with offensive linemen in the trenches, and will come away a winner after battling guys much bigger. Kiser can battle through that and still make tackles on inside runs. He also gets through on blitzes, and even has some rush moves up his sleeves that you would normally see from a defensive lineman. Like on outside runs, his instincts allow him to get by in coverage. His quick reaction time gets him to where he needs to go a bit faster, and he can still make some plays.
Weaknesses:
Kiser is an average athlete. Despite the instincts making up for it in some cases, it still limits his ceiling and overall ability. Man coverage can be very hit or miss, and athletic RB’s or TE’s will have a matchup that they can exploit. As well, the game will only get faster at the NFL level, and getting there just in time in college may translate to a close loss at the NFL level. His play in shallow zone is solid, but at the next level, it is a “proceed with caution” situation when looking to have him drop deeper into coverage. Kiser shows the ability to win battles in the trenches, but isn’t always super consistent. There are times where he has a harder time getting off the block.
Summary:
Kiser is an overager who enters the NFL with average physical traits but a high IQ for the position. The athletic limitations will prevent him from being a big time play maker, and may cause issues in coverage. But his quick reaction time and strong tackling makes him an asset against the run. His profile suggests that he is a 2 down run stuffer or solid backup at the next level, but if he can continue to read plays at the same pace and hold his own in coverage, the door remains open for him being a starter. He likely won’t be better than average, but he can still contribute, nonetheless. Decent floor with a low ceiling. Can also contribute on special teams, and potentially end up a captain of the unit.
| Grade: 68.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
14
Cody Simon
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 229 lbs
Strengths:
Simon has a well built frame to handle the grit that comes with playing in the trenches. He is at his best defending the inside run. Simon reads the play well and can shoot down into the right gap to meet the RB. His sturdy frame and good tackling technique almost always ensures that the ball carrier ends up on the ground. This also is the case for him as a blitzer. His toughness allows him to navigate the traffic and fend off blocks. Simon has experience playing in shallow zone, and a little bit in man coverage, as well.
Weaknesses:
Simon has some good skills, but his athleticism doesn’t quite meet the mark. He can cover in shallow zone, but anything beyond that will be a challenge. Simon is’t fast or quick, but luckily isn’t clunky, which enables him, at the very least, to do the basic stuff. But when expanded, he’ll struggle to get the necessary depth. Man coverage is almost a compte no. I suppose he maybe could stick with certain blocking TE’s who don’t have great athleticism either. But I don’t think anybody is gameplanning to have a matchup like that see the light of day. Why would it need to? Simon also lacks the speed to be overly effective against outside runs. If he anticipates it fast enough and takes the perfect angle, maybe he could make a play. But more often, he won’t be able to track down the ball carrier.
Summary:
Simon projects as a 2 down inside run stuffing LB at the next level. He has a sturdy frame and is a reliable tackler, which also helps him as a blitzer. He isn’t fast or quick, but also isn’t clunky as a mover. This could allow him to see some work in shallow zone, or possibly see more extensive coverage time as an injury fill in. But he isn’t someone I’d want out there in coverage regularly. His athletic limitations limit his upside, and with more teams looking for athletic 3 down LB’s, it is more likely that he serves as a backup. With the right role on the field, he can be a solid player, even if the value of downhill LB’s is decreasing these days.
| Grade: 66.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
15
Ruben Hyppolite
School: Maryland
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 236 lbs
Strengths:
Hyppolite is an athletic and instinctive LB. He reads the field well and plays with his head on a swivel. On inside runs, he is quick to shoot the gap in an attempt to bring down the ball carrier. He easily has the speed to make plays against outside runs, and he catches on pretty quickly. Hyppolite is a solid blitzer and has shown to be capable of dodging blocks en route to the backfield. He is solid in zone coverage, possessing enough fluidity to handle shallow and deeper stuff. He can also hang with RB’s in man coverage.
Weaknesses:
Hyppolite is undersized and doesn’t bring a ton of physicality, strength, or grit. On inside runs, he can get caught up in the traffic as he watches the ball carrier pass him by. He can make some plays on outside runs, but sometimes gets picked off by a blocker in space, and isn’t able to disengage. Strength and overall size will likely always be at least somewhat of a hindrance for him when it comes to playing down low and making tackles near the line of scrimmage. Might be too small to match up against NFL TE’s in coverage.
Summary:
Hyppolite has good instincts to make plays as a tackler, but this sometimes gets negated by his lack of size. He isn’t always able to match the physicality of his opponents. However, his great athleticism should not go to waste. He does have some talent to play in coverage, and projects best as a sub package guy at the next level. For a backup, he is capable enough lower down that he can come onto the field if he needs to fill in, though it is likely to prevent him from earning a starting spot without significant improvement.
| Grade: 61.2 | Round Grade: 6th |
16
Kain Medrano
School: UCLA
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 222 lbs
Strengths:
Medrano brings good speed and instincts to the table. Coverage is where he does best. He is very concentrated in zone, keeping a close watch on anyone who comes near. He is able to read plays quickly, and will give himself a chance to make plays on the ball when it is thrown his way. Medrano also has enough juice to cover man to man, and the size and length especially to match up against TE’s. His instincts have also helped him as a run defender. Even if it is not the best part of his game, it helps to at least be in the right place.
Weaknesses:
Medrano has a very lean frame, and struggles with the physical aspect that comes with playing down low. He had a few good plays in the trenches, but missed tackles and being blocked out of plays overshadow the good ones. At the next level, it is hard to see him contributing as a full time guy. He’ll have to get stronger and add bulk to his frame to have a chance. Medrano is a good athlete overall, but does look a bit leggy when moving laterally. He isn’t perfectly fluid.
Summary:
Medrano is a good enough athlete and has the size to match up against TE’s. However, he doesn’t currently have the build to play down low. He gets overmatched regularly and misses too many tackles. He projects as a sub package cover LB at the next level, and should also be able to contribute on special teams.
| Grade: 58.9 | Round Grade: 7th |
17
Kobe King
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 236 lbs
Strengths:
King has a dense frame and can deliver some hard hits. He makes his living in the trenches, where he is able to make quick reads and shoot gaps to meet the ball carrier. His toughness, size, and clean technique all help him to take on even some of the most powerful backs. King also has enough to be a solid special teamer.
Weaknesses:
King is a below average athlete for the position, which will limit his potential role. Man coverage is out of the question, I think. Even shallow zone can be a challenge, as he doesn’t have the change of direction skills to make the plays he needs to. The soft spots are bigger when he is in coverage. King also isn’t great against outside runs. He can read the play well, but sometimes that isn’t enough on his own, as his lack of lateral mobility and pursuit speed makes it tough to mirror the RB along the line of scrimmage, and the RB is usually able to win the race to the corner before turning the ball upfield. Generally, he is a good tackler. However, from time to time, you do see him slip off due to having shorter arms. King, despite being someone who does well down low, did not look great as a blitzer. He had a tough time getting off blocks, and his pursuit speed isn’t good enough.
Summary:
King projects as a depth LB at the next level. He lacks the overall athleticism to play effectively in coverage, or to make plays against the outside run. However, his instincts are good and he plays a good enough downhill game that he can go out there in a pinch and play in a sheltered role. He also should be able to play on special teams.
| Grade: 56.5 | Round Grade: 7th |
LB Rankings:
- Jalon Walker (90.2, Rd 1)
- Jihaad Campbell (88.9, Rd 1)
- Carson Schwesinger (85.9, Rd 1)
- Danny Stutsman (79.5, Rd 3)
- Smael Mandon (76.5, Rd 3)
- Barrett Carter (76.4, Rd 3)
- Eugene Asante (75.4, Rd 3)
- Jeffrey Bassa (74.6, Rd 4)
- Demetrius Knight (73.1, Rd 4)
- Chris Paul (73.0, Rd 4)
- Collin Oliver (68.6, Rd 5)
- Nick Martin (68.4, Rd 5)
- Jack Kiser (68.3, Rd 5)
- Cody Simon (66.5, Rd 5)
- Ruben Hyppolite (61.2, Rd 6)
- Kain Medrano (58.9, Rd 7)
- Kobe King (56.5, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
- Chandler Martin
- Jalen McLeod
- Shemar James
- Jailin Walker
- Teddye Buchanan
- Jackson Woodard
- Carson Bruener
- Cody Lindenberg
- Karene Reid
Thumbnail Image Via: Maize & Blue Nation (CC)