NFL Draft: LB Rankings
1
Caleb Downs
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
– Versatile player. Excels in several areas of the field.
– Hard hitter with a desire to play low in the dirty areas.
– Seeks to make plays against the run. Will diagnose quickly and accelerate downhill.
– Gets off blocks well when defending the run.
– Good overall athleticism. Speed to do what is required and quickness to make plays in both phases.
– Able to cover from the slot, with the athleticism to blanket TE’s, WR’s, or RB’s.
– Awareness to play in zone, and possesses the fluidity to pass off assignments and change directions.
– Play strength to make a tackle at the catch point.
– High effort and will come from afar to make a play on the ball carrier.
– Downhill acceleration makes it tough for receivers to pick up yards after the catch.
Weaknesses:
– Doesn’t always take great angles. Sometimes gets caught in traffic.
– Tackling technique is a bit erratic at times.
– Does use his arms, but sometimes doesn’t follow through.
– Also has instances of shoulder tackles that whiff.
– Poor angles sometimes prevent him from getting to the ball carrier.
– Would have liked to see him play more often as a true single high S.
– Has the tools to play in any role, but as far as his profile goes, it is somewhat of a question mark.
– In coverage, there are times where he is late getting his head turned to the ball.
Summary:
Downs is a safety prospect who moved all over the field, and can excel in nearly every role. He is a menace near the line of scrimmage, showing the ability to hunt down the ball carrier. You don’t see many people as willing as he is to play the run. This skill set would suggest he is a SS or box S, but he also does very well in man coverage out of the slot. He has the speed and fluidity to blanket quicker pass catchers, and he also does well in zone. Instances of erratic tackling, as well as poor angles to the ball carrier, show up on tape. But these are more so just things to clean up, rather than issues that need a big deal being made of them. Ideally, I would have gotten to see him play more as a true single high, as this really would have completed his profile. But still, the tools are all there. Overall, Downs projects as a high end starting safety that can be deployed in a variety of different roles on defence.
| Grade: 87.9 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Bud Clark
School: TCU
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 188 lbs
Strengths:
– Excellent ball skills and high end production.
– Lined up all around the formation.
– Good in a single high formation.
– Aggressiveness stands out. He is a true ball hawk at S.
– Triggers downhill quickly to defend the run.
– Generally uses good wrap up technique as a tackler.
– Very willing run defender.
– Good enough range as a single high defender, can track the ball over the top.
Weaknesses:
– Movements aren’t perfectly fluid.
– Has experience in man coverage out of the slot, but success depends on matchup.
– Speedy players could beat him over the top in man coverage.
– Aggressiveness sometimes leads to mistakes when he bites on play fakes, pump fakes, and underneath routes.
– Frame is a little bit lean and light, which does lead to the odd tackling issue.
– Will sometimes dive in front of the receiver in an attempt to break up the pass, but miss altogether, leading to yards after the catch.
Summary:
Clark’s play making ability will certainly earn him many admirers around the league. His instincts often see him able to jump routes and create turnovers or pass breakups. But his willingness to make plays doesn’t end with his coverage. Clark has no problem coming all the way across the field to make tackles. He is very willing in run support. Versatility is part of his game, but I like him best up top, either as a single high or in a split look. He can man up in the slot, but for someone whose coverage is a big part of his profile, I wish he was a bit more fluid laterally. As far as man coverage goes, I’d be careful about the matchups. Still, his playmaking ability and overall willingness to do whatever it takes should translate to success. He has enough speed to still give him good range in the deep secondary. As he transitions to the next level, he will have to learn to mitigate mistakes that come as a result of his aggressiveness. While his instincts often put him in good positions to make plays, he sometimes lets the aggressiveness take over and it becomes too much. Additionally, his frame is on the lean side, and he would benefit from adding some mass. Clark projects as a starting FS at the next level. He might need a little time just to clean up a few things, but he should get there before long.
| Grade: 83.9 | Round Grade: 2nd |
3
Jalon Kilgore
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 210 lbs
Strengths:
– Good build for a S.
– Plenty of experience in man coverage out of the slot.
– Strength and length to be effective in press coverage.
– Can cover TE’s.
– Movements are fluid enough to be good in zone coverage, either from the slot or a split look.
– Length to disrupt at the catch point.
– Can stretch to break up passes.
– Frame/strength to stay downlow and play the run.
– Takes away targets in underneath zone.
– Frame allows him to make stops as a run game.
Weaknesses:
– From the slot, he allows more separation to receivers than you would like.
– Doesn’t really play as a single high S.
– Motor isn’t always running super hot.
– Instances where he could put himself in a better spot if the motor was a bit higher.
– Times where his footwork in zone looks a bit choppy, and could be cleaned up.
– Receivers can take advantage and separate down the field.
– Doesn’t always play to his size.
– Had a few missed tackles in my exposures.
Summary:
Kilgore is an interesting profile. He is a S, but largely played out of the slot. He has the size and length to matchup against TE’s. These traits also lead to successful reps as a run defender. However, I don’t necessarily like him as a full time slot CB, as there are some blips that show up against speedier receivers. I think he fits well in a split role, where his ability in zone can be utilized, and his range and ball skills can allow him to attack while it is in the air. I’m not the biggest fan of his motor. Changes there should lead to less mistakes against the run, and possibly improvements in coverage, too. Overall, Kilgore looks like he does still need a little development, but his ball skills are good, and teams are always looking for guys who can stop TE’s. Additionally, he has the tools to be an asset against the run, so the upside should see him in play for a day 2 pick. It would not be a surprise to see him starting before long.
| Grade: 83.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
4
Dillon Thieneman
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 201 lbs
Strengths:
– Alignment versatility.
– Can play FS in a single high look, in a split formation, or downlow in the box.
– Instinctual player who always finds himself around the ball.
– Playmaking desire often puts him in good position to make plays against the run.
– This has also led to a good amount of ball production and interceptions.
– Well built player.
– Has the length to win in contested citations through the air.
– Tracks the ball well.
– Good straight line speed that allows him to close quickly on plays underneath.
– IQ makes him an asset in zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
– Has a lot to like, but his quickness on tape poses some questions.
– Change of direction skills aren’t high end, and can allow receivers to separate when matched up against him in man coverage.
– This, along with the odd instance where he takes a poor angle to the ball carrier, can open up a hole in the defence on some plays.
– Well built player, but there are times where he doesn’t seem to play to his size. Ball carriers will sometimes run through him.
– Average quickness can affect range as a FS.
Summary:
Thieneman is a versatile player with a knack for making plays. His production profile is outstanding, both against the run and the pass. He’s got great ball skills that sometimes lead to turnovers, and his IQ often has him right near the ball when he is playing downlow. Thieneman has good straight line speed, which helps him in the secondary, but his lateral mobility and change of direction skills only look average. This does sometimes lead to issues in man coverage, and does make me question his upside in a more general sense. I’m not sure I see a star player, but he brings enough to the table that he should be able to carve out a role as a solid starter at either safety position. The versatility is worth mentioning, and defensive coordinators will be able to put him in different spots. With how he is always around the football, he should be able to become a standout special teamer in the NFL. But if/when he is able to snag a starting spot, he probably won’t be seeing too many snaps there. His combine has ignited some round 1 talk. I’m not there, personally, but I don’t mind him on day 2 as someone with solid starter potential.
| Grade: 82.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
AJ Haulcy
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 215 lbs
Strengths:
– Instinctual player.
– Hunts down the ball, whether on the ground or through the air.
– Has some ball hawking tendencies. Does well to break up passes and even snag some interceptions.
– Very willing in run support. He’ll come down in a hurry and end up behind the line of scrimmage.
– Sturdy frame.
– Hard hitter. Punishes RB’s who lower the shoulder on him.
Weaknesses:
– Range is a bit of a question mark.
– Speed is decent but doesn’t stand out. But more so, lateral agility is what caps his ceiling a little bit.
– While capable, he is not best suited for man coverage.
– Gets sloppy as a tackler.
– Goes in with the shoulder and will miss, rather than wrapping up.
Summary:
Haulcy is an average athlete and his lateral mobility isn’t anything special. This would usually drop a player a bit farther for me, but it is hard to ignore the amount of plays he has piled up against both the run and pass. He has ball hawking tendencies, showing the ability to frequently get a hand on the ball, and sometimes come away with the pick. His heavy frame delivers big hits, and he sniffs out run plays nicely. A very smart player. The play making ability will have him starting early. However, in addition to the athletic questions, he can be erratic as a tackler, going in with poor technique before whiffing. This allowed some big plays that were unnecessary and will have to be cleaned up. As far as alignment goes, he is capable in most looks, but is definitely best suited in a split S formation. I’m not sure he has the range for single high work, but some snaps lined up in the box could also be in the cards. He is versatile enough that he will probably move around a bit. Haulcy is an early starter at the next level.
| Grade: 81.2 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
School: Toledo
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 201 lbs
Strengths:
– Great length for the position.
– Helps in coverage against big TE’s. Can attack at the high point.
– Big hitter and can stop ball carriers without any additional spillover yards.
– Able to navigate traffic when coming downhill in run support.
– Generally reads run plays pretty well and can put himself in position to make a tackle.
– Reliable wrap up tackler.
– Downhill burst is solid for his size.
– Goes for the ball when tackling and has forced some fumbles.
– Decent enough range for coverage in a split formation.
– Ability to come downhill quickly limits pickups on underneath routes.
Weaknesses:
– Looks a bit clunky when moving laterally, which isn’t really a big surprise, given his size.
– Slow flipping hips, which can allow separation when in coverage.
– Footwork when tackling can be cleaned up.
– Average speed and lateral limitations will limit his usage in coverage at the next level.
– Size is good against TE’s, but more athletic ones could still separate.
– Likely can’t be trusted as a single high.
Summary:
McNeil-Warren is a big, long S prospect with the ability to play the run at a high level. He is a reliable tackler, for the most part, but also likes to go for the ball, which has led to some forced fumbles. As a SS, his downhill burst is good enough, and he can read the play well enough to consistently put himself in position to make a play on the ball carrier. While I’d say his athleticism is closer to average, he has enough to play zone from a split look. However, I wouldn’t feel comfortable having him as a single high, nor would I be too enthusiastic putting him in man coverage. With his length, I’m sure it will be tempting to man him up against TE’s, and in the right matchups, this can be successful. However, more athletic ones could expose him down the field. As far as coverage goes, he can be solid if kept within his limitations, and his size and ability to play the run should allow him to be a starting SS at the next level.
| Grade: 80.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Treydan Stukes
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 190 lbs
Strengths:
– Versatility to line up at S or in the slot.
– Good straight line speed that allows him to cover ground to catch up to deep passes, or to get downhill quickly enough to help in run support.
– Hard worker, always looking for the football.
– Reads the play well and will get there in time to help the CB.
– Instincts have led to some nice pass breakups, both short and long.
– Speed to close in on the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
– Injury history.
– Overager prospect.
– Isn’t perfectly fluid from a lateral standpoint.
– Twitchy players can beat him in man coverage.
– Gets his pad level high, which doesn’t help with transitions.
– Sometimes gets caught ball watching.
– Frame is on the lean side. Generally is fine, but once in a while gets pushed around when playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
Summary:
Stukes is a good FS prospect who also comes with the ability to play in the slot. He has good ball skills and the kind of instincts that allow him to put those to use. A smart player and a willing one, he does whatever is needed of him. He enthusiastically helps in run support and is effective down low, for the most part. While he has good speed, Stukes is a tad limited laterally, which showed up in man coverage out of the slot. He is still capable, but is better off in zone. His age and injury history are also worth bringing up, as they may push him down some draft boards. But overall, he still projects as a starter, even if there are a couple of issues.
| Grade: 79.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
8
Zakee Wheatley
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 203 lbs
Strengths:
– Plays with good instincts.
– Is quick to trigger downhill to limit gains on underneath routes.
– Sniffs out the ball carrier on runs and will bring him down.
– Reads the QB’s eyes and will venture to the right spot.
– Good enough athlete to play some single high.
– Wrap-up tackler.
Weaknesses:
– Good tackler, but he goes in and doesn’t look as strong as his size would suggest.
– Some of his tackles looked on the verge of slipping out.
– Good range but his athleticism isn’t elite.
– Aggressive game play sometimes led to overrunning his target.
– Also bit on some route fakes.
Summary:
Wheatley is a solid all around player with the skill set to start. He has enough range to play as a single high S, and is willing to come down and support the run. I’d like to see him get stronger, but even now, he generally is solid enough as a tackler. The mental lapses should go down with time, and his good instincts will further present itself in his game. While I don’t see himi being an elite player, Wheatley has enough to eventually start.
| Grade: 79.2 | Round Grade: 3rd |
9
VJ Payne
School: Kansas State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 206 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall frame. Able to matchup against TE’s and negate the size advantage.
– Long arms are good for breaking up passes.
– Reliable in run support. Willing to come down and uses good technique. His sturdy frame prevents too many yards from falling forward.
– Good straight line speed.
– Range is good enough for split looks.
Weaknesses:
– Lateral agility is average.
– Can get twisted up in man by twitchy players.
– Changing directions is the part where things get difficult for him.
– Range over the top is okay but not high end either. Is better in a split look.
– Sometimes takes a second to diagnose the play, and will leave him a step behind.
– Also has some instances where he looks a bit nonchalant.
Summary:
Payne has the frame and reach to be able to break up passes that are in his vicinity. He matches up well against TE’s where he can use his big frame to his advantage, slowing them down, and his long reach to help even out the odds that they usually have in contested situations. Payne is a good tackler and helps in run support, but his instincts are still developing. In coverage, average change of direction skills somewhat holds him back. Still, he has enough speed and ball skills to handle work in a split look. He projects as a solid, if unspectacular starter. Though not without issues, his ability to match with TE’s will have teams looking.
| Grade: 74.3 | Round Grade: 4th |
10
Jakobe Thomas
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 211 lbs
Strengths:
– Has a nose for the football.
– Quick to trigger downhill to stop the run or to limit an underneath completion.
– Good instincts near the line of scrimmage.
– Navigates traffic well, which makes him effective as a blitzer. Also in run support when he has to navigate through moving blockers.
– Has a well built frame and is a heavy presence.
– Tone setter and hard hitter.
– Ball skills are good when he is in the area. Has the length to make a play on it.
Weaknesses:
– Lateral mobility is average, and limits his range as a S.
– He probably isn’t best suited for work as a single high.
– Sometimes thinking more about things down low, and will get caught in coverage.
– Sometimes ended up a step behind with the receiver getting loose.
– Overager prospect.
– Had some missed tackles and overruns.
Summary:
Thomas projects as a SS where he can stay in split looks up top, and sometimes line up closer towards the line of scrimmage. While competent in coverage, he does have issues, partially to do with range and some mental stuff. Where he really is best suited to be is down low. He likes it there. His mind is always thinking about making a tackle, whether on the QB, RB, or a WR making an underneath catch. He is a hard hitting tone setter, and in the right scheme, can be a starter, even though he does have some limitations.
| Grade: 69.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
11
Kamari Ramsey
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 202 lbs
Strengths:
– Hard hitter and tone setter.
– Can help against the run. Loves to venture down towards the line of scrimmage.
– Tough player and handles contact well down there in the trenches.
– Battles with the receiver at the catch point to break up passes.
– Will close in on underneath targets and limit the pickup.
– Has some solid moments in zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
– Angles to the football can sometimes be pretty bad, and he’ll miss out on a tackle opportunity.
– Average speed and lacks the change of direction skills to truly be effective in man coverage.
– Range as a S is also limited, and I don’t think single high looks are for him.
– Has some decent moments in zone, but I wouldn’t say he is a coverage guy, really. He is much more comfortable playing the run or just shallow zone.
– Is an upright runner.
Summary:
Ramsey makes his fair share of plays against the run, and will appeal to teams that like to have a S playing down low. He is a big hitter, and instinctual at that area of the field. While he has some solid moments in coverage, he leaves a lot to be desired. He isn’t the best lateral mover, so has his limitations. Ramsey can play in a split look and is competitive at the catch point with his size and toughness. But entering the NFL, coverage is secondary for him, and his main thing will be playing the run, and probably special teams, if he doesn’t earn a starting spot.
| Grade: 63.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
12
Robert Spears-Jennings
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 205 lbs
Strengths:
– Hard hitter with a big frame.
– Has the size to impose his will.
– Sound tackler.
– Good run defender.
– Good straight line speed to trigger downhill. Hits only get harder when he picks up steam.
– Can hit receivers over the middle and knock out the ball.
Weaknesses:
– Lateral movements do not match straight line speed.
– Very stiff mover who can’t adjust easily to an agile ball carrier.
– Not well suited for man coverage, and even in zone, there are question marks.
– Instincts in coverage are sub-par, and mistakes have led to big plays against.
Summary:
Spears-Jennings is arguably the hardest hitter in the class at his position. He can really lay it down, whether he is tackling a ball carrier or hitting a receiver over the middle. His straight line speed allows him to close in fast when the ball carrier, or receiver, is in front of him, and his wrap-up tackling style usually allows him to do the job. His lateral mobility looks extremely limited, and has a big impact on his coverage. It also doesn’t help that his instincts in coverage are lacking. Spears-Jennings has his limitations, but his hard hitting attitude will attract suitors on day 3.
| Grade: 62.0 | Round Grade: 6th |
13
Kapena Gushiken
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 5’9”, 189 lbs
Strengths:
– Athletic player with speed and twitch.
– Has cover talent in the slot.
– Able to turn his hips and run deep with quicker receivers.
– Good range and can help over the top.
– Plays a scrappy style that goes beyond his size.
– Has special teams value.
Weaknesses:
– Undersized for the position.
– Tall receivers will beat him in contested situations.
– Inconsistent run defence due to his stature.
– Needs to improve his tackling.
– Instincts are a work in progress. Both for man and zone coverage.
Summary:
Gushiken is an undersized, but athletic S/nickel hybrid. He spent a lot of time in the slot, where he showed good athleticism, tight coverage, and the ability to handle man and zone coverage. While the high points are nice, he is still a work in progress. Instincts are still developing, and his small frame obviously includes built in drawbacks. Run defence and tackling being two of them. But still, his high end athleticism and coverage talent makes him worth a look on day 3. With some improvements, he just might be able to carve out a role for himself on defence. If not, he should be able to make an impact on special teams.
| Grade: 60.3 | Round Grade: 6th |
14
Bishop Fitzgerald
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 201 lbs
Strengths:
– Ball hawking tendencies show up on tape.
– He’s got a great feel in coverage, times things out, and jumps routes.
– Good ball skills. Does well to get a hand on passes, and has good hands to secure the pick when that opportunity presents itself.
– Solid downhill trigger to close in and make a play on duck passes.
Weaknesses:
– Angles as a run defender are horrible, and effort sometimes looks questionable as well, in this area.
– Mindset is suited for coverage, but his lack of twitch poses the question of how much of his production can really translate to the next level.
– His speed is also average, and I didn’t really see any special kind of range from him on tape.
– Twitchy receivers can separate on him in man coverage.
– Might not have the range to consistently help over the top.
Summary:
Fitzgerald stands out for his instincts in coverage. He has, on several occasions, put himself in position to make a play on the ball and pick off passes. However, you don’t see the same enthusiasm in run defence. He takes poor angles to the ball and seems disinterested a lot of the time. His average at best athleticism poses questions about his range as a S, and whether or not his production will translate. At the next level, he projects as a depth S, and will have to prove he can overcome the limitations in order to climb higher.
| Grade: 57.4 | Round Grade: 7th |
15
Genesis Smith
School: Arizona
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 202 lbs
Strengths:
– Good instincts in coverage.
– Reads the eyes of the QB and is able to make a play on the ball.
– A ball hawk with good hands. Will pick off passes.
– Good length to get a hand in.
Weaknesses:
– Poor tackler.
– Awful tackler.
– If you didn’t get the point the first two times, his tackling is a glaring weakness.
– Technique is bad, but he also goes into his tackle attempts with a different kind of passiveness that you don’t usually see. Seemed avoidant of contact.
– Athleticism is average, as is his range.
– Offers very little in run support.
Summary:
Smith will get a look for his instincts and splash plays in coverage. But he has average athleticism for the position, so I don’t see much developmental upside in that area. His tackling and run defence is atrocious, and obviously will need to be worked on. Play like that will prevent him from seeing the field. The ball production will earn him a look on draft day, and the hope will be that the issues can be fixed. He projects as a backup FS at the next level.
| Grade: 57.0 | Round Grade: 7th |
16
Lorenzo Styles
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 194 lbs
Strengths:
– Good movement skills, backed up by a great performance at the combine.
– Fluid movements show upside in coverage and range as a single high S.
– Former receiver with the hands of one.
– Brings ability as a kick returner.
– Has shown improvements in zone coverage.
– Improving as a tackler.
Weaknesses:
– Still learning the position after transitioning from WR.
– Gets spun around by quick receivers when manned up in the slot.
– Instincts are a work in progress.
– Late to diagnose, whether in coverage or against the run.
– Slender frame. Gets pushed around a little in the trenches.
– Also has a tough time in contested situations.
Summary:
Styles is an athletic S that is a few years removed from a positional switch to the defensive side of the ball. You can see the instincts are still lacking, but given the inexperience, there is theoretical upside. He is a very athletic player, which was further exemplified by his combine performance. You also see it when he is returning kicks. Styles will certainly need time to grow. He is a developmental project, but his ability to serve as a returner or a gunner should help his odds of cracking a roster.
| Grade: 55.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
S Rankings:
1. Caleb Downs (87.9, Rd 1)
2. Bud Clark (83.9, Rd 2)
3. Jalen Kilgore (83.6, Rd 2)
4. Dillon Thieneman (82.0, Rd 2)
5. AJ Haulcy (81.2, Rd 2)
6. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (80.6, Rd 2)
7. Treydan Stukes (79.7, Rd 3)
8. Zakee Wheatley (79.2, Rd 3)
9. VJ Payne (74.3, Rd 4)
10. Jakobe Thomas (69.3, Rd 5)
11. Kamari Ramsey (63.9, Rd 6)
12. Robert Spears-Jennings (62.0, Rd 6)
13. Kapena Gushiken (60.3, Rd 6)
14. Bishop Fitzgerald (57.4, Rd 7)
15. Genesis Smith (57.0, Rd 7)
16. Lorenzo Styles (55.1, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
– Dalton Johnson
– Ahmaad Moss
– Cole Wisniewski
– Skyler Thomas
– Jalen Huskey
– Michael Taaffee
– DeShon Singleton
See Also: LB Rankings
