2021 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - LINEBACKER
Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:
Height: 6’2”. Weight:245lbs
PRO’S: Game-changing athleticism. Short area burst unparalleled in this draft class. Covers the field at top speed effortlessly. Quick burst off the snap when tasked with getting upfield. Extremely fluid with loose hips and can change direction at speed. Plays low and can bend under arms and round the edge when rushing. Drops into coverage quick and confidently, and can keep up when lining up in man-to-man. Brings physicality and power to match his speed; body beautiful with plenty of torque in lower half to stand his ground against the run. Thumping, sure tackler. Ultra competitive team leader and locker room galvaniser.
CON’S: Needs to dial down the aggression off the snap a touch, as can bite on misdirection or make the wrong decision in his desperate attempt to get into high gear. Sometimes slow with pre-snap play diagnosis, but that will come with more experience. Playing the ball in the air might require a little more focus - had some drops in Happy Valley and didn’t record one interception in his college career. Potential character issues with some unresolved accusations arising from his time at Penn State.
SIMON CARROLL: “Micah Parsons is as close to a complete linebacker prospect as I have ever scouted. A couple of mental tweaks and he is a future All-Pro at the next level. The demand for speed and versatility from the second line of a defense is very much in vogue in the NFL right now, and Parsons brings all that and more. Expect him to line up as an off the ball OLB with rushing duties on third down, and be a captain of his team for a decade.”
NFL COMPARISON: MYLES JACK
PROJECTION: TOP TEN PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 260lbs
PRO’S: Versatile front seven playmaker with experience at both DE and OLB, and the body type to succeed at both. Ridiculous athleticism for a man his size. Jaw dropping sideline to sideline speed, and will hunt down the football from the backside all day long. Has good lower body strength and a stout anchor that enables him to square up to down blocks and hold his own comfortably. Extremely intelligent - understands gap responsibility, zone coverage duties and seems to know where the ball is going before it leaves the quarterbacks hands. Ball hawk - 5 picks in his Tulsa career, two of which he returned for a score. Excellent production in general at college, with three forced fumbles, 236 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in three years.
CON’S: Tackling form needs cleaning up a little to reduce the number broken at the next level. Upper body strength not as good as his lower half, and arm power maybe a reason for the tackling issues. Lack of burst off the snap encouraged a permanent move from edge to linebacker, where to be fair he has dominated. Still feeling out how best to impose his size at the position to fulfil his physical potential.
SIMON CARROLL: “Tulsa is a destination rarely earmarked as a must visit for NFL scouts, but they’ll be digging out the road map this year. Bronco Nagurski award winners are usually found at their in-state rivals over at Norman, but incredibly The Golden Hurricanes were the only team to offer Collins a scholarship. It has been a career of development, but he has evolved into a complete linebacker who can line up at Sam, Mike or Will with bonus blitzing upside. It feels like there is so much yet to come from Collins. A high floor, high ceiling prospect who will rack up the stats for an NFL franchise.”
NFL COMPARISON: BRIAN URLACHER
PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 216lbs
Report By UK Draft Scout:
PRO’S: Owusu-Koramoah is an exceptionally explosive athlete who will run sideline-to-sideline as would be asked of any 3 down LB in the NFL. Such speed also enables him to be a highly effective blitzer that has often been used to chase down the passer on 3rd down. The NFL is demanding these types of freakishly athletic LBs who run sideline-to-sideline. Very aggressive in taking on blocks and pursuing the ball carrier; he is like a heat seeking missile when he gets his eyes on the ball carrier. Very violent tackler who aims to strip the ball loose from the ball carrier after corralling them with one arm. Very comfortable short zone defender who is aware of routes within his proximity. Aggressive gap filler. Does well to not over pursue to the edge. Has the requisite athleticism to flip his hips and run up the field with a Tight End or a receiver that is smaller than him. Projects ideally as a WILL LB in a 4-3 scheme in which he will be tasked with playing short zones and chasing down plays with minimal direct engagement with lineman.
CON’S: Sometimes his proclivity to go for the ball will supersede the need to effectively wrap up the ball carrier, thus leading him to occasionally slip off of a few tackles. Can get caught somewhat flat-footed when dropping into short zones off the snap. JOK is listed as 216lbs and should not be asked to play SAM or have very frequent engagement with blocks. Simply does not have adequate size or strength to reliably be asked to stack-and-shed blocks in the run game which will likely confine him to exclusively playing WILL.
Round grade: round 1
Ideal scheme fit: 4-3 WILL
NFL comp: Telvin Smith
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 234lbs
PRO’S: Intriguing blend of saize and speed the NFL is looking for. Downhill thumper style linebacker who loves to meet ball carriers in the hole. For a leaner, lanky guy has excellent fluidity and can operate in space. Elusive when blockers look to land their hands on him. Familiar with the intricacies of the game despite the relatively small number of games played - innate feel for where the blocks are coming from, knows exactly where the football is going and gets there to greet it. Sees the whole picture, and effortlessly flitted between outside and inside as the situation dictated. Composed air about him on the field, and knows when to stay patient and when to unleash hell. Long limbs that have made him a tackling machine and a threat on the ball in the air.
CON’S: Just the one year starting in Lexington and hasn’t been fully exposed to all responsibilities of the position. Limited reps in man coverage, although fluidity, speed and nous suggest he will be fine against TE’s/RB’s, maybe even slot receivers. Biggest weakness is stringing out blocks and shedding to the football; needs a little more anchor to hold his own and use his length to control the contact. Winning more of these battles will come with a lower pad level and better leverage.
SIMON CARROLL: “Davis is a high ceiling prospect with the world at his feet. He’s a little raw after only being a starter his final year at Kentucky, but the maturity he shows on the field far outweighs the experience and I think that’s a very encouraging sign. If he can improve his core strength he has all the makings of a starting middle or inside linebacker in any scheme in the NFL. Teams best be careful though - there is the faintest whiff of bust about him, and it will likely stop his name from being called on day one.”
NFL COMPARISON: RASHAAN EVANS
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 232lbs
PRO’S: Fearless hitter. Utra tough tone setter who wants to leave his mark on the ball carrier every hit. Throws every ounce of power his modest frame allows into contact. Physical when engaging with blocks too - strikes hard with first punch and maintains control of the contact, easily shedding to the football. More than sufficient fluidity, can operate in space and has good short-area & change of direction speed. High football IQ - aware of what the offense is trying to do. Good instincts to make correct decisions and is rarely fooled on plays. Captain material - relays information to teammates and holds them accountable for their actions.
CON’S: Undersized. Upper body strength isn’t quite there, something he masks with his aggression and speed into contact. Underwhelming anchor and will need to keep clean of down blocks in order to make his way to the football at the next level. Top speed is a tick slow and pursuit from the backside of plays isn’t a feature of his game. Lack of regard for his own welfare may mean he has a shorter shelf life in the NFL. Comfortable in zone coverage, but athletic limitations make man coverage much trickier.
SIMON CARROLL: “Nick Bolton is an old-school, ‘see and strike’ middle linebacker whose aggression and attention to detail are something that every NFL team wants at the heart of their defense. He’ll be a team leader and relay the plays to the rest of the unit on the field, possibly even from day one. His game is still growing and he has shown that despite not having ideal measurables he can still play at an elite level. He might not quite make the first round, but I can see him starting as a rookie.”
NFL COMPARISON: DENZEL PERRYMAN
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 227lbs
PRO’S: Ultra athletic. Rangy as hell and covers the field quickly and effortlessly - natural flow to the football. Impressive click and close speed; processes what’s in front of him and turns on the jets to the football. Elite diagnosis to execution speed - if he sees it, he stops it. Extremely fluid and can turn on a dime. Production machine: over 200 tackles and 22 sacks in two years as a linebacker. Physically tough - stands his ground and delivers big blows against hefty downhill ball carriers. Mentally tough and a team leader - was encouraged to convert to linebacker after two years playing quarterback at Chapel Hill, and didn’t blink. Showed good positioning in pass coverage and makes plays on the ball - plenty of tips to deny completions. Athletic traits bring blitz ability.
CON’S: Still learning the position after playing only 24 games there his whole life. He diagnoses the play quickly but blocking schemes from offenses catch him out and he sometimes gets caught up in the melee. Needs to add more muscle mass to his frame, and there’s confidence he can do that without losing any athleticism. Sometimes too eager to make a play and can overpursue, leaving the backside free to be exploited. Tackling very much a work in progress, although it did get better late in 2020.
SIMON CARROLL: “Some people say Chazz Surratt has a lack of instincts - I say that’s complete nonsense. To be this good after converting from QB in 2019 shows an elite natural feel for the sport in general, let alone as a linebacker. He’s obviously not the finished article and he needs to live in the gym, but there is no linebacker in this class with more upside. His sideline to sideline speed is jaw dropping, and his mental processing is becoming nearly as fast. It takes a special kind of leader to be told you can’t play quarterback any more and accept a change of position. He’ll have an NFL home by the end of the second round.”
NFL COMPARISON: WILLIE GAY
PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK
Height: 6‘1”. Weight: 232lbs
PRO’S: Elite sideline to sideline speed. will hunt down a running back and meet him in the hole all game. Won’t be beaten to the corner by a ball carrier and routinely makes plays go east-west rather than north-south. When he sees it, his click and close speed is electric. Ferocious tackler with good, sure technique - zero missed or broken tackles in 2020. Powerful anchor that provides him plenty of torque when taking on down blocks; Able to hold his own and shed to the football. Tough - played all of 2020 with a cast and production didn’t drop off. Major asset as a blitzer when he can pin his ears back and get after the QB.
CON’S: Short arms and lack of extension will cause him problems maintaining and getting off blocks in the NFL. Play recognition and diagnosis seem a tick slow; if he doesn’t see it he can’t attack it, which is his game. Raw; only 20 games in college and still working on the fundamentals of the position. Little to no experience in zone coverage; the few reps he did operate there he was a mere bystander. Unsure in man coverage, although he is capable of eyeing the running back as a receiver out of the backfield. Lack of turnovers or big plays despite rushing ability - just three sacks and one forced fumble at Ann Arbor.
SIMON CARROLL: “Scouts interested in McGrone will already appreciate that he’s at the beginning of his football journey and there’s a lot of work to be done. But you can’t teach the athleticism he possesses, and for someone with one and a half seasons of football under his belt the upside is terrific. Despite being far from the complete prospect his run defense and blitzing upside mean he can stay on the field for three downs as a rookie - something you don’t always find at this position on day two.”
NFL COMPARISON: MALIK JEFFERSON
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight:233lbs
PRO’S: Athletically gifted linebacker with impressive acceleration, torpedoing into contact. Hustles to the football from the first play to the last. Impressive range and is smooth flowing to the football, avoiding the wash as he goes. Possibly the best coverage LB in the class - loose hips and excellent fluidity make zone coverage look easy, and can match up against RB’s out of the backfield or inline TE’s. Flashed the ability to keep his jersey clean and can bounce on down blocks until the football comes. Big production at North Dakota State, and looked more than comfortable when stepping up to the biggest conference of them all.
CON’S: Play strength a concern; his body shape and size suggests safety and he may find a home as a hybrid LB/S in the NFL, where he can come downfield and use his burst to throw himself into tackles. Plays with poor leverage and his anchor is susceptible when blockers get their hands on him early. Gap discipline against the run iffy with mental lapses that require his athleticism to remedy. Play diagnosis sometimes sluggish. Ineffective when he doesn’t immediately see it.
SIMON CARROLL: “Another athletic phenom in this linebacker group, Cox dominated in the FCS before testing himself in the SEC. He passed with flying colours, and his draft stock has exploded as a result. Keep the role simple and Cox will flourish - allow him to pin his ears back or bust gaps with his speed and he’ll be an effective producer. But don’t expect him to be relaying instructions to his teammates or pointing out blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage, because he isn’t mentally there yet. The dedication he has shown to his game so far leads me to believe there’s still more to come from him.”
NFL COMPARISON: SAMSON EBUKAM
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 235lbs
PRO’S: Lightning quick across the field. Will hunt the football down from the other end of the field if there’s a tackle to be made. Closing burst on the football is scary; he just seems to know where the football is at all times and is determined to get there. Violent tackler - takes a sinister enjoyment in blowing up the ball carrier, or anyone in the way of the ball carrier. Despite the intensity he rarely misses or gives up a broken tackle, and he racked up the numbers at Alabama. Heartbeat of the Crimson Tide defense and his teammates feed off his energy. Motor runs hot on every play. Played all linebacker spots in Tuscaloosa, and even rushed the QB from a two-point stance.
CON’S: Attack-dog, seek and destroy linebacker who seems to have little interest in any other duty. Change of direction is nowhere near as impressive as his straight line speed - stiff hips and poor ankle flexion don’t help in this regard. As such, zone coverage is tough against the more nimble assignments. Over-eagerness makes him susceptible to misdirection, causing poor decision making in man coverage and on play action. Needs to be more savvy in avoiding getting caught on down blocks. Serious knee injury meant he missed the entirety of 2019, and NFL teams will want to check it out in the pre-draft process.
SIMON CARROLL: “Dylan Moses showed no lingering issues from the devastating knee injury that made him return for his Senior year at Alabama. He walks away with another National Championship ring, and his NFL Draft stock remains largely unaffected. Whilst not the world-beating, complete linebacker everyone predicted coming out of high school, he’s a tone-setting tackling machine who will line up as an off the ball OLB and scare the life out of running backs. His deficiencies against the pass limit his draft stock, but there are intangibles there that mean he doesn’t escape day two.”
NFL COMPARISON: HAASON REDDICK
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 230lbs
PRO’S: Agile linebacker with quick reactions and playmaking skills. Excellent fluidity that allows him to operate in space proficiently. Owns his zone and has the read and react quickness to get to where the ball will be. Quick trigger in everything he does; processes and goes instantly. Is a pest in man coverage and plays sticky, matching RB’s or TE’s movements stride for stride. Loves coming downfield and attacking the football - tackling machine at TCU with almost 300 tackles in just three years as a starter in Fort Worth. Shows excellent conversion of speed to power and keeps his legs driving through tackles. Brings intimidation and effort to every snap.
CON’S: Over-exuberance can see him get burned sometimes. Moments on tape where he bites on misdirection or goes hard after the wrong hole.Sometimes his mind works a little fast for his feet and he gets tangled with wasted steps. Could do with adding some more weight to have a better anchor, and lack of upper body strength causes issues disengaging from blocks. Sometimes gets caught peeking into the backfield and is taken for a walk by offensive linemen.
SIMON CARROLL: “Wallow used to be a safety at high school and he brings that agility and comfort in space with him to a linebacker role. He’s played across the formation for TCU and offers real versatility where he can line up. His best attributes are pass coverage and ability to scrape to the football and tackle forcefully. I think he’s a sleeper with a high floor and high ceiling. Not quite the finished article but he can start for a team as a 4-3 Sam with potential to become a Will with experience or even a Mike if he adds more muscle mass. If he falls to day three he’s a steal.”
NFL COMPARISON: DEION JONES
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 241lbs
PRO’S: Physical with ideal size and weight to play off the ball OLB. Brings good power from his frame and has a nice balance of upper and lower body strength to be proficient in all duties. Unphased by bigger opponents and has a good anchor to make sure he isn’t bullied at the point of contact. Good extension keeps him loose on blocks. Matches strength and size with impressive athleticism; love the fluidity he shows in pass coverage and has the ability to turn and chase instantly. More than adequate sideline to sideline speed and impressive burst when attacking the backfield.
CON’S: Looks the part but understanding of the position doesn’t quite match up. Takes some time to process what is in front of him, loses the football and doesn’t appear to work out where lead blocks are coming from unless they are straight on at him. You’d like to see more anticipation from him. Lack of a run at any one linebacker position seems to have stymied his comfort level. Not necessarily the alpha dog who likes to intimidate and impose himself on an offense.
SIMON CARROLL: “If football was all about measurables then Baron Browning would be a first round pick. From a size & speed standpoint he is the complete package, and what’s more he has a team-first mentality that may have been a detriment to his development. The Buckeyes had him moving all over the place filling injury holes, and whilst he gave nothing short of 100% effort, maybe his feel for a particular role has failed to develop. I think he’s a mid round prospect who should get better with consistency and has the upside to be a starting Will linebacker in a 4-3 NFL defense.”
NFL COMPARISON: CORY LITTLETON
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 238lbs
PRO’S: Thickly built linebacker with crazy athleticism and hit power. Attacks the gaps at speed and stops ball carriers dead in their tracks. Low center of gravity is a real asset when taking on down blocks, and he’s able to fight off contact and get to the ball on a regular basis. When the tackle is there to be made, he makes it; PFF have his missed tackle rate as under 10% in his Bulldog career. Can smell a trick coming his way and has a good feel against the run. Speed in pass coverage also impressive, shown best when he’s in man against slot receivers. Tough guy attitude and fought his way through injuries, most notably against Alabama last season.
CON’S: Can match up stride for stride in pass coverage but has shown little ability to make plays at the catch point - if it’s a fifty-fifty ball it’s likely a reception. Short arms masked by leverage and aggression in contact and may be exposed at the next level. Production and performance slipped in 2020 compared to his junior year and was used more rotationally. Sometimes gets caught thinking and has moments where you question his processing speed; seems to get caught out more against zone running blocking schemes and how best to navigate them.
SIMON CARROLL: “A lot of inconsistency in Rice’s tape - particularly from 2019 to 2020 - clouds his projection to the next level. The standout moments are impressive when he comes down to the line of scrimmage and neutralises running backs, and his size and relative athleticism will please scouts. But the discomfort when the ball is thrown his way may have him pegged as an early down inside linebacker who can stuff the run both between and outside of the tackles.”
NFL COMPARISON: JAHLANI TAVAI
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 242lbs
PRO’S: Physically tough linebacker who rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. Delivers a knockout blow when he’s able to line up the ball carrier, and will tackle anything in his postcode. Lives to compete - enjoys the physical side of the sport and relishes taking on blocks and winning. Good length and upper body strength are big factors in him beating down blockers more often than not. Had something of a hybrid LB/S role in his early years at Columbus and brings that downhill thumper style of aggression when he meets running backs in the gaps. Showcases good football smarts on the field, quickly diagnosing what’s happening in front of him and flowing to the football.
CON’S: Has adequate athleticism, but limited range and stiff hips. Operating in space is a challenge, and he’s much quicker running North-South than East-West. Man coverage is not too much of a concern, but holding a zone is problematic. Outside of forcing fumbles with his hard hitting, Werner couldn’t be described as a playmaker, with just four sacks and zero interceptions in his college career.
SIMON CARROLL: “Something of a slow developer, Werner slowly gained the trust of his coaches and teammates to the point that he became a much valued member of the Buckeyes defense. He’s not slow for a bigger linebacker and running backs will not be happy to see him after one or two tackles. There’s a distinct lack of WOW about his game that some other LB’s have in this class, and you get the feeling his ceiling is a little lower. But line him up at WILL in a 4-3 and he could develop into a starter for an NFL team. A borderline day two/three pick.”
NFL COMPARISON: MALIK HARRISON
PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 250lbs
PRO’S: Bruising linebacker who was a production machine in Starkville; 312 tackles as a four year starter for the Bulldogs. Physical doesn’t come close to describing his game - he wants to destroy anyone in front of him, particularly if they have the football. Excellent reaction speed - when he sees it he moves to it immediately. Relishes taking on linemen or lead blockers and has excellent lower body strength to maintain gap disciplines and shed to the football. Good awareness - relayed plays to the defense and called out adjustments from the offense. Work horse who won’t be found wanting for commitment or effort.
CON’S: Lack of natural athleticism makes him somewhat one-dimensional as a modern day linebacker. Needs to play in the middle and have the play in front of him - flowing to the ball outside of the tackles is not his game. Clunky in pass coverage, with poor flexibility and change of direction speed. Understanding of role in pass defense doesn’t match that he shows when playing the run. Ultra-aggressive attitude to every play can get him in trouble and he can be manipulated by clever quarterbacks or running backs.
SIMON CARROLL: “Erroll Thompson is a street fighter who you would love to be lining up alongside, but be far from happy running the football at. He’d run through a brick wall to get to the football and his commitment rubs off on his teammates. The ferocity at which he hits is borderline criminal, and his durability is impressive for someone who plays so physically. There is little else to his game outside of dominating versus the run on early downs, and he’s a late round pick. But if he lands somewhere like The Raiders the fans will love him.”
NFL COMPARISON: VONTAZE BURFICT
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 230lbs
PRO’S: Tough-guy tone setter inside linebacker who leaves the ball carrier with something to think about on every tackle. For a lighter interior linebacker he has surprisingly good core strength, with a stout anchor that allows him to face up on blockers and string out the contact with control. PLays with excellent leverage that also helps in this regard. Impressive anticipation and knows where the down blocks are coming from. Smart in pursuit, avoiding the wash and taking correct angles to the ball carrier. Good fundamentals and few mistakes on tape.
CON’S: Subpar athleticism by NFL standards. Just not fluid around the field; gears down when changing direction and rarely wins a straight foot race to the edge. Uncomfortable outside of the tackles, but could do with some more weight on his frame to be competitive inside at the next level. He can cope with shallow zones in pass coverage, but operating in too deep space or trying to keep up in man coverage duties consistently is too much of an ask.
SIMON CARROLL: “A slightly less crazy, slightly more reliable version of Erroll Thompson, Jones is a two-down lineman who will provide stoutness against inside runs. His weight dictates he won’t be operating the middle on his own, making a 3-4 ILB role the only fit for him. That, and his lack of three-down viability put a glass ceiling on his draft stock, and a day three pick makes sense. A role as a backup who could provide aggression and discipline on special teams is likely.”
NFL COMPARISON: MARKUS BAILEY
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 222lbs
PRO’S: Competitor who plays about 20lbs heavier than his listed size. Keen to impose himself on games with big hits. Prefers to attack downfield and embrace running backs as they hit the hole. Extremely quick processor of what’s in front of him and operates with good anticipation. Aware of where down blocks are coming from and able to avoid them Field marshal, constantly directing teammates. Extremely disciplined; lets plays develop, rarely makes a bad choice, and is a sure tackler. Has good sideline to sideline range and enough athleticism to match up in man coverage.
CON’S: Undersized to play in the middle and will likely be kicked to Will linebacker in the NFL. Is savvy enough to mask his weight deficiency but can be bullied by blockers who square him up and get to his numbers. Finds it difficult to get off blocks and prefers to avoid them from the start. Lack of length also hinders this, doesn’t have the extension to keep opponents off him. Has good quickness and IQ to get deep into his zone from pass coverage but you want more fluidity from him; a little stiff hipped and flat footed, particularly from lateral entries and exits of his zone.
SIMON CARROLL: “Watching Fields play, whether at Arizona or West Virginia, was a privilege. Someone who gives everything he has and leads his teammates on every play Fields also has some really exciting traits; his awareness is second to none and he plays the game with such a finesse it almost shocks you when he lays the wood on a ball carrier. His size and fluidity are the biggest concerns and he’ll definitely be moved to OLB at the next level, but he could become a starter for a team and should be in the league for some time.”
NFL COMPARISON: SIONE TAKITAKI
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’6”. Weight: 232lbs
PRO’S: Elite length. keeps blockers away from his numbers at ease, and utilises his arms effectively in swatting passes out of the air. Tackle radius is ridiculous - anyone close to him gets swallowed up with those limbs. Height allows him to keep an eye on the backfield whilst negotiating down blocks. Impressive speed for such a tall player, with quick burst and good straight line speed. Just ghosts to the football on some snaps. Speed and length make him a valuable contributor in pass coverage. Sack totals rose every year at Virginia to an impressive six in eight games in 2020.
CON’S: Lightweight - power a considerable problem. Finds it difficult to keep his pad level down as you would expect, and without any stoutness in his lower frame his ability to win against any form of contact is hindered. If a blocker gets their hands inside he can’t get off them. Offers little outside of shooting gaps against the run. Has some nice fluidity but asking him to dip around the edge at his height is unreasonable. Hard to find a scheme in the NFL where he fits.
SIMON CARROLL: “Snowden has some intriguing traits that will get scouts’ attention, but there are significant questions about how best to deploy him in a conventional pro defense. He enjoyed being moved around a lot at Virginia and relying on his arms and speed to cause offenses issues. But providing little to no use against the run will see him fall down the draft. It’s not a conventional use of a linebacker, but i’d argue that Snowden is a designated pass rusher from OLB with the ability to drop into coverage effectively and give a defense a bit of misdirection”.
PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 225lbs
PRO’S: Playmaking linebacker prospect who exploded onto the scene in 2019 as a junior, lining up as an ILB in The Cowboys’ 4-2-5 defense. 208 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks and 4 forced fumbles (three recovered) during his time in Stillwater. Always seems to be around the football - shows good intuition for the position and what the offense is about to throw at him. Elusive around the field and rarely lets blockers get clean contact on him. Good range and sideline to sideline speed will impress scouts - excellent fluidity flowing across the formation to the football. Favours shooting gaps and meeting ball carriers in the backfield, nullifying the threat early.
CON’S: Lack of functional strength to his game. Prefers to slip by blocks rather than take them on, where his lack of stoutness is exposed. Hands are active when sliding by, but when engaged with an opponent fails to use them to shed. Short frame looks possibly maxed out and more weight would compromise what athleticism he has. Much more comfortable coming downhill to the ball rather than playing in space. Is his lack of exposure to pass coverage the reason, or did OSU play to his strengths?
SIMON CARROLL: “Amen has had something of a nomadic life, being born in Nigeria and emigrating to Houston before his family moved to Calgary, Canada. He joined Chuba Hubbard in travelling south to Stillwater, following the path of his cousin Emmanuel Ogbah, and he’s done a good job of living up to his family member’s standards. There are holes in his game and he won’t stay inside at his current weight, but a career as a rotational 4-3 sam linebacker with bonus blitz potential is definitely within his reach.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’3”. Weight: 230lbs
PRO’S: Looks the part. Sturdy, solid frame with plenty of muscle and that translates into good functional core strength. Adequate length that he knows how to use to try and stay free of down blocks. Has the athletic profile the NFL currently covets; quick sideline to sideline speed and even better click and close speed when coming downhill to the football. Love the way he always has one eye on the football. Confident in zone coverage where he can sit deep in his zone and allow things to play out in front of him.
CON’S: Limited game tape after opting out of 2020, just two seasons in College Station. Quite stout but upper body power doesn’t match the lower half; if he does get latched onto by blockers he has a tough time shedding and getting to the football. A little stiff hipped and you worry about his ability to match nimble slot receivers in man coverage.
SIMON CARROLL: “Not the easiest of prospects to get a feel for, there are some dynamic qualities to Hines’ game that jump off the tape. When he gets it right and his instincts take over, he’s a menace, and if it’s thrown short in front of him he’s stopping it. Not sure how much of an effect a missed season will have had to his game at a crucial time for a developing prospect, particularly one who needs to get a better feel for where blocks are coming from. His range will vary wildly depending on how scouts view him positionally; I think weakside OLB or even used as a hybrid LB/S would be his best utilisation.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 228lbs
PRO’S: Plays with an edge. Intensity he brings to contact is scary. Embraces contact with blockers and likes to match up against the bigger opponents with increased levels of effort and aggression. Thrives against the run - understands running concepts and how best to neutralise the threat. Attacks holes quickly once he sees where the ball is going, and has shown some anticipation pre-snap to narrow down the options an offense might throw at him. Shows some quickness when flowing behind the line. Big step up in playmaking stats in his senior year at Texas A&M, with 85 tackles, two forced fumbles and four sacks.
CON’S: Biggest concern is pass coverage. Has little feel for the role and looks rather uncomfortable in space. Anticipation of threats entering his zone doesn’t match the instincts he shows when attacking the line of scrimmage. Lack of hip fluidity and ankle flexion make him look laboured when changing direction, and nimble running backs or slot receivers over the middle aren’t made to work for their separation when in man coverage. Undersized to perform the role he held at College Station in the NFL, and might be moved to a 4-3 Sam OLB role - something he didn’t look as comfortable in at college.
SIMON CARROLL: “A true rallying leader of the Aggies defense, Johnson met every challenge with aggression and effort, and usually won out. His play strength outmatched his body mass, and whilst I think he can add some more muscle to his frame he’s likely going to be viewed as an off the ball OLB at the next level. That will bring its own set of challenges for Johnson, who struggled in pass coverage and much prefers playing downhill. His sack production shows an ability to blitz which could keep him on the field on third down, but in essence he’s a two down run stuffer in the NFL.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’1”. Weight: 227lbs
PRO’S: Tough dedicated linebacker who was moved around a bunch at Ohio State thanks to the trio of other LB’s there all heading into this year’s draft. Has sufficient playing power to complete all tasks asked of him; can take on Tight End blocks and set the edge in the run game, but also meet ball carriers in the hole when kicked inside. Team-first attitude; took on any role to help the Buckeyes win, including significant special teams duties. Has played through some big injuries in his college career. Had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
CON’S: Stiff hipped and a significant lack of fluidity. Has to gear down and back up when changing direction, making zone coverage a tricky ask. Has modest speed but struggles to haul after the football from the backside, and gets bogged down scraping along the line of scrimmage. Plus effort doesn’t disguise the lack of pop from his hands and his upper torso needs to add more power. Looks susceptible to injuries despite his willingness to play through the pain barrier.
SIMON CARROLL: “Why does the word dependable sound like an insult? Hilliard was a five star recruit coming out of high school, and despite never quite living up to the hype always gives 100% effort to the cause, and can be trusted to do a number of roles for a defense. There’s little wow factor to his game and there is a danger of him becoming ‘just a guy’ in the NFL, but coaches will cherish him being part of their position group. I would expect a rotational or backup career as a 4-3 OLB and special teams captain.”
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
PRO’S: Thick, stocky frame with plenty of functional play strength. Generates good power through his torso upon contact. Hands are violent and can knock a blocker backwards when contact is timed well. Good length and extension helps him consistently win against down blocks. Brings physicality when setting the edge, and can string out blocks when necessary before shedding to the football. Rolls up his sleeves and not afraid to put in the work to win a rep - will add bonus upside as a special teams contributor.
CON’S: Stiff-hipped and poor change of direction speed. Not convinced he has the dip and turning circle to consistently line up off the edge. Concerned about his ability in pass coverage - lack of fluidity will cause him issues matching up in man, and getting deep into his zone and breaking on the ball is a tough ask for his athleticism. Needs a little more creativity when beating blocks, shooting gaps or rushing the quarterback. Shows his numbers to blockers too often, resulting in a power contest he doesn’t necessarily need to get involved in.
SIMON CARROLL: “Derrick Barnes has been moved around a lot at Purdue and you can see why; he has a middle linebacker’s body but not the range to be a factor against the pass. His burst to power conversion is impressive and it’s why he’s seen more snaps off the edge at the college level, but again the limited athleticism will cap his success in the NFL. He’s a street fighter who will give 100% every snap, and his history playing in numerous alignments as well as special teams will help him find a home as a valued backup off the ball linebacker with designated pass rush ability on third down.
PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 239lbs
PRO’S: Tough linebacker who enjoys contact and willing to hit all day. Shows good play strength in general; lower body torque allows him to stand his ground against down blocks. Likes a battle and steps it up against bigger linemen. First strike is quite effective and if he can keep loose he’s a handful. Ferocious tackler and likes to leave ball carriers with something to remember him by. Plays with good knowledge of blocking schemes and demonstrates good ability to diagnose the play pre-snap. Relied upon by Auburn to relay plays to his teammates and was considered a locker room leader for The Tigers.
CON’S: Lack of fluidity makes him a liability operating in space. Struggles to marshall a zone in pass coverage even if he gets deep into it. Sideline to sideline speed underwhelming, and needs to gear down when changing direction - lack of loose hips and ankle flexion. Much better at wrapping up the tackler in or around the line of scrimmage than when in space. If offensive linemen find his numbers and latch on, he struggles to disengage and shed to the football. Significant thumb injury in 2020 meant lack of tape to see any improvement as a senior.
SIMON CARROLL: “Kenny ‘KJ’ Britt is a similar prospect to Paddy Fisher in that they have downhill run capability blended with the leadership and smarts necessary to be a quarterback of a defense. Much like the Northwestern linebacker he is limited to what he can achieve athletically, needs to be as close to the line of scrimmage as possible and wants the ball to be coming towards him, not away from him. His inability to avoid or shed blocks makes his ceiling even lower; I’d argue he’s a 3-4 ILB, maybe a 4-3 Sam on first down. But it’s not much of a portfolio to offer an NFL team.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
PRO’S: Excellent burst and athleticism for a 250lb middle linebacker. Flashes of pre-snap anticipation sneak out on tape, and when he trusts himself he attacks hot. Covers turf quickly and effortlessly, and willing to chase down from the backside of plays. Good length. Obvious upper and lower body strength and there’s a nasty edge to his game. Love the conversion of speed to power as he explodes into the ball carrier. Shortened 2020 season mean stats are not a true barometer of his growth from year one to year two - more muscle, more power, better instincts.
CON’S: Very raw. Not quite worked out how to maximise his god given size and speed as of yet; rarely plays with extension despite long arms. Disappointing hand strength at the point of first contact and you want to see more pop from him when he hits blockers. Only just starting to learn the nuances and tells from the defense, and is often playing reactionary football. Only 17 games of NCAA football under his belt and it shows - green when it comes to down blocks or misdirection. Is he playing in the wrong position?
SIMON CARROLL: “Once of ‘Last Chance U’ fame, Kuony Deng has worked hard to get to the top level of college football and has been a major asset to the Golden Bears as their middle linebacker. He’s still very early in the developmental stage, but the sheer size and speed he possesses make him a moldable playmaker. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see him be moved to a 3-4 OLB with edge responsibilities, from where he can limit being clogged up in the middle and open his legs. There’s a lot to do but also a lot to work with - he’s going to be drafted late but he has a real shot at a significant NFL career.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’4”. Weight: 239lbs
PRO’S: Consummate team-first prospect who was the captain of Northwestern’s defense and a respected figure the minute he stepped foot on campus. Nothing short of complete effort on every single snap; he’ll throw himself into offensive linemen with 100lbs on him. Ultra-intelligent; knows exactly what is coming and relays information to his teammates. Play diagnosis pre-snap gives him a head start to the football. Tackles with ferocity and loves to meet running backs as they come through the line of scrimmage. Impressive play strength makes him able to take on down blocks and stack and shed with consistency.
CON’S: Limited athleticism will cause him serious problems in today’s NFL. Top speed is sluggish; he relies on his smarts to cheat his way to where the football will be. Sideline to sideline quickness just not there; he won’t be chasing plays down from the backside and flow to the football is ungainly. If it’s outside the tackle box he just isn’t getting there, despite the effort. Capable of dropping in zone and coming downhill if the play is in front of him, but that’s pretty much his lot when it comes to pass coverage.
SIMON CARROLL: “Paddy Fisher is an old-school thumper of an ILB/MLB who twenty years ago would be considered an early pick. But the linebacker position nowadays is all about speed and he simply doesn’t possess it. He brings all the intangibles and coaches will love him, but outside of a first down run-stuffing leader in the middle of the park - which aren’t really in demand right now - he sadly offers little value. A low ceiling prospect who you can’t help but root for, he’s a late round pick at best.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’2”. Weight: 215lbs
PRO’S: Elite speed for a linebacker. Covers the field in the blink of an eye. Change of direction quickness is as good as any linebacker in this class; fluid hips and fast reactions make him excel in coverage. Matches Tight Ends stride for stride, and graceful in his dropbacks and sitting at the back of deep zones. Monitors running backs coming out of the backfield carefully and meets them on their route. Love his effort levels and the physicality he brings for an undersized guy; absolutely careens into ball carriers when tackling, and shows surprising competitiveness when taking on blocks face up. Never gives up on a play and will hunt down the ball all day.
CON’S: Lightweight. Has almost slot corner size, and his role in the NFL will be limited as a result. Block anticipation isn’t where it needs to be, and that means a lot of lost plays as he doesn’t have the mass to compete when angled contact comes. Lower body strength, despite the effort, makes interior run defense difficult. Can get over excited and is so desperate to explode out of his stance that he fails to recognise misdirection and there is too much evidence on tape of him completely whiffing on plays.
SIMON CARROLL: “When you get to the later round prospects at linebacker, McDuffie is an athletic pass-defender in a sea of first down thumpers. He used to play safety and you can see it on tape; his spatial awareness and comfort holding a zone make him extremely reliable on obvious passing downs. Unfortunately his size and recklessness against the run precludes him from offering three-down value, but he’s a project Will linebacker in an even front defense who could perhaps offer blitz upside or a LB/S role in a hybrid defense on third down.”
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 229lbs
PRO’S: Ultra-tough linebacker. Played through numerous injuries for Ohio State over five years in Columbus, including a significant achilles injury in 2018. 100% effort linebacker who is committed to the cause. Team leader and three-year captain who held the respect of teammates and coaches. Physical tackler and likes to read the hole and attack the line of scrimmage. Understands blocking concepts and has a good feel for what’s coming his way. Flashes some good straight line speed when the play is in front of him and between the tackles. Special teams standout at college.
CON’S: Underwhelming play strength and disappointing athleticism, the so-called ‘death knell’ for the modern day linebacker. Modest length and poor extension, coupled with a lack of anchor make it very difficult for him to stop blocks and get off them. Played as the Mike for most of his Buckeye career but will need more on his frame if he’s going to stay there in the NFL. as an OLB his speed is average at best, and operating in space as a coverage linebacker is not his forte. Slow to break on the ball with a clear lack of flexibility to move around his zone. Somewhat bullied by receivers entering his zone.
SIMON CARROLL: “Tuf by name, tough by nature, Borland’s best attributes are the intangibles he brings to a football team. Sadly, that’s not enough on your resume to hear your name called any earlier than late on day three, and he’ll have a job sticking on a roster through training camp. That being said, he’ll give everything he has to get there, and will be committed to special teams work in order to prove his usefulness to an NFL franchise”.
PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK
Height: 5’11”. Weight:230lbs
PRO’S: Nobody outworks, out-efforts, out-hustles Stuard. Hunts down the football like a sniffer dog and is there to greet the ball carrier as they come through the line of scrimmage. Has a feel for what’s coming and trusts his instincts, making decisions early. Booming tackler with good form and wraps up each time. Impressive burst and closing speed despite limited athleticism. Special Teams standout at Houston. Tone setter who teammates look to for leadership when things get tough.
CON’S: Doesn’t possess the desired measurables for the NFL. Lack of length is the biggest concern; he rarely wins with extension and utilises anticipation and effort/aggression to get where he needs to be. Despite the burst and quickness when attacking downhill he doesn’t show anywhere near the same level of athleticism in coverage or scraping behind the line of scrimmage. Backpedal is ungainly and his hips are quite stiff, causing issues when changing direction. Any run play outside of the tackles is going to be tough for him to get involved in.
SIMON CARROLL: “I don’t think any prospect in this draft loves football as much as Grant Stuard. The energy and enjoyment he brings to the field is palpable - the man was born to run into ball carriers. He has some major obstacles that will impede his path to becoming a starting middle linebacker in the NFL, namely length and athleticism. But if his tape is anything to go by he won’t be denied an opportunity to suit up on Sundays. A team would be well served spending a late round pick on him purely for his willingness to embrace and dominate special teams duties. The NFL needs some Grant Stuard in its life.”
PROJECTION: UDFA
Height: 6’0”. Weight: 217lbs
PRO’S: Smooth, fluid athlete with excellent range and change of direction speed. Quickness apparent both in attacking downfield and dropping into coverage. Has pass-rushing upside; plays with a good pad level and has the quickness and dip to get under the hands and around the edge. Shows good intelligence when playing the pass and is aware of his responsibilities and the dangers his zone faces. Impressive click and close speed to the football, and a confident tackler in space. Will work all day to the football from the backside. Impressive production as a tackler at Michigan State.
CON’S: Raw. Played most of high school football as a running back, and has flitted between edge rusher and linebacker in East Lansing, perhaps delaying his development as a linebacker. Body type and lack of weight pigeon holes Simmons as a weakside linebacker, and as yet isn’t proficient in all duties of the position. Quite simply bullied in blocks and struggles to get off them to the football. Needs to stay free of attention to make an impact. Very little in the way of big plays in pass coverage - just one interception and a handful of passes defensed in four years.
SIMON CARROLL: “It’s hard what to make of Simmons when you try and identify a role for him in the NFL. His athleticism is apparent and he has a confidence about him - particularly against the pass - that gives you hope. But his size is an issue and unlike other diminutive linebackers he doesn’t play bigger than he is. Most of his production has come with him being unopposed and chasing down the ball from the other side of the formation. Outside of a backup role as a Will linebacker with some emergency knowledge of other positions I struggle to see the value he offers a defense.”
PROJECTION: UDFA
SIMON CARROLL
HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.