There are plenty of ways to mix and match off-ball linebackers depending on scheme. For the sake of the NFL Draft Bible big board, we have done our best to separate the linebacker units into two categories; 4-3 outside linebackers (SAM and WILL) and inside linebackers (MIKE).
One linebacker prospect who could play all the positions would be Drew Sanders of Arkansas. His read-and-react instincts and closing ability are amongst the best in the draft but views are mixed as to where he fits best. A true middle linebacker would be Jack Campbell of Iowa, who will finally have a chance to get up close with NFL teams after bypassing his invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl. A lengthy, smart, fundamentally sound wrap-up tackler, Campbell is a dark-horse candidate for the first round.
The top linebacker seen during the all-star circuit was Daiyan Henley of Washington State. A smooth, ball-hawk who flies to the football, Henley owns a knack for creating the turnover (three forced fumbles, two fumbles recoveries and one interception in 2022) and is viewed as a top 50 value. However, the title of best off-ball linebacker might belong to the versatile Trenton Simpson of Clemson. We have seen the Tigers utilize their linebackers like chess pieces and Simpson is next in the pipeline. His athleticism, lateral speed, tackling fundamentals, angles and ability to cover, or get after the quarterback make him a bonafide first round prospect.
It was hard not to take notice of Utah darting backer Mohamoud Diabate during East-West Shrine Bowl week. His explosion, play speed and violence were impressive, as he figures to be a polarizing player in Indy—he’s trending towards the top 100 overall range, as we get closer to April. In one of the more remarkable paths to the draft, Michael Ayers of Ashland is determined to defy all odds. A zero offer, former walk-on, defensive back-converted-linebacker, he was the talk of the town in Pasadena at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. While Ayers was snubbed by the combine committee, look for him to destroy his pro day workout and hear his name called on the final day of the draft.
In recent years, the linebacker position has become somewhat devalued much like the running back position on offense—with the thought process being that teams can always find a player to plug-in later on in the draft. Some diamonds in the rough from this year’s draft class who we project to outplay their draft position include the following prospects: Isaiah Land of Florida AM, Ivan Pace of Cincinnati, Charlie Cleveland of Tiffin and Colby Reeder of Iowa State.
In 2022, we did not see a linebacker chosen until the 22nd pick (Quay Walker-Packers) and 2023 could unfold in similar fashion. Unless, someone blows the roof off of Lucas Oil Stadium next week at the NFL Combine! Stay tuned.
Below is a look at the NFL Draft Bible linebacker big board heading into Indianapolis, along with a preview of the top players we are monitoring for 2024! NFL Draft Bible has been bringing you the names you need to know first, since 2002, it’s what we DO. Next Up: Cornerbacks
2023 NFL DRAFT PRIMER SERIES: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL
PLAYER KEY: Rank, Player, School, Year, Height, Weight, Forty, Hand, Arm, Wingspan, All-Star Game, Combine Status, Projection | Scouting Report
ABBREVIATIONS: SRB = Senior Bowl, EWS = East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA = NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA = Hula Bowl, TROP = Tropical Bowl, CGS = College Gridiron Showcase, NIC = NFL Combine Invite, UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent, NIC (National Invitational Camp) = NFL Scouting Combine
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD: 4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (2/23/23)
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | YR | HT | WT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | AS | COMBINE | PROJECTION | PROFILE
1. *Trenton Simpson, Clemson, Jr, 6022, 225, 4.45e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
2. Daiyan Henley, Washington State, rSr, 6007, 230, 4.69e, 0928, 3300, 7838, SRB, Rd2, NIC | REPORT
3. *Dorian Williams, Tulane, rJr, 6006, 228, 4.58e, 1028, 3268, 8048, SRB, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
4. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas, rSr, 6023, 220, 4.48e, 0948, 3248, 7838, SRB, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
5. *Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, rSr, 6032, 226, 4.70e, 0858, 3258, 7700, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
6. Cam Jones, Indiana, rSr, 6011, 227, 4.74e, 0968, 3118, 7578, SRB, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
7. Noah Taylor, North Carolina, Sr, 6042, 230, 4.70e, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
8. *Jeremy Banks, rSr, Tennessee, 6010, 225, 4.68e, 0948, 3228, 7818, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
9. Nick Hampton, Appalachian State, Sr, 6022, 236, 4.72e, 0958, 3358, 8100, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
10. *Michael Ayers, Ashland, Sr, 6017, 224, 4.50e, 0900, 3338, 7828, NFLPA, Rd5 | REPORT
11. *Drake Thomas, North Carolina State, rJr, 5112, 228, 4.70e, 0938, 2918, 7228, EWS, Rd6 | REPORT
12. Tyrus Wheat, Mississippi State, rSr, 6022, 269, 4.75e, 0868, 3248, 7868, EWS, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
13. Dillon Doyle, Baylor, rSr, 6030, 239, 4.72e, 0938, 3138, 7448, NFLPA, Rd6 | REPORT
14. Zeke Vandenburgh, Illinois State, Sr, 6033, 233, 4.77e, 0978, 3148, 7718, NFLPA, Rd7 | REPORT
15. Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech, rSr, 6023, 207, 4.50e, 0828, 3128, 7768, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
16. Charlie Cleveland, Tiffin, Sr, 6020, 234, 4.78e, 0968, 3228, 7748, CGS, PFA | REPORT
17. *Jalen Graham, Sr, Purdue, 6016, 224, 4.67e, 0978, 3238, 7900, EWS, NIC, PFA | REPORT
18. Jimmy Phillips, SMU, Sr, 6014, 234, 4.70e, 1018, 3268, 7928, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
19. Caden McDonald, San Diego State, rSr, 6015, 240, 4.80e, 0928, 3128, 7478, HULA, PFA | REPORT
20. Thomas Rush, Minnesota, Sr, 6033, 249, 4.79e, PFA | REPORT
21. Kelle Sanders, UAB, Sr, 6042, 240, 4.75e, 0968, 3348, 8068, HULA, PFA
22. DJ Coleman,Missouri, Sr, 6045, 244, 4.80e, 0968, 3438, 8178, HULA, PFA
23. Dyontae Johnson, Toledo, Sr, 6023, 224, 4.75e, 1000, 3248, 7938, HULA, PFA
24. Jalen Harris, Arizona, Sr, 6040, 258, 4.78e, 1000, 3418, 8218, HULA, PFA
25. Guy Thomas, Colorado, Sr, 6024, 244, 4.73e, PFA
26. Nelson Mbanasor, Texas State, Sr, 6020, 261, 4.79e, 0900, 3200, 7600, CGS, UDFA
27. Exree Loe, West Virginia, Sr, 5107, 209, 4.78e, 0878, 3148, 7348, CGS, UDFA
28. CJ Onyechi, Colorado State, rSr, 6000, 245, 4.77e, UDFA
29. *Benedict Umunakwe, Central Connecticut State, Sr, 6000, 220, 4.77e, UDFA
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE BIG BOARD: INSIDE LINEBACKERS (2/23/23)
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | YR | HT | WT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | AS | COMBINE | PROJECTION | PROFILE
1. *Drew Sanders, Arkansas, Jr, 6050, 232, 4.74e, Rd1, NIC | REPORT
2. *Noah Sewell, Oregon, rSo, 6016, 250, 4.55e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
3. *Jack Campbell, Iowa, Sr, 6044, 248, 4.72e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
4. *Henry To'o To'o, Alabama, Sr, 6016, 230, 4.60e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
5. *Owen Pappoe, Auburn, Sr, 6006, 225, 4.40e, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
6. *SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh, Sr, 6003, 218, 4.64e, 1048, 3300, 7800, SRB, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
7. *Mohamoud Diabate, Sr, Utah, 6033, 229, 4.55e, 0948, 3218, 8048, EWS, Rd4 | REPORT
8. *Mike Jones Jr., LSU, rJr, 6004, 230, 4.65e, Rd4 | REPORT
9. *Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati, Sr, 5102, 231, 4.73e, 0938, 3068, 7228, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
10. *Dee Winters, TCU, Sr, 5110, 223, 4.70e, 0878, 3128, 7538, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
11. Ventrell Miller, Florida, rSr, 6000, 222, 4.66e, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
12. Aubrey Miller Jr, Jackson State, rSr, 5115, 229, 4.65e, 0900, 3048, 7500, SRB, Rd5 | REPORT
13. Shaka Heyward, Duke, rSr, 6025, 239, 4.65e, 0948, 3368, 8138, EWS, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
14. Micah Baskerville, LSU, Sr, 6005, 221, 4.66e, 0978, 3200, 7768, NFLPA, NIC, PFA, Rd6 | REPORT
15. *Anfernee Orji, Vanderbilt, Sr, 6011, 230, 4.79e, 1028, 3178, 7868, EWS, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
16. Kyle Soelle, Arizona State, Sr, 6031, 232, 4.70e, 1000, 3128, 7538, EWS, Rd7 | REPORT
17. *Mikel Jones, Syracuse, rJr, 5115, 229, 4.65e, 1028, 3328, 7938, NFLPA, Rd7 | REPORT
18. Colby Reeder, Iowa State, Sr, 6026, 237, 4.58e, 1000, 3068, 7748, HULA, PFA | REPORT
19. Krishon Merriweather, Texas Tech, Sr, 6000, 235, 235, 4.77e, NIC, PFA | REPORT
20. Bumper Pool, Arkansas, rSr, 6010, 233, 4.68e, PFA | REPORT
21. Ayinde Eley, Georgia Tech, Sr, 6034, 231, 4.75e, 0958, 3328, 7718, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
22. Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, rSr, 6007, 243, 4.77e, 0858, 3018, 7518, HULA, PFA | REPORT
23. Isaiah Moore, North Carolina State, rSr, 6020, 234, 4.70e, 0900, 3168, 7638, EWS, NIC, PFA | REPORT
24. Tyler Murray, Memphis, Sr, 6006, 225, 4.65e, 0978, 3128, 7618, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
25. Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan, rSr, 6015, 232, 4.70e, 0900, 3228, 7668, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
26. Brandon Bouyer-Randle, UConn, Sr, 6021, 241, 4.70e, 1048, 3338, 8018, HULA, UDFA | REPORT
27. Carlton Martial, Troy, rSr, 5073, 210, 4.66e, 0918, 2978, 7178, SRB, PFA | REPORT
28. *Ben VanSumeren, Michigan State, Sr, 6016, 237, 4.77e, 0900, 3118, 7668, EWS, PFA | REPORT
29. *Claudin Cherelus, Alcorn State, rSr, 6016, 230, 4.72e, PFA | REPORT
30. Liam Anderson, Holy Cross, Sr, 6021, 229, 4.75e, 0868, 2958, 7168, PFA | REPORT
31. DaShaun White, Oklahoma, Sr, 5117, 205, 4.75e, 0978, 3218, 7568, HULA, UDFA
32. Ryan Smenda, Wake Forest, Sr, 6012, 235, 4.80e, 0848, 3158, 7600, HULA, UDFA
33. Kyrei Fisher-Morris, Oregon State, Sr, 6004, 232, 4.85e, 0928, 3228, 7600, CGS, UDFA
34. *Trevor Nowaske, Saginaw Valley, Sr, 6020, 235, 4.75e, UDFA
35. *Ryan Saddler, Bryant, rSr, 6010, 225, 4.70e, UDFA, UDFA
36. Austin Ajiake, UNLV, Sr, 6014, 233, 4.80e, 0928, 3078, 7728, HULA, UDFA
37. *Ty Van Fossen, Cincinnati, rSr, 6010, 222, 4.75e, UDFA
38. Kyle Harmon, San Jose State, Sr, 5116, 238, 4.80e, 0928, 3000, 7200, CGS, UDFA
39. Quinn Perry, Colorado, Sr, 6003, 252, 4.80e, 0838, 3048, 7400, CGS, UDFA
40. *Joshua Reed, Grambling State, Sr, 6000, 225, 4.70e, UDFA
41. *Jalen Mackie, UMass, Sr, 6003, 236, 4.80e, 1000, 3148, 7448, CGS, UDFA
42. Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State, Sr, 6016, 232, 4.82e, 1000, 3068, 7428, CGS, UDFA
43. Chris Ojoh, New Mexico State, Sr, 5116, 231, 4.80e, 1000, 3248, 7728, CGS, UDFA
44. Sione Tupou, Texas State, Sr, 5104, 244, 4.85e, 0958, 3048, 7468, CGS, UDFA
45. James Uzoma Peter, Ottawa, Sr, 5094, 220, 4.76e, 0978, 3348, 7628, CGS, UDFA
2024 NFL DRAFT BIBLE LB BIG BOARD (2/23/23)
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | YR | HT | WT | FORTY
1. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson, Jr, 6000, 230, 4.60e
2. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Sr, 6020, 239, 4.70e
3. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia, Jr, 6030, 220, 4.50e
4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, Jr, 6030, 240, 4.70e
5. Jackson Mitchell, UConn, Sr, 6016, 228, 4.65e
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2023 NFL Draft Primer: LB Big Board Rankings (Off-Ball)