Though the positional value of the linebacker position has diminished in recent years, the impact they provide to a defense is immense. Poor linebacker play leaves the middle of the defense extremely vulnerable and a game-changing linebacker can alter how an offense has to operate.
This linebacker class is a deep one, with plenty of great options throughout Day 2 and into Day 3. It’s time to tally that up and rank the top 15 linebackers in this class. The top 10 have full scouting reports, and the rest of the list have shorter write-ups that should still give you an excellent idea of who these prospects are and why I have them ranked a certain way.
As always, stay tuned for more draft coverage, and check out the other final position rankings below:
Final Position Rankings:
1: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
A five-star edge rusher recruit from New Jersey, Campbell made his mark for the Crimson Tide as a sophomore in a reserve role in 2023. He had 66 tackles and three pass breakups that year, stepping into the starting lineup as a junior the following season. In 2024, Campbell became one of the best linebackers in the country, recording 119 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups and 37 run stops. His work earned him first-team All-SEC honors and shot him up draft boards.
At 6-3, 235, Campbell is big for a modern linebacker and can line up all over the defense. As mentioned, he played edge defender in high school and rotated into the lineup some at Alabama. But he spent most of his time at off-ball linebacker, where his straight-line speed and sideline-to-sideline range were boons. Rangy linebackers at his size are hard to come by, and Campbell also has great change-of-direction skills. He can both flip his hips in coverage and break down a running back in the open field.
In coverage, Campbell’s skills stand out the most. I like his feel in zone, as he settles in the right spots and can click and close in an instant. When he’s able to keep his eyes on the quarterback, he reads plays extremely well, putting himself in the right spots and playing solid, fundamental football. He might be even better in man coverage, however, taking advantage of his natural athleticism and bend to stay sticky with tight ends and running backs down the field, even showcasing some successful reps against slot receivers.
Because Campbell is newer to the off-ball linebacker position, there are still a few skills he’s learning to refine. This mostly shows up in run defense, where he hasn’t totally learned his run fits yet and has a habit of overrunning plays or being in the wrong gap. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it’s just frequent enough to be something he needs to work on. Additionally, he gets too caught up on blocks, letting himself be washed out of plays instead of stacking and shedding to stay involved.
Campbell is the only linebacker in this class with a realistic shot of going in the first round. He didn’t blow up the Combine enough to lock himself into a Day 1 selection, but had a strong week in Indy nonetheless and the NFL loves this kid. Whether he sneaks into the top 15 or has to wait until the beginning of the second round, he has the rare combination of traits and production to be an impact starter as a rookie. He has a chance to be the kind of backer that changes what a defense can do, and that is immensely valuable.
2: Cody Simon, Ohio State
A fifth-year senior and former four-star recruit from New Jersey, Simon was a rotational player his first four years in Columbus, seeing a lot of action but not being a weekly starter until 2024. He was still productive after redshirting as a freshman, totaling 143 tackles and three sacks from 2021-2023. As a senior, however, Simon stepped up his game in a major way. During a breakout season in which he made first-team All-Big 10, Simon had 112 tackles, seven sacks, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble, launching himself into the NFL Draft picture.
At 6-2, 229, Simon is slightly undersized, but he has plus athleticism for the position. With true sideline-to-sideline range and the click-and-close speed of a much smaller player, Simon can play across the formation and in a variety of schemes without sacrificing production. Whether he’s triggering downhill, chasing backside, or racing a running back to the edge, his speed is not only sufficient but often excellent. It’s impressive watching him work in run support where he can fire to the ball and wrap up with good technique.
In coverage, Simon has the agility and short-area quickness to thrive. Versatile and reliable, he is equally successful in zone and man coverages. When asked to cover tight ends and backs one-on-one, Simon displays the smooth transition ability to keep with them through their routes and stay in phase. More often, he’s dropping into zones, where his read-and-react ability comes into play. He can trigger on underneath routes and be disruptive, carry a route down the seam or across the field, and play leverage against multiple routes in his area. What’s more, he’s a great blitzer, playing with power and is more than just a straight-line rusher — as evidenced by his seven sacks and 22 pressures as a senior.
With only one season of standout production, there is some concern over Simon being an older, late-breakout prospect. That’s of minimal concern to me, but I do think his lack of ideal size will be picked apart by NFL teams. Unlike other undersized linebackers in this class, Simon’s leaner frame doesn’t appear to cause him issues on tape, so for now I’m going to trust the film on this one. Additionally, he could stand to be more disciplined in his pursuit angles, as he has a bad habit of overrunning plays.
Simon is a player I’ve accepted I will be much higher on than the consensus. I gave him a second-round grade, though he’ll likely go in the fourth or fifth round. He looks like an NFL linebacker on film and I think his production in both phases will translate, as will his experience as a defensive quarterback. Teams are going to love his leadership and intangibles and what he can bring to a defense. He put together a solid day of testing at Ohio State’s pro day, cementing him as a top-50 player on my board.
3: Jalon Walker, Georgia
Walker’s path to the NFL has been an interesting one. He arrived at Georgia as a more traditional off-ball linebacker, but as time went on, he transitioned to playing edge rusher more and more. The Bulldogs still list him as a linebacker, but as a junior in 2024 he split time roughly equally between linebacker and edge rusher. He totaled 61 tackles, seven sacks and 39 pressures this season, routinely making big plays in the biggest moments and earning first-team All-SEC and All-America honors.
At 6-1, 243, Walker is small for a full-time edge rusher in the NFL. As a result, it appears he’ll be tasked with playing off-ball linebacker in the league. Closing speed is what stands out on Walker’s tape — once he has a target in his sights, he thunders to the ball-carrier to make a play. This click-and-close ability translates to coverage as well, where he’s adept at slamming passing lanes shut and taking away throwing windows. He’s best utilized in zone coverage, and his ability to match routes entering his area is impressive.
Walker’s skills as a true edge pass rusher only enhance his value to NFL teams. His movement and change-of-direction skills are off the charts, capable of turning the corner against the best tackles he faced. He’s not the longest player, but he knows how to win with leverage, getting low and fighting underneath longer blockers. His tackling technique is strong, consistently wrapping up instead of simply lowering his shoulder, and he also has disciplined fundamentals in his pass rush. Despite his lack of experience at the position, he displays advanced moves in his game, using a variety of speed-to-power, bull-rush and counter moves on his tape.
I’m a little lower on Walker than most, and that’s because I’m not sure how clean his fit in the NFL is. He’s a true tweener, not at home at linebacker or edge rusher, and he doesn’t have a ton of collegiate experience. I think he’ll struggle trying to play off-ball in the NFL, as his range in coverage is limited. At times, he’s picked apart in man coverage, where he struggles to mirror receivers through their breaks. Edge rusher is his more natural home, but he’s still new there and undersized for that position.
With a pretty wide range of outcomes on draft night, Walker is a true wild card. Perhaps a team that views him as a true edge rusher could take him in the top 10, but more likely, he’ll settle in the teens or early 20s. Teams love his athleticism and see him as a prospect with his best ball ahead of him, an alluring proposition given his stellar production already. In spite of his lack of experience, he has a bag of tricks to win the edge already, and his off-ball skills are enticing, too.
4: Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
The cousin of former NFL cornerback DeAngelo Hall and also related to Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin, Knight’s path to being an NFL prospect was a winding one. Originally a high school quarterback, he spent four years at Georgia Tech, playing as a reserve backer before redshirting as a senior to preserve his eligibility after his head coach was fired. From there, he transferred to Charlotte for the 2023 season, bursting onto the scene with 96 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. Using his final year of eligibility for the Gamecocks, Knight recorded 82 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two forced incompletions and an interception.
Knight’s first step off the snap might be the best in this class. As a run defender, he can be game-changing for a defense, firing downhill to break through the line and make plays. He shoots gaps and beats blocks without being overaggressive or playing out of position, taking smart angles and using his powerful frame to disrupt the offense’s flow. He’s not afraid to take on blocks head-on if he has to, with many examples on tape of him going through a lineman’s chest to reach a ball carrier or blow up a play.
At 6-2, 235, Knight has proper NFL size and strength, and it shows up in his game. As a pass rusher, Knight has the speed to be dangerous and the experience to play with the appropriate timing. There’s a notable pop on contact when he gets his hands on someone, either to tackle them or fight through a block, and it makes him a difficult assignment for running backs on blitz pickup. In coverage, Knight plays his zones smartly and with the experience of a sixth-year player. He can trigger on underneath routes and has the ball skills to create turnovers when presented with the opportunity.
For all his strengths, Knight struggles in man-to-man coverage. His hips can be stiff at times and he doesn’t have great change-of-direction ability, impacting how well he can stay sticky down the field. This can also be a problem in the run game, as when he’s outflanked or faced with a particularly shifty back in the open field, he can get outmaneuvered.
As a two-down thumper, Knight will have a role in the NFL right away. I like his three-down potential, as well, as long as he’s playing zone and not man. He’s experienced and has a year of excellent production in the SEC, quelling any competition concerns after his year at Charlotte. As a Day 2 prospect, Knight offers immediate starter potential for a team looking to upgrade the second level of their defense.
5: Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Originally a walk-on in 2021, Schwesinger earned a scholarship in 2022 and stepped into a starting role as a senior in 2024. He exploded when offered the opportunity to prove himself on the field, recording 136 tackles, three passes defensed, two interceptions, four sacks and a forced fumble, earning consensus first-team All-Big 10 recognition and declaring for the draft after the season.
For a former walk-on, Schwesinger has remarkable athletic upside and old-school linebacker size at 6-2 and a half, 242 pounds. He plays fast with sideline-to-sideline range and the ability to trigger downhill in the run game. When he puts his foot in the ground, he beats blockers to the spot, creating havoc at the point of attack and making tackles. With plus contact balance and the agility to fight through the line, he plays hard and secures stops in the box.
In coverage, Schwesinger has the flexibility and the awareness to excel. Quick feet and coordination between his eyes and his body let him track the ball in the air and make plays on it. In zone, he displays excellent route recognition and matchup skills, blanketing underneath routes when he can keep things in front of him. As a blitzer, Schwesinger is exceptionally dangerous, with the juice to get home to the quarterback and impressive production to back it up.
Schwesinger’s run game production might struggle to translate against the maulers he’ll face in the NFL. Already in college he gets caught up on contact a lot, failing to break free from pulling guards and even tight ends when they lock him up. I’m also a little uneasy with how Schwesinger bails in deeper coverages, seeming to lack the speed or confidence to play more controlled and giving up some of the advantages he had with his positioning.
Schwesinger is a fantastic story of a former walk-on working his way up to an all-conference level and legitimate draft prospect. His years of special teams experience should help him land a roster spot, even if he struggles in a regular role on defense early on. But I don’t think that’s a major concern. Schwesinger showed up to the Combine almost 20 pounds heavier than he was listed at UCLA, quelling any concerns about his size holding up in the NFL. He’s another Day 2 linebacker prospect who can start right away in the league.
6: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
A 6-1, 232-pound senior from Salt Lake City, Bassa was a four-star recruit who converted from safety to linebacker at Oregon. After playing rotationally as a freshman, he moved into a full-time starting role as a sophomore, becoming the Ducks’ defensive signal-caller and impressing with his production. As a junior, Bassa was named second-team All-Pac-12, with 71 tackles and a pick-six against Texas Tech, winning defensive MVP honors in the Fiesta Bowl. Though his senior season was hampered by an early injury that cost him three games, he still totaled 54 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three forced incompletions.
As you might expect for an undersized linebacker with a safety background, Bassa excels in space. He has quick-twitch hips and a sharp football mind, allowing him to read and react to plays as they develop. Between his plus burst and agility, he’s lockdown in coverage, roaming underneath routes to make plays and turning and running with tight ends down the seams. When deployed in zones, Bassa can clamp down on routes while also keeping his eyes in the backfield, maximizing his skillset.
Bassa is a plus blitzer as well, utilizing good timing to disrupt protection schemes and give himself opportunities on the quarterback. There are techniques good blitzers tend to use, and Bassa is one of them, with a refined skillset that comes into play when rushing. In run defense, Bassa knows how to stack and shed blockers, allowing him to wrap up the ball carrier faster. He has a quick trigger downhill and is rarely beaten to the sideline, knifing through gaps between blockers to make tackles. With true sideline-to-sideline range, he can cover a lot of ground with safety-esque speed.
Bassa’s lack of size does show up at times on tape. There’s a lack of pop on contact with Bassa’s play, as he doesn’t have the strength or effective mass to move blockers around the line of scrimmage. He can get caught up in the wash at the second level, with climbing guards able to get their hands on him and lock him up. It remains to be seen if Bassa is big enough to hold up against the run at the NFL level.
At the Senior Bowl, Bassa did his part to answer some of these questions. He played stout against the run and his speed and flexibility were clearly translating, but his struggles on tape did pop up again at the All-Star event. Bassa’s specialty in the NFL will be in coverage, but if he can hold up in run defense, he’ll be a valuable starter for his team. There’s a chance he settles into a sub-package coverage backer role, but even then, he’ll excel at what he’s asked to do.
7: Barrett Carter, Clemson
A true senior and three-year starter at Clemson, Carter is a former five-star recruit from Georgia who made a name for himself right away at his new school. As a freshman, he flashed in a reserve role before bursting onto the scene in 2022, tallying 73 tackles, eight passes defensed, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions, earning first-team All-ACC and entering his junior year as a draft darling for many. Carter’s 2023 season wasn’t quite as flashy, but he still made second-team All-ACC with 62 tackles, five passes defensed, and an interception. He chose to return to school for his senior year and it paid off, with Carter making his return to the first-team All-ACC behind 82 tackles, seven passes defensed, four sacks and 30 run stops as the Tigers won the ACC Championship and returned to the College Football Playoff.
At 6-0, 231, Barrett is a bit undersized but makes up for it with plus athleticism. True sideline-to-sideline range and safety-like movement skills let him be a versatile chess piece on defense. The bend and agility he plays with give him special coverage potential, as he can mirror tight ends, running backs, and even some slot receivers one-on-one. When deployed in zone, he has good read-and-react ability, capable of identifying route combinations and receiver tendencies to play with appropriate leverage. When he triggers downhill, he’s a blur, able to break on the ball to make plays.
The speed and power Carter generates when he puts his foot in the ground is eye-catching. Against the run, he closes off the sidelines, beating the back and often the blocking to the point of attack, disrupting timing and rushing lanes. He plays physical in all aspects of his game, meeting tight ends and pulling guards without fear and using his leverage to get underneath their blocks. As a blitzer, Carter showcases an effective speed-to-power game, crushing running backs in pass pro and affecting the quarterback.
As an undersized linebacker, Carter has some natural disadvantages that do pop up on tape sometimes, most notably in run support. He can get bodied by bigger blockers in the run game, struggling to disengage and get back in the play. If he doesn’t beat the play to the edge or shoot the gap before the blocking is set, he’s liable to get washed out of the action. In coverage, Carter doesn’t display notable ball skills at the catch point. Despite being in the right position frequently, he doesn’t always time his jumps and swipes correctly, leading to catches for the offense. He can get lost in zones occasionally, as well, losing control of his area and letting crossers and comebacks go uncontested.
Carter never quite took the step from great to elite in his college career, despite being on that trajectory after his sophomore year. He struggled in coverage as a senior, though his tape in previous seasons was so good I’m willing to look past it. Coverage results can be fluky and vary year-to-year, even for the best defenders, and you want to bet on the guys with traits. Carter has those in spades, and as a mid-round prospect, could factor into the lineup early in his NFL career.
8: Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
A 6-1, 222-pound linebacker from Georgia, Paul spent three seasons at Arkansas to start his career. He totaled 137 tackles and six sacks during his time with the Razorbacks, transferring to Ole Miss for his senior year. In one season with the Rebels, Paul recorded 86 tackles, four forced incompletions, four sacks, 36 run stops and an interception, earning second-team All-SEC honors and a Shrine Bowl invitation for his efforts.
Paul’s best work is done against the run, where he can explode downhill to pressure and make plays. With textbook tackling form and excellent read-and-react ability, he puts his foot in the ground and gets moving as a play is developing, before the blocks are set. He has a ton of production in the backfield and around the line of scrimmage as a result, with his first-step acceleration beating most linemen to the spot.
That acceleration extends when pursuing ball carriers and chasing plays from the backside or behind, with a lot of effort tackles on his tape. In coverage, Paul is best deployed in zone, where he can use his field vision and football IQ to generate turnovers and ball production. When playing underneath zones, Paul’s ability to crash crossers and manage multiple routes into his zone maximizes his skill set. He can do some work in man-to-man, especially when asked to cover down the seam.
Where Paul struggles more is in the open field. He doesn’t really have the range to cover sideline-to-sideline or to defend deeper routes downfield. Notably, he doesn’t have the smoothest hips either, with some stiffness in his movements that limits his ability to be a consistent man-cover defender. Additionally, as an undersized linebacker, he gets blocked out of plays at times. To compensate, Paul tries to beat blockers to the mark, and often does. But this leaves him vulnerable to cutbacks and counters, something of a persistent — though not common — issue on his tape.
While he has some limitations to his game, Paul is a plus run defender with some real coverage chops. He’s not someone you need to hide or scheme around in coverage, and can be a real benefit in zone schemes. He’s small, though, even by modern linebacker standards. If he’s struggling to avoid getting washed out of plays in college, that’ll only get worse at the next level. Paul’s instincts and veteran production are worth betting on in the middle rounds, but his role in the league is yet to be determined.
9: Kobe King, Penn State
A three-star recruit from Detroit and the twin brother of Packers CB Kalen King, Kobe had a later breakout but might end up being a better prospect than his brother. After redshirting as a freshman, he totaled 100 tackles across two seasons as a rotational player for the Nittany Lions, stepping into a larger role as a starter in 2024. As a senior, King enjoyed a breakout season, making second-team All-Big 10 behind a 97-tackle, three-sack effort, adding a forced fumble and three passes defensed. Penn State made the College Football Playoff semifinals, and King was instrumental during their run.
Checking in at 6-1, 236, King is an elite run defender. If you want a two-down thumper, look no further. He stops ball carriers on contact, stonewalling them at the point of attack and preventing them from using their momentum to gain extra yards through the tackle. He has the speed to beat rushers and blockers alike to the spot, outracing the blocking scheme to make plays in the backfield before the play develops. When a blocker does make contact with him, King has the functional play strength to effectively stack and shed, holding his ground and making tackles through blocks, or fighting around them to still affect the play.
In 2024, King took over as Penn State’s on-field defensive play caller and the veteran savvy he displayed in that role will be appealing to NFL squads. In the open field, he employs a reliable tackling form and rarely bites on fakes, making plays other linebackers wouldn’t. The power and aggression King plays with will be appealing to coaches, as you just love to see his blend of tenacity and toughness in the box.
Coverage is more of a challenge for King, as he doesn’t have the hip flexibility to match tight ends or running backs in man. He loses his man in one-on-one coverage a little too often, taking an extra step or two to make a cut or change his direction and ends up a step behind the play as a result. In zone, King has more potential, but he’s still learning zone principles and struggles to locate routes entering his space, especially if he has to keep track of multiple receivers. Additionally, I have some questions about his straight-line speed, as there were times were running backs were able to beat him to the sideline and cut upfield.
King provides something all NFL teams need: forceful, excellent run defense from the linebacker position. No matter how much the league as a whole may have devalued it, no team can get away without having it. That said, NFL offenses will exploit King’s lack of one-on-one coverage skills if he’s on the field in passing situations, where they can use motion to isolate him against a shiftier back or slot receiver for easy yards. Right now, King’s best role will be on early downs, but he has potential as he continues to grow more comfortable in coverage. I expect he’ll be a fifth-rounder who can contribute on special teams and early downs at first, but he can develop into a more reliable every-down player.
10: Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
A five-star recruit and local kid, Mondon dealt with some injuries throughout college but still made a major impact for the Bulldogs. After playing sparingly as a freshman, he turned heads as a sophomore with 76 tackles and a sack. His junior season in 2023 was his best, as he had 68 tackles, three sacks, and a pass defensed on his way to second-team All-SEC honors. Though he battled injuries in his senior season, Mondon still made an impact, totaling 57 tackles, three sacks, and three passes defensed for a productive Georgia defense.
Length and athleticism define Mondon’s game. At 6-2, 224, he’s built in the modern linebacker mold, lighter and quicker to match up with spread offenses. He has true sideline-to-sideline range and the closing speed to erase boundary plays, sprinting to the ball and cutting off the sideline. Despite his lighter frame, Mondon can avoid getting washed out of plays, dodging around blocks to continue impacting the play. As a tackler, he has good technique and finishes plays even though he’s often giving up size to running backs and tight ends.
Mondon shines in space, giving him impressive coverage versatility. When deployed in zone, his instincts come through, matching routes in his area and cutting off throwing lanes. In man, Mondon’s agility and hip flexibility is noteworthy. He has no issue turning and running with vertical routes or mirroring receivers in more complex patterns. It’s probably his greatest strength as a defender and what makes him such an interesting prospect.
Once a lineman has their hands on Mondon, it’s over. Despite his best efforts, he’s just not big enough to fight through blockers if he doesn’t have time to work around them. At 224 pounds, he doesn’t have the functional play strength to stop runners in the hole, and players typically fall forward through Mondon’s tackles. Additionally, his read and react abilities lag behind his physical tools, making him a beat slow on a number of reps. More experience should help with this, but he doesn’t profile as someone who will get immediate snaps in the NFL.
Though he’s undersized and somewhat inexperienced, with an injury history, Mondon is the kind of athlete teams bet on in the middle rounds. Few linebackers move the way he does, and he’s flashed enough high-level play to think an NFL coaching staff could unlock his full potential. While he’s likely a special teamer to start his career, teams love taking a chance on traits like Mondon’s, with the hopes that he could be more impactful down the line.
The Next Five
11 — Karene Reid, Utah:
One of the best run-stuffing backers in the class, Reid measures in at 6-0, 231 pounds. Despite being undersized, Reid plays with his hair on fire, making his presence felt and delivering pain on contact. He triggers downhill with quickness and determination, firing off the ball and beating blockers to the spot to blow up actions. Reid fights through blocks routinely, never giving up on plays and refusing to be caught up in the wash. His tackling technique is superb and he has a low missed-tackle rate, critical for a linebacker with length concerns.
Reid isn’t great in coverage. I wouldn’t describe him as having ideal range, and in coverage his average foot speed and limited lateral quickness can be exploited by smart offenses. He’ll hold up fine in zones, but assigning him one-on-one responsibilities is living dangerously. While he might be limited to a two-down role at the next level, Reid is one of the best run defenders in this class. With proven special teams versatility, he’ll be able to contribute right away in multiple phases.
12 — Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma:
A chaotic 6-3, 233-pound linebacker from Florida, Stutsman has been uber-productive for the Sooners over the last few years. He flies around the defense, racking up tackles and erasing lanes for running backs. No one loves delivering a big hit more than Stutsman, and he blows up plays with impressive burst to click-and-close. In coverage, he’s versatile enough to cover backs and tight ends in man and smart enough to handle complex zone assignments with ease.
With his chaos comes some downside. Stutsman gambles a lot, often leaving himself vulnerable to cutbacks, jukes, and trick plays when he overpursues. He’s not the best athlete in space, struggling to stay sticky with speedier players in man coverage and just lacking the hip flexibility to redirect quickly. Some teams will be uncomfortable with Stutsman’s insane playstyle, while others will love his mentality in the mid-rounds.
13 — Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota:
A fundamentally sound thumper and local recruit for the Golden Gophers, Lindenberg checks in at 6-2, 236. He’s one of the smartest linebackers in this class, sniffing out offensive play designs as they develop. Long and fast, Lindenberg does a good job of holding off pulling or climbing linemen enough to stay in the play and fight through blocks to make tackles. When he triggers downhill, he makes his presence felt, closing holes and punishing runners who challenge him in the open field. In zone coverage, he stays disciplined and has no issues matching up with his assignments.
Lindenberg isn’t the greatest athlete, and he can struggle in space when asked to move around a lot. Man coverage is of particular issue for him, as he lacks the mirroring ability to stay on his man, especially through multiple cuts. This also shows up in run defense, where backs can set him up for cutbacks and easy jukes when he tries to overcompensate by overpursuing the play. Still, Lindenberg projects as a great special teams contributor and early-career backup with the chance to be a regular contributor over time.
14 — Teddye Buchanan, California:
A 6-2, 233-pound backer from San Francisco, Buchanan knows exactly what he is. His coverage instincts are immaculate, particularly in zone, where he can keep track of multiple receivers and still play the quarterback’s eyes. A fundamentally sound tackler, he takes smart angles to the football and plays with his head up to avoid missed tackles. Gap integrity and run fits aren’t a concern with Buchanan, and he plays with such good feel in coverage to create consistent turnovers.
Buchanan won’t be fighting through a ton of offensive linemen to make plays, and he can get washed out of the action a little too frequently. Lateral agility isn’t his strong suit, limiting his upside in man coverage and leaving him vulnerable to mismatches. He’s a plug-and-play special teamer and backup linebacker who will do all the little things right and is comfortable spot-starting for you if your starter goes down with an injury.
15 — Jack Kiser, Notre Dame:
Measuring in at 6-2, 231 pounds, Kiser is a fantastic straight-line athlete. His speed is a problem for offensive linemen to handle. When he triggers downhill, he beats blockers to the spot, crashing into the backfield for big plays. In coverage, Kiser has great ball skills for a linebacker, getting his hands up to knock away passes and creating turnovers at a high rate. When tracking the ball, he plays like a heat-seeking missile, blowing up actions and chasing down plays from the backside.
The problem for Kiser is that he’s not much of a lateral athlete. He struggles to flip his hips in man coverage and can lose contain on the outside when faced with jukes and cutbacks. In zone coverage, he lacks the awareness to properly track routes through his area, limiting his ability to disrupt receivers at the catch point or chase them down for a tackle. Still, Kiser is a perfect mid-round draft pick. He has years of experience contributing on special teams and playing on defense only rotationally. NFL teams can easily project his role on their squad and he’s proven his ability to step up into a starting spot and play for the College Football Playoff runner-ups.
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