Cole’s Corner: 2021 Linebacker Prospect Rankings

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Linebacker is my favorite position to evaluate on film. All linebackers are extremely different but the best of the best are highlight reels. The position is so crucial operating on the second level. They need to come up and stop the run, drop in coverage, add some pressure on the blitz and become tackling machines. Without a solid linebacker group, it is difficult to win a championship.

This group is rather deep not because of the amount of players set to be drafted from the group, rather because of the value even in the mid to late rounds. This group allows a team to pass on a top LB prospect in order to look for a position with much less depth.

Here are my top Linebacker prospects:

1. Micah Parsons – Penn State

Parsons is the best defensive player in this draft. He opted out of his last season with the Nittany Lions and I expect some fire once he steps on the field again. The first word that comes to mind is explosive. He will deliver plenty of hard hits and prove to be dominant even at the next level. He could play outside linebacker but will likely be a starting middle linebacker. If he slips past the top 10, teams better start trading up to snag him. Don’t forget he blew all scouts away with a 4.39, 40-yard dash.

Pick Range: Top 15

2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame

Owuso-Koramoah is an interesting prospect because he is more of a large safety. Listed at 216 pounds, he may be undersized for your traditional linebacker but there is no denying that Owuso-Koramoah is a playmaking outside linebacker. He is versatile and can go from sideline to sideline in coverage or in pursuit of a ball carrier. The big downfall could be if a team forces him into a roll rather than creating something special for him to excel in immediately.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

3. Zaven Collins – Tulsa   

Collins has the potential to become an elite linebacker in the NFL. He is a bigger, strong linebacker with plenty of speed. He looks like a freight train coming downhill on the blitz or to stop the run. Many like the thought of him at outside linebacker, but I believe he is best suited for a middle linebacker spot. His football intelligence could allow him to be a leader and act as the QB of the defense, perhaps sooner rather than later. This feels like a can’t miss pick for a team needing immediate impact.

Pick Range: 1^st – Early 2^nd Round

4. Nick Bolton – Missouri

Bolton is without a doubt a MIKE linebacker. He is a run stopper with plenty of mobility. He still has some work to do in coverage, but he should become an immediate starter. Coaches should let him loose and give him freedom to continuously pressure up the middle.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

5. Baron Browning – Ohio State

For most of Browning’s career, he was not utilized correctly at OSU. He has always been an athletic freak with lots of fantastic traits. I expect Browning to soar up draft boards and light up the NFL. Browning is the best pass rusher of this group and can get after the quarterback. Depending on the scheme, Browning should be a 4-3 WILL or in a 3-4 could play OLB or ILB. Don’t be surprised if he gets reps as an edge rusher.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

6. Jabrill Cox – LSU           

Cox is a linebacker with plenty of range and mobility in coverage. He could either play SAM or WILL in a 4-3. The lack of interest in him out of high school and early in college will be quite different here at the next level. Expect plenty of interest on day two. His main area of improvement will need to be as a run defender and playing through contact in the middle of the field.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

7. Pete Werner – Ohio State

Werner did not impress me early in his college career. Even in his junior season, I thought he was simply okay but the improvement was showing. During his senior season, Werner was incredible. He was a tackling machine, matched up great against tight ends in coverage and demonstrated his athleticism. Werner is the best true SAM linebacker in this class and should see significant time early at the next level.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

8. Cameron McGrone – Michigan

McGrone should quickly become a three-down linebacker in the NFL due to his willingness to blitz and drop in coverage. He still needs more time to develop but that should not take too long. McGrone will fit best at MIKE linebacker.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

9. Chazz Surratt – North Carolina

The quarterback switched to linebacker at North Carolina and from that point on, Surratt started the journey to the NFL. He was a natural and racked up 115 tackles and was named runner-up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He brings speed in pursuit and clearly can tackle. His raw talent will likely continue to shine, yet he has plenty of room for growth. The upside is immense here at OLB.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

10. Dylan Moses – Alabama

Moses has a good eye for the ball and always seems to find his way through traffic. Despite the aggression, he is fairly patient and will wait for an opening to make his move for the tackle. Moses is a consistent linebacker, but he does not wow me with incredible athleticism. He is a fantastic football player though. He will best succeed as a 4-3 WILL or a 3-4 ILB.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

11. Jamin Davis – Kentucky

Davis has plenty of hype around him right now. Actually, too much for my liking… He is long, rangy and athletic. Davis also shows a unique ability to regularly duck under blocks due to some flexibility at the hips. Davis does not have a great sample volume and this screams possible reach for a desperate team. If he goes in the first round, the value will not match the selection. The untapped potential still is a bit intriguing a bit later.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

12. Justin Hilliard – Ohio State

Hilliard was phenomenal in high school but struggled with injuries in college. During the shortened fall season, he finally had the chance to show his ability. Despite being the LB4 on the team, he was incredible in the Big Ten Championship versus Northwestern and against Clemson. Hilliard is a heat seeking missile headed for a tackle and is excellent in coverage. His time at the Senior Bowl also elevated his stock. His downside could be injury history and lack of a featured role. At minimum, someone will get a fantastic special teamer.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

13. Monty Rice – Georgia   

Rice is an experienced player with adequate coverage skills and solid quickness. He does not have a ton of strength, but I see the making of an ideal backup ILB, ready to step in when needed.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

14. Charles Snowden – Virginia 

At 6’6” Snowden offers length at OLB. He is a gap shooter and a pass rusher. He will best fit with a 3-4 base but I’m not sure if he will fit well with most teams.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round

15. Tony Fields II – West Virginia             

Fields is small, quick and operates like a safety near the box. I see a lot of potential here in late down situations when defending the pass. I like his vision and instincts. This is a guy who just needs to be utilized properly.

Pick Range: 4^th – 6^th Round