Cole’s Corner: 2022 Linebacker Prospect Rankings

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20. David Anenih – Houston

Anenih is a long-armed linebacker with plenty of bend when rushing around the edge. He is strong at reading gaps and shooting through them quickly. He will be best suited to be a designated pass rusher but he still needs to develop some counter moves in order to be productive at the next level. His run defending will also need to take major strides in order for him to play on early downs. If he is drafted by a team that runs a 3-4 base defense, then he might get more playing time early at outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Leonard Floyd

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Denver, Baltimore (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)

19. Terrel Bernard – Baylor     

Bernard is an undersized linebacker who moves from sideline to sideline like a safety. He is a solid tackler in space and strong in coverage. Bernard is a bit limited against the run and has a tendency to miss tackles in a crowd. When a blocker gets their hands on him, Bernard struggles detaching due to the lack of size. Bernard fits best as a late down 4-3 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Tony Fields

Projection: 4^th – 5^th Round

Best Fits: New Orleans, New York Giants, Las Vegas (Wild Card – Jacksonville)

18. Micah McFadden – Indiana

McFadden could be the late round steal out of this linebacker group. He is very athletic and possesses some nice speed and quickness in pursuit. He can get from sideline to sideline with ease and finishes the play off as a strong tackler. He shoots gaps well but at times gets too aggressive and will miss the tackle. McFadden is a crucial asset on passing downs because he thrives on the blitz. He does not have a ton of length or power to help with shedding blocks. McFadden translates as a true MIKE linebacker.

Player Comparison: Darius Leonard

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: Miami, Cleveland, Detroit (Wild Card – Houston)

17. Nate Landman – Colorado

Landman was a tackling machine in college and it is safe to assume that will continue. He is physical downhill against the run, he displays the necessary toughness to thrive in the NFL and he takes some smart angles in pursuit. Landman is a bit stiff when he runs which makes changing directions a bit difficult. He is average in pass coverage. The biggest concern with Landman is his past Achilles tear. Landman is a middle linebacker that may even lead his team in tackles early on in his career.

Player Comparison: Chris Borland

Projection: 4^th – 6^th Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Dallas, Minnesota (Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers)

16. Troy Anderson – Montana State

Anderson would be best defined as a football player. In college he played quarterback, running back and linebacker. It’s rare to see a player on both sides of the football in college. As a linebacker, Anderson is a playmaker and an intelligent player. He is equipped with speed, strength and size. Due to his newness to the position, he is at times late to read a play. Early on Anderson could be an excellent special teamer or serve as a plug and play linebacker.

Player Comparison: Taysom Hill

Projection: 4^th – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Detroit, Washington, Jacksonville (Wild Card – Tennessee) 

15. Jack Sanborn – Wisconsin

Sanborn is a consistent and reliable middle linebacker. He makes a lot of tackles and displays excellent awareness against the run and the pass. Sanborn does really well when attacking downhill. He can definitely improve in coverage. Sanborn could fit in a 4-3 but would likely best suited for a 3-4 middle linebacker spot.

Player Comparison: Joe Schobert

Projection: 3^rd – 5^th Round

Best Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia, Las Vegas (Wild Card – Carolina)

14. D’Marco Jackson – Appalachian State

Jackson comes to the NFL with plenty of game experience throughout his time in college. He is a quick decision maker with downhill run stopping ability. As a shorter linebacker, Jackson is able to duck under blocks. He does have some athletic limitations which takes away versatility. He is a true middle linebacker with starter potential.

Player Comparison: D’Qwell Jackson

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Carolina, Minnesota (Wild Card – Denver)

13. Jesse Luketa – Penn State

Luketa is a big linebacker with a high motor. He finishes tackles with power and displays heavy hands when fending off blockers. His strength is as a pass rusher and he will likely translate best in the NFL to a 4-3 hybrid linebacker/defensive end or even a 3-4 outside linebacker. In order to make a significant impact, Luketa will need to develop his pass rush moves. He may be a project for a bit but has the tools necessary to be worth the investment.

Player Comparison: Uchenna Nwosu

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Dallas, Detroit (Wild Card – Cleveland)

12. Brandon Smith – Penn State

Smith is a long linebacker and his long strides help him cover ground quickly. When blitzing up the middle or off the edge, he is at the quarterback in two or three steps. Due to his length and agility, he covers tight ends and running backs with ease. Smith is still a work in progress against the run because he struggles with shedding blocks. He does best when tackling in open space rather than in a crowd. It will likely benefit Smith the most to be a 4-3 SAM or a nickel LB in the NFL.

Player Comparison: Cam Brown

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: New Orleans, Washington, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Miami) 

11. Leo Chenal – Wisconsin

Chenal is an enforcer at linebacker and could best be compared to a sledgehammer. He is pure power and possesses incredible straight-line power and decent speed. He is fearless in traffic against the run and as a blitzer. Chenal should be an immediate starting middle linebacker in a blitz heavy scheme. His struggles come in coverage, so it is best to limit him being stranded 1v1. Chenal has a very high ceiling.

Player Comparison: Brian Urlacher

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Tennessee, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville (Wild Card – Chicago) 

10. Darrian Beavers – Cincinnati

Beavers operates as a big, physical edge rusher. He has excellent instincts tracking the ball and is not afraid to take on blockers. Beavers might actually be best as a run defender but can still generate some pressure rushing the passer off the edge. The weakness in his game is when he needs to drop in coverage. In order to play and make an impact, Beavers needs to serve as a 3-4 outside linebacker with rare occasions of dropping in coverage.

Player Comparison: Jamie Collins Sr.

Projection: 3^rd – 4^th Round

Best Fits: Arizona, Baltimore, New England (Wild Card – Denver)

9. Brian Asamoah – Oklahoma

Asamoah is an undersized linebacker in this class yet happens to be a strong run stopper. He is a physical tackler and maneuvers well through traffic. He is athletic enough to range from sideline to sideline with ease and can hold up in coverage. Asamoah is disciplined as a tackler, but I would like to see him not get drawn out of position quite as easily due to overvaluing his athletic ability. He will either fit best as a 4-3 outside linebacker or as a 3-4 inside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Devin Bush

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: New York Giants, Las Vegas, Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card – Houston) 

8. Channing Tindall – Georgia

Tindall is a dangerous linebacker on the blitz and downhill against the run. He is a physical and sturdy linebacker who also has enough speed in pursuit to make lots of tackles. Tindall was built to play linebacker. He does lack length and can occasionally get caught with his eyes in the backfield in coverage and lose his man. He will be best suited as a WILL in a 4-3 base defense.

Player Comparison: Myles Jack

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Tennessee, Detroit, Las Vegas (Wild Card – Carolina)

7. JoJo Domann – Nebraska

Domann is an electric playmaker at linebacker. He is the total package because he can play against the run but excels when outside of the tackle box against spread offenses. Domann is fluid in his movements and quick like a safety. He has burst as a pass rusher and seems to outsmart his opponents. Run blockers will take him out of the play if they get to him at the second level. Domann would be a great nickel linebacker yet has versatility to play some other spots.

Player Comparison: Pete Werner/Drue Tranquill

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Tennessee, Cincinnati, Minnesota (Wild Card – Kansas City)

6. Damone Clark – LSU   

Clark is an excellent linebacker in pursuit of ball carriers. He is very athletic and operates as a tackling machine. His motor is always running hot. Clark is always fairly strong in coverage because he can turn quickly. His biggest weakness as a vertical runner is that his chest is exposed to blockers, allowing them to get into his pads and control him. Running backs can also drop their shoulders and get leverage when colliding with Clark in the hole. Clark probably can’t change the way he runs but he could work on dropping levels a bit better. He will either be a 4-3 WILL or a 3-4 inside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Malik Harrison

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Green Bay, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago (Wild Card – Denver)

5. Quay Walker – Georgia

Walker is a long, lean linebacker who can best be referred to as rangy. He is extremely athletic and versatile which allows him to be a do-it-all linebacker. Walker is a reliable tackler and can apply pressure in the backfield. He is a high rusher with not the best bend around the edge. Walker does not have the best instincts of the group, but the athleticism and quick twitch makes up for it. He will best succeed as a 4-3 outside linebacker.

Player Comparison: Isaiah Simmons

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: Minnesota, Carolina, Detroit (Wild Card – Miami) 

4. Christian Harris – Alabama 

Harris is another extremely athletic linebacker and can easily cover linebackers and tight ends. He has adequate strength, but best excels as a tackler in space. His ability is top tier, although the execution of tackling can sometimes be lacking due to leaving his feet early with the head down. He has excellent burst and explosion when reacting to the offense. If he can sure up some of the inconsistencies, then he could be a big-time player in the NFL. Harris would actually fit best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4.

Player Comparison: Patrick Queen

Projection: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

Best Fits: New England, Denver, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – New York Jets)

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