2024 LB Rankings

1. Edgerrin Cooper Texas A&M 6’2 ⅛ 230 Jr. He ran a 4.51 40 (very good), ‘34 ½ vertical (average), 9’10 broad (below average), and measured ‘34 arms (extremely long). He redshirted in 2020, he had a solid year in 2021 (58 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT), he improved in 2022 (61 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 FF, 1 INT, 5 PBUs), and then his best year in 2023 (84 tackles, 17 TFL, 8 sacks, 2 FF, 2 PBUs). Cooper is a big framed, long armed linebacker with good athleticism who is a big hitter that showcases elite versatility. He’s the rare linebacker that can play any spot in any scheme and be good. My preference would be 3-4 ILB where he’s an occasional rusher, as he shows a real knack for blitzing, but 4-3 MLB, SLB, or even WLB would work and he’s such a good rusher that 3-4 OLB wouldn’t be terrible.4-3 SLB, again as an occasional rusher, would be my second choice, but he has elite versatility and is one of the safest players in this draft. When grading prospects I view tools, production, film, and measurables and Cooper passes all tests with flying colors. His arms just dangle off his body (‘34 arms, tools) and is why 3-4 ILB would be so intriguing as he’s very good at stacking and shedding and battling OL, which is usually a huge weakness for linebackers. He’d be an ideal pairing with a smaller linebacker with elite athleticism as Cooper would battle the POA and allow the other linebacker to run around blocks. Put on the film and Cooper is always working downhill, weaving through OL traffic, to make a play. His 17 TFL is an elite number (production) and speaks to his ability to shoot gaps and be an impact run stopper. It’s a little disappointing that he never had a +100 tackle season but it’s because he was used so often as a penetrator that he wasn’t able to gather up as many easy tackles downfield. He’s a big time hitter, one of the best in this class (film), and is an intimidating presence. He was the leader of their defense and when you’re a badass like him that comes naturally so I expect him to be a locker room leader in the NFL as well. There’s a tackle vs. South Carolina where the play was set up perfectly on a screen and it was 4 vs. 1 as the WR, LG, and LT all tried to block Cooper and keep him away from the RB yet he pushed through the WR and duked between the two OL for a short gain. It probably saved 20 yards and is the kind of play you look for when considering a linebacker in the first round (film). His frame is so big and he’s naturally strong that he just looks bigger than 230 lbs. There’s one other guy that came out a long time ago which I couldn’t believe was “only” 241 lbs as he was so menacing looking and is my comp for Cooper. That player is future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner as he was this dominant run stopper at the Senior Bowl who beat up OL in the box and then would race around the field and show great speed on sideline runs or in pass coverage. Cooper is the same way as he’s is incredible in the box on inside runs and then showcases his 4.51 40 speed (measurables) on outside runs or in pass coverage. His only complaints are that he never had a 100 tackle season (more annoying to me than most as it’s a metric I seek), he isn’t a ballhawk in the passing game (most likebackers aren’t), and his instincts are good but not elite (it’s why he could play MLB in a 4-3 but it isn’t a perfect fit for his skillset). Overall though I see clear cut 1st round linebacker with Cooper and am surprised there are so many 2nd round grades on him. I think everyone likes Cooper but they should be loving him as this is the best linebacker I’ve graded since Devin Lloyd and is a far superior prospect than recent 1st round picks Quay Walker, Jamin Davis, Kenneth Murray, Jordyn Brooks, etc. Linebacker is an odd position as it is worth its weight in gold for an elite linebacker but at the same time it’s a devalued position due to most teams running so much nickel and dime packages which limits a team to only playing 1-2 linebackers in those formations. Cooper is an elite linebacker and deserves a high grade as there are few prospects as safe and clean in all areas as he is. He is 2 years younger than Wilson (22 vs. 24), is much better at the POA, is a much better rusher, is more versatile, has a better frame that makes me think he’ll stand up to the punishment better than Wilson, is the bigger hitter, and has superior tools. Wilson has better tackling stats and instincts and would maybe make sense as LB1 for a 4-3 team seeking a MLB as it’s a better fit but Cooper is the more complete player and is why he’s my LB1 in a very close call. Mid 1st as my #1 LB 4/21/24.
2. Payton Wilson NC State 6’3 ⅞ 233 Sr. He ran 4.43 40 (elite), ‘34 ½ vertical (average), 9’11 broad (below average), and measured ‘30 ½ arms (extremely short). He’s a 5th year senior so he’s an older prospect (24 years old). He was a good player immediately in 2019 (69 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PBUs), he had a great year in 2020 (108 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 PBU), he only played in 2 games in 2021 due to injury (5 tackles), had another great year in 2022 (82 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks,1 INT, 3 PBUs), and then he had his best year in 2023 (138 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 FF, 3 INTs, 6 PBUs). He’s a complete linebacker as he had 7 career INTs, 10.5 sacks the past two seasons, and two seasons of +100 tackles. It’s funny that they share the same last name as immediately the person I thought of when I started watching Payton’s film was Logan Wilson. He was a favorite of mine coming out of Wyoming that year and I gave him a mid 1st grade despite him having no 1st round buzz on him. He’s now a Pro Bowl linebacker and is a great mix of elite tackling numbers and high INT totals as he has great instincts in the passing game. Payton is the same mix and, while Logan is my comp, Sean Lee is another type of linebacker in this mold with great instincts that result in high tackle and INT totals. This is the kind of MLB you want in a 4-3 system in today’s passing centric NFL as he’s very good against the run while being a playmaker instead of a liability against the pass. He has a great frame and elite speed for a linebacker (4.43 40) which is obvious on film but he’s a little undersized and has a rail thin lower body which is somewhat concerning. I think he prioritizes speed over bulk but with his elite speed I’d have him add 5-10 lbs as he’d ideally be 6’3 240 with 4.50 speed and that would be a more complete linebacker in my opinion. Sean Lee played in the 240s as well and Logan Wilson was 6’2 241 coming out of Wyoming so it’s a better fit for a 4-3 scheme. That also leads us straight into his biggest weakness which is stacking and shedding in confined spaces in the box. He’s a better linebacker than Edgerrin Cooper in space, by a little, but Cooper is much better in the box battling OL and Wilson will need to be protected a bit so he can run free. Wilson has superior instincts though and the way he effortlessly glides to the ball carrier on outside runs is special. I’m curious why Wilson didn’t leave for the NFL last year as he’s now a 24 year old prospect and plays a position that sometimes has a shorter shelf life due to the amount of punishment they take (Luke Kuechly, Ryan Shazier, Leighton Vander Esch, Patrick Willis all were first rounders that retired early due to injuries). At his best, Payton looks like LB1 in this class but he’s my LB2 in this class, barely, for two reasons. One, his advanced age is worrisome and it wouldn’t shock me if he only played 6-8 years. Two, he has some bad tape at times in the box and he’s absolutely dynamic in the open field with his elite speed and instincts but on a simple power draw play he isn’t very good. Cooper has no areas of his game where he is a liability and he’s an impact player in all facets and fits all schemes. With Payton, he’ll need a big, strong SLB next to him (like Cooper ironically enough) or a huge DT in front of him so that he can be free and fly around the field making plays. Both project as very good linebackers who should be perennial Pro Bowlers and both are special linebacker prospects. If I was a 4-3 team seeking a MLB, I’d take Wilson despite his age and mediocre film in the box, but if I was any other team I’d take Cooper as he’s younger, more versatile, and his combination of traits are more rare in my opinion. Both will be outstanding defenders and I think both are being slept on a bit as these guys are deserving of Top 20 picks but either might slide to the 2nd round. Mid 1st as my #2 LB 4/21/24.
3. Cedric Gray North Carolina 6’1 ½ 234 Sr. He ran a 4.64 40 (bad), ‘35 ½ vertical (good), 10’0 broad (good), and measured ‘32 ½ arms (good length). He barely played in 2020 (3 tackles), had a great year in 2021 (100 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 INTs, 3 PBUs), he had an even better year in 2022 (146 tackles, 12 TFL, 1 sack, 3 FF, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs), and then another great year in 2023 (121 tackles, 11 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 4 PBUs). He’s the most prolific linebacker in this class with 3 straight 100 tackle seasons. He also was a playmaker outside of tackles with 6 FF and 5 INTs. On film Gray is a smaller, thick 4-3 MLB who projects in that role in the pros. He has a RB like build but lacks good speed so he’ll need to be schemed around a bit but most teams would be willing to do that as he has good instincts, is a sure tackler, and he he’s a physical player which is why he had so many forced fumbles in his career. His lack of speed will limit him but he might not be a two down linebacker as he has good hands and good instincts and shows some ball skills. If given the ability to roam, don’t give him man responsibilities, I think he’d have a few INTs a year as he’s good at reading a QB’s eyes and breaking on the ball. Worst case scenario is he’s a two down linebacker with high tackle totals but in the right scheme he’d be a three down linebacker. His film is outstanding but the tools aren’t great and putting Gray on right after Payton Wilson really accentuates how slow he is. Wilson just floats to the ball on outside runs and is there at the pitch while Gray has to see the play immediately and break on it or he’ll be late. I’m not that worried about his mediocre speed though as his instincts are great and he’s very physical. I usually say “heavy handed” in regards to OL and DL but Gray is very heavy handed and you can see that as he often does a standard tackle and the RB fumbles the ball. He is a powerful man and it’s seen on his 6 FFs and how sure handed he is on tackles as he’ll grab a player while outstretched and you’d expect a broken tackle there but it usually doesn’t happen with Gray due to his elite grip strength. You also see it when he’s blitzing as his 5 sacks last year isn’t a surprise. A team could make him a 3 down linebacker by blitzing him regularly on passing downs and it’d be a reasonable strategy. What he is great at, heavy hands, though doesn’t make up for his lack of speed so it’s not a perfect scenario as you’re exchanging speed for power which isn’t really the exchange you usually want for a blitzer who often rushes free and unaccounted for (prefer speed to power in that scenario). Overall I’m a big fan of Gray as he was a great college player who lacks the tools to be a great NFL player but he still projects as an above average starting MLB who will be a high tackle total player and his rare physicality should continue to allow him to rack up an abnormally high number of forced fumbles. Mid 2nd round as my #3 LB 4/21/24. 
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Clemson 6’0 228 Jr. He didn’t run but had a 4.40 shuttle (bad for his size) and measured ‘31 ½ arms (short). He was a bit player in 2021 (15 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack), he had a great year in 2022 (89 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 INTs, 5 PBUs), and then another great season in 2023 (88 tackles, 15 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 INTs-1 pick six, 5 PBUs). Trotter is a shorter linebacker with good thickness who has a 4-3 WLB body but plays more like a 4-3 MLB. He and Gray are similar in that they were two of the most productive linebackers in college football the past few years but lack elite tools to continue that dominance in the NFL. Gray was the superior run stopper but Trotter is the superior pass rusher and he has great film as a blitzer. He times his blitzes extremely well, waiting a half second to confuse OL, and he bends very well so he has some film showing him slipping a block and getting a sack solely on his own efforts. He’s a more well rounded player than Gray and his 28.5 TFL, 12 sacks, and 4 INTs are all outstanding numbers. Despite his smaller frame, 3-4 ILB might be his best fit due to his outstanding rushing skills and I’d be interested to see his sack numbers as his film is outstanding but his height, speed, and arm length all worry me that it won’t fully translate. He will not be an easy block for a RB so if a team can blitz him and get him that matchup then I think he’ll regularly win. I understand his 6’0 228 frame is worrisome but his film is not of a 4-3 WLB and I’m going to give him a high grade despite his smaller frame that will likely downgrade him on draft day. He had elite production, he’s physical, he has great instincts, and he has versatility as both a rusher and in pass coverage. His hands are incredible for a linebacker and he has one INT where he read the QB’s eyes for a slant and made a leaping, extended hands INT that most cornerbacks wouldn’t catch. Sign me up for a physical, instinctive linebacker who shows flashes of dominance both as a rusher and in coverage as he’ll be easy to scheme around. He doesn’t have great speed but if you can drop a LB in coverage or rush him I don’t see how he’s not versatile. If he was 10 lbs heavier and ran a 4.55 he’d be a first rounder as his film is outstanding. Yet his tools are mediocre and it wouldn’t be shocking if they held him back, especially as a rusher as 6’0 228 with ‘31 arms and mediocre speed (I see 4.65-4.70 on film) is a pretty poor set of tools for a pass rusher. In the end, I recognize the mediocre tools but won’t ignore his elite film and elite production. Late 2nd as my #4 LB 4/21/24.
5. JD Bertrand Notre Dame 6’0 ⅞ 235 He didn’t work out at the Combine. He barely played in 2020 (7 tackles), had a great year in 2021 (101 tackles, 7 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF), had a similar year in 2022 (82 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks), and another similar year in 2023 (76 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF). He never again had +100 tackles as his tackle totals declined two straight years but he was consistent with 7.5-8.5 TFL and 1.5-2.5 sacks each year. On film he’s a shorter guy with good instincts and tackling ability but poor speed. He was a captain at Notre Dame and is widely regarded as a squeaky clean kid who focuses 100% on his craft. He’s very good at reading a play and shooting a gap to get a TFL or short gain. He isn’t a big hitter and doesn’t stack and shed well so he’ll need to be protected a bit in the run game from battling OL. He does a good job at slipping an OL for a tackle but going around blocks is something certain schemes don’t want so he’s a scheme fit and probably needs to be in a 4-3. He could play MLB or WLB in a 4-3 and in either spot he’d pair best with a superior athlete or bigger player that can battle OL. He isn’t fast but he has good agility and he flows extremely well laterally. Pete Werner is my comp as that undersized LB who gets the most out of his talent but has a low ceiling. Bertrand’s tape is very good but he’ll need to be a team’s #2 or #3 LB as he isn’t a great athlete and isn’t a big, physical guy. Paired with those types, he’ll be free to be a tackling machine and use his great instincts but in the wrong setting he’ll look like an undersized, slow LB who gets engulfed at the POA and can’t get to the sideline fast enough against speedsters like Achane. Despite his flaws and lower ceiling, he’s a smart football player, a sure tackler, had 3 straight years of very good competition against top talent, and projects as a starter. He’s also going to be the consummate pro who is always trying to improve himself. Mid 3rd round as my #5 LB 4/18/24.
6. Junior Colson Michigan 6’2 ¼ 238 Sr. He didn’t work out at the Combine but measured ‘32 ½ arms (below average). He was a quality player as a true freshman in 2021 (61 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks), improved in all areas in 2022 (101 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks), and he had a similar year in 2023 (95 tackles, 2 TFL). His numbers of 196 tackles but only 8 TFL and 2 sacks (0 INT, 0 FF) his last two years speaks to him being a tackle machine but little else. On film Colson is built like a tall, thick RB and has a great frame. He has the frame to be a 3-4 ILB but I see 4-3 MLB as his best fit. He works best in the box as he is a very solid run stopper and shows great physicality in that area. I don’t like how he rarely stacks and sheds but he does battle OL and is solid at getting through the wash. Unfortunately that’s about all I like in his game as he has below average speed in getting to the sideline, he doesn’t have much film of him being a big hitter, he doesn’t shoot gaps (possibly the scheme) for TFL, he doesn’t show much as a blitzer, and he’s average in coverage. My comp for him is less athletic Rashaan Evans who went in the 1st round years ago as a RB like MLB with no elite traits but with good physicality. Evans was overdrafted as he lacked the instincts to be a high end tackler or the athleticism or ball skills to be a rangy or impactful cover guy. Colson feels the same as I love his physicality and frame but his film isn’t special and it feels like he was helped out tremendously by his elite DL the past few years (Hutchinson, Ojabo, Jenkins, Mazi, etc.). I’ve heard whispers that Colson is LB1 on some boards and I just don’t see it. There is nothing he does at an elite level and there are many things he does poorly. To me this is Nakobe Dean 2.0 where I see a few solid traits in a LB with a lot of holes in their game and give them a 3rd round grade, the media says he’s clearly a 1st rounder, and then on draft day he goes in the 3rd and is a mediocre backup. Colson is also a good tackler on a championship team led by their defense but that doesn’t mean he’s a future All-Pro. He projects as an average 4-3 MLB or 3-4 ILB and I think 3-4 ILB with more bulk might be a better fit after seeing his struggles working sideline to sideline. He has a good frame, he’s physical, and he makes a lot of tackles but don’t expect anything more than that or you’ll be disappointed. He lacks range, shows no ability to read a play and shoot a gap, and doesn’t look great in coverage. Late 3rd round as my #6 LB who I see as being extremely overrated 4/18/24.
7. Tommy Eichenberg Ohio State 6’2 233 Sr. He didn’t run the 40 but had a ‘32 ½ vertical (bad), 4.24 shuttle (good), and measured ‘31 ⅝ arms (short arms). He barely played in 2020 (2 tackles), had a good year in 2021 (64 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBUs), had a great year in 2022 (120 tackles, 12 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBUs), and had a good year but down from 2022 in his final year in 2023 (82 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF). Tommy is one of the easier evaluations in this entire draft class as I’ve seen his type many times before. He’s a poor athlete who has very good instincts and is a sure tackler so he’ll give you a bunch of tackles and be a very good run stopper in the box but will provide little else. His lack of speed can be see on outside runs but he’ll usually be able to overcome it due to his good instincts. In the passing game though he’ll struggle and he cannot match up in man coverage and won’t be anything special in zone. His two career INTs is not surprising and he’ll likely be a two down linebacker subbed out for a nickel safety on passing downs. He’s also not much of a rusher and isn’t a big time hitter. Those are a lot of negatives but if you just have him as your 4-3 MLB he’ll probably give you 100 tackles a year and be a very sure tackler and consistent in run support. He’ll need to be schemed around a bit, make him a small zone cover guy don’t give him a RB man or TE man cover assignment, and mix him with better athletes and bigger linebackers who can battle OL. I actually like these types as they regularly drop on draft day and are usually solid, one dimensional starters. You can’t have two of them on the field at the same time but pair Tommy with an athletic WLB and stack and shed, powerful SLB and you’ll have a good linebacking corp with Tommy going out on passing downs. Considering he won’t be going till late Day 2 and Day 3 is likely, it’s good value and is how a team can moneyball the linebacker position. In today’s NFL you want versatile, 3 down linebackers but on a budget you can afford to have one of these types on the field and easily scheme/substitute around their deficiencies. On film he sometimes gets engulfed at the POA but he does a decent job getting off blocks and stacking and shedding, really good when taking into account his 233 lb frame and short arms. He works best without dealing with OL so 4-3 scheme is better for him than 3-4. He isn’t fast but he has good agility so a RB out in the flat he’ll easily cover but he’d be susceptible to a flywheel route. His film was solid but nothing special but his style of play is easy to scheme around. He projects as an average, one dimensional starter who could sneakily get a few +100 tackle seasons despite his obvious flaws. Late 3rd round as my #7 LB 4/21/24.
8. James Williams Miami 6’4 ¼ 231 Jr. He ran a 4.65 40 (bad for a S, below average for a LB), ‘30 vertical (bad for both), 9’9 broad (average for a LB, bad for a S), and measured ‘33 ⅝ arms. He played safety at Miami and was a bit player in 2021 (31 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 INT), he had a good year in 2022 (59 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 INT), and had his best year in 2023 (73 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 INT). He’s a gigantic SS who projects better as a LB. He lacks the agility and quickness to be a safety in the NFL but as a linebacker he’s intriguing. He’ll need to add weight as he’s not even a very good athlete for a LB so he’ll need to be in the 240s and play either 4-3 SLB or 3-4 ILB but he has obvious ball skills (4 INTs in 3 years) and is a big hitter. I see future cover linebacker and backup 4-3 SLB with him. He’d work really well as a 3rd nickel safety or cover linebacker in a zone scheme as his best film as when he sees a completion in front of him and can race downhill. He has some film in man coverage but I don’t think a team will utilize him in that way. Seek and destroy nickel safety/LB makes the most sense and depending on which the team prefers will depend on whether he’s in the 230s or 240s. He reminds me of Divine Deablo who has made a successful transition from SS to LB for the Raiders and is a solid starter. He’s also a good blitzer and that could add appeal for him depending on the team. He’d be a fun blitz/drop LB in a zone blitz scheme and he’s so physical he can somewhat hold up against the run. He’s not great at stacking and shedding or getting off blocks but he’s very good at trailing a play or racing downhill for a tackle. He’s a project but sign me up for this project in the middle rounds as he’s a big hitter, is a natural playmaker (had 3 FFs and 4 INTs the past three years), and his rangy frame is very intriguing to me. Also he had a poor Combine, he looks more athletic on film than his measurables, so a smart team could get a quality project for a cheap prize as he likely will be dropping. Early 4th round as my #8 LB 4/18/24.
9. Marist Liufau Notre Dame 6’2 ⅛ 234 Sr. He ran a 4.64 40 (bad) and measured ‘34 ¼ arms (elite arm length). He barely played in 2020 (22 tackles, 1.5 TFL), didn’t play in 2021, had a good year in 2022 (51 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT), and then his best year in 2023 (44 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF). He’s a taller, thinner linebacker with great arm length and range which makes me think SLB in a 4-3 or 3-4 ILB. In both spots he should add weight as he’s a little light for those spots. He ran a poor 40 (4.64) but he moves well on film and is faster than that. I love his range and versatility as he shows some potential as a pass rusher and with those long arms I’d like to see him rushed in the NFL despite only 3.5 sacks his past two years. While I love his versatility I do not like his tackling skills as he missed a number of tackles on the film I watched. It’s not surprising that JD his teammate had 80-100% more tackles in 2022-2023 as he sometimes takes poor angles and misses a number of tackles. He’s at his best in spread situations as he gets a deep drop in the passing game and he’s fast to the sideline. In the box he’s underwhelming and has solid strength but nothing special. Overall I liked Marist’ tools more than his film. He didn’t have a lot of pass rush reps but potentially could be solid in that area with his long arms, he doesn’t show great stack and shed skills despite his long arms, and he missed a number of tackles or took poor angles. He’s a raw kid that needs development but I love his frame, length, and agility in the open field so to me he’s a Day 3 project that maybe can be developed into a 4-3 SLB or 3-4 ILB down the road. Late 4th round as my #9 LB 4/18/24.
10. Michael Barrett Michigan 5’11 ⅜ 233 Sr. He didn’t work out at the Combine. He didn’t work out at the Combine but measured ‘32 ⅛ arms (good length, especially for his height). He barely played in 2019 (5 tackles), was a solid player in 2020 (44 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF), barely played again in 2021 (20 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack), he had a good year in 2022 (72 tackles, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 PBU), and then his best year in 2023 (65 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 FFs, 2 PBUs). He’s a short, very thick linebacker with decent athleticism. He kind of has a RB build so it’s no surprise that he was a core special teamer and even had some kick returns (as the up man) and a blocked punt rush, etc. as they utilized his solid athleticism. He’s a small guy but he’s very strong and physical. He has a 4-3 WLB frame but more of a 4-3 SLB game and it’s disappointing he’s not a bigger dude. He has some nice film as a pass rusher/blitzer but at 5’11 I don’t see him getting many opportunities in that area in the pros. He’s kind of a tweener but 4-3 MLB is probably his best fit. He works best in the box and is good at battling OL so as a WLB or MLB he’d be good if the scheme called for working around and through OL. Most 4-3 schemes keep their WLB clean so the star athlete can roam and that wouldn’t be a good fit so he’s probably a 4-3 MLB on most boards. I like his film and how physical he is but he isn’t an elite athlete or super productive so I see high end backup as the most likely scenario. Possibly that changes due to how physical he is and he is able to be an average starting MLB but I think that’s his ceiling and good backup, star special teamer seems most likely. He’s another overrated Michigan prospect but I do like him, just think he’s going to be overdrafted and #4 LB is the likely outcome for him. Late 4th round as my #10 LB 4/21/24.
11. Ty’Ron Hopper Missouri 6’1 ¾ 231 Sr. He didn’t work out at the Combine. He began at Florida and barely played in 2019 (2 tackles), he was a bit player in 2020 (14 tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks), had a solid year in 2021 (62 tackles, 8 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF), transferred to Missouri in 2022 with his best year (78 tackles, 14 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT), and then a down year in 2023 (55 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 sacks). Hopper is a smaller linebacker with good speed and physicality for his size. He is somewhat tightly built and doesn’t bend extremely well so despite his smaller size I don’t see him being a great cover linebacker. He showed decent skills as a rusher but he’d just be a blitz type used occasionally as he doesn’t have the length or strength to battle through an OL if picked up. His instincts are average as he often times takes a little longer than you’d prefer before attacking downhill and is in “no man’s land” too often. He was the last LB I added to my list and it’s not surprising as he lacks any elite traits and projects as a below average starter or solid backup. He fits best in a 4-3 as a WLB but he won’t be a prolific tackler or an elite coverage guy, both of which are the primary targets for teams seeking a WLB. He was only 3rd in tackles last year on the team and 2nd in 2022 so his stats are above average but not great. I like his physicality and speed combo so I think he’ll make it in the NFL but his lack of size worries me. If he only can play 4-3 WLB it’ll really hurt his value but I see enough tape of him getting through traffic and being physical at the POA that 4-3 SLB would make some sense. Most likely he’ll be a team’s 4th LB and backup all three spots which would work. I like his film and he flashes at times but he’s a low upside prospect that will be a tweener starter/backup his whole career. Late 4th round as my #11 LB 4/18/24.
12. Grayson Murphy UCLA 6’2 ⅜ 247 Sr. He wasn’t invited to the Combine. He began his career at North Texas where he was okay in 2020 (19 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 sacks), had a greatyear in 2021 (38 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF), and then transferred to UCLA in 2022 where he was solid (26 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks), and then improved in 2023 (32 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 FF). He’s the twin brother of Gabriel and was the lesser of the two. He and his brother are narrower EDGE rushers with terrible length so I want to make both of them LBs but he’s definitely going to be a switch as he’s the less prolific of the two as a pass rusher. I like his frame at 6’2 250 and he’s a very physical kid so 3-4 ILB seems like a natural fit. A team using their ILB occasionally as a blitzer would be ideal as he has some solid film as a rusher and he’d be good at it in a secondary role. He’s also pretty agile and moves well in space. UCLA occasionally dropped him into coverage and he performed well in the role. At his pro day he ran a 4.66 40 with a ‘37 vertical and 10’5 broad jump all of which are good to great for an off ball linebacker so he has NFL athleticism. Position change guys are hard to scout but I like the film of both of the Murphy brothers and think they’ll find a niche somewhere. Grayson is clearly not a pass rusher, his brother is worth trying initially as an EDGE, but as a 3-4 ILB I see him as a stud athlete worth the time to develop as a project. Mid 5th as my #12 LB 4/13/24.
13. Jalyx Hunt Houston Christian 6’3 ¾ 252 Sr. He ran a 4.64 40 (elite), ‘37 ½ vertical (elite), 10’8 broad (elite), and ‘34 ⅜ arms (very long). He aced the Combine which is interesting as he barely made my scout list. He’s a long, very lanky kid who looked like he was 230 lbs on the film I saw. I’m unsure if he bulked up for the Combine or just looks skinny at 250 but he had a frame that could easily add 20 lbs. He’ll either be a 3-4 OLB or LB as he is far too skinny to be a 4-3 DE but for a 3-4 team that drops into coverage he’d be an intriguing developmental guy. Houston Christian played him off ball and I didn’t see a ton of rushes but when I did they were very mediocre. He’s an extremely raw player and, despite the elite Combine, I suspect this kid will be a bust unless a team drafts him with a very specific and limited role. He was consistently late in diagnosing plays so I question whether ILB is a good fit for him and his rush reps looked like a linebacker blitzing not a regular rusher. I moved him to LB as I think his best fit would be as a 4-3 SLB who can drop into coverage or be a blitzer as I don’t want him diagnosing run keys in run support and I don’t see him being effective as a 3-4 OLB. Overall Hunt is an elite athlete but a terrible football player. His Combine was special so maybe in a very limited role he would be effective but I suspect he’ll just be a tease and an eventual bust. Late 5th round as my #13 LB 4/13/24.