2025 Linebackers
NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION INSIDE LINBACKERS
95-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Looking for 10/15 year career at elite level Top 5 player at position yearly. Perennial Pro Bowler. Likely Hall of Fame career. Elite at all phases, dominant against run, excells at pass coverage, and an elite pass rusher when called upon. QB of the defense, Def coordinator on the Field major asset in calling audibles and lining up defense, misses NOTHING!! High character, one of the faces of the Franchise, defensive team leader, likely team Captain no injury concerns. TOP 5/10 DRAFT PICK
90-94 Top 5/10 at the position most years, All Pro 3-5 years over career. Top 5/8 players at position yearly. Numerous Pro Bowls expected, 10+ year career at top level. Likely a few more with another team. In HOF disscussion. Must excell at all aspects of the game, run stuffing, pass coverage and pass rush and be elite at one or more, QB of defense Def Coach on the field, rarely misses the correct audible, team leader, character important no injury concerns 1st Round pick
85-89 Solid at the position 5/8 year career at top level. Player should finish in top half of players at position most years. Perhaps a Pro Bowl or two. Very good but only occasionally great. Looking for a player at least competent as a Run stuffer, Pass rusher and in pass coverage and likely excells at one, Can at least handle the defensive calls and audibles, has an understanding of where everyone needs to be, Very solid and dependable player but the team will be looking for replacement after about 5 years. 2nd round through Mid 3rd round
80-84 Flaws that can be overcome/Injury concerns 4/6 year career max at best level in most cases with some patience, good coaching, and personal work ethic. Possible specialist in run defense, pass rush or coverage. Player must at least be able to line up defense correctly and make basic audible calls. Likely a quality back up/role player for several year after that, potential to become starter for few years but the team will always be looking for a better option. Often living on the bubble year to year. Draft Mid 3rd/Mid 4th round
75-79 Player developmental possibilities, with limited skills or injury concerns. 3/5 year career, one contract with drafting team, then several years of living on the bubble. Could have great size/speeed and unrealized potential. Possibly excells at at least one aspect of the position. Could carve out a longer career as a backup or special teams ace. Another reason for this rating could be major injury concerns, other reason would lack of dominant NFL skills With intense work ethic player could evolve into solid back up/special teams/role player even start. Will play for multiple teams over career. Draft Mid 4th/5th round
70-74 Back up /specials teams. Could be receiving this rating due to injury concerns lack of fit or scheme in college career or simply lack of physical attributes. Could develop a role and possibly into more depending on patience and work ethic. Player must at least show ability to line up defense, make some basic calls. Must be a special teams ace to stick around long. Player likely will not finish rookie contract with drafting team if it's more than 2 years. Will live on the bubble. Draft 6th/7th round
65-69 Developmental Practice squad player,could develop into role player with tenacity and patience, has basic skill set needed for position, must be able to play special teams. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career.Draft late 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)
60-64 Player for Training camp or Practice Squad Likely will only be active when a team desperately needs a body could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary.Free Agents only. (UDFA)
Under 60 Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 can make more of this. Frankly, GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
EXPLANATION OF OTHER TERMS
BUST ALERT!!! A player highly ranked by many others but one I do hold in the same regard. Also, this term will be used for players who I call "ONE YEAR WONDERS" these players are either freakish athletes or players who had one season that FAR exceeded their previous production creating serious risk. This term will be reserved for 1st round projections where mistakes can cripple a franchise.
OVERRATED ALERT!!! Similar to the above but not as extreme, for after 1st/2nd rounds.. Players are not as highly rated so mistakes while still important do not carry the same weight. There are multiple reasons for this designation some but not limited to character, talent, injuries,college scheme or system.
UNDERRATED ALERT!!! Players I feel deserve a higher ranking than many/most other so called experts. These players in the future will be referred to as "STEALS" but I want it known my evaluation were on point when they were drafted.
SLEEPER ALERT!!!! A player that perhaps played in a poor scheme for his talents, suffered from poor coaching, revolving door coaching, poor supporting cast but has shown flashes that can lead him to success in the proper environment.
POSITION CHANGE ALERT!!! These are players who I feel due primarily to their skill set or more rarely at times measurables will reach their maximum level of NFL success by changing from their primary College position.
CHARACTER ALERT!!! This designation is reserved for players who have had multiple issues concerning there character. This can be legal issues, multiple transfers, poor practice habits, friction with teammates and/or Coaches, Academic issues and or any other infraction that brings into question the players decision making. Teams must weigh the risk/reward related to these players VERY CAREFULLY!!
INJURY ALERT!!!! A player with serious injury concerns, medicals vital. Possibly multiple injuries while in college or one severe injury. Also could have a long history in College and even perhaps High School "Injury Prone" is the common term. If you are missing time on the field you are costing your team $$$$
4-3 MIDDLE LINEBACKER
Traditional inside MLB's suited for a single inside set. capable to defend both run and pass efficiently. Often QB of defense so intelligence vital piece of the puzzle. This can and does trump pure physical prowless and I will rate someone with high football IQ over physical talent, a quick search of the NFL's greatest MLB's will explain my thought process.
4-3 MIDDLE LINEBACKERS RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
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3-4 INSIDE LINEBACKER
Players best suited for a set with two inside LB's, very strong as run stoppers but can be a liability against the pass. With many college teams playing 4-2-5 defenses there are more players suited for this position than the traditional MLB.
3-4 INSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS/CLASS GARDE
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
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NUMERICAL RATINGS/DRAFT VALUE EXPLANATION OUTSIDE LINBACKERS
95-100 Elite player, Yearly in All Pro debate Looking for 10/15 year career at elite level Top 5 player at position yearly. Perennial Pro Bowler. Likely Hall of Fame career. Elite at all phases, dominant against run, pass coverage and an elite pass rusher. MUST be a consistent game changer, a defensive play maker, the player the other team MUST scheme against. High character, one of the faces of the Franchise, defensive team leader, likely team Captain no injury concerns. TOP 5/10 DRAFT PICK
90-94 Top 5/10 at the position most years, All Pro 3-5 years over career. Top 5/8 players at position yearly. Numerous Pro Bowls expected, 10+ year career at top level. Likely a few more with another team. In HOF disscussion. Must excell at all aspects of the game, run stuffing ,pass coverage and pass rush and be elite at least at one, frequent game changer, must be the player the other team is aware of at all times, team leader, character important no injury concerns 1st Round pick
85-89 Solid at the position 5/8 year career at top level. The player should finish in top half of players at position most years. Perhaps a Pro Bowl or two. Very good but only occasionally great. Looking for a player dominant as a Run stuffer or in coverage or in Pass rush. Must make some big plays. Very solid and dependable player but team will be looking for replacement after about 5 years. 2nd round through Mid 3rd round
80-84 Flaws that can be overcome/Injury concerns 4/6 year career max at best level in most cases with some patience, good coaching, and personal work ethic. Possible starter for a year or two then likely a quality back up/role player for several year after that, Must occasionally make a game changing play, adequet starter for few years but the team will always be looking for a better option. Often living on the bubble year to year. Draft Mid 3rd/ Mid 4th round
75-79 Player developmental possibilities, with limited skills or injury concerns. 3/5 year career, one contract with drafting team,, then several years of living on the bubble. Could have great size/speeed and unrealized potential. Could carve out a longer career as a backup or special teams ace. Another reason for this rating could be major injury concerns, other reason would lack of dominant NFL skills With intense work ethic player could evolve into solid back up/special teams/role player even start. Will play for multiple teams over career. Draft Mid 4th/5th round
70-74 Back up /specials teams. Could be receiving this rating due to injury concerns lack of fit or scheme in college career or simply lack of physical attributes. Could develop a role and possibly into more depending on patience and work ethic. Must be a special teams ace to stick around long. Player likely will not finish rookie contract with drafting team if it's more than 2 years. Will live on the bubble. Draft 6th/Mid 7th round
65-69 Developmental Practice squad player, The player has basic skill set needed for position, could develop into role player with tenacity and patience, must be able to play special teams. Likely just on roster a year or two at best. 1 in 50 can beat the odds and have a longer career.Draft late 7th round or Priority Free Agent (PFA)
60-64 Player for Training camp or Practice Squad Likely will only be active when a team desperately needs a body, could be active for a couple games due to injuries. or special teams ability. Not long for the team. Week to Week. 1 in 100 will carve out a longer career due to incredible diligence and tenacity. Likely will sign with several teams over a few years. Teams will lead these guys on often knowing they will never play a down for them. Better not completely leave school before graduation that degree will be necessary.Free Agents only. (UDFA)
Under 60 Training camp body at best, HOPE YOU GOT YOUR DEGREE!!! THE REAL WORLD IS COMING!!!!!!!!! Players with some skills or perhaps tremendous intangables worthy of a Camp Invite, 1 in 500 can make more of this. Frankly, GM's who sign these guys for anything more than a camp body will be looking for work soon.
EXPLANATION OF OTHER TERMS
BUST ALERT!!! A player highly ranked by many others but one I do hold in the same regard. Also, this term will be used for players who I call "ONE YEAR WONDERS" these players are either freakish athletes or players who had one season that FAR exceeded their previous production creating serious risk. This term will be reserved for 1st round projections where mistakes can cripple a franchise.
OVERRATED ALERT!!! Similar to the above but not as extreme, for after 1st/2nd rounds.. Players are not as highly rated so mistakes while still important do not carry the same weight. There are multiple reasons for this designation some but not limited to character, talent, injuries,college scheme or system.
UNDERRATED ALERT!!! Players I feel deserve a higher ranking than many/most other so called experts. These players in the future will be referred to as "STEALS" but I want it known my evaluation were on point when they were drafted.
SLEEPER ALERT!!!! A player that perhaps played in a poor scheme for his talents, suffered from poor coaching, revolving door coaching, poor supporting cast but has shown flashes that can lead him to success in the proper environment.
POSITION CHANGE ALERT!!! These are players who I feel due primarily to their skill set or more rarely at times measurables will reach their maximum level of NFL success by changing from their primary College position.
CHARACTER ALERT!!! This designation is reserved for players who have had multiple issues concerning there character. This can be legal issues, multiple transfers, poor practice habits, friction with teammates and/or Coaches, Academic issues and or any other infraction that brings into question the players decision making. Teams must weigh the risk/reward related to these players VERY CAREFULLY!!
INJURY ALERT!!!! A player with serious injury concerns, medicals vital. Possibly multiple injuries while in college or one severe injury. Also could have a long history in College and even perhaps High School "Injury Prone" is the common term. If you are missing time on the field you are costing your team $$$$
4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Strong run defenders with pass coverage ability , pass rush and blitz skills a must. Was once the premier position on the Defense and key to the defensive side of the ball. There is still some of that needed and those with the highest ability in that discipline are the top players here.
4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
1.
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3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Usually larger LB's many were speed DE's in college. Must excel in pass rush and blitz situations, but often not the best run defenders. Many of these players end up as passing down specialists.
3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS/CLASS GRADE
Rank Name Sch Ht Wt Rtg Rnd Value
1.