PRESEASON '25 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS, LINEBACKERS

 These rankings are for my preseason top NFL Draftable players. Off course these ratings are subject to change by year end but it will be fun to see what the season  shows us. As in my Draft analysis, I use  my own eyes and metrics to rate players.  I also break down some positions differently than most. I find this very important and  the root cause of so many mistakes in the draft process. Even with all the advancements today many, many NFL executives and Draft analysts are still operating in caveman modes of years gone by, and failing!! New for this season I've added a Comments section just for some added context clarifying my opinion on players. 

4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS 

          CLASS GRADE  D

Perkin is a 1st rounder for sure. After that  well it's up in the air, several player have day two potential but they need a big season. I see a group that will need special teams ability to help themget drafted and make a NFL team.

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments       

1.Harold Perkins           LSU     6-0    220    Clear 1st round talent, cover the entire field with ease.

2.Danny Stutzman       Okl      6-3    241    Tackle machine who can get into the backfield, limited athlete

3.Colin Oliver               OklSt    6-2    235    Great size/speed combo, 22.5 sacks last 3 seasons.

4.Barrett Carter            Clem   6-0    230    Very quick to the ball, nice coverage skillset.

5.Mohamad Toure         Rut     6-2    240   Excellent size, strength and coaching, finds the ball.

6.Jacob Manu                   Az     5-11   225   Undersized, gets great penatration

7.Namdi Obiazor           TCU    6-3    225   He really stepped up last season, that same improvement and he'll move up this list.

8.Eugene Asante           Aub     6-1    217   Undersized player who can be a ST demon.

9.Lander Barton           Utah    6-3   236    Great size/strength/ speed numbers. He needs to use those skills better.

10.Keli Lawson             VaTch  6-4    223     Long, lean with great coverage skills, could use some bulk.

Others to watch:

Jack Kiser   NDame, Khari Coleman   Miss, Nick Jackson  Iowa, Justin Flowe   Az, Tre Feeman  Duke, Mason Cobb  USC, DJ Lundy  FlaSt,  E Macarenas-Arnold  USC, Cal Haladay  MichSt

3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS  

        CLASS GRADE  B+

This class has A+ potential with as many as FIVE with 1st round ability but the season will dictate where they fall next spring. If the injury players step up and several live up to potential this group can be historic.

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Patrick Payton         FlaSt     6-5    239    10 sacks last 2 seasons, 9 passes defended last season and he was #2.

2.James Pierce            Tenn      6-5   242    He really stepped up in pass rush last season, great athlete , he will get better.

3.Abdul Carter           PennSt   6-3   249    Great size and upside, great athlete who is still improving.

4.Trey Moore                  Tx          6-2   242    20 sacks last 2 seasons, show coverage ability, must produce in SEC.

5.Sonny Styles          OhioSt    6-4    235   Wild athlete, former SS who keeps growing but not losing a step, can move up.

6.Josiah Stewart        Mich      6-1    245    CFB DE with 20.5 career sacks, he will need to move to OLB.

7.A Powell-Ryland    VaTch    6-2    244    Big hitter with great size and nose for the ball.

8.Kaimon  Rucker      NCar     6-1    265    More of a DE now but he has the skills to  produce here.

9.Johnny Walker         Mo        6-3     244   Playing DE but will need to make it here, he will need some time.

10.David Bailey          Stan      6-3     240    Great size/speed, teams avoid him but he still produces.

Others to watch:

JJ Weaver Ky,  Kenard Snyder  IowaSt, Clayton Smith  AzSt, Korey Foreman  FresSt, Steve Linton Bay, Darryl Peterson  Wisc, Oluwaffemi Oladejo  UCLA

4-3 INSIDE LINEBACKERS 

          CLASS GRADE   D+

Another position where the NFL ready talent is very lean. After the top four who have possible Day two ability I see little separation and some late round picks

Rk     Player                         Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Kobe King                   PennSt   6-1    242    Great size, cover the entire field with ease, solid coverage skills.

2.Jay Higgins                  Iowa      6-0    233     171 tackles last season, solid in coverage, has some rush skills. SWell coached.

3.Shemar James            Fla        6-1     230     MUST stay healthy, showed wild potential last season, big hitter.

4.Tyreem Powell            Rut       6-5     240    Covers field with ease, nice pass rush skills, solid in coverage.

5.Ben Bywater                BYU      6-3     235    Has all the skills, MUST stay healthy.

6.Francisco Mauigoa  Mia(F)  6-2     230    Solid in run game, 7.5 sacks last season, needs work on coverage.

7.Marlowe Way              Syr        6-0    230     Over 275 tackles and 18.5 sacks for career.

8.Jaishawn Barham   Mich     6-3     248     Shows great rush potential, great size/strength

9.Chris Paul                    Miss      6-0     235     He can blow up in this defense.

10.Greg Penn                  LSU      6-1     235     Over 150 tackles last two seasons.

Others to watch:Demetrius Knight  SCar, Dylan Rosiek  Ill, Sam Brumfield  VaTch, Dylan Hazen  WFrst, Jamal Ligon  UTSA

3-4 INSIDE LINEBACKERS 

            CLASS GRADE  B-

Another group with som players coming off injury and some who have the skill set but need to be consistent and make more plays. This group could drift downward to a C or lower or perhaps move up to an A. It's a tough call on this group.

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Samuel Mondon          Ga     6-3   225     Great athlete, always at the ball, if coverage skill improve he move into Top 15

2.Deonte Lawson          Ala      6-2   230     Big hitter, nice rush and coverage skills.

3.Karene Reid               Utah    6-0   226     Top coverage player in group, solid against the run.

4.Cody Simon          OhioSt     6-2   235     He MUST stay healthy, he also must liveup to his measurables. Has all the talent.

5.Power Echols            NCar  5-11  225    Almost 200 tackles last two season, needs some improvement on coverage.

6.Carson Bruener       Wash  6-1    226    Undersized overachiever, always around the ball, tremendous instincts.

7.Jeffrey Bassas          Ore      6-1    230    Needs to live up to ability, only flashes so far, bright flashes!

8.Jihaad Campbell     Ala       6-3   240     Solid tackler, needs work on rush, decent in coverage.

9.Nick Martin             OklSt     6-0   215    Undersized tackle machine,plus will be a ST demon

10.J Dumas-Johnson  Ky      6-1   245    Shows all around skills, he can easily move up this list.

Others to watch:

Ben Roberts   TxTch, Deshawn Price  UCF,D'Eryk Jackson  Ky, Shad Banks  TCU, Caleb Bacon  IowaSt, TJ Quinn  Lou, Jestin Jacobs  Ore, Debo Williams   SCar, KC Ossai   ULL