Scouting Blog
2020 NFL Draft – Linebacker Notes
Outside Linebackers – Top 10
Isaiah Simmons, OLB, Clemson (#1 OLB)
-decent instincts in run
-excellent pass rusher
-covers well in the slot
-excellent open field tackler
-good at covering tight ends
-best fit as a 4-3 Sam Linebacker
Jonathan Greenard, OLB, Florida (#2 OLB)
-average bend
-persistent pass rusher
-good strength for his size
-very good pass rusher with room to grow in terms of learning pass rush moves
-problem in run defense is his motor
-He is not a great athlete
-Can function as 3-4 OLB and 4-3 DE
K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU (#3 OLB)
-active hand fighter as a pass rusher
-more of a 3-4 OLB
-needs to get stronger as a pass rusher
-very good pass rusher, uses hands well
-drew holds with pass rushing style
-missed 2018 with ACL injury
-not asked to cover or run defend as much
Curtis Weaver, OLB, Boise State (#4 OLB)
-best fit as a 3-4 OLB
-former d-lineman, decent pass rusher there
-average at getting off blocks in the run game
-decent run instincts
-asked to drop back into coverage
-didn’t pass rush as much in 2019
Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin (#5 OLB)
-good in zone coverage
-decent in man coverage
-okay edge rusher. Will be a plus playing 4-3 OLB
-could be a Sam or Will Linebacker in 4-3
-I see him being able to play OLB or ILB in 3-4
-best fit as 3-4 ILB or 4-3 OLB
Joshua Uche, OLB, Michigan (#6 OLB) (Underrated)
-good first step
-speed rusher
-average run defender
-needs to get off blocks a bit better
-good pass rusher overall
-3-4 OLB in NFL
Akeem Davis-Gaither, OLB, Appalachian State (#7 OLB)
-decent coverage linebacker
-covers well in the slot as well
-below average instincts against run
-good tackler in space
-best fit as a Sam Linebacker in a 4-3
Bradlee Anae, OLB, Utah (#8 OLB)
-best fit as a 3-4 OLB
-gets dominated by blockers in the run game
-needs to get stronger
-decent speed rusher
-fluid in coverage
-best as a 3-4 OLB
Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte (#9 OLB)
-strong pass rusher
-excellent first step
-speed rusher
-good instincts
-not a great tackler
-more of a 3-4 OLB
-not asked to drop into coverage much in Charlotte’s system
Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama (#10 OLB)
-3-4 OLB in Alabama’s system
-decent see to do against run
-would like to see better hustle from him
-uses his hands well as a pass rusher
-I think his best fit is 3-4 OLB
Overrated:
Julian Okwara, OLB, Notre Dame (Overrated)
-best fit as a 3-4 OLB
-needs to get quicker or stronger as a pass rusher
-doesn’t get off blocks well
-doesn’t have good instincts against the run
-gets driven up the arc at times as a pass rusher
Davion Taylor, OLB, Colorado (Overrated)
-doesn’t read the run well
-asked to cover in the slot
-good open field tackler
-needs better instincts against the pass as well
-below average run defender
Cam Brown, OLB, Penn State (Underrated)
-needs better instincts in zone coverage
-great open field tackler
-played the middle in Penn State’s defense
-above average in man coverage
-more of a 4-3 OLB
-physical in coverage
Sleeper:
Willie Gay Jr., OLB, Mississippi State (Sleeper)
-played MLB in Mississippi State’s system
-awesome instincts against the run
-run stuffer. Very good against the run
-good blitzer
-did his job in zone coverage
-good form tackler
Anfernee Jennings, OLB, Alabama
-hot and cold pass rusher
-doesn’t hustle
-good tackler
-played the edge in Alabama’s defense
-will be interesting to see how he does in run support
-best fit as a 4-3 OLB
Darrell Taylor Jr, Edge, Tennessee
-slow first step
-crafty pass rusher
-couldn’t tell if he was asked to spy on the QB a lot or lacked effort on plays
-average bend
-good run defender
Troy Dye, OLB, Oregon
-average cover guy
-average instincts
-I’m not impressed with his zone instincts
-below average tackler
-best fit as a Will Linebacker
Azur Kamara, OLB, Kansas
-asked to do a lot of zone coverage in Kansas’s scheme
-lacking the skills as a pass rusher
-played more the 3-4 OLB but is more of a 4-3 OLB
-sometimes brings pressure with speed but needs better hand use and moves
-not a good open field tackler
-average at getting off blocks
Carter Coughlin, LB, Minnesota
-needs to get off blocks better
-overpowered by blockers
-needs to stay on his feet as a pass rusher
-more of a 4-3 OLB
-I like his hustle
-didn’t drop into coverage a lot in Minnesota’s system
Michael Divinity Jr., OLB, LSU
-decent instincts in zone coverage
-needs to get off blocks better
-needs to be a better open field tackler
-good blitzing ability
-best fit as a will linebacker
-not asked to man cover a lot in LSU’s system
Michael Pinckney, LB, Miami (FL)
-average tackler
-needs to get off blocks better
-does okay in zone coverage
-looked like Miami’s main signal caller
-seemed to be Miami’s MLB
-not asked to do much in man coverage
Cam Gill, OLB, Wagner
-average blitzer
-needs to get off blocks better
-needs better instincts against the run
-more of a 4-3 OLB
-quick first step for a more traditional linebacker
-flashes at times getting into the backfield
DJ Wonnum, Edge, South Carolina
-slow first step
-average bend
-has sneaky strength as a pass rusher
-good open field tackler
-would be interesting as a 3-4 OLB
-not as impressed with him getting off blocks in run defense
Khaleke Hudson, OLB, Michigan
-looks good covering the tight end
-plus cover linebacker
-average instincts against the run
-understands the delayed blitz
-average tackler
Inside Linebackers
Top 5
Joe Bachie, ILB, Michigan State (ILB #1) (Underrated)
-good tackler
-decent at getting off blocks
-good instincts versus run
-I like how he executes run stunts
-excellent mike linebacker versus run
-best fit as a middle/buck linebacker
-liked his tape against Jonathan Taylor
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU (ILB #2)
-good at covering running backs
-good at getting off blocks
-good blitzer
-decent instincts although does get caught leaning the wrong way
-good tackler
-sometimes overcommits, takes risks
Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma (ILB #3)
-great instincts
-great open field tackler
-average run defender
-needs to get off blocks better
-excellent at covering running backs
-great athlete at combine
David Woodward, LB, Utah State (ILB #4) (underrated)
-average blitzer
-decent at covering running backs
-good tackler
-average at getting off blocks
-good instincts
-can be a very good run defender
-they liked to use him on the delayed blitz
Malik Harrison, ILB, Ohio State (ILB #5)
-played MLB at Ohio State
-good see to do as a linebacker
-hard hitter
-okay in zone coverage
-downhill linebacker
Overrated:
TJ Brunson, ILB, South Carolina (Overrated)
-needs to be a better open field tackler
-would like to see better hustle
-below average in zone coverage
-needs to get off blocks better
-average blitzer
-best fit as a mike linebacker
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
-played MLB at Texas tech
-below average instincts
-decent blitzer
-wasn’t asked to do much in pass coverage
-decent tackler
-MLB in NFL
Sleeper:
Dante Olson, ILB, Montana (Sleeper)
-good instincts in zone coverage
-decent instincts against the run
-excellent form tackler
-good speed in pursuit
-very good run defender
-best fit as a middle linebacker
-concerned that he ran a 4.88 40
-pushed down because he is a small school guy
Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU
-average tackler
-good in zone coverage
-below average instincts against the run
-not asked to play man coverage much in LSU’s defense
-needs to get off blocks better
-MLB in NFL
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
-needs to be a better open field linebacker
-good blitzer
-needs to get off blocks better
-below average instincts
-decent in running back coverage
Markus Bailey, ILB, Purdue
-needs better instincts versus run
-needs to be sharper in zone coverage
-needs to get off blocks better
-decent open field tackler
-pretty good in coverage for a MLB
-Best fit as a mack ILB in a 3-4
Evan Weaver, ILB, California
-good see to do against the run
-gets off blocks decently
-average in zone coverage
-fills running lanes well
-very much a downhill linebacker
Shaquille Quarterman, ILB, Miami
-decent in zone coverage
-average at getting off blocks
-very good blitzer
-good in man coverage for an ILB
-could be a better tackler
-best fit as a 3-4 ILB or Mack Linebacker
Francis Bernard, ILB, Utah
-good see to do as a middle linebacker
-played middle linebacker at Utah
-good blitzer
-average tackler
-instincts are decent
-probably a downhill linebacker in the NFL
Mykal Walker, ILB, Fresno State
-played DE in college
-needs to get off blocks better
-not a great pass rusher off the edge
-good pursuit
-has some good instincts
-best fit as a MLB
De’Jon Harris, ILB, Arkansas
-decent run instincts
-needs to get off blocks better
-decent covering running backs in man coverage
-decent tackler
-sometimes gets caught overcommitting
-middle linebacker in NFL
Shaun Bradley, ILB, Temple
-needs better instincts against run
-could be better in pursuit as an open field tackler
-decent in man coverage
-needs better tackling technique
-average in zone coverage
-best fit as a mack linebacker in 3-4
