2020 NFL Draft
Linebackers
By: Alex Khvatov and Ed Hunt
Which 2020 linebacker prospect has the best traits?
Instincts
Ed Hunt: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
Alex Khvatov: David Woodward (Utah State)
Tackling
Ed Hunt: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
Alex Khvatov: Joe Bachie (Michigan State)
Speed
Ed Hunt: Willie Gay Jr. (Mississippi State)
Alex Khvatov: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Athleticism
Ed Hunt: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
Alex Khvatov: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Versus the Run
Ed Hunt: Joe Bachie (Michigan State)
Alex Khvatov: David Woodward (Utah State)
Pass Coverage
Ed Hunt: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Alex Khvatov: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Blitzing
Ed Hunt: Jonathan Greenard (Florida)
Alex Khvatov: Zack Baun (Wisconsin)
Versatility
Ed Hunt: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Alex Khvatov: Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Awareness
Ed Hunt: Joe Bachie (Michigan State)
Alex Khvatov: David Woodward (Utah State)
Leadership
Ed Hunt: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
Alex Khvatov: Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma)
5 Burning Questions
Isaiah Simmons (Clemson) is the consensus top linebacker in this draft. How high would you draft him? Which team is the best fit for him?
Alex Khvatov: Isaiah Simmons is a rare breed in today’s NFL. He is the total package. He has the size, speed and athleticism. He is a very good blitzer. What sets him apart is his outstanding ability in coverage. He is the best coverage LB that I have ever scouted. I hope he goes to the right team where a smart and creative defensive coordinator will be able to unleash him and use his versatility. The Giants hold the No.4 pick in the draft, and he is a strong possibility to go there. The new coaching staff has ties to the Patriots and they always valued versatile defenders. The Panthers and the Jaguars are the next logical destinations for the Clemson product. He won’t slip out of the top 10.
Ed Hunt: Isaiah Simmons is worth a top seven pick if you need an outside linebacker. I think his best fit would be with the Jaguars. The Jaguars are a team that really values drafting defensive players, and Isaiah Simmons is one of the three best defensive players in this draft. He would fit into their 4-3 scheme as an outside linebacker where he could replace the often injured and underperforming Myles Jack. He also would be an upgrade over Quincy Williams.
Besides Simmons, who are some other linebackers that you grade in the first round?
Alex Khvatov: LSU K’Lavon Chaisson should be a top 15 pick. His best fit is at OLB for a 3-4 scheme. His physical traits will be enticing to some team betting on his upside. He showed promise during the 2019 campaign as a pass rusher. Oklahoma Kenneth Murray and LSU Patrick Queen are the other two first rounders. Besides Simmons, three LB’s will be selected in the first round.
Ed Hunt: I think Joe Bachie is a first-rounder which I think would surprise people. I also think Patrick Queen and Kenneth Murray are first-round talents. On the outside, I think Isaiah Simmons, Jonathan Greenard and K’Lavon Chaisson are first round talents.
Which LB prospect do you have a draft crush on?
Alex Khvatov: I have been a big fan of Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray the last two years. He can play ILB in a 3-4 scheme or as a weakside OLB in a 4-3 scheme. He presents that type of versatility. He is an athletic LB with sideline-to-sideline speed. He shows tremendous ability to close in a hurry on a ballcarrier. He displays good instincts. He is a solid blitzing LB who can cover TE’s and RB’s in man coverage. He is the complete package. He is a top 10 talent in this draft.
Ed Hunt: I really like Isaiah Simmons. He is a great athlete and played for a winner in Clemson. He is versatile and can do many things for you. I also think he is one of the best man coverage linebackers I have seen ever. He fits modern defensive schemes well and could be more of a star in the NFL than in college.
Who is your favorite day three linebacker?
Alex Khvatov: Utah State LB David Woodward would be a steal for some team on day three. He is a tackling machine. He had 93 tackles after only playing in seven games in 2019. He missed the remainder of the year with an injury. He is an all-around playmaker with terrific instincts. He can come up with a key strip sack or an INT in coverage. He is stout against the run. He is a very good blitzer.
Ed Hunt: I’m intrigued by Dante Olson from Montana. He is a dominant run stuffer with good instincts to boot. He is a day three guy because he never got a chance against top competition, but was dominant against lesser competition. He did run a 4.88 but it’s his short area quickness to be focused on.
List three teams that are in the market for a LB in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. Identify prospects that they might target.
Alex Khvatov: The Ravens got stronger on the defensive line in free agency, but they need help at LB. They need an ILB after losing Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor in free agency. LSU Patrick Queen is a possibility at the end of the first round or Ohio State Malik Harrison at the end of the second round. They also should boost their pass rush and bring in an OLB. The Panthers lost Luke Kuechly to retirement. They are switching back to a 4-3 scheme and could use some help at the LB position. The Bengals brought in Josh Bynes in free agency, but they still need help due to their struggles at the LB position in 2019. Spending a day two pick on Wisconsin LB Zack Baun would be wise.
Ed Hunt: I think the Jaguars will be looking for a 4-3 outside linebacker in the early rounds. I would imagine they would be in the market for somebody like Isaiah Simmons or Akeem Davis-Gaither in the early rounds. I like Davis-Gaither in the second round because he proved himself at the Senior Bowl. The Ravens also need a linebacker and they need a thumper after losing CJ Mosley and so a guy like Kenneth Murray or Patrick Queen would be a welcome to that defense. The Rams also need an inside linebacker for their 3-4 and guys like Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen are probably the guys they will target.
