Linebacker rankings for 2024 NFL Draft, sorted by greatest accessible gamers

The 2024 NFL Draft encompasses a crop of intriguing values at linebacker. The category could not produce a first-round decide, however anticipate loads of immediate contributors to be drafted on Day 2 and past. NFL normal managers will find expertise within the mid-to-late rounds. How every prospect performs on the subsequent degree stays to be seen, however envisioning the emergence of a number of long-term starters from this yr’s draft is a practical final result.

SB Nation polled a number of of its draft analysts to find out a consensus prime 10 linebackers within the 2024 NFL Draft.

10. Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

Hopper was extraordinarily productive at Missouri after transferring to this system from Florida. He totaled 133 tackles, 20 for a loss, eight cross breakups, and 5.5 sacks for the Tigers throughout two seasons. Hopper is instinctive and rangy with vital athleticism to develop right into a three-down linebacker. Decrease-body explosion was evident on the NFL Mix by a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot-4 broad soar.

9. Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Liufau pairs a excessive soccer I.Q. and instincts for the place with closing velocity and flexibility. Acclaimed Combating Irish head coach Marcus Freeman and his defensive coordinator Al Golden trusted Liufau to play the “MIKE” place of their protection. Liufau triggers downhill with a way of decisiveness on tape. He additionally performed in protection for Notre Dame, totaling 4 passes defended and an interception. Athleticism within the open subject and total play power to disengage from blocks have been a priority.

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8. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Wallace is among the many extra athletic linebackers within the class. The Georgia native ran a 4.51 40-yard sprint on the NFL Mix, the third-fastest end result recorded by any linebacker in attendance. Wallace additionally positioned second within the vertical (37.5 inches) and broad soar (10-foot-7) drills. On the sector, Wallace took a major step ahead this previous marketing campaign, recording career-highs in tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (5.0). Wallace is liable to over-pursuing, however the baseline traits of a high-level starter are current.

7. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

The unheralded chief of the Buckeyes protection, Eichenberg was a two-time staff captain at Ohio State. A particularly productive run defender, Eichenberg amassed 256 tackles as a three-year major starter. Eichenberg ran nice agility drills on the mix by way of a 4.24 shuttle and seven.02 3-cone, however total athleticism, change of course capacity, and man-coverage expertise are weaknesses on tape.

6. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

Ranked anyplace from No. 3 to 11 on our ballots, there was a large unfold of opinions on Ulofoshio. The previous Husky gained the NFL Mix, ending first amongst all linebackers within the vertical (39.5 inches) and broad soar (10-foot-8). Ulofoshio was arguably an important defender on a Washington Huskies program that superior to the Nationwide Championship, inserting second on the staff in tackles (94).

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5. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Trotter’s ballots had been divisive. Whereas he acquired one fourth-place vote, one other poll positioned him all the best way down at thirteenth. Trotter is right this moment’s linebacker with spectacular instincts and manufacturing (192 profession tackles), however his tenth percentile peak (6-0) and eleventh percentile weight (228 kilos), per MockDraftable, are trigger for concern in relation to shedding blocks on the subsequent degree.

4. Cedric Grey, North Carolina

Grey nabbed one second-place vote, however each different voter positioned him fourth or decrease. Grey was a super-productive second-level defender for the Tar Heels, recording 100-plus tackles in three consecutive campaigns. Grey possesses the sideline-to-sideline vary and velocity required to cowl a ton of grass on brief discover.

3. Payton Wilson, NC State

Wilson acquired extra second-place votes than any linebacker, however he completed third total as a result of inserting decrease on different ballots. Medical checks might be essential to figuring out Wilson’s draft-weekend inventory after he suffered a slew of accidents in his previous, together with a season-ending shoulder harm in 2021. Wilson was totally wholesome and productive in 2023, recording a career-high 138 tackles.

Athleticism was on show on the NFL Mix, too. Wilson completed first amongst his place group within the 40 (4.43). Wilson possesses All-Professional potential if he stays wholesome.

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2. Junior Colson, Michigan

All of Colson’s votes fell between two and 4, which allowed him to sneak forward of Wilson. Colson is among the many twitchiest, quickest linebackers within the class. He possesses a professional alternative to be the primary linebacker drafted. Colson’s instincts in protection are excellent. NFL defensive coordinators will relaxation comfortably whereas deploying Colson in man and zone protection schemes. Athleticism ought to enable Colson to develop right into a three-linebacker.

1. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Cooper completed as our unanimous prime linebacker. Cooper is a clean operator and simple mover with the size and explosiveness required to make sideline-to-sideline performs. Cooper’s 34-inch arms enable him to stack and shed would-be blockers with relative ease. Cooper triggers downhill with an aggressive, violent mindset. In protection, Cooper makes use of smarts and athleticism to thrive as a middle-of-field defender.

Cooper needs to be drafted within the latter half of the primary spherical, or early into the 30’s within the second spherical.