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Although not the flashiest group within the 2023 NFL Draft, this yr’s class of off-ball linebackers includes a handful of rock-solid prospects.
This yr’s group lacks a bona fide star prospect like Micah Parsons and Isaiah Simmons in current drafts earlier than it, however the class brings loads of worth early in Spherical 2 and earlier on Day 3 that ought to see a run of draft picks taken on the positions in these ranges.
SB Nation polled a number of of its draft analysts to find out a consensus prime 11 linebackers on this yr’s class.
1. Jack Campbell, Iowa
Armed with elite measurement for a linebacker and top-notch athletic attributes, one might make the argument Campbell has the best ceiling of any off-ball linebacker on this draft. His processing wants some extra consistency, however his fluidity and general worth on passing downs makes him a worthwhile asset in a pass-heavy NFL.
2. Trenton Simpson, Clemson
Simpson is a bit gentle for his place and doesn’t deliver elite play energy to the desk, however he’s an absurd athlete who ran a 4.43 40-yard sprint on the Mix this yr. His vary as a tackler is arguably the very best within the class, and he’s a sound processor on the second degree.
3. Drew Sanders, Arkansas
Probably the very best blitzing linebacker on this class, Sanders solely has one yr of serious faculty manufacturing however dominated for Arkansas in 2022. He’s a big-bodied linebacker with excellent athletic traits and the power to hurry the passer off the sting at a excessive degree on occasion.
4. Daiyan Henley, Washington State
Henley is a gangly linebacker with a smaller body however lengthy arms and loads of room to fill out. He’s an athletic defender with excellent closing pace as a run defender and the fluidity to maneuver round in zone protection throughout the center of the sector.
5. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
Although his skinny body and general pad degree might show to be a difficulty on the subsequent degree, Overshown’s sheer size, mobility in area, vary as a tackler and worth as a blitzing possibility ought to see him chosen as one of many first linebackers within the 2023 draft.
6. Owen Pappoe, Auburn
Pappoe is a well-rounded linebacker whose pace stands out as a significant energy of his on tape. He’s a rangy, sideline-to-sideline tackler, and although he lacks measurement and block-shedding potential, an agile defender like him with a 4.39 40-yard sprint to his identify will definitely flip some heads.
7. Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama
For those who’re on the lookout for a strong, if unspectacular linebacker to fill in as a high-floor possibility, To’oTo’o is your man on this class. He’s a very good tackler who wraps up with good type and has a excessive soccer IQ, even when his bodily instruments are relatively pedestrian.
8. Noah Sewell, Oregon
The youthful brother of Lions offensive sort out Penei, Noah Sewell entered the 2022 season as a highly-touted prospect however now finds himself within the background, arguably greater than he deserves to be. He seemed a tad slower and fewer explosive this previous yr, however he improved his type and play energy as a tackler and has a really well-built body.
9. Dorian Williams, Tulane
Williams has the size and athleticism wanted to suit as a strong WILL possibility and a doubtlessly elite particular teamer on the NFL degree. Whether or not he can overcome an absence of ultimate measurement stays to be seen, nonetheless.
10. Ivan Tempo Jr., Cincinnati
If Tempo have been just some inches taller, odds are he can be one of many first linebackers off the board this yr. He’s athletic, highly effective, and refined in his method as a tackler, and he’s one of the vital polished blitzers within the 2023 draft. Dimension and size stay huge pink flags, with him being a hair underneath 5-foot-11.
11. Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
Herbig is a little bit of a hybrid defender who can rush the passer off the sting and function an off-ball SAM linebacker with good athleticism in area. His potential to stack and shed blocks is significantly better than most off-ball defenders, however one might argue he lacks ultimate size and is uncooked as a processor on the second degree. He has a real tweener profile, for higher or worse.
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