Last year, it was Elijah Molden.
This year, it is the entire linebacker class.
As I wrote last year in the write-up of Molden, the current defensive back for the Tennessee Titans, studying him late in the process rekindled my own love of the game of football. Late in the draft cycle, as the work was winding down, studying the way he patrolled the secondary for Washington reminded me of an old college teammate, and the beauty of this sport.
This year something similar happened, when I sat down to study the linebackers for this draft cycle.
Whether Nakobe Dean’s play speed, Devin Lloyd’s length and disruptive nature, the awareness of Chad Muma, the potential of Troy Andersen or even the change-of-direction skills of JoJo Domann, this group of players was fascinating to study. Even those that did not make this list, such as Brandon Smith from Penn State, are going to be great pro players.
Perhaps what we are seeing is the cyclical response to a similar process that is playing out on the offensive side of the football. The depth of this year’s class of receivers — another fun position to study — is perhaps due to the importance of the passing game at all levels of the sport. With an emphasis on throwing the football taking place at the high school level, and the growth of spring passing leagues, receivers are coming out of college ready to go.
Is it possible we are seeing something happen with linebackers?
While that might be an article for another day, let’s get to the top 11 linebackers in the 2022 NFL draft.
2022 NFL draft: The top 12 edge defenders
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 interior defensive linemen
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 interior offensive linemen
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 offensive tackles
2022 NFL draft: The top 11 tight ends
2022 NFL draft: The top 16 receivers