2020 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings Top Ten
10. Logan Wilson, Wyoming
Size: 6-2, 241
The Good: A pure tackler who gets in on everything, he was a high-end four-year producer for Wyoming with 409 tackles, seven sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss. Throw in his ten picks, and he can fill up a stat sheet. With his experience, he’s ready from Day One.
The Not-So-Good: He’s missing the raw athleticism to be more than a tackler on the inside. Don’t expect him to be a pass rusher on the outside, and he’s not going to do much of anything in pass coverage at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not that slow. He might not have elite speed, but he’s a ball player who’ll sit on the inside and clean up all the messes. If he’s surrounded by athleticism on the outside, he’ll be a fantastic value pick with the upside to become a team’s leading tackler.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
Size: 6-1, 224
The Good: A monster over the last two seasons, he made 197 tackles with 6.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss with 15 broken up passes. He’s got the strength to overcome his lack of bulk, he has a brilliant feel for the game, and he’ll be great in space. Expect him to be all-around the ball.
The Not-So-Good: He’s way too small. There’s not enough mass to put him on the inside, and he’s not necessarily a next-level pass rusher. The only way this works is to surround him with bulk, let him fly around, and hope he can get in on everything.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’ll take some creativity to find the right home for him, but he blew up as a top prospect in the scouting world as someone who just knows how to play. No, he won’t fit in a set role, but that might be okay – just let him make tackles.
Projected Round: Third
8. Evan Weaver, Cal
Size: 6-2, 237
The Good: A tackler’s tackler, he put up ridiculous numbers over the last two seasons, following up a 155-stop junior season with 181 tackles as a senior He’s not a pass rusher, but he got behind the line for 8.5 career sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. He’s not great in pass coverage, but he broke up 11 passes with two picks. If there’s a play to be made, he’ll do it.
The Not-So-Good: How much do you care about the raw tools? He doesn’t have a whole lot of quickness, explosion, or speed. He doesn’t have the right body type and there’s absolutely nothing about his game that looks pretty, except …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Evan Weaver wants to tackle you. He wants to tackle your family, your friends, and everyone you’ve ever met or come in contact with. He wants to tackle everything, and he just might do it. Don’t draft him, let him slip, and you’ll be kept up at nights worried that he’ll end up tackling your entire team when he gets the chance.
Projected Round: Fifth
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7. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
Size: 6-2, 256
The Good: When he was on, he could be a force of will on an Alabama defense full of those types of players. He’s got the right game of a hybrid edge rusher who can work as a do-it-all outside linebacker, coming up with 193 career tackles with 14.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss, turning into more of a playmaker behind the line over his final two seasons. He’s got the combination of strength and quickness to keep on working and getting into the backfield.
The Not-So-Good: It seems like he should be a killer NFL pass rusher, but that might not be his role. He was terrific over his Bama career, but he’s not quite the freakish type of athlete associated with most star defenders under Nick Saban.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: To be fair, he did get better as his career went on, finishing up with a quietly strong senior campaign. However, there was something a bit missing. He’s a great all-around prospect who’ll instantly fit in as a productive starter, but he might not be the flashy disruptive force some might be hoping for.
Projected Round: Third
6. Malik Harrison, Ohio State
Size: 6-3, 247
The Good: A stat-sheet star for the Buckeyes over the last two seasons, he made 156 tackles with six sacks and 25 tackles for loss with eight broken up passes. Part of the mix for four years, he’s experienced to go along with all the right tools. The explosion and good enough 4.66 40 speed are all there.
The Not-So-Good: The knocks are mostly cosmetic. He’s not the most efficient of tacklers when he has to get to the ball, he’s a wee bit rangy, and he’s not going to be the pass defender you might want in an all-around linebacker.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He never, ever, ever, received enough credit for all he did for the Ohio State defense. Chase Young and Jeff Okudah were the superstars, but Harrison did all the dirty work when those two were being erased or avoided.
Projected Round: Third