Top 10 Linebackers in the 2018 NFL Draft

Here we’re looking at inside linebackers and outside linebackers that wouldn’t be considered pass rushers. Arden Key and Harold Landry will, therefore, not be on this list.

I think this year’s set of draft prospects is a deep one and there are some real talents at the top of the list.

For linebackers, I’m looking for speed and explosiveness as well as the ability to play the run and make plays. One vital trait, in the NFL these days, is for linebackers to be able to cover tight ends in the passing game.

Here, I’ll outline my top 10 (just before the combine) regardless of team fit/scheme.

Tremaine Edmunds – Virginia Tech – Junior – 6ft-5 – 236lb

Edmunds isn’t even 20 until May but, already, he looks the part. Edmunds has great size and ample speed, he is aggressive, physical and explosive. Edmunds lacks elite instincts but he is decisive and, more often than not, puts himself in a position to make a play. Edmunds is strong and he can take on blockers to excel against the run. Edmunds is a great tackler and a hard hitter. Although Edmunds isn’t the quickest, he plays fast and appears to have good closing speed. Edmunds is able to match up well with tight ends to provide plus coverage ability, he may struggle, however, in covering receivers out of the backfield. Edmunds provides positional versatility and could line up in the middle, or outside, in a 4-3 defense or on the inside in a 3-4. Edmunds can be prone to mental mistakes at times but, given his age and overall ability, this won’t be a great concern to teams. Edmunds has superstar potential and I expect him to be drafted in the top 15 of this year’s draft.

Roquan Smith – Georgia – Junior – 6ft-1 – 225lb

I wasn’t that impressed when I first saw Smith’s tape but I think I must have chosen a rare bad game because everything else I’ve seen looks really good. Smith is an entirely different prospect to Edmunds, the size difference is very noticeable but Smith has greater quickness. Smith is instinctive and he appears to have above average play recognition. Smith is a true ‘sideline to sideline’ linebacker and he has great short area speed and burst. Smith is a reliable tackler and he can be used on blitzes to provide additional pass rush. Smith projects as a WLB in a 4-3 or a ILB in a 3-4 but I also feel he could play as a MLB in a 4-3 given the opportunity and a little more bulking up. Despite his relative lack of size, Smith is tough and durable. Smith is a leader and a difference maker. Smith can sometimes get caught up in traffic and he doesn’t offer elite coverage ability. Smith is clearly a top 20 prospect and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him drafted in the top 10.

Rashaan Evans – Alabama – Senior – 6ft-3 – 234lb

Evans provides a good mix of physicality and athleticism. Evans has great size with good length/range. Evans is agile and he plays fast, he is explosive and has great closing speed. Evans is tough and a hard hitter although his tackling could do with some improvements and he occasionally takes bad angles toward the ball carrier. Evans is a classic Alabama linebacker and he is clearly well coached despite being relatively new to the position. Evans is confident and a leader on the field. Evans provides good position flexibility and he could line in any of the linebacking positions in either base defense. Evans should continue to develop and correct some of his technical issues, he will also improve on his play recognition/awareness the more he plays. I see Evans as a late first round pick but he may well drop in to the early second round.

Malik Jefferson – Texas – Junior – 6ft-3 – 240lb

I’ve flip-flopped my opinion on Jefferson a few times but, ultimately, I’m ranking him 4th on this list as I feel he’ll continue to improve his already impressive traits. Jefferson has great size and strength, he is physical and tough. Jefferson plays aggressively and he is a good tackler capable of laying big hits. Jefferson has decent play speed and he is able to close quickly to make a play. Jefferson needs to work on his ability to deal with 2nd level blockers and he does appear to lack instincts and awareness. Jefferson doesn’t offer much in coverage so he should be used as an inside thumper or a WLB in a 4-3. At worst, Jefferson’s talents will be used on special teams especially as he learns the game but, at best, Jefferson could be a above average 10 year starter in the league. Jefferson shouldn’t slip any further than mid second round in this year’s draft.

Micah Kiser – Virginia – Senior – 6ft-2 – 240lb

Similarly to Jefferson, Kiser is more of a thumper than an athlete. Kiser is tough, physical and aggressive. Kiser is consistent and a leader on the field, he has great awareness and play recognition. Kiser is a great tackler and a hard hitter. Kiser led the ACC in tackles for 3 straight years and always seems to be around the ball. Kiser has obvious limitations in athletic ability and overall quickness and he doesn’t have great range, he is poor in coverage which will mean that he may only be a 2 down player in the NFL. Kiser looks like a classic middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense, teams will know exactly what they’re getting when they draft Kiser. Kiser’s draft position is difficult to predict but there is still a place for this type of defender in today’s NFL and I’m hopeful that he wouldn’t slip much further than the top half of the third round.

Josey Jewell – Iowa – Senior – 6ft-2 – 236lb

Continuing the theme of bigger, less athletic linebackers is Josey Jewell. I have an inkling that this guy will be a great player. Jewell is physical and he plays with a non-stop motor. Jewell has an alpha attitude and appears to love the game. Jewell has great instincts and a nose for the ball. Jewell displays great technique and is disciplined and reliable. Jewell demonstrates decent play speed but, as mentioned, he is not the most athletic or agile. Jewell is a good tackler, he wraps up well and is capable of delivering a hard hit. Jewell does not offer much in coverage and he can often get caught in traffic whilst trying to make his way to the ball, his agility is hampered by having tight hips. Jewell could play as a MLB in a 4-3 or a ILB in a 3-4, he has great potential as a special teamer. Jewell is the kind of guy that teams would love to have on their roster so his draft position could get elevated, I would hope to see him chosen in the late second or early third at latest.

Leighton Vander Esch – Boise State – Junior – 6ft-4 – 242lb

Vander Esch is an interesting prospect who may have been wise to stay in college for another year but, in saying that, he does appear to have a lot of traits that are NFL ready right now. Vander Esch has good size, length & range. He is tough, smart and a leader on the field. Vander Esch is a reliable tackler and he make his way through traffic well to attack the ball carrier although he can sometimes take bad angles toward the tackle spot and miss completely. Vander Esch shows promising awareness and instincts despite his relative lack of experience. Vander Esch is not particularly athletic or quick. 2017 is really his only productive year given that he missed most of 2016 with injury but the tape shows a play making prospect capable of playing in a number of different positions in the NFL. Vander Esch may well end up as an OLB in a 4-3 defense but he could man the middle if required. I would expect Vander Esch to be in consideration for teams as early as the second round given his apparent ‘upside’.

Darius Leonard – South Carolina State – Senior – 6ft-3 – 215lb

Leonard performed well at the Senior Bowl and is making his way up most draft boards. Leonard has a long frame which may well have maxed out meaning he lacks ideal strength for the position. Leonard has excellent speed, he is great in pursuit and has great reactive athleticism. Leonard is reliable and disciplined. Leonard is a decent tackler and he has a nose for the ball. Leonard offers scheme versatility in that he can drop in coverage or rush the passer. Leonard has playmaking ability and can be a difference maker on defense. Leonard is experienced with 4 years production behind him but his instincts need a bit of work. Leonard lacks aggression and he could do with playing with a little more edge. Leonard probably won’t break the first 2 rounds in this year’s draft but he could hear his name called late on day 2.

Jerome Baker – Ohio State – Junior – 6ft-1 – 225lb

I’m considering Baker here as a well rounder linebacker prospect and not a pass rusher. Baker is a versatile, 3 down ‘backer with natural playmaking skills. Baker is rangy although relatively short and lacking ideal bulk. Baker has excellent speed and good strength for his size. Baker is good in coverage and good at rushing the passer, he is actually good at most things but may be a more ‘jack of all trades’ type. Baker is a decent tackler and he has a nose for the football but he could make some improvements here. Baker played on a good defense in college but he still needs plenty of coaching to reach his full potential. Baker will appeal to most teams as a player who could make their roster and provide cover at most linebacker spots. Baker’s versatility will get him drafted higher than his current talent would normally suggest so I expect to see him taken in the third round.

Jack Cichy – Wisconsin – Senior – 6ft-2 – 233lb

Cichy is my wildcard in this list mainly because an ACL injury robbed him of his senior season. Prior to the injury, we saw a prospect that does most things really well. Cichy has great size for the position and he plays with physicality and toughness. Cichy also demonstrates good speed and he plays fast. Cichy has good awareness and he is an undeniable leader on the field. Cichy plays with an attacking mentality and he is a great tackler. Cichy can play inside or outside and has special team prowess. Cichy could do with improving in coverage especially if he’s going to be lined up against NFL tight ends. Cichy does need some technical work but he appears very coachable and smart. Cichy can sometimes get caught in traffic whilst trying to make a play and he does struggles to get off blocks at times. Depending in the recovery from his injury, Cichy’s draft range is third-fifth round.

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