Which linebackers will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings
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It’s an okay year for linebackers, but most of the top pass rushing types are now thrown into the defensive end/edge rusher bucket when they used to be known as outside linebackers.
There’s a whole lot of room for debate with an almost interchangeable 3-through-15, and throw in at least 5-to-10 others that probably should have made the cut.
From the college perspective, the top linebackers in the 2021 NFL Draft are …
15. Pete Werner, Ohio State
Size: 6-3, 238
The Good: A solid part of the Ohio State puzzle over the last three seasons, he’s a run defender who brings decent size, the right frame, and the experience at a high level to be ready right out of the box. He made 176 tackles over the last three years, isn’t bad in pass coverage, and has the versatility to work just about anywhere.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not much of a pass rusher – four sacks and 16 tackles in four years – but to be fair, that wasn’t his job. He’s a good athlete and he’s tough, but he doesn’t have any one NFL tool that’s going to make him stand out. Yeah, he can play just about anywhere in a linebacking corps, but he doesn’t have a set spot.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: The upside is there to be a very good, very solid value pick on Day 3. He might not quite have everything the NFL might like, but he was a strong player who made a whole lot of plays for an elite defense.
Projected Round: Fifth
14. Cameron McGrone, Michigan
Size: 6-1, 234
The Good: The range, speed, and pursuit are strong enough to grow into a dangerous NFL linebacker with a little bit of time. He can move, he had a big 2019 with 65 tackles with nine tackles for loss, and he’s got the skill set to do a little bit of everything. He can be a thumper inside or grow into a pass rusher outside. However …
The Not-So-Good: He was never really a pass rusher with just three sacks in two seasons. He didn’t do enough with the Wolverines to suggest that he’s about to blow up at the next level, he’s not a playmaker in pass coverage, and he struggled through last year after getting banged up.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He never quite turned into the superstar he was supposed to be as a big-time get for Michigan, but watch out for him to be a better pro than a collegian. The basics are all there, and he’ll be well worth the flier to see if there’s a massive value with him after the top 100.
Projected Round: Fifth
13. KJ Britt, Auburn
Size: 6-1, 235
The Good: A true inside linebacker, he’s not going to do a whole lot on the move but he’s a tough guy’s tough guy against the run with the leadership and personality to be someone’s quarterback for a defensive front. He had a strong junior season with 68 stops and ten tackles for loss, but …
The Not-So-Good: He couldn’t get past a thumb injury last season. He only had one solid year of production, he’s not going to be a pass rusher at the next level, and he’s way too slow to bring anything in pass coverage, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There are some guys you just want on your team. He might be a special teamer early on and a part of the rotation on the inside, but don’t be stunned if he grows into a job in the interior and becomes a volume tackler in a year or so.
Projected Round: Fourth
12. Garret Wallow, TCU
Size: 6-2, 220
The Good: A volume tackler who simply gets the job done. He grew into a job at TCU over the last three seasons with close to 300 tackles while getting into the backfield enough – 27 tackles for loss over the last two seasons – to matter. He’s the quarterback of any defense he’s on, but …
The Not-So-Good: He’s only got one spot, and that’s on the inside. The problem with that is his bulk – he’s going to have to work hard to get up to 230 plus to take the pounding needed. He’s hardly a thumper, he’s not going to do much in pass coverage, and don’t expect a ton of plays in the backfield at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: An undersized run stopper who’ll do what he must to make a team, he’ll be worth a long look in camp as a potential volume tackler if he can hold his own against the bangers on the inside. He can run just well enough find a spot somewhere.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Baron Browning, Ohio State
Size: 6-3, 245
The Good: A solid part of the defensive puzzle for the last few years, he wasn’t a volume producer, but he was a solid run stopper who thrived as a rotational pass rusher as a junior. He’s got great size, fantastic range, can play inside or out, and …
The Not-So-Good: Something’s missing. He looks exactly like you’d want your NFL linebacker to be, he can show flashes of greatness, and the 2019 version was terrific compared to the 2020 version that was a true outside linebacker. Considering everything he brings, he should’ve done a whole lot more, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s too much to work with not to take the shot in the top 100. It’s not like he was bad at Ohio State, and he sort of got lost a bit in the crowd of high-end talents, but the stats and big plays weren’t quite there on a consistent basis. Watch out, though, if he finds the right role and niche.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings Top Ten
2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings Top Ten
10. Amen Ogbongbemiga, Oklahoma State
Size: 6-1, 230
The Good: Ultra-productive over the last two seasons with 180 tackles, he’s versatile enough to play inside or out, he produces wherever he is, and he’s got the ability to work as a pass rusher if needed. He’s a hybrid of talents, but more than anything else, he’s a veteran producer who knows the game. However …
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t really have a fit. He’s at his best when he’s creative and just goes and makes something happen, but he doesn’t have the raw wheels. He’s not going to be an NFL pass rusher, but he’s not quite the inside linebacker you might like. Don’t expect a ton in pass coverage.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t overthink him or mess around with what he’s not. He’s a great value get outside of the top 100 who’ll find a way to make plays for a linebacking corps no matter where he lines up. He’ll turn himself into a pro.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Jabril Cox, LSU
Size: 6-3, 232
The Good: He started his career at North Dakota State where he was a dominant force at a national title level, and last year he took over a spot in the LSU rebuild and made 58 tackles with three picks and 6.5 tackles for loss. For his size he’s great in pass coverage, has a great nose for the ball, and he’s a solid one-on-one tackler.
The Not-So-Good: He’s an interesting blend of skills that might not quite match up to what most NFL teams are going to want. He’s probably an inside linebacker who isn’t a big thumper, but he’s built like an outside defender who can rise up in pass coverage. He’s not enough of a pass rusher to send him behind the line.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s too much there not to work with. He was massive for North Dakota State, was great for LSU, and with his size, range, skills and speed, he’ll be a solid starter who’ll fit against the better passing teams.
Projected Round: Third
8. Monty Rice, Georgia
Size: 6-0, 233
The Good: There aren’t a ton of inside linebackers in this draft who’ll do much at the next level. Rice is a pure tackler in the interior who’ll do all of the dirty work and let everyone else have the glory. There might not be anything splashy about his game – he can move, though – but he’s a big tackler making 219 stops in his four years as a steady producer.
The Not-So-Good: Don’t expect splash. He’s not going to get behind the line at the next level, and he’s not going to do a whole ton in pass coverage. He’s an inside linebacker, but you’d like to have him at around 240+ or so to add a little more mass to the position.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll start for you, you won’t really notice him all that much, and then you’ll look at the stats and he’ll have 9.5 tackles and at least one key third down stop. Steady is fine over occasionally spectacular here.
Projected Round: Third
7. Dylan Moses, Alabama
Size: 6-2, 225
The Good: When he’s healthy, he’s a guided missile of a linebacker who can go sideline-to-sideline and get in on everything. He doesn’t miss stops, he’s a veteran who knows what he’s doing, and he produced as a leader of the highest team at the highest of levels.
The Not-So-Good: Just how big is he? Alabama lists him at 6-3 and 240, but the NFL got him at around 6-1ish and 225. He brings excellent wheels and can pop, but he’s not exactly the run stuffer you might like depending on where he measures up in a pro camp.
And then there are the medical concerns. He missed all of 2019 with a knee injury, and he’s had a few other hard-luck issues. However …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: If you can lock in that he’ll be relatively healthy for the next five years, he’s got the ability to be among the three best linebackers in the draft. Blow off what you don’t like – he made 162 tackles and 16 tackles for loss over his last two seasons on the field for Bama. He can play.
Projected Round: Third
6. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
Size: 6-2, 229
The Good: The former star quarterback recruit adjusted on the fly and became one of the nation’s best linebackers. The guy didn’t really know what he was doing, and he still came up with a 206 tackles with 12.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. The best part is that he’s just getting started. He makes a whole lot to mistakes, but he’s a former quarterback – he knows how to read things.
The Not-So-Good: He’s a bit too small. He looks like a former big quarterback playing linebacker, he’s not a huge popper, and he’s not all that fast for an elite defender. He doesn’t have any one NFL trait that stands out tools-wise, but …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: All he does is make plays. It might not always be to form, and there are a whole lot of things to knock about his look and his style and his game, but find a better stat sheet filler over the last two seasons. Sometimes, you just are what your numbers say you are.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings No. 5
2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings Top Five
5. Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Size: 6-5, 239
The Good: A fascinating all-around prospect who can be used in a whole slew of ways, he was a tackling machine in his first two years and then took his game up a few levels as a junior.
Always good at hitting – he made 182 tackles in his first two seasons – he became a bit more of a pass rusher last year and had the uncanniest of knacks for coming up with every big play. It was if you could see the game slowing down for him in the big moments.
Able to play inside and out, or he could beef up and be used on the line, he’s an all-around producer who can fit just about any scheme. However …
The Not-So-Good: He’s the the ultimate tweener. He could be just fine on the inside, but he’s not really a thumper. He’ll likely be used on the outside, but he doesn’t have the raw wheels – he ran a 4.67; great for a DE, though – as he’s more football-fast than tools-fast.
He’s also not really going to fit as a smallish defensive end. The frame is there to support more weight, but you don’t want him on the line. Some defense is going to to need a specific idea for him, otherwise he might get caught up trying to find a role.
Does your team need a do-it-all LB? @TulsaFootball's Zaven Collins might be your guy. (via @chad_reuter)
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft — April 29 – May 1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/HE88V1rJ2f
— NFL (@NFL) April 10, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There were few more valuable defensive players in college football last season. Some guys have a way of making big things happen – forgive the apples to oranges comp considering they’re built differently and had different games, but think Manti Te’o in terms of timely college playmakers. It might take a little while to find the right use for him, but he’ll grow into whatever job he gets.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings No. 4
4. Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Size: 6-4, 234
The Good: He only did it for one year, but … wow.
He was okay as part of the rotation in his first two seasons, but last year he came up with 102 tackles with 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and three interceptions.
And he’s just getting started.
Very tall, very rangy, and very, very fast, he was hovering around the 4.4 mark at his pro day. He proved he’s a big-time playmaker at a high level, he can work inside and out – but will be a hybrid outside defender at the next level – and once he gets a little more experience he should end up being one of the top defenders to come out of the draft.
The Not-So-Good: The experience is going to be an issue for some. It’s going to take a little while to get through the various minor mistakes and things that only time logged in can fix.
At the moment, all of the problems appear to be due to overaggressiveness. He’ll make mistakes against the savvier route runners, and while he’s got power, he’ll get erased by anyone who can lock on to him. However …
#Kentucky has found—and developed—a lot of big-time defensive talent in recent years. Meet the latest gem: Jamin Davis who arrived as a 195-pound three-star and left as a 234-pound LB who runs a 4.37 40 with a 42-inch vertical and 11-0 broad jump: https://t.co/fij89WSSHY
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 8, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Can you get to him? He’s so fast, so smooth, and so athletic that he’ll work his way to the ball. There’s going to be a learning curve and several missed assignments along the way, but he’ll make his share of plays to make up for it. Give it a season, and then look out – the ceiling on what he can do is limitless.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings No. 3
3. Nick Bolton, Missouri
Size: 5-11, 237
The Good: In a draft full of a fast hybrid types and guys who can only play on the outside, here’s your inside linebacker.
He might not be as bit as some might like, but he’s a high-end SEC defender who came up with close to 200 tackles in his last two years at Mizzou with the leadership to play in the middle and toughness to hold up against the run.
While he’s not going to be a flash, he’s got the burst to get behind the line and has the functional ability to hold his own in pass coverage.
The Not-So-Good: The lack of bulk might matter. He’s not big enough or thick enough to be an NFL thumper, and he’s not really a sideline-to-sideline guy who’ll fly to the ball and do something flashy in the open field.
The raw NFL tools are just okay. There isn’t any real knock, but he doesn’t have any one elite thing that stands out. He might not be the shot-for-the-stars type some might like in the top 50, but …
#MIZ 🐯🏈 pic.twitter.com/DnGAqUcKJy
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) April 4, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s just a really good football player. He can be a leader, he’ll bring a thump, and he’s always going to be around the action making things happen. He might not show up on the stat sheet in some areas like the star outside guys in this draft, but don’t be shocked if he leads a team in tackles.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings No. 2
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Size: 6-2, 221
The Good: It’s all going to depend on how you want to use him. He’s not big enough to be a regular on the inside, but throw him outside, let him roam, and he’ll be the ideal weakside linebacker who can do absolutely everything right.
The guy has a second sense for knowing where the ball is going to be, making 142 tackles with seven broken up passes in his two years. The burst is there to live behind the line with seven sacks and 24 tackles for loss, he’ll hang in pass coverage with just about anyone, and he’s tough enough to at least be willing to mix it up.
However …
The Not-So-Good: 6-2, 221. He’s a true tweener type who’ll get erased by NFL blockers and won’t be the type to mix it up for a defense that doesn’t have a whole lot of size around to protect him.
For all he can do, and for all of the forced fumbles, he’s not the biggest of poppers. He’ll tackle and be functional, but considering he’s a big guy with speed, he’s not an intimidating force.
The 2020 Butkus Award winner and ACC Defensive Player of the year. 💪
Here's what @NDFootball LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah can offer at the next level. @j_owuu (via @chad_reuter)
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft — April 29 – May 1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/Q6d0Ifdtg1
— NFL (@NFL) April 11, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’ll take some work to figure out how a team is going to use him, but in the modern day NFL with so much quick-hitting passes and with speed at a premium more than ever, take the safety in a 221-pound body and let him be one of the best playmakers on your D.
Projected Round: First
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings No. 1
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State
Size: 6-3, 246
The Good: An elite recruit for Penn State, he turned into an instant star and disruptive force with 191 tackles with 6.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in his first two seasons. Always active, he got better in pass coverage as a sophomore and was even more dangerous in the backfield.
He’s everything you want a hybrid outside linebacker to look like and be. He’s got the quick twitch, he ran a 4.39 40, and he’s strong enough against the run to hold up in a variety of ways.
Go ahead and use his skills however you want. He doesn’t have to be a pass rushing threat on a team that can get the job done from the line, but he can. Ask him to be a sideline-to-sideline guy, put him on the strongside to run with a tight end, put him on the weakside and let him run in space – he can do it all.
"That's wide receiver fast!"
Here's a quick look at @MicahhParsons11's very impressive @PennStateFball Pro Day performance. 👀 pic.twitter.com/bbXkrDh9mb
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 25, 2021
The Not-So-Good: The only real ding is that he’s much better when he’s roaming free. He can be a tough guy against the run, but he’s much better when he’s using his otherworldly wheels to chase someone down.
To get totally nitpicky, he could use a weeeee bit more dog in his fight. He can fly, but he’s not necessarily going blast through people.
If this matters in your world, he opted out last season just as he was growing more and more as a player. It’s going to be 20 months since he played.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: When it comes to the modern day outside linebacker, he’s the prototype. For some reason he doesn’t seem to be loved as much as a slew of quarterback prospects with several question marks, but he’s one of the five best players in this thing. Take him, throw him on the outside, let him screw up offenses for the next several years.
Projected Round: First
