NFL Draft 2017 - Linebackers
Now let's move on to look at this year's linebacker prospects. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, so please share analysis, commentary and gifs of your favorite prospects in the comments section.
Jets Needs: Linebackers
The Jets drafted Darron Lee with the first pick last year, but they need to develop someone to pair him with going forwards. While David Harris is still with the team for this year, they'll be looking ahead and should be in the market for a future starter.
Beyond Lee and Harris the depth is poor, so this seems extremely likely to be a position they'll address. It also would seem like a good opportunity for an undrafted rookie that plays the position to make the team.
Note: Players like TJ Watt, Tyus Bowser and Ryan Anderson who might be considered linebackers were addressed earlier today in our edge defenders review. Similarly, we're treating Jabrill Peppers as a safety
First round prospects
Temple's Haason Reddick has seen his stock soar since the end of the season. He has tremendous athletic numbers and is productive against the run and in coverage. Reddick also rushed the passer off the edge a lot and seems to have firmly established himself as a first-round pick.
For most of the draft process, Alabama's Reuben Foster was expected to be the first linebacker selected, but a series of off-field issues have likely bumped him out of the first round. Foster is also productive against the run, in coverage and as a pass rusher. However, having slimmed down from 240 pounds to 225 last season would be be too lightweight to pair with a guy like Lee?
Most experts seem to have Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham ranked just outside the first round, but he's the sort of player I could see sneaking into the back end. Cunningham is more of a thumper and has good length and an ability to diagnose plays and explode to the ball:
Non-first rounders
One of the best prospects expected to go on day two is Raekwon McMillan from Ohio State. He should certainly complement Lee well, given that they were teammates with the Buckeyes. McMillan brings decent length, productivity and athleticism to the position and can make plays in coverage like this deflection to create a turnover:
Two pairs of teammates from major programs who could all go on day two are Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone from Florida and LSU's Kendall Beckwith and Duke Riley.
Beckwith is a good leader with size and versatility but is coming off a serious knee injury whereas Riley had a break-out season in 2016. Davis is a good tackler with excellent instincts, while the athletic Anzalone has some durability concerns but is definitely talented.
Blair Brown from Ohio lacks ideal size but he's as impressive as anyone in this class against the run, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. He's a secure tackler, had excellent workout numbers and clearly diagnoses plays well:
Late round sleepers
According to SPARQ rankings, Missouri State's Dylan Cole is the most athletic linebacker prospect in this year's class. He was one of the more impressive performers at this year's NFLPA Collegiate Bowl:
Elijah Lee from Kansas State is an underclassman who is on a lot of radars. He has generated some good production, particularly in coverage.
Houston's Stephen Taylor put up some monster numbers over the past two seasons playing both inside and on the edge. He's a productive blitzer and fiery playmaker, but apparent character concerns and less than ideal athletic numbers could push him out of the draft altogether.
Arizona's Paul Magloire is an interesting story who was a former quarterback. He fits into the current trend for linebacker/safety hybrids and had some productive games on a poor team last year. He'll need to prove his athleticism to make it onto an NFL roster.
Finally, Ben Boulware from Clemson is slow, not particularly athletic and lacks size and length. However, he had a unique knack for being in the right place at the right time in key moments and plays with an aggressive ferocity which leads me to conclude he'll be in the NFL and will probably grade out poorly, but will come up big in crucial moments and will probably be a Jet Killer and a hated opponent. I bet he ends up with an AFC East rival.
Let's have your views in the comments! Who is overrated, who is underrated and who did we not mention that interests you?