2020 Linebackers

Isaiah Simmons-LB-Clemson-6’4”-238-Top 7-97

I read something about Isaiah Simmons that floored me. Gil Brandt, the recently inducted Hall of Famer, who is on the Mount Rushmore for football scouts said he has never seen a prospect like him. Gil Brandt’s scouting career has more longevity than the Super Bowl, and he hasn’t seen someone like this kid. I’ve got to admit, I think he’s overrated, but maybe that’s because there’s never been anyone like him so how could I foresee what he can be? That’s a cop out. He’s a Calvin Johnson level athlete running a 4.39 and leaping 39 inches. Simmons used that athleticism to generate 100 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions in 2019, only 2 years removed from being a full time safety. For years I’ve been pumping up the 3 level safety who can play linebacker in a “Big Nickel” formation (5 DB’s), and Simmons may be the first linebacker I remember watching who can play the cornerback position in a “Big Dime” package which has the same 5 DB personnel. It’s hard for me to imagine how impactful that will be, but given the ubiquity of mobile quarterbacks, it can’t be a bad thing. I’m not ready to say he’s a better prospect than Luke Kuechly, but Isaiah ranks ahead of Tremaine Edmunds and Leighton Vander Esch.

Kenneth Murray-LB-Oklahoma-6’2”-241-1st Round-92

Not the biggest linebacker you’ll come across but he is one hell of an athlete. At 240lbs with near 33” arms he can run a 4.5 in the 40 and leaps 38 inches. As Michael Lombardi likes to say, if your middle linebacker is fast, your defense is fast. Murray plays fast. And he hits. He racked up 150 tackles in 2018, and although his tackle numbers dipped last fall, his sack numbers were up. Definitely has a zone feel in the passing game, and more impactfully, he can blitz like a mo fo. Shows good change of direction ability and doesn’t over run plays often. I’ve always been more into thumpers at the linebacker spot, but Murray can play the Will or Nickel backer role and be a gamer. Fits right into Telvin Smith’s shoes. Love his energy too.

Patrick Queen-LB-LSU-6’0”-229-1st Round-88

Really impressed with his movement ability. The top of this draft doesn’t have downhill linebackers, but oh boy is it rich in lateral linebackers. Big fan of the aggressiveness he plays with, although his lack of size really comes across. I doubt he played at 230 last season, looks very much more like a lean 220 to me. That limits what he can do i.e. playing against interior rushers, but in sub packages and scheme’s with space eaters up front this kid will fly around and make plays. Definitely plays at the 4.5 level that he ran at the combine. Only a one year starter, I don’t see a wide enough skillset or length of accomplishment to deem him a first round talent. Queen could develop into a Pro Bowl player, but at this stage his limitations push him to the second for me.

Zach Baun-LB-Wisconsin-6’2”-238-1st Round-85

Here lies maybe the most fun prospect in this year's draft. Comes out of high school as a phenom dual threat QB scoring 59 combined touchdowns as a high school senior in Wisconsin. Decides to stay home for college which led him to switch to defense because Badger QB’s are good at one thing and one thing only: feeding the beast in the backfield. So after some injuries and underwhelming play, Baun bursts onto the scene as a Senior tallying 12 sacks and nearly 20 tackles for a loss. It just took a few years for him to learn defense and translate his athleticism there right? Enter a diluted piss test at the combine. Hmmm something’s fishy here. Not saying he’s guilty of anything, but it’s the classic out of nowhere one year success story that leads to disappointment at the next level. Not saying he can’t make it, because he has the lateral ability to play off ball, and there are plenty of examples of 6’2” or shorter edge players. But the one year wonder scares me. Feels like a ILB/OLB tweener, which used to be a deal breaker, but if you’ve watched the Patriots play the last few years, you know that’s the new bread and butter.