2021: Linebackers

Zaven Collins-LB-Tusla-6’5”-259-2nd Round-95

Prototypical size for the Sam linebacker spot. This guy is a ballhawk. Has a great feel for the game and diagnoses plays in hurry which led to Collins winning the award for the Nation’s top defender in 2020. He blitzes well and looks natural in zone coverage. Clocking a 4.67 at his pro day should calm any athleticism concerns. The biggest thing that stuck out to me is when he gets his hands on a ballcarrier, that guy is not leaving Zaven’s grasp. Terrific tackling ability for a former quarterback. I think he’s a stud linebacker and don’t be surprised if he gets selected in the middle of round 1.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah-LB-Notre Dame-6’1”-221-2nd Round-92

Holy shit. I am typically an unbeliever in tweener linebacker-safeties but what is this guy? Answer: It doesn’t matter. He’s a football player you want on your team. JOK takes on blockers with fury and attacks ball carriers in an absolute hurry. He’s an exceptional athlete with okay size and decent length for linebacker. Keep him at backer, let him elevate the speed of your defense, and reap the benefits of his play-wrecking ability on all 4 downs.

Micah Parsons-LB-Penn State-6’3”-246-Top 15-91

Parsons is a tools prospect with phenomenal athleticism and great size as a linebacker. He closes the gap with ball carriers in a hurry, that’s his best trait. He’s going to be a fantastic blitzer and will close out in the flat like no one’s business. Parsons has shorter arms which makes it hard to disengage from blockers so you want to keep him clean and let him fly, but I worry about his instincts for the position and that moves him to the end of round 1 for me. The maturity concerns will hurt him because you want your middle linebacker to be a tone setter for the defense. Myles Jack is a good comparison for his ceiling.

Jamin Davis-LB- Kentucky-6’3”-234-2nd Round-86

Really athletic linebacker with decent size for the modern game. Davis physically reminds me of Darius Leonard, I think that should set his ceiling in the NFL. Jamin gets blocked too easily and has a tough time shedding. I think he fits as a Will in a 4 man front, but if someone pigeon holes him into the Mike role, he’ll struggle.