2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Linebackers

The position of linebacker has morphed over the years. It used to be a position where you would find your toughest players and did not worry about overall athleticism as much. In today’s NFL, a linebacker must be able to cover running backs and/or tight ends and still be responsible for shutting down the run. Last year there was one linebacker taken in round one and thirteen selected all together.

Complete list of every linebacker pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 19: Jack Campabell, Iowa

Round 3, Pick 67: Drew Sanders, Arkansas

Round 3, Pick 85: Daiyan Henley, Washington State

Round 3, Pick 86: Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Round 3, Pick 90: DeMarvion Overshown, Texas

Round 3, Pick 91: Dorian Williams, Tulane

Round 4, Pick 121: Ventrell Miller, Florida

Round 5, Pick 148: Noah Sewell, Oregon

Round 5, Pick 153: SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh

Round 5, Pick 167: Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama

Round 5, Pick 168: Owen Pappoe, Auburn

Round 6, Pick 184: Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan

Round 6, Pick 203: Amari Burney, Florida

Round 6, Pick 211: Titus Leo, Wagner

Round 7, Pick 222: Andre Jones, Louisiana

Round 7, Pick 255: Jalen Graham, Purdue

This year’s class is shaping up to be very similar to last season’s. There may not be a 1st round pick in 2024, but several will hear their names called on day two.

Here is a look at Draft Nation's top 10 linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft:

1. Texas A&M- LB- Edgerrin Cooper (6’3” 230 lbs)

Strengths

• Tackling
• Instincts
• Locates Ball

Weaknesses

• Size
• Aggressiveness
• Strength

Cooper is coming off a breakout season for the Aggies. He finished the year with season highs in tackles with 84, and sacks with 8. He is an instinctive player who always knows where the ball is and the best way to get there. He is an effective tackler and if he can add a little bit of strength to his frame, he could be a future pro bowler.

Projection- 1st round or 2nd round

 2. Michigan- LB- Junior Colson (6’3” 235 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Instincts
• Shedding blocks
• Pursuit Angle

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Overaggressive
• Balance

Junior Colson is arguably the most athletic linebacker coming out in the 2024 class. He uses his speed to cause havoc in the backfield and is effective at disengaging blockers to better run down ball carriers on the other side of the field. He can be overaggressive at times and bites on fakes and play actions but will not make it out of round 2 in the 2024 draft.

Projection- 2nd round

3. North Carolina- LB- Cedric Gray (6’2” 228 lbs)

Strengths

• Playmaker
• Pursuit angles
• Strong hands
• Shedding blocks

Weaknesses

• Mechanics
• Size
• Tackling

Cedric Gray plays bigger than his size. He is great in pursuit and sheds blocks as well as anybody in this class. He needs to keep adding strength and needs to work on his tackling mechanics but has plenty of upside. His playmaking abilities will have team’s interested in him on day 2.

Projection- 2nd round or 3rd round

4. N.C. State- LB- Payton Wilson (6’4” 238 lbs)

Strengths

• Tackling
• Length
• Toughness
• Athleticism
• Versatility

Weaknesses

• Man coverage
• Shedding blocks
• Injury history

Payton Wilson is a freak athlete who added to his “freakishness” by running a 4.43 in the 40-yard at the combine. He is tough as nails and has the ability to hit and wrap up ball carriers all over the field. On the downside, he has had surgery on both of his shoulders and his body has been through the ringer. He will be picked on day 2, based on his freakish athleticism.

Projection- Round 2 or 3

5. Clemson- LB- Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. (6’0” 230 lbs)

Strengths

• Man coverage
• Run reads
• Closing speed
• Plays larger than his size

Weaknesses

• Strength
• Pass rush capability
• Does not wrap up
• Navigating through the line

Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. has a high motor and has efficient closing speed when tracking down running backs. Like his father, he's going to stop the run and will be able to cover backs out in the flat. He will not add much to a team’s pass rush.

Projection- Round 3

6. Kentucky- LB- Trevin Wallace (6’2” 241 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Versatility
• Zone coverage
• Balance

Weaknesses

• Pass rush moves
• Shedding blocks
• Raw
• Power

Trevin Wallace is not as polished as the prospects listed above. However, his sideline to sideline speed and his versatility will make him an excellent mid-round prospect.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

7. Washington- Edefuan Ulofoshio (6’1” 236 lbs)

Strengths

• Tackling
• Footwork
• Fluid movement
• Explosive off the snap

Weaknesses

• Overall pass coverage
• Strength
• Raw
• Misdirection

Ulofoshio is an “old school” prototypical inside linebacker. He will collect his share of tackles but otherwise he is still very raw. He is a nice mid-round pick for a team that has some time to develop him and can add strength to his frame.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

8- Penn State- Linebacker- Curtis Jacobs (6’1” 238 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Instincts
• Pursuit angle
• Burst

Weaknesses

• Size
• Overall pass coverage
• Upright
• Problems in traffic

Curtis Jacobs has the athleticism and instincts to be one of the top linebackers in the draft, but his size raises questions. He struggles in pass coverage and he has issues navigating in traffic areas. He has a ceiling worth taking a shot on and will be a quality 4th or 5th round pick for a team.

Projection- 4th round or 5th round

9- Ohio State- LB- Tommy Eichenberg (6’2” 238 lbs)

Strengths

• Downhill play
• Fluid movement
• High motor
• Whistle to whistle

Weaknesses

• Angles
• Pass rush moves
• Chase and finish

For a team that needs a linebacker in the middle to stop the run, Tommy Eichenberg is the man. He has the potential to collect 100+ tackles a season but will add little else to a defensive scheme. He is a nice value pick early on day 3 if used in the right scheme and with the right team.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

10. Mississippi State- LB- Nathaniel Watson (6’2” 245 lbs)

Strengths

• Speed
• Tackling
• Instincts
• Physicality

Weaknesses

• Quickness
• Length
• Overall pas coverage

Watson has straight line speed but suffers with lateral movement, getting from sideline to sideline. He is an above average tackler and will add nice depth for a team at the linebacker position.

Projection- 5th round