The linebacker position has evolved dramatically over the last few years at the NFL level with an expectation that players must be fast enough to chase down opposing players, big and strong enough to tackle them in the running game and fluid and instinctual enough to drop back in coverage and defend the pass as well.
There are only a handful of elite linebackers that have the skill set to do it all. With such a high need at the position, there is no doubt there will be a premium on linebackers at next year’s NFL Draft. Here is a look forward to the 2016 NFL Draft with a breakdown of the top linebacker prospects available.
Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Junior
There really should be no doubt about who the top linebacker prospect in the country is right now as Smith has the ultimate blend of size, speed, instincts and athleticism. He’s the most complete player at his position. Smith is an absolute monster at 6’2’’ and 240 pounds with the pop to make big hits at the line of scrimmage but it might be his coverage ability that stands out the most. He is quick enough to make plays in zone drops or cover the tight end man-to-man.
That’s quite important for NFL teams as passing it’s the emphasis these days. We’ve seen the Seattle Seahawks have a lot of success with linebackers who are great in coverage.
Smith probably would have been a first-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft if he was eligible but after another full year to improve his overall skill set and develop at the position, there is no doubt he is the top linebacker prospect in the nation right now.
Leonard Floyd, Georgia Bulldogs
Junior
Floyd showed off his outstanding explosiveness and burst off the edge in his sophomore season at Georgia last year and he has looked even better so far this season with 49.0 tackles and 3.5 sacks through nine games. Floyd has quality size at 6’4’’ and 231 pounds as well as great instincts and speed off the edge. While he still has the potential to improve in pass coverage, his elite ability as a pass rusher should be enough to make him a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Everyone likes a productive linebacker out of the SEC.
Myles Jack, UCLA Bruins
Junior
Jack was considered among the top linebacker prospects in the country heading into this year’s college football season and while a knee injury has sidelined him for the remainder of the year, he opted against returning for his senior season with confirmation that he will enter the 2016 NFL Draft. A versatile outside linebacker that even played some snaps at running back at UCLA, Jack’s stock could take a bit of a hit based on the injury. It seems like his value has even increased a little bit as we’ve all seen how UCLA’s defense has struggled without him. He should still be a lock as a potential first-round pick. Jack projects as a weakside linebacker at the NFL level where he will have the ability to showcase his excellent coverage and playmaking range on the outside.
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Scooby Wright, Arizona Wildcats
Junior
Wright isn’t considered an elite athlete like Smith or Jack, but he had a monster 2014 season in which he won the Bednarik award as the best defensive player in college football. He is unmatched when it comes to dedication, desire and work ethic. Few college prospects can match Wright’s instincts near the line of scrimmage and he showed his versatility both as a blitzer and in coverage last season at Arizona. This year, Wright has missed some time with a foot sprain but scouts love this guy. He has already done enough to prove his worth as a top linebacker prospect and it won’t be a surprise when he is taken in one of the first two rounds in the 2016 NFL Draft.
