Linebacker Rankings 2023 NFL Draft

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) during the second quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) scrambles against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) during the second quarter in the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER PROSPECT RANKINGS 2023 NFL DRAFT

The 2023 class is pretty strong and contains some impressive athletes. Our list includes players officially listed as OLB's but who are predominantly edge rushers. However, we regard the top traditional linebackers as Clemson's Trenton Simpson and Oregon's Noah Sewell - both have a chance to hear their name called on day one of the draft.

Former five-star prospect Trenton Simpson is an athletic freak who despite weighing in at 240lbs reportedly runs a sub 4.4 forty-yard dash. He also hits like a truck although didn't make the expected step up in production in 2022 and may be viewed as a slightly risky pick.
Noah Sewell brother of Detroit Lion Penei Sewell also possesses impressive athletic talents, he, however, is a more polished overall defender and a safer pick.
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LAST UPDATED: 04/23/2023

Player Rankings - Linebacker

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
1

LB/ED
Will
Anderson Jr....

6-4 253lbs 4.60
LB/ED
HOU   Mascot
HOU Mascot
253lbs 6-4 4.60 1 2
93.4
Will Anderson Jr. is no doubt an elite edge prospect. He's a very rare prospect in having huge athletic talents - is super strong for his...
2

LB/ED
Tyree
Wilson

6-6 271lbs 4.82
LB/ED
LV   Mascot
LV Mascot
271lbs 6-6 4.82 2 9.7
89.2
Wilson is one of the top edge prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, possessing the physical attributes necessary to make an immediate impact. He...
3

LB
Jack
Campbell

6-5 249lbs 4.65
LB
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
249lbs 6-5 4.65 9 50.5
87.6
Coming into the combine Jack Campbell was known as a hugely dominant, skillful, and successful college player whose only major negative was...
4

LB
Trenton
Simpson

6-2 235lbs 4.43
LB
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
235lbs 6-2 4.43 7 46.9
87.3
Trenton Simpson is the top linebacker prospect in the 2023 NFL draft class. His impressive physique belies his 240 pounds and he is highly...
5

LB/ED
Derick
Hall

6-3 254lbs 4.55
LB/ED
SEA   Mascot
SEA Mascot
254lbs 6-3 4.55 11 55.2
86.0
Derick Hall has a number of elite qualities, he's got elite speed, and overall power as well as outstanding length and has been a...
6

LB/ED
Andre
Carter II

6-6 256lbs 4.93
LB/ED
Army   Mascot
Army Mascot
256lbs 6-6 4.93 19 90.4
85.5
Andre Carter II is an incredible athlete with a massive wing span, elite agility, and change of direction skills with the speed to match...
7

LB/ED
Drew
Sanders

6-4 235lbs 4.66
LB/ED
DEN   Mascot
DEN Mascot
235lbs 6-4 4.66 6 41.9
85.3
Sanders totally resurrected his college career after transferring from Alabama where he put a season of dominating play. He may suffer as...
8

OLB/ED
Nick
Herbig

6-2 240lbs 4.65
OLB/ED
PIT   Mascot
PIT Mascot
240lbs 6-2 4.65 18 89.6
84.7
Nick Herbig has proved to be a massively productive player at the college level. He's put up huge pass-rushing numbers for the...
9

LB
Noah
Sewell

6-2 246lbs 4.64
LB
CHI   Mascot
CHI Mascot
246lbs 6-2 4.64 21 96.9
84.6
Noah Sewel is a classic throwback middle linebacker. He's excellent against the run and his tackling ability is outstanding and rarely...
10

LB
Henry
To'oTo'o

6-1 227lbs 4.62
LB
HOU   Mascot
HOU Mascot
227lbs 6-1 4.62 17 88.8
84.4
Henry To'oTo'o has been a very successful leader of the Alabama defense and has put good tackling numbers during his stint at both Tennesse...
11

LB
Daiyan
Henley

6-1 225lbs 4.54
LB
LAC   Mascot
LAC Mascot
225lbs 6-1 4.54 14 70.6
84.1
Daiyan Henley is a quality pro linebacker prospect, who possesses outstanding overall agility and speed, an equally impressive ability as a...
12

LB
Owen
Pappoe

6-0 225lbs 4.39
LB
ARI   Mascot
ARI Mascot
225lbs 6-0 4.39 23 114.9
83.6
Pappoe may not be the biggest or strongest linebacker prospect in the SEC, but he does flash the kind of elite playmaking ability with...

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Linebacker

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Linebacker

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.