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.
SHARE:
LAST UPDATED: 04/25/2023

Player Rankings - Linebacker

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
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...
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...
36

LB
Ben
VanSumeren

6-3 237lbs 4.45
LB
Michigan State   Mascot
Michigan State Mascot
237lbs 6-3 4.45 55 318
74.3
VanSumeren has good movement skills with decent range. And VanSumeren proved capable of holding up in zone coverage and can be used as an...
30

LB/ED
Yasir
Abdullah

6-1 237lbs 4.47
LB/ED
JAX   Mascot
JAX Mascot
237lbs 6-1 4.47 27 154.7
78.3
Combines excellent power with initial quickness, but one of his best attributes are his violent hands, which Abdullah uses with impressive...
28

LB/ED
Robert
Beal Jr.

6-4 247lbs 4.48
LB/ED
SF   Mascot
SF Mascot
247lbs 6-4 4.48 38 220.7
78.5
His long limbs and strong core strength allow him to power through blockers, and Beal has the flexibility to loop inside and get home on...
21

LB
Dee
Winters

5-11 227lbs 4.49
LB
SF   Mascot
SF Mascot
227lbs 5-11 4.49 34 187.4
80.4
Winters can move laterally and chase in pursuit. A tough, violent tackler with a non-stop motor, Winters also shows good awareness when...
25

LB/ED
DJ
Johnson

6-4 260lbs 4.49
LB/ED
CAR   Mascot
CAR Mascot
260lbs 6-4 4.49 31 171.3
78.7
Johnson has decent enough flexibility to bend the edge, and Johnson shows a good closing burst. Elite athletic skills -- Made Bruce...
13

LB
Dorian
Williams

6-1 228lbs 4.49
LB
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
228lbs 6-1 4.49 24 118.3
83.5
The talent is there as a sideline-to-sideline playmaker. He’s built like a defensive back but hits like a linebacker. Milano has...
63

LB
Jaylen
Moody

6-2 225lbs 4.50
LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
225lbs 6-2 4.50 81 503
54.0
Reads quarterbacks eyes and reacts quickly to targets in zone coverage. Moody has a compact build, but Moody is a crafty edge player who...
53

LB/ED
Noah
Taylor

6-4 238lbs 4.52
LB/ED
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
238lbs 6-4 4.52 64 352.6
64.5
Reacts well to draw plays and misdirection, sniffs out screens to his side of the field. Keeps his eyes in the backfield when rushing the...
27

LB/ED
Mohamoud
Diabate

6-4 229lbs 4.52
LB/ED
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
229lbs 6-4 4.52 35 206.4
78.5
Best attribute. Extreme quickness off the edge, has the flexibility to turn the corner. Quick off the snap in the pass rush, Diabate has...
42

LB
Jeremy
Banks

6-1 232lbs 4.53
LB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
232lbs 6-1 4.53 47 286.2
72.6
Has enough twitch and speed to make an impact coming off the edge as a third-down specialist. Banks has good quickness and an excellent...

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.