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: 04/29/2023

Player Rankings - Linebacker

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
51

LB
DaShaun
White

6-0 205lbs 4.74
LB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
205lbs 6-0 4.74 73 457.3
66.8
White shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge. He’s at his best in coverage....
39

LB
Carlton
Martial

5-9 210lbs 4.95
LB
Troy   Mascot
Troy Mascot
210lbs 5-9 4.95 62 335.6
74.0
Good closing speed with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs. He’s rangy and instinctive when he’s looking into the...
40

LB
Cam
Bright

6-0 219lbs 4.59
LB
Washington   Mascot
Washington Mascot
219lbs 6-0 4.59 63 336
74.0
Bright has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on. Intelligent player who can...
64

LB
Derrick
Smith

6-2 220lbs 4.88
LB
Western Kentucky   Mascot
Western Kentucky Mascot
220lbs 6-2 4.88 80 502
54.0
Closes quickly on relatively immobile quarterbacks. A consistently heavy hitter who flashes explosiveness and the ability to separate the...
59

LB
Troy
Brown

6-1 220lbs 4.74
LB
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
220lbs 6-1 4.74 65 373.7
58.9
Brown shows good quickness off the line of scrimmage and flashes the violent hands to win around the edge. He has an excellent feel for...
50

LB
Micah
Baskerville

6-0 221lbs 4.84
LB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
221lbs 6-0 4.84 57 320.6
69.0
The talent is there as a sideline-to-sideline playmaker. Baskerville can move laterally and chase in pursuit. A tough, violent tackler...
17

LB/ED
Marte
Mapu

6-2 221lbs 4.59
LB/ED
NE    Mascot
NE  Mascot
221lbs 6-2 4.59 30 170.6
81.3
Gets pressures on inside stunts and was too explosive for college guards to handle. Mapu will always try to plow into the largest piles...
62

LB
Nick
Anderson

5-10 225lbs 4.63
LB
Tulane   Mascot
Tulane Mascot
225lbs 5-10 4.63 75 467.7
57.2
Anderson understands angles and takes very good paths moving downhill. He shows good ability in coverage, with the agility to mirror backs....
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...
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...
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...
22

LB
Cam
Jones

6-1 226lbs 4.69
LB
Indiana   Mascot
Indiana Mascot
226lbs 6-1 4.69 37 218.2
80.0
Jones has ability as a blitzer, with the length and flexibility to get around the edge. Handles misdirection well with quick...

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.