Boston Sports Journal is your go to source for Boston sports and the NFL Draft! Be sure to check back frequently at BSJ for our NFL Draft Primer series, as we count you down to the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit on April 25-27. It's a new era in New England and this year's draft class will be identified with the new regime, led by director of scouting Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo.
In this edition of the primer series, we examine off-ball linebackers. As opposed to pass-rush linebackers, whose primary job is to sack the quarterback, off-ball linebackers are asked to stuff the run, or cover tight ends and running backs. There are several types of linebacker positions to be familiar with. The weakside inside linebacker, also known as the WILL, the strong side or middle inside linebacker, also known as the MIKE and the strongside outside linebacker, known as the SAM.
In case you missed any of our previous positional previews, be sure to bookmark the BSJ NFL Draft Page, or:
Here is our off-ball linebackers preview.
Patriots Projected Linebackers
New England has built a strong core of linebackers and has the entire two-deep depth chart under contract for multiple years. In fact, only Josh Uche and Joe Giles-Harris are entering the final year of their contract, making the linebacker position a relatively low priority entering the draft. The Patriots' hybrid defensive scheme can feature numerous players in various spots. At the WILL position, Matthew Judon is often asked to get after the quarterback. His absence was glaring a year ago after suffering a biceps injury in Week 4. Backup Anfernee Jennings filled in admirably but lacks the twitch necessary to replicate the same type of sack production.
The Patriots signed downhill thumper Sione Takitaki via free agency to add to their collection of run-stuffing backers with duo Ja'Whaun Bentley (114 tackles) and Jahlani Tavai (110 tackles). It's safe to say that the defense thrives in covering the field sideline-to-sideline with the corps they have assembled, while Christian Ellis provided a spark on special teams with seven tackles on return coverage.
Weakside Linebacker: Matthew Judon / Anfernee Jennings / Josh Uche
Inside Linebacker: Ja’Whaun Bentley / Sione Takitaki / Raekwon McMillan
Strongside Linebacker: Jahlani Tavai / Christian Elliss / Joe Giles-Harris
Urgency Level: Low Priority, could look to improve SAM; overall depth needed
NFL Draft Positional Overview: Linebackers
One of the unknown variables of the 2024 NFL Draft will be when the first linebacker is chosen. There are several factors why. One, the NFL has certainly devalued the off-ball linebacker position. Much like the running back spot on offense, recent draft trends have shown us that NFL teams prefer to wait until Day 2 of the draft to address those needs. Secondly, this year's draft class is not considered to be a star-laden group.
The leading candidates to be the first linebacker chosen would be Payton Wilson of North Carolina State and Junior Colson of Michigan. The tenacious Wilson plays with his hair on fire and would be considered a blue-chip prospect, if not for the medical concerns from his injury-plagued past. Colson, a tough, hard-nosed tackler is one of the easier players to root for. A native of Haiti, he lost his parents to an earthquake and eventually found his way to America at age nine. He would go on to serve as the heart and soul of Michigan's gritty defense.
Opinions vary as to whether Texas A&M versatile linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is viewed as an off-ball linebacker, or pass-rusher. Depending on the fit, team and scheme, his role could differ depending on where he lands. While Cooper sounds like a fit for the Pats, their focus will be on other areas of need early in the draft. However, there will be solid value in the draft during the middle rounds, if New England wants to address the depth on Day 3.
BSJ 2024 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: LINEBACKERS
Note: HPFA = High Priority Free Agent | PFA = Priority Free Agent | FA = Free Agent | HPFA usually results in higher signing bonus, while FA types tend to be rookie camp/tryout types.
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | PROJECTION
1. Payton Wilson, North Carolina State, 6-4, 233, 4.43, Rd1
From a pure talent perspective, Wilson is arguably the top defensive prospect in this year's draft. Viewed as a MIKE or WILL, much like his mentor Luke Kuechly, the Wolfpack team captain is relentless in pursuit of the ball carrier and made clutch plays all season. Wilson finished the year with 138 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one touchdown. His aggressiveness and ability to shed blocks could be traced back to his high school background.
“I tell people all the time, I argue with so many guys because they wanna talk about basketball, this and that, but wrestling instills a lot into you," Wilson stated at the combine. "When it comes to football itself, hand fighting, I think if I can get my hands on you, you’re coming to the ground. I understand leverage and torque, but wrestling is different. In football, if you mess up, you have 10 other guys to help you out, but wrestling, you mess up, you’re going on top of your head and you’re getting embarrassed in front of your mom, your dad, your friends and so just that mentality and anger and aggression that it instills with you is just. I’ve been wrestling since I was four, so, you know.”
2. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, 6-2, 230, 4.51, Rd2
A versatile backer who can play multiple spots, Cooper does a nice job setting the edge against the run but also took on a new role moonlighting as a pass-rusher this past season for the Aggies, tallying 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Cooper checks off all the boxes with his size, quickness, instincts and football IQ. His leadership skills have been praised by coaches and teammates alike.
"I bring in accountability and build relationships with my teammates and know that if all of my teammates, all of us are on one page, we have one mission, we’ll be able to complete it together. I like to bring everything to the table as well."
3. Junior Colson, Michigan, 6-2, 238, 4.58, Rd2
In many ways, Colson fits the mold of what the Patriots currently have on the roster at linebacker. A surefire open-field tackler, Colson takes precise angles and brings significant experience with nearly 2,000 collegiate snaps under his belt. You will be hard-pressed to find a tougher player both on and off the field, as Colson has overcome plenty of hardship from his escape to Haiti, journey to Ann Arbor and path to the NFL.
“I survived an earthquake, I survived both my parents passing away, I don’t think there’s anything that somebody can throw at me that I’m not ready for or expecting.”
4. Cedric Gray, North Carolina, 6-2, 234, 4.64, Rd2
A fluid mover with natural ball instincts, Gray constantly shows up around the football, as evidenced by his 121 total tackles, including 11 tackles for a loss and five sacks this past season. He also added five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Gray had a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl and tested well at the combine, where he expanded on the added benefit of converting from wide receiver to linebacker out of high school.
“Definitely, just the athleticism part. I feel like I move well for a linebacker. I feel like I have great ball skills. I feel like I made a few interceptions where you can see those ball skills come into play. Understanding how wide receivers run routes, just the little techniques and the different triggers they might do while running the route. You can kind of expect what’s coming. So I definitely feel that has benefitted me a lot.”
5. Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Clemson, 6-0, 230, 4.65, Rd3
Due to size and length limitations, Trotter Jr. has seen his draft stock dimmed a bit. A natural born backer, he has been a staple of the Tigers defense, displaying sideline-to-sideline prowess due to his quickness and smarts. Don't be surprised to see Trotter Jr. outplay his draft position due to his intelligence and preparation, as he looks to follow in his father's pro bowl footsteps.
“My dad, being in the league growing up, being around the game basically my whole life, he's taught me a lot about playing the linebacker position. He's definitely helped me get to this position here and I give a lot of credit to him. I really thank him for everything that's taught me.”
6. Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State, 6-2, 233, 4.63, Rd3
The SEC Defensive Player of The Year and All-American was recently in Foxborough on a 30-visit. Conscious of the whispers within the scouting community about his bulky frame, a leaner Watson showed up to the combine 15 pounds lighter than his playing weight. Watson finished his career with 379 tackles and has led the SEC in sacks each of the past two seasons.
"I most definitely was more of an offensive player in high school," the former wideout Watson stated. "Coach Joe Moorehead [and staff], they were the ones who recruited me, they changed my mindset of (playing on) offense."
7. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky, 6-1, 237, 4.51, Rd3
One of the more athletic linebackers in this year's draft, Wallace is in rare air with his speed and has been timed above 21mph on the Catapult timing device. A team captain and leader, Wallace demonstrates keen awareness and flies to the football. He does a nice job shedding blocks and possesses the traits to be a three-down backer at the next level, making him a tremendous Day 2 value.
8. Jaylan Ford, Texas, 6-2, 240, 4.72, Rd4
Any team seeking a MIKE will want to consider Ford, who wins with his size, length and quick, cat-like instincts. Over the past two seasons, Ford has stuffed the stat sheet with 220 tackles and 20.5 tackles for loss. His knack for creating turnovers has also been on full display, with six interceptions, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during that span.
“Being a quarterback of the defense, you got a lot on your plate, a lot of responsibility. And I think the main thing is just making sure you're prepared all the time and, you know, not really thinking about making mistakes, just, being fast and being assertive when you get in the room, you got to be loud, you got to be confident, you got to make them think that what you're saying is right. Almost like being a coach.”
9. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington, 6-1, 236, 4.56, Rd4
The twitched-up Ulofoshio has made great strides in his overall game and possesses tremendous athleticism, which allows him to be used in an array of ways. He needs to be more consistent in pass coverage as he transitions to the pros but can provide a boost on special teams as he develops. Born in Nigeria and a native of Alaska, Ulofoshio would later move to Las Vegas, as has certainly been well-traveled but his journey has only just begun.
“There’s ebbs and flows and there’s certain types of things that change within a game,” Ulofoshio said of being able to adapt in-game. “If you’re playing like a spread team and they want to air it out, you have to be superfluid in pass (coverage) and if they call your number to blitz, you got to be able to be slippery off blocks in the run game. If a certain team wants to go downhill run, you have to turn to ice to blow things up.”
10. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, 6-2, 233, 4.72, Rd4
Perceived more as an 'old-school' thumper, Eichenberg would have been a first-round pick two decades ago. With the modern mold of NFL linebacker that plays in the league today, Eichenberg is viewed more as a two-down run-stuffer, a role he would thrive in. Concerns about his timed speed will likely push him to Day 3 but no one will question his toughness and commitment, as he battled through an injury-riddled campaign in 2023. There's no doubt Eichenberg was coached up in Columbus.
“He helped me out a lot,” Eichenberg said of Buckeyes linebacker coach James Laurinaitis. “His experience of being in the NFL, and, you know, playing for a lot of different coaches. Being in the shoes that I was once in, you know, it's the first time I had a coach that played the same position as me. And so that helped me because I knew that if I went through something that he already went through, and you know, he had the answer.”
BEST OF THE REST
James Williams, Miami, 6-4, 231, 4.65, Rd4: Based on his frame and brief glimpse playing the position during Senior Bowl week, Williams' long-term future in the NFL is best-suited at linebacker. He projects as an ideal SAM due to his size and ability to cover. Williams is also a dependable tackler and would do well hovering the box as a chess piece.
Marist Liufau, Notre Dame, 6-2, 234, 4.64, Rd5
Jackson Sirmon, California, 6-2, 235, 4.76, Rd5
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State, 6-1, 241, 4.58, Rd5
Ty’ron Hopper, Missouri, 6-2, 231, 4.68, Rd6
Gabriel Murphy, UCLA, rSr, 6-2, 247, 4.68, Rd6
Aaron Casey, Indiana, 6-1, 230, 4.72, Rd6
Tyrice Knight, UTEP, 6-0, 233, 4.63, Rd6
Darius Muasau, UCLA, 6-0, 225, 4.70, Rd7
Kalen Deloach, Florida State, 6-0, 216, 4.47, Rd7
Grayson Murphy, UCLA, 6-3, 249, 4.66, Rd7
Jacoby Windmon, Michigan State, 6-1, 235, 4.65, HPFA
Omar Speights, LSU, 6-0, 225, 4.62, HPFA
Michael Barrett, Michigan, 5-11, 232, 4.70, HPFA
Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin, 6-0, 229, 4.81, HPFA
Jontrey Hunter, Georgia State, 6-2, 236, 4.94, HPFA
JD Bertrand, Notre Dame, 6-1, 235, 4.67, HPFA
Donovan Manuel, FlU, 6-0, 230, 4.81, HPFA
David Ugwoegbu, Houston, 6-4, 250, 4.74, HPFA
Jordan Magee, Temple, 6-2, 232, 4.55, HPFA
Isaiah Stalbird, South Dakota State, 6-0, 221, 4.43, HPFA
Jackson Mitchell, UConn, 6-1, 225, 4.85, HPFA
Jason Johnson, UCF, 6-1, 222, 4.67, PFA
Steele Chambers, Ohio State, 6-1, 226, 4.77, PFA
Tatum Bethune, Florida State, 6-0, 229, 4.77, PFA
Levelle Bailey, Fresno State, 6-2, 227, 4.73, PFA
Easton Gibbs, Wyoming, 6-0, 232, 4.71, PFA
Dallas Gant, Toledo, 6-3, 228, 4.69, PFA
Jacob Roberts, Wake Forest, 6-0, 233,4.72, PFA
Shayne Simon, Pittsburgh, 6-3, 229, 4.68, PFA
Justin Flowe, Arizona, 6015, 225, 4.54, PFA
Aaron Beasley, Tennessee, 6-1, 225, 4.83, FA
Mason Cobb, USC, 6002, 235, 4.78, FA
Xavier Benson, Oklahoma State, 6016, 224, 4.69, FA
Taylor Jackson, Delaware, 6-0, 233, 4.89, FA
Nick White, Monmouth, 6-2, 252, 4.82, FA
Tyren Dupree, Liberty, 6-2, 222, 4.77, FA
Niko Cooper, Western Kentucky, 6-3, 230, 4.78, FA
Dylan Kelly, Albany, 6010, 224, 4.74, FA
Stefon Thompson, Nebraska, 5116, 248, 4.76, FA
Power Echols, North Carolina, 5115, 225, 4.64, FA
PATRIOTS SLEEPER TO WATCH
Aaron Casey, Indiana, 6-1, 230, 4.72, Rd6: The hard-hitting Casey plays with a non-stop motor and has been praised for his character and work ethic. A gutsy competitor, he earned the nickname 'Ace' by his teammates and boasts vast special teams experience, which bodes well for his draft stock.
"Growing up, I loved watching Kam Chancellor, I actually played safety in high school, he’s the type of guy I really wanted to model my game after in high school. Downhill, hard hitting safety that’s one of the guys I’ve just looked up to."
UDFA CANDIDATE
Jordan Magee, Temple, 6-2, 232, 4.55, HPFA: A bigger backer who moves extremely well for his size, Magee swarms to the football and makes a bunch of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has flown under the radar for much of the draft process and has been lost in the fold playing at Temple. He summarized his collegiate career during the NFL Combine.
"My first coach was Geoff Collins (recruited him to Temple). He ended up going to Georgia Tech. I was still in high school when we got Manny Diaz. He was there for two weeks, and then he went to Miami. Then we got Rod Carey for three years and then we got Coach Stan Drayton, who’s there now."
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