NFL teams are increasingly on the lookout for three-down linebackers who play the run on early downs, but can cover tight ends and the league's ever-increasing threat of talented pass-catching running backs.
Teams want a thumper and enforcer on early downs, mixed with an instinctive and savvy cover guy on third down. The best linebackers in the NFL right now have that skillset. This draft has a few three-down type players, but also pretty good depth with a variety of skillsets for whatever teams are on the lookout for from the linebacker position.
Top 5 linebackers to watch at the Combine:
1. Nakobe Dean, Georgia, 6-0, 225
Instincts and playmaking ability are staples of Dean's game. He's one of those three-down players teams are looking for at the position in today's NFL. He should have no problem covering backs out the backfield at the NFL level because he's got speed and quickness to match his instinctive traits.
2. Devin Lloyd, Utah, 6-3, 235
Both Dean and Lloyd could hear their names called in the top 10 picks of this draft. Lloyd has an ideal frame and terrific instincts to match his dynamic physical traits. He recorded 7.0 sacks and four interceptions to go along with 22.0 tackles for loss this past season. He notched 43.0 tackles for loss over the last three years and scored three defensive touchdowns. Talk about production.
View photos of the linebacker prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama linebacker Christopher Allen (4) defends against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
American Team linebacker Channing Tindall of Georgia (41) in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Utah Utes linebacker Nephi Sewell (1) defends in coverage on defense during the 108th Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against the Ohio State on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Pasadena, Calif. The Buckeyes won, 48-45. (Ric Tapia via AP)
American Team linebacker JoJo Domann of Nebraska runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Montana State linebacker Troy Andersen looks on before South Dakota State snapped the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game in the semifinals of the FCS playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Bozeman, Mont. Montana State won 31-17. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
West linebacker Jack Sanborn, of Wisconsin, (57) in coverage against the East during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Wyoming linebacker Chad Muma (48) looks to the sidelines against Boise State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 23-13. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Michigan linebacker Josh Ross (12) celebrates with teammates after a missed Iowa field goal during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
FILE - Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (11) is shown during an NCAA football game against Notre Dame on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. Jermaine Johnson II was voted The Associated Press All-ACC defensive player of the year in results released Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector (10) celebrates after a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Texas A&M linebacker Aaron Hansford (1) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard (2) on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
Arkansas defensive lineman Tre Williams (55) against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel (44) intercepts a pass by Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett with under a minute left in regulation in an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 30-23 in overtime. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (20) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten)
Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith (12) drops into pass coverage against Michigan during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa.on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota defensive lineman Boye Mafe (34) positions himself for the play against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Minneapolis. Illinois won 14-6. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Georgia linebacker Quay Walker (7) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Oklahoma linebacker Brian Asamoah runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arizona State linebacker Darien Butler (20)during an NCAA football game against Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Auburn safety Bydarrius Knighten (19) celebrates an interception Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain (9) in the second half against LSU during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Cincinnati linebacker Darrian Beavers chases after a Navy player during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Cincinnati won 27-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal (5) plays against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana linebacker Micah McFadden (47) ih action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State won 20-15. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU Tigers linebacker Damone Clark (18) defends in coverage on defense during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won, 38-27. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) lines up to block during a field goal during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Florida linebacker Jeremiah Moon (7) follows a play in front of Alabama tight end Cameron Latu (81) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose is shown during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Ames. Iowa State won 38-31. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris (8) lines up against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Colorado linebacker Nate Landman (53) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Denver. Texas A&M won 10-7. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Illinois linebacker Jake Hansen (35) during an NCAA football game against Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Mississippi linebacker Chance Campbell (44) works during the first half of an NCAA football game against Louisville on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Boston College linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley (19) plays against Massachusetts during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Amherst, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
East Carolina wide receiver Tyler Snead, center, is tackled by Appalachian State defensive back Jackson Greene, left, and linebacker D'Marco Jackson during the first half of an NCAA football game on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) celebrates after catching an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Jose State Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
3. Quay Walker, Georgia, 6-4, 240
Walker has elite size with a good football IQ to match. His speed won't jump off the film, but he's shown an ability to cover tight ends and backs at the college level. We'll see how much that translates to the pro level. He's an effort player with a tremendous motor and a lot of upside.
4. Damone Clark, LSU, 6-3, 240
Clark was a highly productive linebacker for the Tigers with a good combination of size, speed and toughness. He recorded 135 tackles (77 solo) in 12 games this past season, with 5.5 sacks and an interception mixed in there as well. He could be a key contributor on special teams early on and another player with a high ceiling.
5. Chad Muma, Wyoming, 6-3, 242
I wrote at the Senior Bowl that Muma had a nose for the football, and that's backed up by his 142 tackles (83 solo) and three interceptions this past season. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. His physical traits aren't going to jump off the page, and there's some technique stuff he needs to continue to work on, but there's something to be said about a guy who just knows how to find the football and is around it a lot.
Combine sleeper to watch: Jesse Luketa, Penn State, 6-3, 247
Coaches at Penn State raved about his team-first mentality and personal drive to better his overall game. He's an interesting prospect in that some teams could see him as a SAM or WILL linebacker, but 3-4 teams could be interested in making him an outside linebacker due to his size and skillset.
Lions need at the position: High
I put the Lions' need at linebacker right behind wide receiver and safety. It should be a priority this offseason for Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
Alex Anzalone and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit's most consistent inside linebackers in 2021, are both unrestricted free agents. I expect second-year linebacker Derrick Barnes to play a much bigger role next season, but the team still needs more talent and depth around him. This could be the most overhauled position this offseason. Don't be surprised if the Lions are players in the veteran free-agent market, and also get a young linebacker early in the draft.
Key stat: The Lions were 0-6-1 this past season when allowing a 100-yard rusher. Opponents averaged 135.1 rushing yards per game, which was the fifth highest per game average in the NFL. Teams averaged 4.3 yards per carry against the Lions in 2021.
