2025 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW – LINEBACKERS
Draft Grade Index:
90+: All-Pro Projection
85-89: Pro Bowl Projection
81-84: 1st Round – Year 1 starter
77-80: 2nd/3rd Round – Year 1 contributor, year 2-3 starter
74-76: Early Day 3: Cores special teamer and rotational player
71-74: Mid Day 3: Core special teamer and backup
68-70: Late Day 3: Developmental and special teamer
1) Jihaad Campbell – Alabama – 6’3/235
Grade: 86
Junior entry, two-year starter. Erial, NJ. First team All-SEC in addition to All-American honors in 2024. Campbell was initially recruited as an edge defender but he smoothly made the transition to an off-ball spot which is where he will spend most of his time at the next level. He is an excellent run and chase defender with wide range and ability to impact the play far away from the point of attack. Campbell also has a long and broad frame that promotes the idea of him being a weapon in coverage. His strides have been notable in that area, particularly reading the passer’s eyes and anticipating routes. The one hole in Campbell’s game has been his inability to take on blocks between the tackles against the run. He lacks awareness and repeated footwork, offering a sizable target for blockers to attack. He is best suited for a weak side role early on who can come up to the line on pass rush looks when needed. He had 20 pressures and eight sacks on just 99 pass rush attempts in 2024 and that is where he looks most natural. Campbell can be one of the top linebackers in the game within his rookie contract window.
*Campbell was not on my radar early on in the year. But he kept on producing and that #11 jersey kept jumping off the screen when I was watching film on other guys. His tool set is among the best of all defenders in the entire class but he still has some rawness to him when it comes to instincts and forecasting the inside run. A team will need a well thought out plan for his versatile usage while also trying to firm up what he can do against the run. I only see a scenario where this makes sense if NYG trades out of the top six or seven spots which is unlikely but in a draft with several attractive linebacker/edge hybrids, Campbell is right in the mix when it comes to the highest ceiling.
2) Carson Schwesinger – UCLA – 6’2/242
Grade: 80
One-year starter. Moorpark, CA. First team All-Big Ten and first team All-American in 2024. Schwesinger began his career as a walk-on after going under-recruited in high school. That quickly changed as the UCLA coaching staff watched how much of a force he was on special teams early in his career. He ended up being a true one-year wonder with elite production against the run and surprising impact on pass defense. Schwesinger broke up three passes and intercepted two more along with 18 pressures on just 62 pass rush snaps. He is a classic MIKE linebacker with top tier footwork, eyes, and angles. He gets himself in the right position and stays small to blockers. He does everything right but the question will center around speed and length. Schwesinger is a bit short on tools and the margin of victory he won with play to play in college was razor thin. The fear is he may not be able to play that way at the next level. Teams will have weight the classic debate of instincts vs. tools in this scenario.
*I like this kid a lot but I could not go full blown first rounder after just one season of playing time and production in addition to the less than ideal tool set. I also wish he made a few more plays behind the line of scrimmage. Schwesinger was in for a visit with NYG and if they want him, it will be in the front half of the second round. Does it make sense considering it is not a top need and he is not a top tier prospect? Only if they view this as Bobby Okereke’s final season in blue (they would save about $9 million by cutting him next offseason) or Micah McFadden is best suited for a backup role. I lean toward not drafting him unless he somehow falls to the third round.
3) Danny Stutsman – Oklahoma – 6’3/233
Grade: 80
Three-year starter. Windermere, FL. Three-time All-Conference, first team All-Big 12 in 2023 and All-SEC in 2024. Also a two-time All-American, first team in 2024. Stutsman was a production machine. 337 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks since the start of 2022. He also did this across multiple schemes and roles. Plain and simple, Stutsman is a chew-glass football player with leadership qualities that are off the charts. There are several fine points to the positon he does at a high level but his game is dependent on aggression, intelligence, and a gamer mentality. He constantly finds himself near the ball. While he could be more athletic in coverage and there is a tendency to overshoot his assignment, Stutsman is a safe bet to be a quality starter that will be a leader on the the team before long. His ideal role is a classic MIKE linebacker that puts the green dot on his helmet and brings personality to a defense.
*Stutsman isn’t for everyone. It didn’t surprise me that he opted out of the agility drills because he shows stiffness and has a tendency to lose his center of balance when he needs to adjust his weight. That was the biggest negative on his report and grading sheet. Beyond that, this is the kind of guy fans, teammates, and coaches rally around. He is a face of the franchise type but not the kind of player that will take over games. NYG has had a lot of previous success with this kind of linebacker and leader in the middle. I am on board with him anywhere on day 2 if NYG plans to move on from Okereke next offseason or shift McFadden into a backup role soon.
4) Barrett Carter – Clemson – 6’1/231
Grade: 79
Three-year starter. Suwanee, GA. Three-time All-ACC first team in 2024 in addition to All-American honors. Carter is a two-time team captain and someone the Clemson coaching staff lauded as one of the best leaders and pure football players they have ever been around. The former five-star recruit arrived as a safety (and was also a big time running back in high school) but quickly made the move to linebacker. He was effective in space against receivers, showing comfortable footwork and hip movement in coverage. Carter is most comfortable when he has space to roam and use his closing speed. He is a nasty finisher who can stay on the field in all situations. The issues with poor upper body techniques and missed tackles have been a problem his entire career and he may not reach a much higher level than where he enters the league at. With that said, he is both serviceable and reliable in addition to be a near-automatic team captain early in his career.
*Carter was a first rounder on my preseason board from 2023. His tape that season was not good, however, and it prompted his return to school. He reminds me a bit of Patrick Queen, a guy that can be around for awhile but don’t think you are getting Roquan Smith when you draft him. He will make some splash plays and he will be loved by anyone that interacts with him, but he has played so much football and has not gotten much better. He is what he is. A starting caliber weak side guy that can line up in different spots.
5) Demetrius Knight Jr. – South Carolina – 6’2/235
Grade: 77
Two-year starter. Locust Grove, GA. Spent four seasons at Georgia Tech as a special teamer and backup quarterback prior to transferring to Charlotte in 2023 where he moved to linebacker and earned All-AAC honors. Transferred to South Carolina in 2024 and proved he could produce at the highest level of college football. Knight is married with two kids and will turn 26 before the playoffs of his rookie season. This is a grown man that has had an anything-but-direct path to playing linebacker in the NFL. His tape is filled with glimpses of a man among boys. His contact with ball carriers is heavy and impactful. Knight is a comfortable athlete that plays the game with aggressive intelligence, He has the size and thumper mentality to play the MIKE role in any scheme. Decision makers will have to weigh how much they care about his age and lack of swiftness in coverage. He will contribute on special teams and the level of maturity and experience with producing after leveling up keeps his floor high enough to put a starter grade on him.
*Knight is one of the more interesting stories from the class. A former quarterback that will turn 26 next January. A two-year linebacker that has some of the best tape of all the linebackers in the class. Knight is a pure thumper with light feet and above average agility. I have seen some heavy movement when he gets going in space and I’m not sure I trust him in coverage. This is the kind of prospect I would personally pass on but I would not be surprised if he was one of the top year-one defenders in the class. Just an interesting prospect all around that moves and plays like a young Antonio Pierce.
6) Cody Simon – Ohio State – 6’2/229
Grade: 77
Three-year starter. Jersey City, NJ. All-Big Ten in 2024. Simon is a densely built, powerful run defender that can dominate the inside run game. He creates firm contact against blockers, rarely losing his ability to stay square to the line and does not give up any ground. He is a heavy hitter when he reaches the ball carrier and does not need much space to create momentum and force. Simon does great work with his hands, showing the overlooked but necessary ability to stack and shed inside. His foot speed has improved as he has gotten faster at reading the action so he can fully use his plus-athleticism, Simon does have some tight movement habits that show up as he drops into coverage. His speed and quickness do not always show up there. He is a starting caliber inside linebacker that needs to be developed in order to stay on the field against the pass, but his intelligence and know-how create enough hope for this three-down potential.
*I am higher on Simon than most. He is a local NJ kid (went to school near MetLife Stadium) who can bring physicality to the front seven. He is powerful and fast but also just a nasty dude that imposes his will. Beyond that, he simply does not make a lot of mistakes. He is very technically proficient and plays smart football. He did not commit a single penalty in a five-year career, played his best football down the stretch, and is a team-captain type. Round 4 I am all over this kid.
7) Nick Martin – Oklahoma State – 5’11/224
Grade: 76
Two-year starter. Texarkana, TX. First team All-Big 12 in 2023. Martin looks undersized initially but he has unusual length for his frame and the speed is next level. This is a firecracker that instantly changes the speed of the defense and he can pack a punch on contact as well. Martin can afford to be patient in his reads because of how fast he can get from point A to point B in addition to playing under the pads of blockers. Martin also uses that skill set to impact the game as a pass rusher. He reached the hard-to-hit mark of 30% pressure rate over the past two seasons combined on 125 blitzes. He is a run and chase guy that has a tendency to overshoot intentions but he can make up for some mistakes with the rare level of twitch he plays with. Martin’s floor will be an impact special teamer but has a ceiling to be a difference making-weak side linebacker.
*Martin caught my attention in coverage at the Senior Bowl. Those matchups in one on one drills always favors the offense but he won over and over. Watching his tape and how impactful his speed was got me excited about what he could be at the next level. It was like watching Lavonte David. Have to be careful where to slot him but he is healthy (knee injury last October) and NYG does not have a speed threat like him.
8) Jeffrey Bassa – Oregon – 6’1/228
Grade: 76
Three-year starter. Salt Lake City, UT. Two-time All-Conference. Bassa began his career as a safety but was quickly moved to linebacker his freshman season. He has been the defensive leader of that Ducks team each of the past two years. He plays with incredible twitch and range. Bassa is all over the field and shows the ability to move with fluidity in coverage. He is at his most effective when he is in full pursuit. The closing speed and ability to tackle on the move in space will be sought after with the number of teams getting the ball out quickly in the passing game. Bassa has a hard time when it comes to the size-based demands of the position. He does not take on blocks well and tends to get swallowed up. He also will miss tackles and struggle to match up against tight ends in coverage. He is a one dimensional spark for the front who, if kept in his weak side role, can make a weekly impact in specific areas but with limitations.
*Bassa is an easy guy to find on tape. He is always one of the fastest players on the field and he gets to the action often. While he did not make a lot of impact plays, he does bring reliable and consistent performance to the field often. He plays bigger than he is and could be a better option than Micah McFadden or at least an easy replacement next year when that contract is up.
9) Smael Mondon Jr. – Georgia – 6’2/224
Grade: 76
Three-year starter. Dallas, GA. All-SEC in 2023. Mondon was a top-shelf recruit everyone wanted out of college. He had some young Quay Walker in his game but the fact he never put on serious weight and suffered multiple ankle/foot injuries over his career held him back from reaching that level. He was still an important contributor to one of the nation’s defenses that played most of his football on the weak side. Mondon is a quick-footed, balanced athlete that can react in an instant. Mondon never reached the elite ceiling many thought he would, but there is no denying how reliable he played for three seasons when he stayed on the field. Mondon has the hips and short area footwork of a safety. He has a hard time playing with gap integrity against the run inside as well. There is no shortage of toughness and he does not make a ton of mistakes. He simply did not create a lot for the defense but he should thrive on special teams and give the team a potential piece for the weak side if he can improve his power game.
*I have a bit of a bias for Georgia linebackers. I liked Quay Walker and I really wanted NYG to draft Nakobe Dean years ago. Mondon has a lot of similar traits those two had and in some ways, he looks better. He is an easier moving athlete with real explosive starts. But the medical will be big for him and I’m not sure he will get much stronger. I would love him on the roster if he fell and got a clear check on his foot for special teams and upside.
10) Jack Kiser – Notre Dame – 6’2/231
Grade: 75
Sixth-year senior, three-year starter. Kiser is a former high school quarterback and elite-level student that coaches called the most likely player to become President. The team captain was the general of the Notre Dame defense in 2024 and following their marathon 16-game season, he still participated in the Senior Bowl week. Kiser is the prototype inside linebacker when it comes to intangibles. It translates to his play on the field which includes a lot of mistake-free football. Kiser is not an athlete nor does he play big, but he knows what to do and where to be. That alone has value for a linebacker in the middle of any defense. The 25-year old may not have much upside to acquire and he will likely be attacked by savvy NFL passers in coverage. While the upside is nothing to write home about, there is a safe feel to his projection and definitely a guy who coaches want in their room
*I feel like I should like Kiser more. He is quick and snappy. He does not miss tackles. His character grades could not be better. In many ways, he is similar to Micah McFadden but does not play as heavy on contact. The speed of the NFL and proficient passing attacks could expose the physical limitations. That said, for a day three value they don’t get as safe as him when it comes to at least contributing on specials with reliable depth availability.
11) Kobe King – Penn State – 6’1/243
Grade: 75
Two-year starter. Detroit, MI. Two-time All-Big Ten. King is an inside thumper with a dense frame jam packed with power and tenacity. The tone setter for the Nittany Lions defense played the role of enforcer inside but also expanded his game to a run and chase defender with sideline-to-sideline range. His has improved the fluidity of his lower half while maintaining the straight ahead finishing power and play strength. King diagnoses well and and will beat blockers with angles and timing, The tightness he shows in coverage was and will be against the pass. He gets heavy and unsure, as quarterbacks clearly move him where they want with their eyes. The missed tackles are also a result of a shortcoming in his agility. If King can be kept to a downhill role and with protection next to him, he can be a two-down run defender and occasional difference making blitzer with special teams prowess.
*King grew on me as the year went. The former All-American wrestler has a way of working with his hands and finishing off his opponent. He may be the heaviest hitter in the class. His presence will be felt early on but there is a cap to his fluidity in coverage that will likely limit the number of snaps he will stay on the field for. This is a kid that loves being a linebacker, loves being the bully. There are places for guys like him and a true 3-4 front may be the best fit.
12) Chris Paul Jr. – Mississippi – 6’1/222
Grade: 75
Two-year starter. All-SEC in 2024 in addition top All-American honors. Spent three seasons at Arkansas before transferring to Mississippi in 2024. Pierce is undersized in more ways than one but it rarely showed up on film. He was around the ball often, made tackles when he got there, and was able to miss the meat of a hit by a blocker. He is savvy and will often find ways to use his below average frame as a weapon. Paul packs a punch and takes proper angles to the football. He does not lose much power when he changes direction upon approach of his target. The area that stands out in a negative light when it comes to his is coverage. Paul is easily beaten by quality tight ends with size and he never showed a feel in space. He is role and scheme specific but if he finds the right one, he can be a steady rotational asset.
*A guy I work with used to coach linebackers and he thinks Paul is a credible second round caliber guy. There are some others I speak with that like him as well. Paul was a production machine but some of that was engineered via scheme. I’m not as sure this little frame translates to the NFL at a high level, but he plays smart and physical.
13) Collin Oliver – Oklahoma State – 6’2/240
Grade: 72
Two-year starter. Three-time All Big 12. Oliver played most of his career as an edge defender although he measures in closer to an off-ball linebacker which was his primary role in 2023. He returned to the edge role in 2025 but a foot injury cut the season short two games in. Oliver has a gifted, explosive athlete that can play low and strong with excellent burst and change of direction. His tape in 2023 showed a lot of promise as he was able to stack and shed blockers between the tackles and beat them to the outside. He is a strong and nasty dude who can play multiple roles in the front seven. His lack of length and gap control make him less attractive when it comes to every down duty in the NFL. His ideal role is off the ball but can approach the line in specific looks. Oliver is a versatile weapon for a front that a creative defensive playcaller can thrive with but will need the right fit.
*If NYG likes the idea of Abdul Carter but they do not end up with him in the first round, Oliver is a nice day three version of the same kind of player. While I would not want him as an every down guy, he can thrive in specific situations. This kind of low-to-ground pass rusher can be a menace for some blockers. The interesting component to his projection is just how good he can be as an every down inside linebacker. He only did it for one season (and even that was about 50%) but there is a smoothness to him that gives him some hope. Very interesting day three prospect.
14) Jalen McLeod – Auburn – 6’2/241
Grade: 72
Two-year starter. Washington, D.C. All Sun-Belt in 2022. Spent three years at Appalachian State prior to leveling up to the SEC in 2023. McLeod’s calling card at the next level will be versatility. He credibly projects to both off the ball and on the line. That is what he primarily did in college and while it can be hard to credibly project him as starting-caliber at either spot, he is the kind of guy worth having on the depth chart because of his economic usage. He is smart and savvy player that controls his gap and minimizes mistakes. The glaring shortcoming is the comfort of movement he shows in space. There is a tightness in his hips with clunky footwork. He should offer enough on special teams to offer an active gameday spot, especially for schemes that like to move their linebackers up and down.
*The final piece of the hybrid off-ball/edge group I think NYG can be drawn to. McLeod lacks some of the spark in his movement that others do but he can play smart and physical. That can hide some issues but not all of them. He has the size I want at linebacker and when it comes to the roster, I take him over last year’s 7th rounder Muasau without hesitation.
15) Kain Medrano – UCLA – 6’3/222
Grade: 72
Sixth-year senior, two-year starter. Pueblo, CO. All-Big Ten in 2024. Medrano was a highly decorated athlete in high school with all-time records as a thrower. He had a hard time getting on the field early in his career but once he carved out a role for himself, he took off. Medrano’s game is built on speed and lower body twitch. He jumps off the screen when he makes the right read and pursues the action. There are enough athleticism-based flashes on tape to inspire hope of him being a useful player but his lack of instincts and ability to shed blocks to put a true linebacker grade on him. The value will be there on special teams and his physical gifts are worth trying to develop.
*Medrano jumped off the screen a few times last season when I was scouting Laiatu Latu. He is explosive and violent, two nice traits to start with at the position. But he can’t make reads and his game is full of guess work. When it looks good, it looks real good. When it looks bad, it crushes the defense. He is already 24-years old and lacks the ideal size I want as well. The thing that keeps him up here is the top five percentile athletic ability.
16) Francisco Mauigoa – Miami – 6’2/233: 71
17) Shaun Dolac – Buffalo – 6’0/221: 71
18) Shemar James – Florida – 6’1/222: 71
19) Carson Bruener – Washington – 6’1/227: 71
20) Cody Lindenberg – Minnesota – 6’2/236: 70
21) Jackson Woodard – UNLV – 6’2/230: 70
22) Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Kentucky: 6’1/236: 70
23) Wesley Steiner – Washington State – 6’0/235: 70
24) Eugene Asante – Auburn – 6’1/223: 70
25) Teddye Buchanan – California – 6’2/233: 70
26) Karene Reid – Utah – 6’0/229: 69
27) Jalin Walker – Indiana – 6’0/219: 69
28) Bam Martin-Scott – South Carolina – 6’2/231: 69
29) David Gbenda – Texas – 5’11/236: 68
30) Brandon George – Pittsburgh – 6’3/246: 68
31) Jay Higgins – Iowa – 6’0/224: 68
NYG APPROACH
Micah McFadden is a free agent after this season and Bobby Okereke will likely be placed in the “overpaid” section with a very affordable cap hit should they want to move on. There is a strong chance not just one, but both of these starting spots are vacant next offseason. With an eye on the future (not just present) draft weekend, I can easily see this being a surprise need in the minds of NYG leadership. While I like McFadden for his playmaking ability (has been second on the team in TFL three straight years) and he has cleaned up the missed tackles for the most part, he is a complete non factor against the pass. I feel comfortable with him as a backup or rotational piece more so than a starter being paid veteran money. Okereke brings leadership and intangibles, important for this position. His play declined in 2024, however, and does not seem like he is an ideal fit for the Bowen system. There is nothing behind these two worth getting excited about and that is another reason why this position can be approached on draft weekend. The effort for better depth and an eventual replacement should be in the scope. This ended up being a stronger linebacker group than I was anticipating. There will be value somewhere in the early day three area and the name I love is Collin Oliver, especially if they go for Abdul Carter at #3 overall as they are similar styled-players. If Carter were to ever go down, you still have the studs of the scheme in place and not much else needs to change. While linebacker is not a “must-get”, don’t sleep on it.
