Analysis My List of Top 10 Linebackers in 2025 Draft [OP updated] (24 Viewers)

[longtime lurker]

Yes, we sure can. It may take a little while, but we'll get it done.

Excellent. Thanks

 

[B_doggman47]

Yep!
This is what I've been seeing for 2 years now...
And our LB don't make a lot of tackles up front at the line of scrimmage...

Our linebacker play hasn't been the same since the Saints let Kwon Alexander walk. He had that sideline to sideline speed and could make the tackles out in space. Yeah he missed some tackles but he made them more than he missed. We need another linebacker with his kind of speed. And he was pretty good in coverage too.

 

[B_doggman47]

A lot of good this will do with only two games left, but here's a list of free agent linebackers that are left.
Damien Wilson
Shaq Leonard
Malik Jefferson
Jacob Phillips
Andre Smith
Tae Davis
Raekwon McMillan
Genard Avery
Nick Morrow

For these next two games the Saints really need to see what they have in their backup linebackers. Who sticks and who needs to go.

 

[MikeyF]

For these next two games the Saints really need to see what they have in their backup linebackers. Who sticks and who needs to go.

How do you draft a LB in today's NFL that runs a 4.72 forty?
There is no way someone this slow will be able to drop into pass coverage effectively...

None of our backup LB have the measurables to be a starting NFL LB...

 

[MikeyF]

We need to draft 2 LB this year...
Guys that can run and cover...

 

[B_doggman47]

How do you draft a LB in today's NFL that runs a 4.72 forty?
There is no way someone this slow will be able to drop into pass coverage effectively...

None of our backup LB have the measurables to be a starting NFL LB...

I think the elite speed rating for linebackers is 4.57 and that is the fringe rating. Anything under that would be a big plus. 4.72 is still fast but not elite fast. just for laughs I timed myself in the 40 and I ran a 6.2 at 6'/260# and almost 65 years old.

 

[RJS]

Here's the rest of my Top 10 Linebackers list.

#6- Smael Mondon Jr.- (LB) Georgia (6'3"/235#)
#7- Harold Perkins Jr.- (LB) LSU (6'1/225#)
#8- Chris Paul Jr.- (LB) Ole Miss (6'1"/235#)
#9- Jay Higgens- (LB) Iowa (6'2"/232#)
#10- Cody Simon- (LB) Ohio St. (6'2"/235#)

Thanks for all of the info!

Is there a specific reason that Jihaad Campbell from Alabama didn't make your top 10? Most sites have him ranked as a top 3 player at the position. Thanks

 

[B_doggman47]

Mondon is another linebacker coming out in next year's draft that we have ranked in our top ten. He emerged as a full time starter in his sophomore season in 2023. This season he racked up 68 tackles, 5 TFL's and 3 sacks in 13 games. He can be used as a multi-role linebacker. His ability to make plays from sideline to sideline, drop into coverage and provide a pass rushing threat will have defensive coordinators salivating. He's projected to go in late 2nd to early 3rd rounds.

#6- Smael Mondon Jr.- (LB) Georgia (6'3"/235#)

Mondon has explosive athleticism with a 4.46/40 time placing him in the elite tier for linebackers. His sideline to sideline range allows him to make plays all over the field and excel in pursuit. Mondon's versatile skillset enables him to stay on the field for all three downs, contributing in both run defense and pass coverage. He has a high football IQ and instincts, often diagnosing plays quickly and reacting before blockers can engage. Mondon has solid tackling technique, showcasing reliaqble finishing ability in open field situations and he's a capable blitzer who can shoot gaps and create pressure, demonstrated by his 3 sacks and multiple QB hurries. Mondon has experience in a pro-style defense at Georgia, facing top tier competition in the SEC. He's young for his class, offering significant upside and room for further development at the next level.
Mondon is slightly undersized, which might cause concerns about his ability to stack and shed against pro-level O-Linemen. He could use some improvement in his consistency in run defense, particularly when taking on blocks at the point of attack. Mondon sometimes relies too heavily on athleticism rather than technique, leading to overaggressive plays and missed assignments. His pass rush arsenal needs refinement to become a more consistent threat when blitzing. While Mondon is solid in coverage, there's still room for some improvement in his man-to-man skills against TE's and RB"s.
Overall, Mondon projects as a versatile, three-down linebacker in the NFL, with the skillset to fit multiple defensive schemes. His elite athleticism and developing coverage skills make him an ideal fit for teams employing a lot of nickel packages. In a 4-3, Mondon could also thrive as WLB, using his speed and instincts to make plays in space as well as from sideline to sideline and he can play the MLB position. In a 3-4 defense, Mondon has the potential to play ILB, though he may need to add a little bulk to consistently take on blockers. His blitzing ability and comfort dropping into coverage also make him an intriguing option as an occasional edge rusher in sub-packages. As he continues to develop, Mondon could become a defensive coordinator's Swiss Army Knife, capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.

 

[B_doggman47]

Thanks for all of the info!

Is there a specific reason that Jihaad Campbell from Alabama didn't make your top 10? Most sites have him ranked as a top 3 player at the position. Thanks

He mainly fits a 3-4 defense and we were looking for LB's that are versatile to fit either defenses. But I do like him. I think he could fit a 4-3 as WLB. Wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if the Saints grabbed him. It just makes me leery when you read through all these analysis' and they're saying he projects better in a 3-4. Then you take a chance on him and insert him in a different defense and he never plays up to his potential and in 2-3 years he's moving on. You know how the Saints like to fit square pegs in round holes.

 

[B_doggman47]

The Lions waived Kwon Alexander today. There's the Saints chance to get some sideline to sideline speed, and a good coverage linebacker and mentor for their young linebackers. Probably won't happen though.

 

[B_doggman47]

Well we can all stop hoping for Harold Perkins Jr. He decided to return to LSU for the 2025 season. I had him at #7 on my Linebacker's list.

 

[St. Widge]

Well we can all stop hoping for Harold Perkins Jr. He decided to return to LSU for the 2025 season. I had him at #7 on my Linebacker's list.

IMO he needed to go back for another year of college ball. He's a great athlete and speed pass rusher, but he's not ready to play 4-3 LB in the NFL and he's too small to play DE or OLB in a 3-4. In fact, the way he was outplayed by Weeks when he took over the MLB spot after Perkins got hurt suggests maybe he needs to learn to be an OLB. Anway, he really needs more time playing off ball LB in college.

 

[B_doggman47]

IMO he needed to go back for another year of college ball. He's a great athlete and speed pass rusher, but he's not ready to play 4-3 LB in the NFL and he's too small to play DE or OLB in a 3-4. In fact, the way he was outplayed by Weeks when he took over the MLB spot after Perkins got hurt suggests maybe he needs to learn to be an OLB. Anway, he really needs more time playing off ball LB in college.

I agree, he needs to stay at LSU for one more season. Perkins could become the defense's version of a Swiss Army Knife, Taysom is for the offense. That would be awesome to see.

 

[MikeyF]

B_doggman47

What is your take on converting Abdul-Cater to LB1?

Abdul Carter Defensive End - EDGE Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 89.9 Rank: #2 Forty: 4.48 <p> Abdul Carter's transition from linebacker to edge rusher highlights his elite athletic traits, including burst off the snap and closing ...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

He definitely has the measurables.

I doubt it happens in 2025 but I would love if we switched to a D based on the 3-4.
It gives us more options than just a 4-2-5....

He said he wants to be multiple in his defensive fronts, which in a 3-4 scheme means that he can run anything from a 3-3-5 to a nickel package of 3-2-6 or a dime package of 3-1-7 or a more traditional 4-2-5 look to try and get pressure with 4.

 

[bleedit1960]

Some other linebackers I like.

Teddye Buchanan - Cal

Francisco Mauigoa - Miami​

Carson Schwesinger - UCLA​

Marlowe Wax - Syracuse​

Justin Barron - Syracuse​

Nick Martin - OSU​

Collin Oliver - OSU​

Chandler Martin -Memphis​

Matt Salopek - Miami Redhawks

Carson Bruener - Washington

Kydran Jenkins LB/DE - Purdue​