Analysis My List of Top 10 Linebackers in 2025 Draft [OP updated] (21 Viewers)

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MikeyF said:
B_doggman47

What is your take on converting Abdul-Cater to LB1?
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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 ...
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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....
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One of my favorite players on one of my favorite teams. He left injured early against Boise, shoulder I think. Hopefully minor.
 
SigFreudianSlip said:
One of my favorite players on one of my favorite teams. He left injured early against Boise, shoulder I think. Hopefully minor.
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I really like the guy, but it is hard to determine whether he can play DE or LB until we know what kind of defensive scheme a new D-Coordinator will install. I could see him as an OLB in a 3-4. I think he would be awesome, He would need some refining in learning to be more consistent tackling in space. Misses too many tackles. Since he is a tweener @ 259# he would need to bulk up a bit to about 265# to be more effective as a DE in a 4-3 defense. Hopefully we will know what kind of defense we will be running before the draft gets here.
 
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I would argue that Jay Higgins deserves to be quite a bit higher. Definitely top 5, maybe even top 1. Offenses that play Iowa literally game plan to stay away from him, and we still see him in the mix all the time.but that’s because I like hard nose ballers over measurable. I care less about 40 time and jump height, and more about being in the right place at the right time consistently.
 
I read through several of Jihaad Campbell's analysis' and these analysts see him as a box linebacker, playing inside-linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme. I see him a little differently. Campbell has experience at all three linebacker spots. He could be an excellent off-ball linebacker as a WILL or SAM, he also has some experience as a MLB and playing on the edge. He would be a very good inside-linebacker in a 3-4. I believe a lot of his talents would be wasted in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

#7- Jihaad Campbell- (LB) Alabama (6'3"/244#)

Campbell has sideline to sideline range with elite straight-line speed for the linebacker position, Allowing him to be a factor in pursuit and in coverage. He is a scheme-diverse defender capable of playing all three linebacker positions and rushing off the edge, Offering valuable personnel flexibility. Campbell has fluid hips and loose lower body, enabling him to flip and run with backs and TE's in man coverage. He's a reliable wrap-up tackler who breaks down very well in space and rarely ever lets ball carriers slip away. His diagnostic skills are above average, showing the ability to quickly read and react to play development. He displays good bend and burst when rushing the passer, with the potential to be an effective blitzer at the next level. Campbell is a natural leader who commanded the defense as an underclassman. He's a core special teamer with production in the third phase, increasing his day-one value to NFL teams.
Campbell's tweener frame might cause some teams to hesitate on his optimal position fit in their scheme. His stack and shed technique needs refinement, particularly when taking on O-Linemen at the point of attack. He can occasionally take false steps or overruns his gap, leading leading to vulnerability against misdirection plays. Campbell needs to expand his pass rush repertoire, He tends to rely more on his athleticism than technique to win one-on-one matchups. While his play strength is good it is not quite elite, he still needs to develop more play strength.
Campbell is a freakish athlete with rare physical tools, he brings a prototype skillset to the modern linebacker position. His elite speed and explosiveness allow him to be a heat-seeking missile in pursuit and a matchup nightmare in coverage. Campbell's ability to play in space, drop into coverage and occasionally rush the passer makes him a defensive coordinator's dream in today's pass-happy NFL.
Campbell's scheme versatility is a major selling point for me. His athletic profile allows him to excel in multiple roles, from a traditional off-ball linebacker to an edge rusher in sub-packages. He's tailor-made for a multiple front defense that emphasizes speed and flexibility in its second level.
While his instincts and block shedding technique are still developing, Campbell's athletic traits give him a high ceiling. His immediate impact on special teams will get him on the field early, while his versatility should earn him defensive snaps in specific packages. As he refines his technical skills and football acumen to match his physical gifts, Campbell has the potential to develop into a dynamic three-down linebacker.
 
3ParStillDriver said:
I would argue that Jay Higgins deserves to be quite a bit higher. Definitely top 5, maybe even top 1. Offenses that play Iowa literally game plan to stay away from him, and we still see him in the mix all the time.but that’s because I like hard nose ballers over measurable. I care less about 40 time and jump height, and more about being in the right place at the right time consistently.
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We did a lot of research on Higgins and found that his best fit is in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He doesn't have scheme versatility. He will need some time to further develop and learn the complexities of NFL defensive schemes. He will be a day 2 pick somewhere in the 4th round or maybe in the 5th round. He would be a good developmental project for the Saints. This all depends on when we and if we get a new D-coordinator and what type of defense they run.
 
B_doggman47 said:
We did a lot of research on Higgins and found that his best fit is in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He doesn't have scheme versatility. He will need some time to further develop and learn the complexities of NFL defensive schemes. He will be a day 2 pick somewhere in the 4th round or maybe in the 5th round. He would be a good developmental project for the Saints. This all depends on when we and if we get a new D-coordinator and what type of defense they run.
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Someone, I don't remember who said that Iowa's DT Black eats blockers and holds the line so we'll that it keeps them off Higgins allowing him to do what he does. If he can't stay clean, then I wonder how effective he'll be in the NFL. It also makes me want to draft Black who isn't in the PFF mock database so I can't draft him in there.
 
B_doggman47 said:
Did anyone notice how slow we were to the edges the linebackers were tonight. The Green Bay RB's were getting 4-7 yards a carry. We need better and faster sideline to sideline linebackers. They didn't fair as well running the ball up the gut most of the night. I don't think I saw Davis and Werner miss so many tackles in a game before. Another poster said when I started this thread "Did I miss something"; Yeah you miss a lot when you don't notice our linebacker play hasn't been consistent this season and we have no speed to the edges. It's time to see what we have in Jaylan Ford, Anfernee Orji, Nephi Sewell, D'Marco Jackson and Isaiah Stalbird. Why did we sign Willie Gay, He doesn't even see the field, not even in relief of Davis or Werner. Doesn't make any sense to me.
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Willie Gay played early in the season. I don't know if he's injured or if they prefer to run the legs off of Davis and Werner
 
Snakehead said:
Someone, I don't remember who said that Iowa's DT Black eats blockers and holds the line so we'll that it keeps them off Higgins allowing him to do what he does. If he can't stay clean, then I wonder how effective he'll be in the NFL. It also makes me want to draft Black who isn't in the PFF mock database so I can't draft him in there.
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That would be me who said that. I've watched quite a few Iowa games and Black tends to stand out to me. Coaches claim he has the most violent hands they've ever seen in a defensive lineman. IDK what it is about Iowa. But if they're always producing quality NFL defensive players, RB's and absolutely by far consistently come up with the best TE output. No other college likely produces more starting NFL talent at TE which is why I REALLY think we should be going after Luke Lachey if we can't land Tyler Warren. If Lachey had a decent QB, he would likely be talked about in the first round. His output wasn't amazing, but that's mostly because he had a QB that threw the ball like a high school state champion.
 
Snakehead said:
Someone, I don't remember who said that Iowa's DT Black eats blockers and holds the line so we'll that it keeps them off Higgins allowing him to do what he does. If he can't stay clean, then I wonder how effective he'll be in the NFL. It also makes me want to draft Black who isn't in the PFF mock database so I can't draft him in there.
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The guy y'all are talking about is Yahya Black, he's a Sr. 6'5"/317#. He could maybe be someone to look at in this upcoming draft that might be able to help out on the D-Line.
 

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