Analysis My List of Top 10 Linebackers in 2025 Draft [OP updated] (2 Viewers)

[Snakehead]

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.

That's him. He needs to be next to Bresee and anchor our D-line.

 

[B_doggman47]

That's him. He needs to be next to Bresee and anchor our D-line.

I'll do some research on him and see what I can come up with.

 

[Snakehead]

I'll do some research on him and see what I can come up with.

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[B_doggman47]

Awesome! Thanks!

Once I get the analysis done on Black, I'll post it in the NT's and DT's thread.

 

[3ParStillDriver]

Someone else we need to really looking into from Iowa would be Jermari Harris. Iowa produces really dependable DB's (Cooper DeJean was robbed not going in the 1st round last year). But in 2023 Cooper was injured for most the season and Jermari Harris held down the fort like a mad man in the secondary.

The people really worth looking at from Iowa :

Luke Lachey (TE)
Yahya Black (DT)
Jermari Harris (CB)
Sebastian Castro (S)

This is besides the obvious knowns :
Kaleb Johnson (RB)
Jay Higgins (LB)

 

[B_doggman47]

Here is another linebacker we have ranked in our top 10, Chris Paul Jr. is an in the box linebacker who can play the run and drop off into coverage. He is a little stiff and doesn't have the bend as an edge rusher. Most ranking sites have Paul ranked from #5 to #7, we have him ranked at #8. He has career tackles of 209, 15 TFL's, 8.5 Sacks and 9 PBU's between playing for Arkansas and Ole Miss.

#8- Chris Paul Jr.- (LB) Ole Miss (6'1"/235#)

Paul has plus instincts and play recognition skills, he can quickly identify blocking schemes and run fits with natural anticipation. He is a textbook wrap-up tackler who brings his feet through contact, demonstrating elite finishing ability in the box. He has a plus downhill trigger with an explosive first step and closing burst to the football in pursuit. Paul has advanced pattern match ability in zone coverage with a fluid backpedal and natural feel for passing windows. He's a quick processor who identifies and communicates offensive keys pre-snap to align defensive fronts. He has strong contact balance and leverage when taking on blocks, he maintains gap integrity against zone runs. Paul has a field general mentality with proven ability to coordinate defensive calls and adjustments. He has three-down value with special teams upside and proven production against SEC competition.
Paul's undersized frame might limit his ability to stack and shed against pro-level offensive linemen. He lacks elite twitch and bend profile as an edge rusher in pressure packages. He can at times take over-aggressive pursuit angles and create vulnerabilities against misdirection and counter plays. Paul can struggle at times to maintain leverage when bigger blockers get into his body. He also has limited lateral range which impacts his man coverage matchups against shifty backs.
Looking at the tape of some of his games, Paul brings immediate value in sub-packages with his advanced coverage traits and quick trigger against the run. His ability to match routes and communicate defensive adjustments stand out on film. Paul's defensive skillset translates to teams running multiple fronts that emphasize speed and pursuit from the second level. He can be a core special teams contributor early with upside to develop into a starting middle-linebacker and he could even play WLB.
While size limitations might restrict Paul's scheme versatility at the next level, his instincts, tackling efficiency and coverage ability profile well in todays passing league. Our tape study reveals a reliable defender in Paul who consistently produced against high level SEC competition.