2020 class · 33 prospects

Linebacker LB

Tackle + PBU production combined with speed + agility. The most consensus-driven of the front-seven positions.

Likeliest career, by the outcome model.

How many linebackers land in each career bucket as the model's single most likely finish. This is a different question from the board grades below — a prospect can be a Day 3 grade and still have “starter” as his likeliest outcome. The tails (elite, bust) are where the model separates; the middle two buckets sit close to a coin flip.

Elite
6
Pro-Bowl-caliber career
Starter
2
Multi-year NFL starter
Role
16
Rotational / depth
Bust
9
Likeliest outcome is a bust
Likeliest career across the LB class
Elite
6
Starter
2
Role
16
Bust
9

The board.

All 33 linebackers with a draftable grade on Draftanomics's 2020 board, tier by tier.

Blue Chip0 players

No blue-chip linebacker this cycle — Isaiah Simmons is the class's best, and he carries the next grade down.

1st Round3 players

The first-round tier runs from Isaiah Simmons at No. 10 down to Patrick Queen at No. 30. After Queen the board breathes — Zack Baun projects 14 picks later.

10
Isaiah Simmons
Clemson· 6'4" · 238 lb· consensus #4
A first-round grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 4.
1st Round
bust risk 1%
19
Kenneth Murray
Oklahoma· 6'2" · 241 lb· consensus #20
A first-round grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 20.
1st Round
bust risk 10%
30
Patrick Queen
LSU· 6'0" · 229 lb· consensus #21
A first-round grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 21.
1st Round
bust risk 6%
Day 211 players

Zack Baun leads a 11-deep Day 2 group — the meat of the LB board — starting at a projected No. 44 overall. Barely a seam here — Markus Bailey comes off just 8 picks later. The model is planting a flag on Willie Gay Jr., 61 spots ahead of where the room ranks him (No. 124).

44
Zack Baun
Wisconsin· 6'2" · 238 lb· consensus #37
A Day 2 grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 37.
Day 2
bust risk 1%
51
Jordyn Brooks
Texas Tech· 6'0" · 240 lb· consensus #88
A Day 2 grade the room hasn't caught up to — consensus No. 88.
Day 2
bust risk 6%
63
Willie Gay Jr.
Mississippi St.· consensus #124
A Day 2 grade the room hasn't caught up to — consensus No. 124.
Day 2
bust risk 22%
64
Kamal Martin
Minnesota· 6'3" · 240 lb
A Day 2 grade, No. 64 on our board.
Day 2
bust risk 40%
67
Malik Harrison
Ohio St.· consensus #97
A Day 2 grade the room hasn't caught up to — consensus No. 97.
Day 2
bust risk 9%
70
Terrell Lewis
Alabama· 6'5" · 262 lb· consensus #57
A Day 2 grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 57.
Day 2
bust risk 6%
79
Evan Weaver
California· 6'2" · 237 lb· consensus #87
A Day 2 grade with the room in agreement — consensus No. 87.
Day 2
bust risk 45%
Day 319 players

The Day 3 tier runs 19 deep, opening with Markus Bailey out of Purdue at No. 108 and closing with Tae Crowder at No. 250. The room is higher on Cam Brown than we are: consensus No. 52 to our No. 187.