Ranking 6 linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft

It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching a bunch of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, I’ll be releasing my rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!

1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, the round grade I have given considers that. For example, I may have had a 2nd round grade on a player like Trey Benson if the Eagles badly needed a running back, but I have pushed him down the board after the signing of Barkley.
2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the list. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
3. I try to watch as much film as I can on these guys, but I also rely on others for stats and other data. Huge credit to PFF and Dane Brugler for some of the stats and measurables used in the pieces.
4. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t really factor that in when ranking these prospects. However, I may mention it in the summaries.
5. If I haven’t ranked someone, that’s because I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

Previously

Running Backs / Wide Receivers / Tight Ends / Offensive Line / Defensive Line / EDGE

Linebacker

FYI – there aren’t many players here but I focus on the top 100, and there are not many linebackers this year!

Tier 1

1. Junior Colson, Michigan, 6-2 1/4, 238

Summary: Colson is an excellent linebacker who diagnoses everything quickly and is smart and physical. He does everything well, but his upside is limited due to his average athletic profile.

Eagles Thoughts: It’s a fascinating discussion over who the Eagles should take in the 2nd round if Colson and Cooper are available. Do you want the athlete or the smart player? The high upside or the high floor? Considering the Eagles already have 2 athletic but inconsistent linebackers, I would rather Colson as a safe starter who can give the Eagles some stable linebacker play for a long time.

2. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, 6-2 1/8, 230

Summary: Cooper is a boom/bust pick if you take him in the top 50. He is an electric athlete with elite traits and speed at the position. If he puts it all together he could be outstanding. Speed at the linebacker position absolutely matters too. But his awareness is all over the place and he’s a little out of control and can be fooled by PA and play fakes. He’s a work in progress.

Eagles Thoughts: He’s a huge risk, but I would be tempted by the traits and would seriously consider him in the 2nd round. It’s hard to find linebackers with these traits outside the first 2 rounds.

3. Payton Wilson, NC State, 6-4, 233

Summary: Wilson is an intriguing height/weight/speed prospect who can run and chase. He has excellent physicality, speed, and more than enough movement skills to be a good-quality starting linebacker. But he will be 24 years old on draft day and has suffered a lot with injuries and shows some weaknesses on film.

Eagles Thoughts: I like the profile of Wilson, but I can’t ignore the injury history and age of the player. I think the talent is better than a 2nd round selection, but I’d struggle to take him any higher than this. I’d prefer him in the 3rd due to the medical red flags, but I doubt he lasts that long.

Tier 2

4. Trevin Wallace, Kentucky, 6’1, 237

Summary: Wallace is an outstanding athlete with the size and speed to be a starting linebacker, but he needs to improve his awareness and diagnosis to be a starter at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: I would take a chance on Wallace at the start of day 3 (potentially the end of day 2 if he interviews well and coaches believe he can develop over time), and hope that the awareness will develop over time.

5. Jeremiah Trotter, Clemson, 6-0, 228

Summary: Trotter is instinctive and a hard-hitting linebacker, but he really lacks the length, size, and explosive traits that you want to see from a starting linebacker. He might end up as a solid backup or an average starter

Eagles Thoughts: I like Trotter as a linebacker in the Eagles 5-2 front where he can stay clean, but the Eagles already have a core of linebackers who are weak at the point of attack and need to be kept clean, so Trotter likely wouldn’t bring anything new. However, how can you not want him on the Eagles? I think he’s more of a round 3/4 player, and wouldn’t touch him in the 1st or 2nd.

Tier 3

6. Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri, 6-2, 231

Summary: A decent coverage linebacker with good enough movement skills, but Hopper lacks the size and physicality to be an every-down linebacker.

Eagles Thoughts: I see Hopper as a 3rd down linebacker only, and I wouldn’t want to see him on early downs, so I would wait until the middle of day 3 before I went after him.

As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (strengths and weaknesses) then I’m thinking of releasing my entire document this year. Keep an eye out for this and let me know if this is something you are interested in!