IDP Rookie Roundtable: Linebackers

Photo: USA Today Sports

The 2023 rookie class of off-ball linebackers isn’t regarded in most circles as an especially impressive one. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be a linebacker from this group who goes on to be an every-down IDP stalwart. With no clear-cut No. 1 prospect, who is your pick to become the linebacker we’ll one day look back on as the best of the bunch this year?

Kyle Bellefeuil: As the question states, this incoming linebacker group isn't viewed as one of the strengths of this draft class. It contains a mixture of players throughout; position converts, intriguing athletes who require projection, one-year producers, etc. However, Iowa's Jack Campbell is the one player I feel confident in from an IPD lens. Campbell has been a tackle machine for the Hawkeyes, producing 265 tackles (149 solos) over his last two seasons. At 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, Campbell has excellent size for the position as a downhill run defender who can hold his own in the box. Campbell also boosted his stock with a good showing at the combine by running a 4.65-second 40, posting a 37.5'' vertical (third among linebackers), and coming in second among linebackers in the broad jump at 10-foot-8. While his 40 time might not be as fast as others, it's a solid time for his size. More importantly, Campbell is a player with good instincts and feel, something other players in this class don't always show on tape. Campbell has the size, athleticism, and intangibles to be a steady tackle-producing linebacker for us IDP gamers, and I won’t be surprised if he's the guy we look back on as the best of the bunch.

Tripp Brebner: Clemson's Trenton Simpson is both an elite athlete and the heart of a top-tier Power-5 defense that carried its offense throughout the 2022 college football season. Simpson took over for Isaiah Simmons as the Tigers' "defensive weapon" early in his career. Unlike Simmons, Simpson moved inside in 2022, where he thrived. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pound, Simpson has the size and athleticism to step into a starting role at either MIKE or WILL for almost any NFL team. He's best suited as a run-and-strike weakside linebacker in either zone or man coverage. He'll excel in space in front of the NFL's increasingly common two-high safety shells or succeed carrying tight ends across the formation. He'll start slowly in a conservative NFL defense after three years in the Tigers' downhill attack; however, his success in one year as an inside linebacker at Clemson demonstrates his capacity to learn and grow. He's one of two rookie linebackers likely to emerge as a weekly option for fantasy gamers in 2023.

Gary Davenport: One of the two players who has already been mentioned will most likely be the first off-ball linebacker drafted. Which one will probably depend on what an NFL team prioritizes—Campbell has excellent instincts, is tough as nails, hails from a program that has produced a number of quality NFL starters and is a more finished product. Simpson is a bit rougher around the edges, but his athleticism and range appear tailor-made for what many linebackers are asked to do. Brebner isn’t the first analyst to compare Simpson to Simmons, but an even better comp might be a bigger Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. It could take Simpson a little while to acclimate to the NFL—just as JOK has in the pros, Simpson struggled at times to fight through the trash last year at Clemson. But with a little coaching and some experience, he has everything it takes to be an impact player in IDP leagues—especially if he lands somewhere that will scheme up his fantastic burst and ability to close on ball carriers.

Joseph Haggan: There is a ton of love for Jack Campbell, and rightfully so, but I think Drew Sanders is a guy who could be an impact player. He has tremendous tenacity and is always around the football. Sanders led Arkansas in tackles, pressures, and sacks in 2022. His pass-rushing ability is what sets him above the others for me. He has legitimate upside there with a nice repertoire to his stable. Sanders is a sideline-to-sideline LB and just needs to clean up some missed tackles. Campbell is the safe bet; Sanders is your high-upside bet.

Matt Montgomery: I think you need to rely on the information you know with a position group that is as unclear as this. The most recent example is the combine, specifically from Jack Campbell out of Iowa. He isn’t going to wow you with once-in-a-lifetime measurables, but he is good at pretty much all things you need to be at the linebacker position. He had a 1.59-second 10-yard split, which shows an ability to accelerate, which means when he identifies a play, he can get to the ball carrier in a flash. At 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds with elite acceleration, I’ll take my chances on Campbell to be the darling of this year’s class.

A player's situation can be vitally important to IDP value—almost as important as talent. Identify an NFL team that badly needs an influx of talent at linebacker—and then identify a prospect (preferably different from the answer above) who could successfully fill that need.

Bellefeuil: As things currently sit, the Tennessee Titans could use some added juice to their linebacker room after releasing Zach Cunningham, to no surprise, and losing David Long Jr./a> to free agency. Washington State's Daiyan Henley could be a nice Day 2 selection that brings some excitement to the unit. As a former wide receiver, Henley’s athleticism is easy to see on tape, and he had a nice combine showing running a 4.54-second 40 and moving fluidly during the on-field drills. As a box defender, Henley’s instincts still need some development, but he is willing to get downhill with a purpose when he sees it. While he’s still developing in some facets, Henley has apparent coverage upside along with his ability to play sideline-to-sideline. Henley is an intriguing option if Tennessee is looking for a spark at the linebacker position via the draft.

Brebner: The Bills and Eagles lost their middle linebackers in free agency and can afford to select replacements with their late second-round picks. At 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds, Iowa's Jack Campbell could adequately fill either gaping hole. Campbell satisfied lingering questions about his athleticism with a good combine showing. Neither prospective NFL team requires elite speed from Campbell to succeed in the middle of their prevalent zone coverages. Each team has a weakside linebacker that would complement college football's most decorated linebacker. The 2022 Walter V. Campbell Award winner has the smarts and experience to wear the green dot immediately.

Davenport: I agree with Brebner that Campbell would be a great fit in Philadelphia and Buffalo, although I wonder if those teams will invest their first pick in Campbell, and he may go by the back of Round 2. I also think that Henley could be a Day 2 target of all three already mentioned teams. And I’d be delighted to see the Cleveland Browns (who need an upgrade at linebacker in the worst way) draft any of those prospects.

DeMarvion Overshown of Texas is another young linebacker who could shoot up IDP draft boards should he land somewhere like Philadelphia, Buffalo, Cleveland, or Seattle late on Day 2 (or early on Day 3). Overshown didn’t test especially well in Indianapolis, but the 6-foot-3, 229-pounder showed impressive range and improved play recognition last year with the Longhorns. A converted safety, Overshown also has the coverage ability that NFL teams covet in the 21st century. He’s the type of talent who could take advantage of a landing spot with a team that needs a linebacker who can quickly step into a prominent role.

Haggan: The Seattle Seahawks desperately need to add talent in the middle of their defense. Bobby Wagner left a huge void, one they hoped - cough cough - Cody Barton could fill. Well, that was a mistake, and now Barton is off to Washington. To make matters worse, stud linebacker Jordyn Brooks tore his ACL in Week 17, making it difficult to be ready for the start of the season. Jack Campbell is a guy who could help this defense immensely. He has great size and speed and is a sure tackler with terrific technique. He is a tremendous open-field tackler as well. Campbell and Brooks would be a formidable duo once Brooks returns.

Montgomery: The Pittsburgh Steelers stand out to me as a team that could use some fresh eyes at linebacker. They brought in Myles Jack, who, to IDP manager’s dismay, had a lackluster second half of the year before being released this offseason. While the team added Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts, the Steelers still need an influx of talent and athleticism. Drew Sanders out of Arkansas stands out to me because he has the ability to be a 3-down linebacker due to his positional versatility. He has the speed and skill set to be an edge rusher, with the big body and strength to be your inside guy on running downs. It feels like Mike Tomlin hasn’t had that linebacker leader since the days of James Harrison. Why not try to go after someone who can play a multitude of roles? Remember, Sanders finished #1 at the combine for linebacker total score.