ALL POSITIONS: Defensive Tackles | Edge Rushers | Linebackers | Defensive Backs
The fantasy season might be over, but in dynasty fantasy football, there is no offseason. This is a fun time of year for your IDP dynasty leagues, as we get to learn about the new incoming rookie class as they make their way through the pre-draft process. This article will examine the incoming linebacker group, ranking and discussing their profiles. It's early in the process; these rankings will be fluid. One thing to also keep in mind with these rankings is there's a bit of IDP and draft projection baked into them. At the very least, it will familiarize you with some of the players as we prepare for the NFL Combine. Alight, let's dive in.
*Denotes a player measurement taken from the Senior Bowl
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (6-foot-3, 245 pounds)
2024 Stats (13 games)
- 117 tackles (54 solos)
- 12 tackles for loss
- 5 sacks
- 1 interception
- 2 passes defended
- 2 forced fumbles
- 2 fumble recoveries
From a profile standpoint, Jihaad Campbell checks many of the boxes we're looking for with his pairing of size and athleticism. Campbell's size, length, speed, and fluidness aid him in all facets of the game. Against the run, Campbell is a sound tackler with a wide radius and just a 5.9% missed tackle rate in 2024. In coverage, Campbell is especially effective in zone, impeding on passing lanes with his length and using his athleticism to gain depth and close on the ball. A creative defensive coordinator will appreciate Campbell's versatility as he's not only a fluent blitzer but can be utilized out on the edge as a speed rusher with an effective dip and rip move. Campbell is a three-down player who can impact the game at all three levels.
While Campbell is a solid run defender, there are some things to continue to work on. Sometimes, he can be hesitant to fill his gap, leading to opposing linemen getting into his pads and driving him out. He can also be over-eager to pursue, leading to him falling for misdirection or hindering his technique when he tackles high. Honing his block recognition and shedding will also only aid his effectiveness in stopping the run–he's not short on ability with his length and build.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA (6-foot-2, 225 pounds)
2024 Stats (12 games)
- 136 tackles (90 solos)
- 9 tackles for loss
- 4 sacks
- 2 interceptions
- 3 passes defended
- 1 forced fumble
From former walk-on to 2024 standout, Carson Schwesinger's story is easy to root for. However, he's also got a serious game. Athletically, Schweisnger is a fluid mover, with speed and burst that pair well with his high-effort nature as he rallies to the ball. His instincts look solid for a relatively inexperienced player, and he appears confident in his reads. There's apparent coverage upside to Schwesinger's game, as he showcased his speed and agility when he turned and ran stride-for-stride with the USC slot receiver in this year's game. Schwesinger has all the tools to hold his own on all three downs, which is what we IDP gamers look for.
One of the biggest concerns with Schwesigner is that he has just one year as a starter under his belt. While his eyes are solid overall, his limited experience can sometimes lead to coverage hiccups and cause him to over-pursue. In navigating blocks, Schwesinger needs to be crafty about slipping and/or beating blockers to a spot, as he will get driven out if they get into his body.
3. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina (*6-foot-1, 246 pounds)
2024 Stats (13 games)
- 82 tackles (57 solos)
- 8 tackles for loss
- 2 sacks
- 1 interception
- 1 pass defended
- 3 forced fumbles
Demetrius Knight features an NFL-ready build with ideal length. He doesn't shy away from physicality, using his strength and length to make first contact with opposing blockers and gain leverage to stack and shed. He can also find the angle to slip blockers in the mess. As a tackler, Knight is sound, with noticeable power and a broad radius. Knight's aggressive, physical nature gives him a noticeable appeal to hold down the middle of a defense.
Athletically, Knight looks to have sufficient straight-line closing speed. However, he can look a little tight in the lower half. While he's solid in zone coverage, Knight could run into issues consistently holding up in man coverage. Another concern centers around Knight's age, as he's played for three colleges over six years, and turned 25 before the combine.
4. Jay Higgins, Iowa (6-foot-2, 232 pounds)
2024 Stats (13 games)
- 124 tackles (53 solos)
- 3 tackles for loss
- 4 interceptions
- 5 passes defended
- 2 forced fumbles
- 1 fumble recovery
Jay Higgins is your classic Iowa lunchpail linebacker, bringing production (295 tackles over the last two years), experience, and leadership qualities to his new team. Higgins features a high football IQ, and you will never have to question his effort; he brings it every play. Scheme-wise, Higgins is tailor-made to hold down the middle in a zone-heavy scheme. He can handle playcalling duties and is in his element patrolling in zone coverage. Higgins finding such a scheme with his new team via the draft will give him an alluring IDP appeal.
While Higgins is effective and comfortable in zone coverage, he might occasionally struggle in man coverage when he has to turn and run with athletic tight ends or shifty backs out of the backfield. While Higgins is physical enough to shed blockers, there are instances when he tries to spin away to get to a spot, leading him out of position. As a tackler, Higgins is rock-solid. Although, he does miss a few when he leaves his feet and lunges.
5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma (6-foot-4, 240 pounds)
2024 Stats (12 games)
- 109 tackles (44 solos)
- 8 tackles for loss
- 1 sack
At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, Danny Stutsman is an imposing figure patrolling the field. To pair with his big frame, Stutsman has ideal traits when it comes to speed and range, and he is a fluid mover for a linebacker of his stature. Stutsman is also an effort player who plays the game with an aggressive temperament. He can be a handful to contend with coming downhill when on the attack, against both the run and as a bltizer. His three straight 100+ tackle seasons and 35 tackles for loss over those three years highlight Stutsman's IDP appeal as a tackle producer who can make splash plays behind the line.
Instinctually, Stutsman's eyes are a bit underwhelming for a player with as much experience as he has. His reads appear better when he's already downhill and is just reacting in pursuit. Otherwise, he can be a guesser. Missed tackles can be an issue, as his aggressive nature can lead to bad angles and poor form when he comes in high and fails to square up. Stutsman also has some questions to answer in the coverage game, as his 46.7 coverage grade in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, is a bit concerning.