2021 NFL Draft: Tackling the best linebackers and edge rushers
From the 2021 NFL draft: These are the top players by position series
A breakdown of the top edge rushers and linebackers in the 2021 NFL draft.
Edge rushers are up first, followed by linebackers.
1. Azeez Ojulari (So., Georgia, 6-foot-2, 249 pounds)
Ojulari lacks the ideal size for an edge rusher, but he could dominate at the next level with his speed and pass rushing toolbox. He’s only scratching the surface of his talent after leading the Bulldogs in sacks as a freshman and sophomore. Projected: 1st round
2. Kwity Paye (Sr., Michigan, 6-2, 261)
There are athletic indicators Paye has another gear as a pass rusher, but he’s already a major asset against the run. Projected: 1st round
3. Jaelan Phillips (Jr., Miami, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds)
Phillips stepped up in Gregory Rousseau’s absence after transferring from UCLA. The former five-star recruit is a relentless pass rusher who produced eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 10 games as a Hurricane. He’s a first-round talent, but his medical evaluations will determine his fate — he retired from the game altogether in 2018 due to concussions. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
3. Jaelan Phillips (Jr., Miami, 6-foot-5, 260 pounds)
4. Jayson Oweh (So., Penn St., 6-4, 257)
Oweh can do things physically that other edge rushers can only dream of. The lack of pass rush production this season was concerning, but he took steps forward as a run defender. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
5. Carlos Basham Jr. (Sr., Wake Forest, 6-3, 274)
Basham’s relentless style has proven quite productive — he has 33.5 tackles for loss over his last 32 games, including 20.5 sacks. Watch out if this agile big man streamlines his pass rush plan (too many wasted movements). Projected: 1st or 2nd round
6. Joseph Ossai (Jr., Texas, 6-3, 256)
Ossai is capable of making an impact as a pass rusher or an off-ball player. His hustle never quits. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
7. Joe Tryon (Jr., Washington, 6-5, 259)
Tryon looks like an action figure and was one of the nation’s best bull-rushers before opting out in 2020. There’s another level NFL coaching could unlock. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
8. Gregory Rousseau (So., Miami, 6-6, 266)
Rousseau opted out of this season due to COVID-19. He was a revelation as a red-shirt freshman with 15.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s a pure athlete and all talent at this point. Watch out once he develops his technique. He spent most of his high school career at wide receiver and safety. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
9. Chris Rumph II (Jr., Duke, 6-2, 244)
Rumph is a coach’s son with a disruptive first step, a relentless motor and an array of pass rush moves. His size will likely necessitate a move to off-ball duties. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
10. Ronnie Perkins (Jr., Oklahoma, 6-2, 253)
Perkins is a speed-rusher who recorded four-plus pressures in each of his final five games. He’s a leader of the defense-type who was highly-productive as a three-year starter. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
Additional edge rushers
Quincy Roche (Sr., Miami, 6-2, 245)
Roche features average physical traits, but he possesses enough speed to threaten the corner. His elite production — 54.0 tackles for loss and 30.5 sacks in four seasons between Temple and Coral Gables — is indicative of the type of player he is. He gets the job done. Projected: 3rd or 4th round
Rashad Weaver (Sr., Pittsburgh, 6-4, 259)
Weaver is an average athlete, but he wins with strength and savvy. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
BONUS. Payton Turner (Sr., Houston, 6-5, 270)
Turner features prototypical size and athleticism for the position. He also plays with the physicality coaches covet. He was nearly unblockable in a small sample size (four games) during his breakout 2020 season before missing three games (COVID, knee). Projected: 2nd to 4th round
BONUS. Patrick Jones Jr. (Sr., Pittsburgh, 6-4, 261)
Jones’ attacking nature is both a gift (speed, effort) and a curse (over-runs the play). He features prototypical size and led the Panthers in tackles for loss (12) in 2019 and sacks (nine) in 2020. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
BONUS. Jordan Smith (Jr., UAB, 6-6, 255)
Smith will need to pair his elite athleticism with a NFL strength training program in order to reach his full potential. Projected: 2nd to 4th round
Top linebackers
1. Micah Parsons (Jr., Penn St., 6-foot-3, 246 pounds)
Parsons features elite athleticism and special instincts. He had 109 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles as a sophomore before opting out of this season due to COVID-19. Maturity concerns could cause this top-five talent to slip a bit in the draft, but not far. Projected: Top 15
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Jr., Notre Dame, 6-2, 221)
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has the speed, range and instincts to play linebacker, safety or nickelback. Projected: 1st round
3. Nick Bolton (Jr., Missouri, 5-11, 237)
Bolton is a classic thumper who was a highly productive tackle machine his last two seasons for the Tigers. His processing speed is computer-like and he sees the field through a wide-angle lens. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
4. Zaven Collins (Jr., Tulsa, 6-4, 259)
Collins is an uber-productive and versatile defender who had 244 tackles and 30 tackles for loss over the last three seasons, including several impact plays last season (four interceptions, two touchdowns, one safety and one forced fumble). This type of agility and range is rare for his size. Projected: 1st round
5. Jabril Cox (Sr., LSU, 6-3, 232)
Cox excelled in two different defensive schemes (Tigers and North Dakota State). He’s a smooth athlete with natural ball skills — 26 passes defended and nine interceptions in his career. He mirrors receivers like a cornerback, but there’s room for improvement against the run. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
6. Jamin Davis (Jr., Kentucky, 6-3, 234)
Davis’ elite speed and instincts make him an asset in coverage — five interceptions in three seasons. He was one of only four SEC players to average double-digit tackles per game in 2020, but he needs to improve his technique and consistency. Projected: 1st or 2nd round
7. Baron Browning (Sr., Ohio St., 6-2, 245)
Browning’s physical skillset is on par with Parsons, but his football acumen is still a work-in-progress. He’s a wrecking ball when he makes contact. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
8. Chazz Surratt (Sr., North Carolina, 6-2, 229)
Surratt has shown massive improvement in a short period of time — he switched from quarterback to linebacker in 2019. It’s clear he has the instincts, elite athleticism and competitive toughness to play the position at a high level. Projected: 2nd or 3rd round
9. Pete Werner (Sr., Ohio St., 6-2, 238)
Werner was asked to do a little bit of everything for the Buckeyes. He’s an athletic, intelligent player who is effective as a blitzer and can handle his own in coverage. Projected: 3rd or 4th round
10. Monty Rice (Sr., Georgia, 6-0, 233)
Rice is a speedy, sure tackler who plays with NFL-level tenacity. He’s serviceable, but too reactionary in coverage. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
Other linebackers
Dylan Moses (Jr., Alabama, 6-1, 225)
Moses’ surgically repaired knee is a red flag — it required a “clean up” after the 2020 season — but there’s a lot of clay to mold with this former five-star recruit. Projected: 3rd to 5th round
Cameron McGrone (Jr., Michigan, 6-0, 234)
McGrone can shut down a wide running game on his own with his speed and explosiveness. He’s only 20 years old with two years of starting experience, but there are durability concerns. He tore the ACL in his right knee as a junior in high school (2016) and suffered a torn ACL in his left knee (2020). Projected: 3rd to 5th round
Check out the latest mock draft and position previews for the 2021 NFL draft.