Alabama’s Christian Harris leads the 2022 NFL Draft class of middle linebackers
By John Blair
To say the 2022 NFL Draft class of inside linebacker lacks star power is an understatement. No player at this position carries higher than a third-round grade and only three players carry a day two grade. With that being said though there are several prospects like Olakunle Fatukasi of Rutgers and Justin Rice of Utah State who could be good value picks on day three.
Most underrated: Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
One of the most productive linebackers in college football is Olakunle Fatukasi of Rutgers. He has already been named the Chuck Bednarik Award winner once this season after posting seven tackles and three sacks vs. Temple. He had an outstanding 2020 season as well leading the Big Ten in tackles with 101 including 11 tackles for loss. As a prospect, he shows good awareness and the ability to support the run or hold up in zone coverage vs the pass.
Most overrated: Christian Harris, Alabama
While Chrisitan Harris is widely regarded as a first-round pick by most draftniks currently, he only carries a 3rd round grade on my board. Some of the concerns I have with him include his average awareness and the fact he is not the surest tackler. On the positive side, he is an impressive athlete who still has the potential to develop into an NFL starting linebacker.
Sleeper: Justin Rice, Utah State
To say Justin Rice is a productive linebacker is an understatement. During his career, he has played for three different teams and was named all-conference at two of them. The third school he has played for this year is Utah State and he has already been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the week twice. When looking at how he transitions to the NFL he has the overall athletic ability and quickness to be a high day three pick.
Biggest risk: Ventrell Miller, Florida
Florida’s Ventrell Miller is a risky prospect for three reasons. The first one being that he suffered a torn biceps in the second game of the year. The second one is that he is just an average athlete who lacks the overall agility to hold up well in coverage, and the last one is that he was suspended for the entire 2017 season due to credit card fraud. These reasons should force Miller down the draft board for most teams and it would not be a shock if he last until the sixth or seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Player who is seeing his stock rise: Jack Campbell, Iowa
After spending most of his career as a backup, Jack Campbell finally earned a starting role going into the 2021 season. He is making the most of this opportunity as well already establishing himself as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten.
His best game of the season came against Colorado State when he was able to record 18 tackles, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery which earned him the Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week award.
Top small school outside linebacker: Jace Lewis, Montana
The thing that pops out about Montana linebacker Jace Lewis is his excellent production. So far this season he has 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks in just four games. He also had outstanding seasons in 2020 being named the Big Sky Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and in 2019 when he recorded 131 tackles on the season. As an NFL Draft prospect, he shows the ability to help out on special teams and possibly earn a backup middle linebacker spot.
Special teams standout: Grant Morgan Arkansas
While Grant Morgan might not have the size to be a high draft pick coming in at only 5-foot-11, he does have the skillset to become at the bare minimum a key special teams player in the NFL. Morgan moves extremely well in space and has been a key part of the Arkansas special team’s units over the past couple of seasons. Look for Morgan to be a sixth or seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but also a player who plays at the next level for several years.
2022 NFL Draft Overall Middle Linebacker Rankings
1. Christian Harris, Alabama (third round)
2. Devin Lloyd, Utah (third round)
3. Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma (third round)
4. Nakobe Dean, Georgia (fourth round)
5. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (fourth round)
6. Jake Hansen, Illinois (fifth round)
7. Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers (fifth round)
8. Ventrell Miller, Florida (fifth round)
9. Justin Rice, Utah State (fifth round)
10. Grant Morgan, Arkansas (fifth round)
11. Jeremiah Gemmel, North Carolina (sixth round)
12. James Skalski, Clemson (sixth round)
13. Jack Campbell, Iowa (sixth round)
14. Nate Landman, Colorado (sixth round)
15. Quay Walker, Georgia (sixth round)
16. Diego Fagot, Navy (sixth round)
17. Damone Clark, LSU (sixth round)
18. Josh Ross, Michigan (seventh round)
19. Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham (seventh round)
20. Kyle Harmon, San Jose State (seventh round)
21. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin (seventh round)
22. Micah McFadden, Indiana (free agent)
23. Leo Chenal, Wisconsin (free agent)
24. Jacquez Jones, Kentucky (free agent)
25. Kana’i Mauga, USC (free agent)
26. Jace Lewis, Montana (free agent)
27. D’Marco Jackson, Appalachian State (free agent)
28. Nick Jackson, Virginia (free agent)
29. DeAndre Square, Kentucky (free agent)
30. Shaka Heyward, Duke (free agent)