2023 NFL Draft: Jack Campbell, Drew Sanders Lay Claim to Top Spots in Updated Linebacker Rankings

Linebackers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are bruising thumpers, some specialize in rushing the passer, and others make their money by hounding pass catchers downfield. In the 2023 NFL Draft linebacker class, very few fit into the ‘prototypical’ mold. There is a handful of true, MIKE linebackers, but most of these prospects will need specific roles and a plan in place as rookies. Where does your favorite player rank on the list?

LB15: Yasir Abdullah (Louisville)

Yasir Abdullah is a tough projection because he gets caught with the ‘tweener’ label at linebacker. Abdullah is an elite pass rusher, but given his size, it will be difficult for teams to trust him full-time on the edge.

His testing at the NFL Combine gives reason to believe Abdullah could hold up in coverage in the league, but whoever drafts him needs a well-thought-out plan to maximize his potential. The former Cardinal is a day three grade.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3

LB14: Aubrey Miller Jr. (Jackson State)

Aubrey Miller Jr. is a fun sleeper who plays 100 mph on every snap. He tries to make every tackle humanly possible and succeeds more times than not. The Jackson State star hopes to follow in the footsteps of last year’s sixth-round pick, James Houston. He is a day-three prospect I fully expect to outperform his draft status.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3

LB13: Noah Sewell (Oregon)

Noah Sewell is a fringe first-rounder or a solid day-three option at linebacker, depending on who you ask — there is very little ‘in between’. For my money, I see the latter.

Sewell is too stiff for my liking and routinely misses tackles linebackers in the NFL simply cannot miss. His athleticism is good-not-great, and this negatively impacts him in coverage. He could carve out a starting role as a MIKE linebacker, but the upside is so limited I wouldn’t take the former Duck until day three.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3

LB12: Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati)

Ivan Pace Jr. is arguably the best blitzer in this group. He has an impressive first step that he uses to blow by linemen off the edge. Pace’s hard-hitting demeanor lends itself to some monster hits behind the line of scrimmage — and in running lanes — as he meets the ball carrier with a full head of steam.

As great as Pace is on the ball, he is a risky bet elsewhere. The Cincinnati Bearcat stands at 5-foot-10 1/2 and weighs 231 pounds with only 30-inch arms. Simply put, this ranks WELL below the threshold many NFL teams use when evaluating a prospect.

Pace displayed elite straight-line speed for his size, but his inability to consistently stop and change direction is something that stood out to me on tape. He bends the edge incredibly well and uses brute force to bullrush through an offensive lineman’s chest, but overall his agility and size leave too much to be desired.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3

LB11: Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama)

Another highly-regarded linebacker prospect from a prestigious program — Alabama’s Henry To’oTo’o. Similar to Sewell from earlier, the Crimson Tide linebacker does most everything well but does not excel in any particular area.

He is very smart and brings tons of experience to the table. To’oTo’o’s ability to move sideline-to-sideline and to diagnose plays as they unfold is adequate enough to serve as a MIKE linebacker in the league.

My biggest concern with To’oTo’o is his snap-to-snap consistency, as he had too many instances on tape of “phoning it in”. That can’t fly for the quarterback of the defense. Still, the traits are that of a starting-caliber MIKE, something very few prospects in this class possess.

NFL Draft Grade: Early Day 3