The best linebackers available in the 2025 NFL Draft
The best off-ball linebackers that will be picked in the 2025 NFL Draft
This year’s class of off-ball linebackers isn’t a strong suit of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it offers some high-end prospects that should hear their name called on the first two days. The overall depth of the position this year is pretty thin, so if a team wants to bolster the linebacker corps, they better address it early.
A group of SB Nation’s draft analysts from our 32 NFL team communities ranked their top LBs in the draft and this top 10 is the result of those cumulative rankings.
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Also receiving votes in the top 10: Kobe King (Penn State), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky)
10. Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon took advantage of his last year as a Buckeye. The team captain had an eye-popping 112 tackles, including 12.5 TFLs and seven sacks. He is a well-seasoned college football player who seemed to have things click for him this season. His ability to diagnose plays and get to the football was critical in Ohio State’s playoff run.
9. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser is a sixth-year senior who played a school record 70 games for the Fighting Irish. His athleticism leaves something to be desired, but his experience and football IQ help him make up for it. Likely only a two-down LB and special contributor at the NFL level.
8. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Mondon has boom-or-bust potential; he needs time to develop and put it all together at the NFL level. He was a top-30 five-star recruit coming out of high school and has the pedigree to emerge as an eventual starter if he can process the game at NFL speed.
7. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
A high-volume tackler at the inside linebacker position who had three straight seasons with over 100 tackles. Stutsman is your prototypical inside-the-box downhill defender. He gets the job done with outstanding play recognition and block shedding.
6. Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
“Pooh” is best suited as an outside linebacker in a scheme that doesn’t ask him to play much man-to-man coverage. Paul Jr. is a sure tackler who shows good burst to close in on ball carriers and has a knack for finding the correct run fit.
5. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Bassa is a three-down linebacker who played inside at Oregon but has the athleticism to play outside in the NFL. Bassa fits the mold of the new age weak-side linebacker, offering capable coverage skills and some juice as a blitzer.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter has a solid feel for the game at the linebacker position and has the athletic traits to be a sideline-to-sideline three-down player. Carter is at his best when his agility and quickness are allowed to shine as a blitzer or QB spy.
3. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina
Knight tied with Carson Schwesinger for the most second-place votes, but was barely edged out. Knight has a big frame and uses it to unleash violent hits against his opponent. Tailor-made for action inside the box, his aggression and willingness to fight through traffic make him a good fit for a team that needs an inside LB.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
The former walk-on turned into an All-American for UCLA in his fourth year. Schwesinger is a rangy backer who is adept in zone or man coverage. He should find the field as a starting LB early on, but if he doesn’t, he has experience being a special-teams ace.
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Campbell was our unanimous top player at off-ball linebacker. The former top-15 recruit is at his best when rushing the passer or in coverage, where his 6’3” frame and superior athletic abilities can take over. His special skill set will likely see him land in the first round of the NFL Draft, and he should instantly improve any team’s defense.