There are linebackers to suit every team in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some prospects will be scheme-versatile, while others will need to be used in particular ways to maximize their potential. With so many different skill sets, evaluating linebackers can be tricky. However, these are the top linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
2025 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings
10) Smael Mondon, Georgia
Smael Mondon is an explosive mover and a rangy second-level defender. At 6’2” and 229 pounds, he operates with the length that allows him to create leverage and shed blocks in the run game while also being a secure tackler. The Georgia Bulldogs’ linebacker has the pace to close down rushers against the run, while he also has the hand usage and length to match up in coverage.
However, a lack of strength profile significantly impacts Mondon’s game, and he has suffered several injuries throughout his career.
9) Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Danny Stutsman has the physical profile, flashy movement skills, and size to be an every-down linebacker. However, he does need some development. At 6’3” and 233 pounds, the Oklahoma Sooners’ defender has a snappy change of direction and driving straight speed while also having the size to be proficient against the run and in coverage.
However, Stutsman needs to develop his intelligence moving to the next level. He often gets found wanting in the run game, where he doesn’t correctly anticipate risers, while his eyes can also get bought in coverage.
8) Cody Simon, Ohio State
Cody Simon is a strong, explosive defender who is versatile and intelligent. Able to diagnose presnap and communicate throughout the play, the Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker brings natural leadership skills to the NFL.
At 6’1” and 229 pounds, Simon is a physical presence and has outstanding coverage technique. He loves contact on the line of scrimmage, where his punchy hands have the ability to unbalance his opponents while maintaining his pressing movement.
7) Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Jack Kiser is a high-level motor defender who possesses domineering physicality. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker is aggressive in contact and also uses that violence to generate powerful leg drive to chase down rushers.
At 6’2” and 231 pounds, Kiser has a mature frame and will be a 25-year-old rookie. His instincts are strong, and his natural field positioning places him to make plays consistently in the second level.
6) Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Jeffrey Bassa is a strong coverage linebacker who proactively uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball. The Oregon Ducks’ defender can match up in man or zone, where his ball skills as a former defensive back shine through.
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Measuring in at 6’1” and 232 pounds, Bassa offers strong developmental traits in the NFL. His explosive movement allows him to avoid blocks and provide sideline-to-sideline range. Against the run, the Ducks linebacker can read and react, although he needs to rein in his enthusiasm to get to the ball by remaining patient, which would allow him to pursue rushers more consistently.
5) Barrett Carter, Clemson
Barrett Carter is an explosive athlete who has playmaking tendencies in coverage and also the physicality to impact the box. The Clemson Tigers’ linebacker’s proactive athleticism matches well in man coverage where he has the turn of pace and change of direction to follow routes. Meanwhile, he has the intelligence to read quarterbacks’ eyes and react in zone.
At 6’0” and 231 pounds, Carett has the toughness and physicality to win on the line of scrimmage, but he lacks the overall strength profile to consistently secure tackles and make plays against the run.
4) Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Chris Paul Jr. (or ‘Pooh’ as he prefers) is a prototypical modern-day linebacker who will thrive operating as predominantly a weakside linebacker in the NFL. At 6’1” and 222 pounds, the Ole Miss Rebels’ defender has the physicality to willingly match up against anybody while also having the elusive athleticism to proactively work.
Paul has excellent movement skills to react and shoot through gaps while also having the intelligence to read and diagnose offense presnap. He is an agile mover who allows him to work through traffic, although he will need to add weight at the next level to create leverage against NFL opposition consistently.
3) Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Demetrius Knight does everything to a high level. The South Carolina Gamecocks’ defender is a fluid mover with proactive athleticism. His aggressive mentality allows him to drive towards the ball, while his size and pad level will enable him to win one-on-one.
The 6’2”, 235-pound linebacker has the size, movement, and speed to be a three-down player at the next level. He can sometimes be a little tight in his lower half, but his natural ability to react to rushers in the run game, stay square, and anticipate in the passing game gives him a high floor and a high ceiling heading to the pros.
2) Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Carson Schwesinger is a do-it-all linebacker. The natural athlete competes with high-end speed, twitchy movement, and instinctual awareness that has the potential to impact every down. The UCLA Bruins’ prospect closes windows in coverage with this sticky route mirroring while also having the active foot speed and anticipation to close in on the ball in zone.
Furthermore, Schewesinger is developing as a blitzer where he has showcased the ability to create dominant pressure. The 6’2”, 242-pound linebacker plays in a hurry, which also allows him to quickly chase down runners.
1) Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Jihaad Campbell was made in a lab. At 6’3” and 244 pounds, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s defender has the size, athleticism, and physicality to play different roles on defense. His instincts in zone coverage anticipate a quarterback’s movement, and he can jump routes to stem receivers’ route progress.
Furthermore, Campbell is an excellent pass rusher. In Tuscaloosa, he had 12 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in 2024 and displayed a deep bag of pass-rushing tricks.
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This means that he will be a three-down linebacker in the NFL, which will allow defensive coordinators to be creative. He can align all over the field and will need to be accounted for on every play.
Campbell’s overall skill set makes him one of the top overall players in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Alabama linebacker expected to come off the board in the first 20 selections.
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