2020 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Linebackers

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top linebackers in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.

Top 50
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S

1. Isaiah Simmons

School: Clemson
Height: 6-4
Weight: 238 lbs

Positives

• Unmatched versatility to play all over the field
• Elite athletic profile as linebacker or safety
• High-end processing ability for quick reads as run defender
• Explosive, with closing speed for limitless range vs. run
• Utilizes length while flashing good stack and shed ability against blocks
• Balance, quickness, and awareness to work through traffic
• Great finisher with a wide tackle radius
• Fluid feet and hips in man coverage vs. slot receiver or tight end
• Plus coverage range and ball skills as deep safety
• Outstanding blitzer coming from any area

Negatives

• Still developing feel for zone coverage as linebacker underneath
• Better zone instincts when play is kept in front of him
• Needs more play strength vs. NFL linemen in run game

Bottom line

Simmons is a unicorn made for the modern NFL. Capable of playing both linebacker and safety, he can be the ultimate chess piece for defensive coordinators seeking solutions to the nightmare-inducing problems opposing offenses are throwing their way. Some will envision Simmons exclusively at linebacker, while others see him as a safety. But putting him in a do-it-all role similar to the one he played in college may be the most sensible. The Clemson star is the kind of talent you want moving all over the field to create the most favorable matchups, making it more difficult for opponents to game plan. He's a special talent.

Grade: Top 10

2. Patrick Queen

School: LSU
Height: 6-0
Weight: 229 lbs

Positives

• Excellent athletic profile
• Impressive processing speed to read keys
• Sideline-to-sideline range with great pursuit speed
• Slips blocks with short-area quickness and good use of hands
• Sound finisher who plays with physicality
• Aggressive while taking on blocks at the point of attack
• Fluidity in man coverage vs. backs and tight ends
• Great awareness of developing routes in zone coverage
• Explosiveness is valuable as second-level blitzer

Negatives

• Lacks ideal size and weight for the position
• Length could create difficulty stacking blocks vs. NFL linemen
• Only one season as full-time starter in college

Bottom line

One of the key contributors for LSU's championship defense, Queen makes the jump to the NFL as an incredibly well-rounded prospect. He may not possess prototypical size, but the defender makes up for it with his athleticism, physicality, and ability to quickly diagnose what's happening in front of him. Queen's athleticism shows up in all phases defensively, and he's a strong fit for today's NFL due to his effectiveness in coverage. He's an every-down linebacker who should be a strong leader up the middle for years.

Grade: 1st round

3. Kenneth Murray

School: Oklahoma
Height: 6-2
Weight: 241 lbs

Positives

• Explosive athlete with great speed
• Incredible sideline-to-sideline range in pursuit
• Diagnoses quickly and gets downhill to fill gaps
• Can slip through blocks with short-area quickness
• Powerful finisher who explodes into ball carriers
• Good instincts on quick passes at line of scrimmage
• Athleticism shines when utilized as blitzer
• Known as an outstanding leader

Negatives

• Can be a little too aggressive with pursuit angles
• Not adept at controlling and getting off blocks
• Poor instincts while dropping into zone
• Has traits for man coverage but lacks experience in that area

Bottom line

Murray could develop into a stud playmaker at the next level. With the speed to patrol the entire field and the burst to finish in a big way when he gets to the ball carrier, the Oklahoma standout can be a tone-setter. There are some questions about his play in coverage, but he's shown the raw movement skills to stick with backs and tight ends, and his comfort in zone could be improved in the NFL. The run-game dominance gives him a high floor, and he could make the most out of a high ceiling while using his athleticism and instincts to get better in coverage.

Grade: 2nd round

4. Malik Harrison

School: Ohio State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 247 lbs

Positives

• Explosive athlete with good short-area quickness
• Reads keys efficiently and fires downhill to fill gaps vs. run
• Takes on blocks with physicality and heavy hands
• Can stack, shed, and locate the ball to make plays
• Good contact balance to work through traffic
• Reliable tackler when in range to make play on the ball carrier
• Sound defender in zone coverage with good awareness
• Productive blitzer from second level

Negatives

• Lateral range as run defender is only average
• Lacks fluidity for man coverage
• Won't have speed to turn and run with backs and tight ends
• Hasn't produced much in pass coverage

Bottom line

Harrison enters the NFL already adept at what's often a challenge for young linebackers: Engaging with offensive linemen and consistently getting off blocks to make a play on the ball. That ability, combined with his instincts to process quickly after the snap, should make him an impact run defender from Day 1. And while he may not move well enough for man coverage, his comfort level while dropping into zones still gives him upside as a solid three-down contributor. Harrison could become an extremely valuable mid-round pick.

Grade: 3rd round

5. Troy Dye

School: Oregon
Height: 6-3
Weight: 231 lbs

Positives

• Excellent athleticism leads to three-down upside
• Good zone drops with awareness in coverage
• Fluid in hips and feet to be effective in man coverage
• Good ball skills to make a play in the air
• Flashes hand placement, power, and extension for quick block sheds
• Speed for wide range as run defender
• Good wrap-up tackler in space
• Stellar production across four years as starter

Negatives

• Lacks desired build for every-down linebacker role
• Needs more strength to consistently defeat blocks
• Prone to taking sloppy angles to the ball
• Can be a step slow to process and fill gaps vs. run
• Could be limited to passing-down duties early on

Bottom line

Dye is an impressive athlete with a skill set that's becoming increasingly valuable in today's NFL. Improving his play strength is crucial to increase his chances of consistently getting off blocks against pro competition. However, Dye can still make an impact in the running game if used in a run-and-chase role that keeps him as clean as possible to utilize his range. He'll really make his money as a pass defender, as he possesses the movement skills and instincts to be productive in both zone and man-to-man coverages.

Grade: 3rd round

Other notable prospects

Willie Gay Jr. (Mississippi State)
Logan Wilson (Wyoming)
Jordyn Brooks (Texas Tech)
Evan Weaver (California)
Davion Taylor (Colorado)