We proceed to dive in our prime positional sequence for the Dallas Cowboys and this time wanting on the prime 10 linebackers within the draft and offering a brief scouting report on every.
Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
Finest – RangeCampbell is a sideline-to-sideline monster and does it persistently from the primary to the final quarter. He’s obtained a uncommon mixture of fluid motion, top-tier closing velocity, and reactive athleticism, which lets him chase down performs all around the area. Whether or not it’s monitoring down a operating again on a stretch play or spying and shutting on a quarterback, he covers floor quick and violently.
Worst – Play Recognition Whereas he’s obtained all of the athletic instruments, he can nonetheless be a bit sluggish to diagnose performs, chew on misdirection, or take false steps. Towards extra disciplined or complicated offenses, that may put him out of place and restrict his affect. Generally, he depends an excessive amount of on uncooked velocity to recuperate as an alternative of studying and reacting cleanly from the beginning. Checking his landmarks or shopping for what the offense sells on play motion is a large weak point for him.
Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)
Finest – Excessive IQSchwesinger’s skill to shortly learn offensive performs, anticipate actions, and place himself successfully units him aside. This eager sense of the sport permits him to persistently make impactful performs, even when dealing with extra bodily imposing opponents. His psychological acuity and instinctual play make him a worthwhile asset, significantly in roles that leverage his skill to learn and react swiftly.
Worst – Athleticism Sadly, he doesn’t have the burst or uncooked energy you usually see in NFL-caliber linebackers. That may present up when he’s attempting to cowl quick backs or tight ends in area, or when he’s taking up larger, extra athletic blockers on the second degree. His athletic profile is common at finest. This limits loads within the NFL as a pure WILL which implies he lacks versatility.
Demetrius Knight (South Carolina)
Finest – Instincts Knights is a good instinctive downhill participant. That is significantly evident in run protection and blitzing conditions. His background as a highschool quarterback contributes to his distinctive skill to learn offensive schemes and anticipate performs. This, mixed along with his pure timing, permits him to penetrate gaps swiftly and disrupt performs within the backfield.
Worst – OveraggressiveHe tends to shoot gaps too early or commit downhill earlier than absolutely diagnosing the play, which might result in him being out of place. Offenses can use that aggressiveness towards him with misdirection, play-action, or delayed runs. It’s the traditional “see ball, go get ball” mentality (which works when he’s proper), however when he’s flawed, it creates open lanes and missed assignments together with poor pursuit angles.
Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
Finest – Run Protection Stutsman reveals superior play recognition, significantly along with his keys in run protection. He’s logged excessive sort out manufacturing for Oklahoma in a number of years, largely due to his skill to shortly establish run ideas and set off downhill with confidence. He’s proven he can learn pulling guards, diagnose inside zone and hole runs, and shoot gaps earlier than blockers attain him.
Worst- Agility Stutsman’s major weak point lies in his restricted lateral agility and protection capabilities. His tight hips and short-strides restrict his skill to alter course shortly, affecting his efficiency in man protection towards agile operating backs and tight ends.
Barrett Carter (Clemson)
Finest – RangeCarter’s athleticism lets him shut gaps shortly, whether or not he’s scrambling in run assist or dropping again into protection. His velocity and fast change-of-direction makes him a dynamic presence on the sector and permits him to play side-to-sideline with nice consistency. His bodily instruments allow him to recuperate shortly if he finds himself out of place.
Worst – Disengaging blocksAt instances, when participating blockers, Carter can linger too lengthy as an alternative of releasing from them and breaking free. This momentary hesitation can enable offensive linemen further time to reset and forestall him from getting free shortly. Whereas his athleticism typically helps him bounce again, counting on restoration velocity fairly than environment friendly block shedding can depart him out of fine pursuit place. Within the NFL the place the sport is far quicker this can depart Carter out of the play far too typically.
Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss)
Finest – Instincts Paul Jr. possesses an virtually uncanny skill to shortly learn offensive ideas and anticipate performs. This allows him to react decisively whether or not it’s stopping the run or dropping into protection. His understanding of the sport permits him to make split-second choices that maintain him in the appropriate place, leading to key disruptions.
Worst – Tackling Whereas his instincts maintain him in the appropriate space, his approach generally lapses and he sometimes struggles with correct pad degree and to safe the ball service. This can lead to missed or incomplete tackles.
Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)
Finest – Blitzing Bassa’s most elite trait is his blitzing skill, significantly his timing when referred to as to get into the backfield. His elite blitzing expertise, mixed along with his protection skill and athleticism, positions him as a flexible and impactful linebacker prospect for the fashionable NFL.
Worst – StrengthBassa typically has issue disengaging from blocks, particularly when dealing with climbing offensive linemen. His lack of perfect play energy and leverage can result in him being pushed far too simply from his hole.
Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia)
Finest – BurstWhether chasing down the ball service or performing a go rush, Mondon’s fast first step permits him to shut gaps earlier than performs can develop. His high-energy method and sustained motor maintain him in fixed pursuit of the motion, making him efficient in run protection in addition to in pass-rushing conditions.
Worst – Accidents A reputable concern with Mondon is his harm historical past and general sturdiness. He’s handled a number of lower-body accidents throughout his time at Georgia, together with an ankle harm in addition to a notable foot harm that required offseason surgical procedure and plagued his 2024 which had him miss 4 video games. Groups could also be cautious about utilizing him as a full-time, every-down linebacker early on till he proves he can keep wholesome and persistently out there. 4 years in Georgia and just one full season, that’s an enormous trigger for concern.
Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky)
Finest – InstinctsDumas-Johnson displays wonderful instincts, shortly diagnosing performs and reacting decisively. His skill to learn offensive keys permits him to anticipate runs successfully, positioning himself to make impactful stops.
Worst – RangeHis greatest weak point is his restricted vary and protection skill, which may affect his effectiveness within the NFL. Dumas-Johnson lacks any type of elite velocity to cowl areas of the sector towards quicker offenses, and within the NFL this will likely be a straightforward weak point to use.
Kobe King (Penn State)
Finest – Run StoppingKing excels at diagnosing run performs and attacking the road of scrimmage with power. His skill to stack and shed blocks, mixed along with his tackling prowess, makes him a formidable presence towards the run. His energy permits him to tackle and defeat blockers successfully, typically controlling the purpose of assault and disrupting operating lanes.
Worst – Protection SkillsKing has proven an inclination to focus an excessive amount of on the quarterback’s eyes, which might lead him to being manipulated out of his assigned zone. When he’s tasked with protecting tight ends or operating backs, King’s points in his motion expertise are on full show. His hip flexibility and transition velocity are areas that want enchancment to assist along with his protection skill, which is essential to play a significant position on the linebacker place within the fashionable NFL.
