DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Explosive, three-down linebacker with the demeanor and quickness to become a volume tackler while holding down third-down duties at a high level. Dean's play recognition is a work in progress, which limits reaction time and forces him to deal with more blockers than he'll see as he gains more experience. Quick feet and plus agility will bring him to ball-carriers at a high rate but a lack of size and length means he'll need to fine-tune his approach as a tackler to make sure he finishes what he starts. He might lack measurables, but he has the toughness and technique to see a boost in his performance once his play becomes more proactive.

Highly productive and highly physical, Lloyd could create interesting discussions in draft rooms as teams work through his process versus production. Lloyd can be a little inconsistent with early diagnosis and fit recognition and unorthodox in how he flows to the football. With that said, he has a stat sheet full of production in every major category, including 43 tackles for loss over the last three seasons. He plays with the willful demeanor of an NFL alpha linebacker and is sneaky talented as a rusher either blitzing or aligning off the edge. Lloyd will make plenty of plays and should become a good starter as an inside or strong-side linebacker, but inconsistent process could limit his consistency.

Long, athletic inside linebacker whose strengths and weaknesses could make him a target for a move outside. Harris' lack of desired recognition will result in missteps and mistakes that could prove much more costly on the NFL level. However, he could thrive as a chase-and-hit, weakside linebacker, where he can play faster. He can handle some coverage chores but it's not his strong suit. Harris has the physical attributes and athletic ability to make plays as an eventual starter but he might lack three-down versatility.

Walker had to wait his turn at Georgia, but he has become a well-schooled, instinctive linebacker ready for the NFL game. He has good size and clear eyes from the second level, with a talent for recognizing play design. He plays disciplined, team-oriented football but is unlikely to become a top-level playmaker as a pro. His chase speed and body control are just average when ranging to tackle or covering in space. Walker is dependable and consistent and projects as a good backup with eventual starter potential at inside linebacker.

Long, well-built inside linebacker packed into an athletic frame. Athleticism, toughness and tackling talent helped Clark piled up production in 2021 despite a lack of game-to-game consistency. Play recognition and instincts are erratic and could continue to be, but his game against Alabama should be weighed more heavily in his favor, as it shows what he's capable of against bigger, better opponents. Clark profiles as an early backup and special teams performer with projectable upside in the middle. However, the spinal fusion surgery he underwent in March is likely to sideline him for the 2022 season and could cause him to drop lower than his tools warrant on draft day.

Inside linebacker who proved his toughness and dependability in Georgia's stop unit. Tindall played in a great scheme surrounded by NFL prospects, so projecting his pro potential is a little trickier. He has average size and instincts for work between the tackles, but the pursuit speed and tackling talent to run and hit from sideline to sideline. Play recognition versus the run and pass should improve with additional playing time. Tindall should be an early backup and instant four-phase special-teamer with the potential to eventually step into a starting role.

A high-cut linebacker, Muma has a nose for the football but his methodology for getting there will need an upgrade to earn NFL playing time. He falls prey to false steps and wasted motion at times. He has a see-ball, get-ball mentality and hunts runners with good build-up speed and an aggressive demeanor. Patience and leverage are below average when fitting up inside runs and flowing to outside runs. He needs to improve at slipping and taking on blocks if he's going to play inside. Muma profiles as a backup inside/strong-side linebacker with four-phase special teams talent that should lock him into a roster spot as a Day 3 selection.

Linebacker whose draft slotting will be a litmus test for how teams value tape and productivity against size deficiencies. Rodriguez carries a compact, sawed-off frame that is muscular but stubby. His transition from read to flow is seamless, with some of the cleanest GPS to the football in this draft. He's straight-line fast but lacks the looseness for sudden lateral bursts, which could limit his range as an NFL tackler. He can play on third downs but is very average in that department. Rodriguez has been a career gap-hog, finding and finishing runners who come his way. His floor is as a good backup and core special teams player, but the smart bet might be to project his impact production to follow him into the league, with Rodriguez eventually starting as a 3-4 inside linebacker.

Intriguing "do-everything" prospect with unusual versatility that could see him getting reps in all three phases. Andersen has good size and toughness with the ball in his hands, but he's transitioned to a full-time linebacker role. However, he's still inexperienced at the position, which shows in his instincts and technique at that spot. Despite those concerns, he was an extremely productive playmaker, using his physical tools and motor to shine. Teams will likely look to grow Andersen's linebacker IQ while playing him as a core special-teamer, but he might have potential on packaged plays on offense.

Team-first leader who plays every snap like his hair is on fire. Luketa is self-made and known for putting in the work necessary to go from Ottawa tough guy to productive, two-year starter in the Big Ten. He won't blink in the face of physical challenges, using his leverage and power to hold his ground or come out on top. He lacks instincts and pursuit speed and is best suited as a 4-3 Sam linebacker but his lone season as a 4-3 end could have 3-4 teams exploring his potential as a developmental outside linebacker. No matter the scheme, Luketa's toughness and talent should make him a good backup or low-end starter with the ability to shine on special teams as early as his rookie season.

Enagbare is long and strong but lacks explosiveness, which could create diverging opinions regarding his position and how best to play him. He's heavy-handed and physical but will never be confused for a playmaker on the edge. He's best suited as a cubicle defender where his power and length can benefit him in smaller spaces. He has played heavier in the past and teams might ask him to pack the pounds back on in order to compete as a run-defending interior lineman in an odd or even front.

Inside linebacker with a densely muscled frame for full-contact fighting between the tackles. Chenal is like a cinder block. His limbs absorb contact without losing balance or positioning. The power and toughness are outstanding but his technique, play recognition and discipline need more work. He's tightly bound, lacking the fluidity and lateral agility for consistent success as an open-field tackler. He won't offer much in coverage but has success as a power blitzer. Chenal has rare point-of-attack power and will be a handful inside the box, but will be limited by athletic deficiencies. He might never be more than a good backup or low-end starter but he should be able to make a living in the league.

Athletic inside linebacker who might require a more attack-oriented scheme that allows him to play faster and with less reservation. Hansford failed to use his 2020 season as a springboard into bigger and better things in 2021. He has speed to range from sideline to sideline and is a fundamentally sound tackler who won't let many slip from his grasp. His blitz potential should not be discounted and he clearly has the traits to become a more robust playmaker. However, the difference between starter and backup will be rooted in whether or not he can do a better job of diagnosing blocking schemes and play with better trigger quickness.

See-ball, get-ball linebacker with an itchy, twitchy trigger and explosive pursuit speed. Asamoah is adequate at reading keys and diagnosing the action with quickness. His pursuit paths to the football are aggressive but they're lacking in technique to maintain his gap integrity. His playing style is likely to have him around the football more often than not, but consistency in finishing tackles could be an issue for him in the pros. He's athletic in pass coverage and could stand out on special teams. Asamoah is a 3-4 weakside inside linebacker or a 4-3 Will with the potential to find starting reps down the road.

Undersized 4-3 linebacker who plays with a vengeful field demeanor and outstanding play strength. Domann won't back down from a fight, but he is often the one who started it. He takes on blocks with a firm anchor and sound technique and plays with efficient movements from snap to snap. The former safety handled big nickel cover duties over the slot but needs to prove he can match up against NFL talent in man coverage. He lacks desired length and range, which could hurt his draft stock, but he is a punishing tackler and a consistent irritant in the box. He has middle-round value as a valuable backup with plus special teams talent and the ability to start if needed.

Undersized linebacker but you wouldn't know it by the way McClain plays the game. His block take-ons are explosive and worthy of highlight reels by themselves. His lack of size doesn't factor as much as expected, but his lack of length catches up with him as both a short-area and pursuit tackler. McClain is more than capable of handling his business near the line of scrimmage but he's an average athlete with unremarkable range who might not offer enough third-down value for some teams. He has good backup talent with a chance to become an eventual starter as an outside 'backer in a 4-3 or inside 'backer in a 3-4.

Sam linebacker with quality play strength and a fight-it-out demeanor. Rose is much better in the box, where he can scrape downhill and attack the blocking scheme. He's more than capable of playing off blocks and disrupting downhill rushing attacks, but his success rate suffers greatly when forced to cover more ground and make open-field tackles. He's a physical blitzer on passing downs but will be a liability in coverage. Rose has a chance to become a backup 4-3 Sam or 3-4 inside linebacker but his lack of pursuit speed could hinder his upward mobility.

Undersized sub-package nickel linebacker with special-teams value on the next level. Bernard possesses elite intangibles and teams will be drawn to him because of it. He's resilient, productive and showed a willingness to play through pain. However, Bernard lacks the desired frame and play strength and will face scrutiny surrounding his injury history. He needs space to operate and has the speed for man-cover duties as a pro. If the medicals check out, he should be a Day 3 pick with sub-package value.

Fifth-year senior who played two different positions and saw just nine total team wins during his journey at Kansas. Johnson's tape as an edge defender in 2021 is better than anything he produced as an inside linebacker, but he likely lacks the traits and tools to stay on the edge in the NFL. He has shown noticeable improvement and consistency handling his business at the point of attack and he has excellent speed to range across the field. However, he lacks the instincts needed to process and play quickly between the tackles. His best shot to make a team is as a backup 4-3 Sam with above-average special teams potential.

Highly productive inside/outside linebacker with a nose for the football but a penchant for injury. The three-year team captain lacks desired size and explosiveness, but has succeeded with rapid diagnosis and scrap agility to find the football. His instincts help him play faster than his stopwatch speed, but he also gets himself in trouble by prematurely overflowing the action and losing his optimal positioning. Hansen has a talent for making impact plays and can be hard to knock off of his feet, but his tackle-finishing and coverage are very average by NFL standards. He has the talent to become a long-term backup, but his injury history will be an obvious concern.

Projects to be a Will linebacker on the next level, with explosive lateral quickness and a nose for the football. Cochrane plays with adequate instincts and recognition. He has the juice to beat blockers to the spot, but needs to become a more proactive, downhill tackler in the run game. Cochrane has enough man- and zone-cover talent to offer three-down backup potential as a late Day 3 selection.

Reliable worker-bee linebacker who plays with impressive instincts and fundamentals that keep him in position and near the action. Spector is an average athlete with average size, but he struggles to attack and unglue from blocks on a consistent enough basis. He's an excellent finisher when facing down runners in the hole, but average length and agility drop his finishing rate substantially when he's forced to tackle on the move. Spector is rock solid, but won't make plays beyond what is expected. He has backup value as an inside linebacker or 4-3 Will.

Butler trimmed down and became a faster, more impactful player with increased range and better coverage. The three-time captain is the heart and soul of his defense and flies around looking to make a hit. He's inconsistent at diagnosing the play, and his lack of length and poise stymie his finishing rate as a tackler. Butler's toughness, cover talent and potential to help on special teams gives him a shot to make a squad despite his lack of physical traits.

Nicknamed "The General" by teammates for his leadership traits, Gemmel is jam-packed with a treasure chest of intangibles that coaching staffs will love. He plays instinctive, fast football with an impressive regulator to alter speeds and maintain tackle-ready positioning. There are elements of his game that stand out, but the body of work is more solid than spectacular. He is undersized and could struggle with taking on NFL blockers, but his football IQ and range could make him an intriguing run-and-chase 4-3 Will linebacker with special teams potential.

Undersized inside linebacker with adequate diagnose quickness and downhill trigger. His passivity and indecisiveness against Iowa and Ohio State, in particular, seemed out of place relative to the rest of his tape. He's very average in the athleticism and speed departments but is well-prepared and exploits soft spots in blocking schemes to make impact tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He's unable to challenge blocks and constrict gaps as a thumper, but he's tough. McFadden has Day 3 value as a backup inside linebacker with core special teams potential.

A year ago, Moon was an edge defender with below-average strength at the point of attack and an unimpressive skill set as a rusher. However, his move to linebacker has given his draft hopes new life. He's long, athletic, fast and showed a decent talent for getting to the football despite a lack of experience off the ball. The instincts and feel for leveraging run lanes are very much a work in progress but his length, athleticism and range as a tackler should create interest from teams looking to draft the traits and develop the linebacker.

Wells has played as an edge defender but appears to be much better suited for consideration as a 4-3 Sam linebacker as a pro. He has good play strength and excellent eyes with the ability to process and respond to play design like an inside linebacker. He's slow-twitch, which limits his pursuit range, but he's been a consistent tackler throughout his career and has used his recognition talent to make more plays than his athletic profile would indicate. Wells doesn't have the juice or skill teams look for as a rusher so rebranding as backup linebacker with good toughness and a high football IQ makes the most sense.

Harper is a 4-3 Will linebacker candidate whose strong athletic traits could outweigh his lack of starting experience for some teams. His pursuit of the ball is bolstered by his speed and agility, providing him with NFL-caliber range. However, his lack of instincts and play recognition will require a much-needed upgrade. Harper's special teams potential could give him a chance to make a practice squad.

Two-year starter at inside linebacker who plays at a consistent level but fails to really stamp games as his own. Hummel's testing numbers and ability to step into a core special-teams role will elevate his chances of making a team as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent, but his recognition and flow to the football are just average. He has the athleticism to potentially compete for a three-down backup role but he'll need to play to the testing numbers as a pro.

Linebacker who is likely to test better than he plays at the next level. Smith possesses five-star traits and is extremely athletic, but those traits tend to go to waste on tape. There is a consistent lack of fundamentals that leave him out of position or blocked on too many plays. He lacks decisiveness and an aggressive demeanor that are fundamental in becoming an NFL linebacker.

Robinson's inexperience at linebacker will require a longer developmental runway, but it also opens the door for more impactful molding at the position. He seems to play with better speed and explosion on tape than he showed at his pro day, but inconsistent leverage and his wrap-up technique lead to missed opportunities in the run game. Robinson's special teams play will be the key to grabbing a roster spot, but even if he fails to make an active roster right away, a team might be wise to stash him on the practice squad and continue his linebacker development.

Inside linebacker with throwback size but also throwback athleticism that fails to fit cleanly into today's brand of football. Beavers is a phone-booth linebacker who is well-schooled in taking on and slipping blocks between the tackles but can be overwhelmed by athletic opponents when forced to move and play in space. He plays too stiff-legged and with a lack of desired agility, which gets him tangled up in traffic more than teams might like. He'll need to lean into a role as a thumper to make a team, which will require improvement in consistently attacking and discarding blockers. Beavers has a challenging road ahead of him but his background as a core special-teamer helps.

Jackson's freestyling, downhill approach produced a spike in overall production in 2021, but also led to missed run fits and big plays for the running game. He has some talent at slipping blocks but it is usually lights out once blockers get their hands on him. His pursuit speed, combined with a lack of desired instincts, could necessitate a move to 4-3 Will linebacker, where his coverage potential and special-teams ability might land him a backup gig.

There's not much tape to lean on over the last two years, but Deng clearly lacks the body type of an inside linebacker and the play strength of a 3-4 edge. He does, however, possess adequate instincts with rare length/range that could make him worthy of a look as a developmental project at inside linebacker. Putting another 15 to 20 pounds on his slender frame is a must in order to withstand the rigors of the position.

Edge defender with good hands but a lack of size and strength for the position. Anthony will need to add more go-to moves and counters to overcome just average rush traits.

Average inside linebacker between the tackles and much more limited when the play flows out into space. Sanborn lacks the length and athleticism desired of an NFL linebacker, but he's technically sound and in his element as a face-up tackler when the action flows downhill at him. He's tough and plays with good recognition of run-scheme design to help him play faster, but he's unlikely to out-muscle or out-athlete NFL competition. Sanborn has the potential to land a backup role at inside linebacker.

Campbell is big, strong and physical but his lack of athleticism and functional speed will tether him to the box. He's able to bang between the tackles and does a nice job of locating the football when playing the run. Campbell sees runners separate from his pursuit when plays flow wide, and he's a liability in coverage. Special teams experience and his overall physicality may help him some, but getting to plays and finishing them will always be a challenge.

Four-year starter with excellent intangibles but below-average positional traits. Landman's best seasons were in 2018 and 2019 but his Achilles tear in 2020 hurt his momentum and his 2021 tape was very average prior to suffering a shoulder injury. The lack of flow quickness and agility prevents him from consistently acting upon what his eyes tell him. Landman's inconsistencies with coverage and tackling further hinder his chances of making an NFL roster.

Oft-injured linebacker who has the frame and toughness to play in the middle, but also a debilitating lack of instincts. Graham-Mobley struggles to read and react quickly enough to stay ahead of the blocking scheme, and his pursuit to the tackle sometimes comes at bad angles or with a lack of tackle leverage. He's athletic and plays with pretty good technique in taking on blocks and has core special teams potential, but the injury history could hurt his chances of making a team.

Undersized linebacker lacking the physical traits necessary to warrant run-down consideration. Sewell is a gamer, but gets overwhelmed by size at the point of attack. He has the quickness to get to plays, but his lack of length is going to leave him on the wrong end of tackle attempts. The former safety is instinctive and rangy in his zone coverages and will need to prove himself as a nickel or dime linebacker to become an NFL player.

Undersized inside linebacker lacking the top-end speed and versatility to excite most teams. Ross is an "intangibles guy," offering terrific leadership and competitive fire to the defensive unit. He demands accountability for himself and others, but will struggle to make his mark on the field due to a lack of size and playmaking traits. He's active and competitive, but offers no help as a third-down option and has tape that falls short of the mark.

Inside linebacker with a worker-bee mentality whose solid production as a senior is unlikely to translate to the pros. Brooks plays with a compact, short-armed body type, lacking both range and explosiveness. He plays with adequate recognition and a willingness to stick his nose into the fray, which bolsters his cause. Brooks lacks the take-on strength and force-oriented demeanor to make up for his athletic deficiencies and profiles as a better college player than pro prospect.

Brown will either be evaluated as a limited box safety with below-average cover talent or a future linebacker in need of additional muscle and coaching. He carries 220 pounds and has the frame for more weight. He has experience playing near the line of scrimmage but will need to prove he can hold up against a more targeted block approach if he switches to linebacker. He has the size and traits for an NFL look but starring on special teams might need to be his foot in the door.

Gritty competitor who has been the heart of the Clemson defense in recent years. Skalski has excellent football character and plays hard, but lacks the athletic traits and explosiveness needed on the pro level. The intangibles and special teams background could help, but ultimately, it's unlikely to be enough.

Three-year starter with decent size and athletic traits but a lack of consistency in taking it to the offense. Both Walker's play and diagnosis lacks desired suddenness and he frequently plays a more reactive brand of football. He's not strong enough or talented enough to overtake blockers once he gets behind. His coverage talent and special teams background help, but they're probably not enough of a differentiator.