Rob Rang’s Top 5 Off-Ball Linebackers
Much has been written about this year’s potentially historic talent along the defensive line and in the secondary, overshadowing a talented and very deep linebacker crop. It is this depth of this year’s class, in fact, that really stands and could allow teams to invest their earliest picks elsewhere, knowing that potential rookie starters might still be on the board well into Day Two. Even with Jordyn Brooks seemingly on a path to stardom, releasing Bobby Wagner this spring on the heels of parting ways a year ago with K.J. Wright means that the Seahawks will almost certainly be drafting a linebacker from this group, perhaps quite early. Might the Seahawks consider adding another Ute in Devin Lloyd to challenge his former Utah teammate, Cody Barton? How the Seahawks feel about Barton, as well as the recoveries from serious knee injuries to both Ben Burr-Kirven and Jon Rhattigan, could dictate just how early and often Seattle focuses on this position.
1. Devin Lloyd, Utah, 6-3, 237, 4.66, First Round
A star the past three seasons for Utah, Lloyd took his game to another level in 2021, pushing the Utes to a PAC-12 title and the Rose Bowl with a scintillating all-around performance that included career-highs in tackles (111), tackles for loss (22), sacks (seven) and interceptions (four), earning him the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. Frankly, had he played in the SEC or Big Ten, Lloyd might have generated the kind of buzz to be invited to New York for at least a little Heisman consideration. He’s seen action at all three linebacker roles and should be able to immediately play wherever his future team needs him most, possessing a rare combination of size and speed, as well as physicality and awareness in coverage.
2. Nakobe Dean, Georgia, 5-11, 229, 4.50 (est.), First/Second Round
As good as Lloyd was for the Utes, it was Dean’s Bulldogs, of course, who won the national title and that was very much due to a defense NFL…