LBs 2021

Let's use this thread for LB prospects.

I'll start it off with Zaven Collins. Other possible LBs for the Jets are Baron Browning, Nick Bolton, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Jabril Cox, & Dylan Moses.



https://www.nfl.com/prospects/zaven-collins/3200434f-4c71-2276-ee5d-d6185f3c66ad

Prospect Info
COLLEGE -
Tulsa
HOMETOWN - Hominy, OK
CLASS - R-Junior

HEIGHT - 6' 3"
WEIGHT - 260 lbs
ARMS - -
HANDS - -

Prospect Grade
6.39

Player Bio
Collins was a quarterback and first-team all-state defender at Hominy High School in Oklahoma, leading his team to a Class A state title his senior season. He redshirted his first year on campus at Tulsa, playing tight end on the scout team. The next season, he stepped in as a starter for 10 games due to injuries at linebacker and wound up garnering Freshman All-American honors (85 tackles, 9.5 for loss, with 1.5 sacks, one interception and three pass breakups in 12 appearances). Collins was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection as a sophomore, starting all 12 contests and posting 106 tackles, 9.5 for loss, with two sacks and three pass breakups. He mopped up on the awards circuit after a spectacular junior campaign, winning the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Awards as the nation's best defender, as well as first-team Associated Press All-American and AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Collins stuffed the sheet with 53 tackles, a team-high 11.5 for loss, with four sacks, four interceptions, two pass breakups and a blocked kick in eight starts. He returned two of his picks for touchdowns, including a 96-yard game-winner against Tulane in overtime. Collins did not play in the team's bowl game. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Leighton Vander Esch
Overview
Combines rare size and athleticism as a big outside linebacker. Collins is a team-oriented defender willing to plug gaps and spill the action wide for teammates to run down. He's rangy with the burst and length to track and capture his prey from the back side or out on the perimeter. His athletic gifts help him overcome his tardiness in diagnosing the action. There is still room for improvement when it comes to taking on blocks and pursuing with proper leverage so cutbacks don't cross his face. The second effort is evident with how frequently he's able to recover from an early block and still make plays. He's aware and dangerous in spot drops with the read and reaction to jump the passing lane. Collins could use more aggression in his play demeanor, but his combination of talent and traits should make him a productive pro starter.
Strengths

• Three-year starter and winner of Bronco Nagurski Award.
• Consistent, impact production in all three seasons.
• Freaky combination of size and athleticism for linebacker.
• Range to make plays all over the field.
• Sees opportunities to swoop downhill and attack holes in blocking scheme.
• Size and knock-back power to take on blocks.
• Burst and length to track down runners from backside.
• Terrific second effort as a tackler.
• Recovers from blocks and gets back into the play.
• Plays disciplined team defense, filling his fits and spilling plays wide.
• Good awareness of air traffic in zone coverage.
• Reads quarterback and slides into passing lanes.
• Had four interceptions in 2020, including two he returned for touchdowns.

Weaknesses

• Would like to see a little more alpha aggression from him.
• Doesn't always impose size and control blockers with his hands.
• Instincts and diagnosis are just average.
• Needs deeper fill to leverage and constrict run lane.
• Can improve pathways getting from Point A to Point B.
• Rushed pursuit and overran cutbacks versus Oklahoma State's outside zone.
• Needs time to gather and change direction due to size.
• Average reactive agility in the hole.
• Not a natural rusher when turned loose off the edge.

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/zaven-collins-nfl-draft-player-profile-tulsa-linebacker/

Tony Pauline’s Zaven Collins Scouting Report
Positives: Explosive, game-impacting linebacker who was a three-year starter for Tulsa. Instinctive, breaks down well, and quickly locates the ball handler. Forceful up the field and plays with balance as well as body control. Gives effort defending the run and attacks assignments as well as opponents.

Big, strong, and defeats blocks to make the play. Easily gets back to playing balance off the initial block and quickly changes direction or alters his angle of attack without losing momentum. Terrific pass rusher who bends off the edge with speed. Explodes through gaps to penetrate the line of scrimmage. Very effective making plays in space, fluid moving laterally and shows speed in pursuit. Stays with assignments, possesses solid ball skills, and stands out in coverage.

Negatives: Not overly quick. Occasionally gets caught upfield and out of position.

Analysis: Collins is a game-impacting defender and one of the more understated prospects in this year’s draft. He’s not the small run-and-chase linebacker teams prefer these days. Rather, he’s a throwback of sorts, and possesses the size as well as speed to be a pass rusher as well as play in coverage. Collins is a true three-down defender who should quickly break into a starting lineup and comes with outstanding scheme versatility.

Zaven Collins Player Profile
Zaven Collins was one of the best defenders in the NCAA in 2020. However, there was a time when he was lost in the sheer volume of his recruiting class. Labeled as a three-star prospect in the 2017 class by 247 Sports, Collins was outside the Top 2,000 nationally. In addition, he was barely inside the Top 30 in his position group.

Hailing from Hominy, Oklahoma, Collins had the benefit of being close to home. Less than an hour from his hometown was the University of Tulsa. Collins didn’t receive any Power Five interest as a less athletic, 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker. But an offer from Tulsa was all he needed. Collins accepted the offer once it came to him, and he enrolled at Tulsa in 2017.

Zaven Collins’ career as a Tulsa linebacker
Needing to add weight, Collins redshirted his first season with the Golden Hurricane. It was an expected delay for Collins, but he wouldn’t wait long after that for his chance as a starter.

After serving as a reserve for Tulsa’s first two games in 2018, Collins was elevated into a starting role. He took off with it. In ten starts, Collins logged 85 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three pass deflections, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

For his early success, Collins drew consideration as a Freshman All-American, and expectations were heightened in 2019. Collins met those expectations with passion. The Tulsa linebacker started all 12 games, amassing 97 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. He earned second-team All-AAC honors for his play. As impressive as it was, the best was yet to come for Collins.

Collins’ incredible 2020 campaign
In one season, Collins has gone from relative obscurity to legitimate first-round contention. Few players — let alone non-Power Five players — are able to accomplish this.

In eight games, Collins put up 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four interceptions, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, a safety, and a fumble recovery. The Tulsa linebacker also took two of his interceptions back to the end zone and accumulated 156 return yards.

Collins was instrumental in helping the Golden Hurricane to their first winning season since 2016. Not only was he a first-team All-AAC selection, but he also earned first-team All-American honors, alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Joseph Ossai. On December 23, the Tulsa linebacker was announced as the Bronko Nagurski Award winner. The award is given to the best defender in the nation each year. Collins joins a group that includes Aaron Donald, Luke Kuechly, Ndamukong Suh, and Chase Young, as previous winners.

A day after winning the award, Collins announced that he would forgo his final season of eligibility, and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Analyzing Zaven Collins’ NFL Draft profile
Looking at his physical profile, it’s clear why Zaven Collins is a first-round prospect. Collins is 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, with decent length for his size. He’s also a good athlete. He doesn’t have every athletic trait in the book, but Collins can mold his game around several qualities, most notably his explosiveness.

Collins has excellent stop-and-start ability in short ranges. That explosiveness helps him in several phases on defense. In pass defense, the Tulsa linebacker has enough closing burst to cross gaps and enter passing windows. He’s also fluid with his backpedal.

Featured | Hodgkinson’s 4-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft

In run defense, Collins’ burst allows him to shoot through gaps and block off rushing lanes. He can carry his burst around blockers and sear into the backfield. Through this process, Collins has good angle awareness. His physicality and strength allow him to finish plays at the contact point.

Although Collins doesn’t have top-end speed, he has enough to be a threat in pursuit. Additionally, Collins has immense potential rushing the passer. He possesses the size of an edge rusher. His explosion and bend gives some offensive tackles fits.

What are the potential issues with Collins?
Collins is an extremely solid prospect. With good size, explosiveness, and awareness, Collins has a skill set helpful to playmaking ability. However, as good as Collins is, he also has some room for improvement with his consistency when choosing gaps. Additionally, one athletic trait is lacking to a degree: His speed.

As mentioned earlier, Collins has an effective skill set in pursuit with his length and closing burst. However, the Tulsa linebacker doesn’t exactly have elite range. His speed will likely clock in around the mid-to-late-4.7s. His long speed isn’t a liability, but Collins is more effective in short ranges. He doesn’t always have the range to cut players off sideline-to-sideline.

Regardless, there’s a lot to like with Collins. A team that can scheme him effectively will reap the rewards. Collins has enough athleticism to supplement his size. He’s also urgent, smart, and instinctive. That blend of traits should serve him well in the NFL.

Zaven Collins’ best fits in the 2021 NFL Draft
By now, Collins is a bonafide first-round prospect. There is the possibility that he slips into Round 2. However, Collins is highly-rated across the board. He will likely see similar value by the NFL. Although he doesn’t have great natural speed, Collins has a lot of other crucial traits. He also possesses elite size for a linebacker. That will undoubtedly help him pass the eye test for NFL scouts.

In a regular offseason, the NFL Combine would present a challenge for Collins. His speed could show exposure in a normal Combine setting. However, since pro days will serve as the main information gathering events this offseason, Collins may benefit from better numbers. Regardless, Collins’ speed isn’t a major concern, either way. He has enough in his toolbox to compensate.

Which teams mesh best with Collins’ skill set?
The best fits for Zaven Collins partly depend on his range. The Tulsa linebacker likely goes in Round 1. However, beyond that, the possibilities number in the many. Slipping into late Day 1 is a possibility, but teams might also like Collins enough to take him near the top ten.

In Round 1, anyone from the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, to the Washington Football Team, could have interest in Collins. Beyond that, teams like the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns also profile as excellent fits.

Going to a scheme that utilizes his versatility is key. Not only is Collins scheme-diverse, but he’s also versatile within his role. He can provide value against the pass, against the run, and along the edge. That kind of player can be hard to come by.

With his well-rounded skill set, Collins can be a versatile chess piece on defense. On top of it all, he’s a smart, quick processor who reads plays well, and does well with his positioning.

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/jabril-cox-nfl-draft-player-profile-lsu-linebacker/

Jabril Cox, LB, LSU – NFL Draft Player Profile
Jabril Cox became an LSU linebacker with the goal of becoming something even more in the NFL Draft. Did he convert on his desire to ascend?

Between Micah Parsons, Zaven Collins, Dylan Moses, Baron Browning, and others, the 2021 linebacker class is stacked with high-level size/speed defenders on the second level. Another NFL Draft prospect who embodies this archetype is LSU linebacker Jabril Cox. Cox, an FCS transfer, used his 2020 season to prove he could make the leap to a higher competition level. Did he succeed, and how was his draft stock impacted?

Jabril Cox NFL Draft Profile & Senior Bowl Measurements
For updates from the 2021 Senior Bowl, click here for our 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: American Team or 2021 Senior Bowl Practice Report: National Team.

• Position: Linebacker
• School: LSU
• Current Year: Redshirt Senior
• Height: 6’2 7/8″
• Weight: 233 pounds
• Wingspan: 79 1/2″
• Arm: 32 3/4″
• Hand: 8 3/4″

Tony Pauline’s Jabril Cox Scouting Report
Positives: Athletic, disciplined run-and-chase linebacker with solid size. Agile, fluid moving laterally, and gets tremendous depth on pass drops. Efficient, instinctive, and goes sideline to sideline covering a terrific amount of area. Remains disciplined with assignments, effectively reads the action, and takes proper angles to plays.

Quickly picks up coverage assignments, stays with backs downfield, and plays to his 40 time. Fluid in his hips, possesses good change-of-direction skills, and really stands out in coverage. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and is rarely off his feet.
Negatives: Not overly stout and doesn’t stack well against the run. Struggles taking on blocks.

Analysis: Cox is a hard-working linebacker who plays tough, instinctive football. He’s a true three-down defender and a traditional 4-3 outside linebacker who needs to get a bit stronger to complete his game. Cox offers a tremendous amount of upside, and with proper coaching and in the right system, he could be a quick starter at the next level.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jabril-cox/3200434f-5831-5503-5fb9-edf18e12b912

Jabril Cox

Prospect Info
COLLEGE - LSU
HOMETOWN - Kansas City, MO
CLASS - R-Senior

HEIGHT - 6' 3"
WEIGHT - 233 lbs
ARMS - 32.75”
HANDS - 8.75”

Prospect Grade
6.26

Player Bio
Cox's recruiting rankings were a bit lower than they should have been coming out of Raytown South High School because he suffered an ACL injury his junior year. He was an all-district pick as a senior, playing quarterback, receiver, linebacker and defensive back during his high school career. After a redshirt season at North Dakota State, Cox became a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick and the conference's Freshman of the Year (75 tackles, 13 for loss, with 4.5 sacks and three pass breakups). Cox was a two-time Associated Press FCS All-American for the Bison, garnering third-team honors in 2019 (92 tackles, 9.5 for loss, with 5.5 sacks, six pass breakups in 15 starts) and second-team accolades the previous season (91 tackles, 9.5 for loss, with four sacks, four interceptions with two scores, three pass breakups). He was a first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference selection both years, and was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. He decided to take his game to the SEC in 2020 to play at the highest level of college football. His skills did not disappoint, as the athletic linebacker started all 10 games and intercepted three passes, returning one for a score, while making 58 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and breaking up five passes. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Tahir Whitehead
Overview
The only real difference in studying his tape from North Dakota State and LSU is that Cox looks substantially more explosive than everyone else on the field for the Bison. He looks like he fits right in with the athletes at LSU, though. He'll need to be placed in a scheme where he can play proactive, attacking football rather than getting bogged down as a thinker. He's extremely fast with verified playmaking traits and credentials. His cover talent could help him quickly get on the field. He's below average in diagnosing and using his hands, which can put him in recovery mode at times. However, traits and talent should be enough to overcome those issues and help make him a solid, three-down starter within the first couple of seasons.

Strengths

• Excellent work ethic and is accomplishment-oriented on and off field.
• Not at all out of place athletically in move from FCS to SEC.
• Willing to play through pain.
• Outstanding field range with explosive closing burst.
• Comes from backside linebacker spot to make tackles near far sideline.
• Agility to make sudden change of direction in pursuit.
• Steps upfield to challenge block and push run back inside.
• Capable of playing quickly off the block and making tackle.
• Pocket navigation and acceleration to become dangerous blitzer.
• Sticks and runs with pass-catching tight ends in coverage.
• Instinctive and reactive when spot dropping.
• Finished college with 26 passes defensed, including nine career interceptions.

Weaknesses

• Plays upright from the second level too often.
• Doesn't appear to be a very quick processor from inside.
• Early play quickness limited by excessive thinking.
• Lacking patience necessary to decipher misdirection.
• Loses pursuit leverage and occasionally overflows cutback lanes.
• Needs to become more aggressive taking on blocks.
• Gets outside shoulder covered more than he should.
• Inconsistent reading lane choices and blocking scheme.

Sources Tell Us
"Quiet, humble guy, but he's really confident and had no problem fitting into that (LSU) team, which is saying something coming from the FCS." -- Area scout for AFC team

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/dylan-moses-nfl-draft-player-profile-2021/

Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama – NFL Draft Player Profile
Dylan Moses has seemingly been an NFL Draft prospect since he was in eighth grade. He’s a versatile defender with freak-level athleticism.

Historically, the Alabama Crimson Tide has developed and produced quality inside linebackers who have successfully transitioned into the National Football League. C.J. Mosley, Dont’a Hightower, Reggie Ragland, and the late Derrick Thomas, headline the list of players who have played a significant role for Alabama and impacted the teams they played for in the NFL. Dylan Moses has a chance to be the next Crimson Tide LB primed for the NFL Draft spotlight in 2021.

Dylan Moses NFL Draft Profile

• Position: Linebacker
• School: Alabama
• Current Year: Senior
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 240 pounds

Tony Pauline’s Dylan Moses Scouting Report
Positives: Underrated linebacker coming off a somewhat disappointing campaign. Plays with outstanding awareness and instincts, and remains disciplined with all his assignments. Athletic, covers a lot of area on the field, and shows tremendous range in both pursuit and coverage. Fluid, flows to the action laterally, and takes proper angles.

Efficient, gets out into space to make plays, and wraps up tackling. Breaks down well, does an outstanding job using his hands, and is rarely off his feet. Fluid pedaling in reverse. Does not bite on ball fakes and does a great job quarterbacking the defense.

Negatives: Seemed to lose some explosion after his 2019 injury. Was not the same playmaker last year as he was in previous seasons. Out-positioned from the action by blocks.

Analysis: Moses was often criticized last year for not being a big playmaker, yet he was a disciplined defender with a great head for the football. He does not make many “wow!” plays, rather Moses is consistently productive against the run and in coverage. I expect him to be underdrafted in April, but I feel Moses has starting potential at the next level in a variety of schemes.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dylan-moses/32004d4f-5324-1011-695d-c9d89ae7f1f3

DYLAN MOSES
ALABAMA
Prospect Info
COLLEGE - Alabama
HOMETOWN - Alexandria, LA
CLASS - Senior

HEIGHT - 6' 3"
WEIGHT - 240 lbs
ARMS - -
HANDS - -

Prospect Grade
6.21

Player Bio
Moses had an early introduction to fame when he was on the front page of ESPN The Magazine as a 15-year-old. He was recruited by major programs before he even reached high school and won the 2016 High School Butkus Award and Parade National Player of the Year. Moses enrolled at Tuscaloosa in January 2017 to get a head start, which paid off when he started twice in 11 games played as a true freshman (30 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception) for the national champions to garner SEC All-Freshman team notice. Moses suffered a foot injury in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, however. That malady did not hinder his play in 2018, as he was a second-team all-conference selection and Butkus Award finalist after leading the Tide with 86 tackles (10 for loss, 3.5 sacks) in 15 starts. The injury bug hit Moses again in August 2019, as he missed the year after undergoing surgery on a torn ACL suffered during practice. Moses decided to return to Tuscaloosa for the 2020 season and his decision paid off, as he led the Tide's defense while the squad won another national championship. Moses garnered third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-SEC honors by leading Alabama with 80 tackles, 6.5 for loss, with 1.5 sacks and an interception despite playing through pain in his return from the knee injury. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Overview
Like many former Alabama linebackers, Moses combines speed, agility and an above-average understanding of technique and fundamentals. However, his play is also marked by the same mechanical, robotic feel that we've seen from many Alabama linebackers in the past. He has sideline-to-sideline range but also does his job when asked to stick his nose into a block and spill the action wide. His willingness to take chances with a playmaking angle to the football is a little inconsistent, though. While he's an excellent open-field tackler, he tends to play the position like a safety rather than a field alpha looking to hunt. Moses isn't a thumper and has average field recognition and might be better suited as a run-and-chase 4-3 outside linebacker. If he can consistently play confident, attacking football, he has a chance to become a quality starter.
Strengths

• Former five-star recruit with high-end athleticism.
• Key reader who's quick to maneuver his positioning.
• Knows where shortcuts are located when attacking zone runs.
• Does his part to fit up and spill runs wide when needed.
• Stick-and-move hands help him stay disconnected from blockers.
• Basketball feet help him bound around trouble and get back on course.
• Slippery and fast working around bodies to find the football.
• Chase speed on point to run down backs and scramblers.
• Explosive take-off when called on for blitz duties.
• Burst to close the distance and make tackles.
• Fundamentals to break down, stalk and strike with wrap-up form.

Weaknesses

• Thin through his hips with a running back's build.
• Doesn't have anchor or play strength to take on blocks on a consistent basis.
• Below-average contact balance as inside linebacker.
• Got into a rut against Texas A&M by taking passive angles.
• Not a heavy-hitting run stopper as solo tackler.
• Lacks knock-back power and can be taken for a short ride.
• Not very deductive in reading pass plays on spot drops.
• Can be grabby when covering man-to-man.
• Missed time due to ACL tear in 2019 and foot injury in 2017.

Sources Tell Us
"The medicals will be something to watch with him. I know the coaching staff loves that he finally took on a more vocal role with the young players. You like to see leadership develop like that." -- Area scout for AFC team

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nick-bolton-nfl-draft-player-profile/

Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri – NFL Draft Player Profile
In Missouri LB Nick Bolton’s 2021 NFL draft player profile, we examine one of the most productive SEC defenders and top linebacker prospects.

After becoming one of the SEC’s most productive defenders last season, Nick Bolton rose on 2021 NFL Draft boards during the summer scouting process. He cemented himself as one of 2021’s top linebacker prospects. Small in stature for the position, Bolton makes his living as a strong athlete with great instincts for the game. He’s a sparkplug on the field and projects as a player NFL teams would love in their locker room. A leader both on and off the field, he looks to transition into a MIKE backer in the NFL.

Nick Bolton NFL Draft Profile

• Position: Linebacker
• School: Missouri
• Current Year: Junior
• Height: 6’0″
• Weight: 232 pounds

Tony Pauline’s Nick Bolton Scouting Report
Positives: Undersized run-and-chase linebacker who is best in pursuit. Instinctive, quick to read and diagnose, and explosive. Stays with assignments, finds the ball handler and fires up the field making plays against the run. Plays with great suddenness and flashes on the scene out of nowhere.

Takes proper angles to the action, shows speed to the flanks, and cuts off the corners from ball handlers. Covers a tremendous amount of area on the field. Nasty, goes hard after opponents, and wraps up tackling. Fluid moving in every direction and effective making plays in space.

Featured | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Pauline’s updated big board, player rankings

Negatives: Small, slow getting off blocks, and out-positioned from the action by a single opponent. Not a stout tackler and tends to drag down ball handlers.

Analysis: Bolton is a tough, athletic linebacker who flies around the field and plays with great speed as well as explosion. He comes with size limitations and needs a free shot at the ball, but Bolton will flourish in the right system that protects him and allows him to make plays in pursuit.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nick-bolton/3200424f-4c67-8301-cd66-2b7e4543922a

Prospect Info
COLLEGE - Missouri
HOMETOWN - Frisco, TX
CLASS - Junior

HEIGHT - 6' 0"
WEIGHT - 232 lbs
ARMS - -
HANDS - -

Prospect Grade
6.33

Player Bio
Bolton played in all 13 games as a true freshman (22 tackles, one sack) after earning Dallas Morning News first-team all-state honors at Lone Star High School (130 tackles, 16 for loss, five interceptions). He went from promising youngster to SEC star in 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors after leading the league with 8.9 tackles per game (107 total, 7.5 for loss), intercepting two passes and breaking up eight others in 12 starts. He was named second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC and a Butkus Award finalist in 2020, leading his defense with 95 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss (including two sacks), while breaking up five passes in 10 starts. Bolton's father, Carlos, played football at Louisiana Tech. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison Denzel Perryman

Overview
When you think about strong, forceful inside linebackers, Bolton is the type of player you might be envisioning. He's going to fall below typical NFL starter standards from a size standpoint, but his rugged frame and forceful demeanor help make up for it. Play recognition and pursuit instincts help carry him to the football and he's a message-sending striker when he gets the runner squared up. He has functional short-area burst between the tackles but will struggle to run down the outside run if he's not close enough to the action. He will need to lean heavier on his instincts to help speed him up because of size and speed limitations. Bolton plays with good field recognition when dropping into zone and has a history of making plays on the football in coverage. He's a three-down linebacker who can make an immediate contribution on special teams and has the potential to become a future starter.
Strengths

• Very tough with a physical edge.
• Plays with demeanor teams look for in the middle.
• Field-savvy with instincts to diagnose misdirection.
• Identifies and communicates.
• Heavy hands with good pop to take on blocks.
• Pursues ball-carrier with patience and leverage.
• Fluid alterations to his pursuit angles.
• Excellent feel for attack timing downhill.
• Meets runners with violent collisions in the hole.
• Strikes like he's trying to send a message.
• Great awareness and ballhawking as spot dropper.
• Has enough man-cover talent to play on all three downs.
• Thrived on kick- and punt-cover teams early in his career.

Weaknesses

• Average lateral quickness traps him behind climbing blocks.
• Inconsistent to strike and separate from blockers.
• Needs to improve angles to elude box traffic.
• Might need to take a few more chances as a pro.
• Top-end speed appears below average.
• Loses ground when pursuit flows wide.
• Below-average lateral agility as open-field tackler.
• Will have to play quicker to deal with NFL slashers.

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/baron-browning-nfl-draft-player-profile-ohio-state-linebacker/

Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State – NFL Draft Player Profile
Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning returned to school to solidify his 2021 NFL Draft profile in 2020. Did he succeed in doing so?

The depth of the 2021 linebacker class was questionable heading into the 2020 season. However, the games that followed featured impressive development. Now, the class has even more talent up top, as well as suitable options in the early-to-middle rounds. Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning is in that conversation somewhere, but where exactly does he file in as an NFL Draft prospect? How does his upside match up against some of the draft’s best linebackers?

Baron Browning 2021 NFL Draft Profile

• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 240 pounds
• Position: Linebacker
• School: Ohio State
• Current Year: Senior

Tony Pauline’s Baron Browning Scouting Report
Positives: Athletic, explosive linebacker who flashes dominance. Fast moving in every direction, fluid getting to the play laterally, and possesses a burst to the ball. Cuts off the corners from running backs, shows strength, and makes the tackle in space. Explosive hitter who jars the ball loose, forcing fumbles. Quick and fluid in reverse, displays outstanding range, and fires to the ball out of his plant in coverage. Plays off blocks, redirects to the ball handler, and immediately alters his angle of attack getting to the action.

Featured | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Pauline’s updated big board, player rankings

Negatives: Streaky, inconsistent, and disappears for stretches. Instincts are questionable. Inefficient.

Analysis: Browning flashed dominance and potential as the next great linebacker to come from Ohio State during his sophomore season, but he never truly elevated his game or consistently played at a high level. He possesses the athleticism and versatility to be used at a multitude of linebacker positions in a multitude of defensive schemes, but he must brush his instincts and play to his ceiling on every snap.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/baron-browning/32004252-4f80-6290-9866-45f3dae63918

Prospect Info
COLLEGE - Ohio State
HOMETOWN - Fort Worth, TX
CLASS - R-Senior

HEIGHT - 6' 3"
WEIGHT - 240 lbs
ARMS - 33”
HANDS - 10”

Prospect Grade
6.16

Player Bio
Browning was considered a top-10 overall prospect after garnering Texas 4A Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior at Kennedale High School. The Fort Worth native started three of 12 games in 2018 (23 tackles, 3.5 for loss) after playing 12 games purely as a backup his true freshman season (14 tackles, 1.5 for loss). He started only one game at inside linebacker in 2019, but still contributed 43 tackles, 10 for loss, with five sacks in 12 contests on a stellar defense. He moved outside as a senior, starting five of seven games (30 tackles, three for loss, with one sack, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles), garnering third-team All-Big Ten accolades to help the Buckeyes win the conference title and advance to the national title game. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Browning's father, Barry, was a starting defensive back at TCU and his brother, Barry Jr., played football at Stanford. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Oren Burks
Overview
Watching Browning can be a frustrating exercise, as you keep waiting for all the physical tools to match up with better instincts and feel for the game. He's experienced at both Mike and Sam spots for the Buckeyes with the ability to cover, rush and step downhill against the run. He has very good speed and keeps the motor running, but he's late out of the driveway due to a lack of play recognition and anticipation. More often than not, he plays what is in front of him rather than staying ahead of the play, so he becomes more of a background player than solo star. Based upon size and traits, Browning might be in consideration as a backup 3-4 outside linebacker and core special teams player with rush and coverage potential.
Strengths

• Possesses desired blend of size, length and strength.
• Expected to be an explosive tester.
• Experience at both middle and strong-side linebacker spots.
• Loose enough hips for necessary directional change in pursuit.
• Motor to play through whistle and chase plays all over the field.
• Short-area burst rushes him to the play.
• Shows ability to alter speeds in shadowing perimeter runs.
• Forceful tackler with ability to prevent leakage.
• Play strength to stack and handle blocking tight ends.
• Legitimate juice when allowed to rush off the edge.

Weaknesses

• Instincts are below average.
• Inconsistent identification of play development.
• Has a tendency to shy away from contact against lead blocks.
• Slows into collisions.
• Doesn't play with natural hunting instincts from the box.
• Better athlete than linebacker.
• Has trouble keeping eyes beyond blocker in front of him.
• Strikes a little high and off platform.

 

IMO in our D, both Elerson Smith and Zaven Collins are probably better fits at DE than at LB.

 

It would, and one of these days I'm certain that JD will start drafting players to groom to take over for older vets, but right now, we still need starters at other positions.

 

https://www.the33rdteam.com/post/top-15-linebacker-prospects-for-the-2021-nfl-draft


Top 15 Linebacker Prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft