The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top linebacker prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Campbell has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam LB in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4. He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player.
2. LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Walker is a physically and athletically gifted player who presents box presence versatility as an off-ball linebacker. His anticipation and pass-rush profile in its current form are lacking for consistent impact in the NFL. He must improve how he approaches rushing the passer or his off-ball instincts to be worth a top-50 selection due to age and potential.
3. LB Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Knight will be one of the oldest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he is a mature player with good processing and fundamentally sound tackling. His run-defense angles can be a bit overaggressive, but you'll take that trade-off due to how well he moves in coverage and when pursuing ball carriers.
4. LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Schwesinger is light for an NFL linebacker, but his elite processing speed and intelligence give him starter and impact ability as a Mike or Will linebacker for a 4-3 defense.
5. LB Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
Paul needs to add some mass to his frame, but he can eventually become a starting Will linebacker in the league, thanks to his athleticism and intelligence.
6. LB Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Bassa is an intriguing former safety who now has a home at the linebacker level. Despite his lower weight for the position, he is not shy about making contact or doing dirty work. He is a smooth mover but does lack some twitch, which can be mitigated with continued improvement in anticipation. A vocal leader at Oregon, he could be a nice coverage linebacker in any scheme.
7. LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
While he needs to get stronger, Carter is an athletic, versatile defender who can be a valuable chess piece for a defense as a weakside linebacker.
8. LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Scouting summary coming soon!
9. LB Kobe King, Penn State
Scouting summary coming soon!
10. LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon is a traditional inside linebacker who would play best in a 3-4 with a fellow inside linebacker next to him. His length and overall athletic limitations likely make him a rotational and reserve linebacker who plays soundly to round out a depth chart.
11. LB Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Scouting summary coming soon!
12. LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
If you want a thumping downhill linebacker, Stutsman is your guy. He's too often a liability in coverage, though, which could limit him to early downs at the next level.
13. LB Jay Higgins, Iowa
Scouting summary coming soon!
14. LB Teddye Buchanan, California
Scouting summary coming soon!
15. LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky
Scouting summary coming soon!
16. LB Karene Reid, Utah
Scouting summary coming soon!
17. LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
If Mondon's mental speed can catch up to his physical speed, he can be a starting-caliber linebacker. Until that happens, he projects as an impact special teamer who can play in a rotation.
18. LB Jailin Walker, Indiana
Scouting summary coming soon!
19. LB Kain Medrano, UCLA
Scouting summary coming soon!
20. LB Gaethan Bernadel, Stanford
Scouting summary coming soon!
21. LB Greg Penn III, LSU
Scouting summary coming soon!
22. LB Aaron Smith, South Carolina State
Scouting summary coming soon!
23. LB Nickolas Martin, Oklahoma State
Scouting summary coming soon!
24. LB Shemar James, Florida
Scouting summary coming soon!
25. LB David Gbenda, Texas
Scouting summary coming soon!
26. LB Eugene Asante, Auburn
Scouting summary coming soon!
27. LB Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Dolac doesn't have the prototypical build of an NFL linebacker and lacks the twitch to be a reliable second-level defender at the next level. However, his admirable journey and determination to reach this point could make him a late-round pick or priority UDFA signing.
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