2024 NFL Draft | Rookie Linebacker Rankings: Edgerrin Cooper, Payton Wilson, Junior Colson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Cedric Gray and More
An underwhelming, paper-thin linebacker class may result in none being drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft's first round.
In today’s NFL, we’ve seen offenses opt for more and more 11 personnel. That means a formation with one running back and one tight end. After accounting for the quarterback and five offensive linemen, three wide receivers are on the field.
A three-WR set typically means the defense sends a linebacker back to the sideline, and a third cornerback is used for a nickel defense. The days of using three traditional linebackers in a 4-3 formation are ancient history.
Sure, nearly every team will have an inside linebacker or middle linebacker on the field almost every snap. Think Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, or a modern-day ILB like Roquan Smith. Besides that, it really depends on the down and distance. Defenses with two linebackers on the field on every snap are also becoming more uncommon.
What’s my point? Well, the linebacker position, again in the traditional sense, is on the decline. Between 3-4 defenses, hybrid fronts, the proliferation of nickel corners, strong safeties dropping down into the box, and edge rushers dominating the OLB spots, the game has reduced the demand and supply for the position.
MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft, 2024 NFL Draft Rookie CB Rankings and 2024 NFL Draft Rookie DT Rankings
1. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Cooper is at the top of the position group among those in the 2024 NFL Draft. That said, he may not hear his name until close to the middle of the second round. With great speed that tracks sideline to sideline, Cooper has an excellent baseline of talents that should attract evaluators.
A beat slow in diagnosing plays. Cooper too often gets washed out in pursuit, lacking the vision to avoid a second-level block or drawing contact in pursuit. Struggles to disengage when found within arm’s reach of a blocker.
He goes for the big hit a touch too frequently instead of wrapping up consistently. He has above-average feel and timing when sent on a blitz. Sometimes, he plays out of control and too downhill with inconsistent lines to the ball. Cooper is still a bit raw and will need a year on the sideline before becoming a regular starter.
2. Payton Wilson, NC State
A rangy, fast athlete who excels in coverage, Wilson has appealing measurables. Struggled with injuries throughout his long college career.
Undersized and built more like a safety than a linebacker. A popular player comparison has been made to Luke Kuechly, but I don’t see it. The production, instincts, and pursuit don’t come close to what Kuechly was in college.
Wilson needs to add more mass. He presents a ton of scheme flexibility, given that he has decent chops in man coverage and excels more in zone. He has below-average strength and doesn’t have a nose for contact that I would want in a linebacker, but Wilson’s athleticism will carry him into the middle of Round 2.
3. Junior Colson, Michigan
A true inside linebacker who holds the middle of the field with solid instincts, recognition, pursuit angles and enough size and speed to track down the football while absorbing contact efficiently, he is a jack of all trades but a master of none.
Colson is a great teammate. He swarms to the ball but is just a half-step slow in getting downhill fast. He is a great tackler and wraps up well. His well-built frame delivers the strength to stand up runners and impede their forward momentum. He is adequate in pass coverage and is still growing that side of his game.
Colson will develop into an every-down player and should be a starter by his second year. I'm not sure if there's enough upside here, though, in his athletic profile for him to ever be more than just a good, solid player.
4. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
A lack of eye-popping traits shouldn’t diminish Trotter’s NFL pedigree and excellent football smarts. Always in position, always makes the right move. I love his ability to navigate through traffic, sniff out the ball, and get his body on the ball carrier.
Lacking a second gear and the straight line speed necessary to be a difference maker as a pro. Trotter may have to settle for being good enough but never quite a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Wins more than you’d expect as a blitzer because of a decent burst off the line, good timing to avoid contact and an eye for effective lines to the quarterback.
Given his average strength with so-so height and power, Trotter looks like a late Day 2 prospect.
5. Cedric Gray, North Carolina
An underwhelming athletic profile will make it tough for Gray to explode onto the scene, but he finds a way to be impactful. He shows great tenacity when traveling through traffic to get after the ball. Good length and selective aggression are nice to see when he uses them to his advantage.
Coaches must find a way to keep him flowing downhill and in pursuit. Gray can get lost in the sauce when in zone and doesn’t have someone or something to chase down. His footwork is lacking in coverage, and he inconsistently uses his hips to stay balanced.
Looks to me like a two-down linebacker who would be at his best staying on the field on run downs or trailing a running back coming out of the backfield on third downs. A late Day 2 or early Day 3 prospect.
