The 2024 NFL Draft is said to have a huge group of talent hoping that they can achieve their dreams and make it to the big leagues. The class of linebackers always seems to be a little less recognized, but this year’s group might be the one to stand out.
The 2023 draft saw a linebacker go in round 1, but that was pretty much it when it came to first-round, high potential players. While the 2024 draft might not be any different, there sure is a lot of talent to talk about.
2024 NFL Draft Linebacker Class Pick #1. Junior Colson, Michigan
The top linebacker in the 2024 NFL Draft, is another National Champion, out of the University of Michigan. Junior Colson is exactly what you want out of a linebacker. Colton is 6’2” and a thick 240lbs, letting him make some hard hits when its needed.
He gives you good, reactive decisions in a zone, and has great ability to blow up blocks in the hole. Junior does need to get better at reading blocking assignments and finding the run lanes, but with a high football IQ, this shouldn’t be difficult. With the experience of playing in the biggest games, be sure that Junior Colson will be the first linebacker take in the draft.
2. Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Payton Wilson could very well be the next great NFL Linebacker. Payton is 6’4” and 233lbs, and was a multi sport star in high school, a star linebacker at North Carolina State, and could be the most athletic one we have seen in a very long time. Payton was unanimously named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2023, while being named to the All-ACC Football team.
With good IQ and ability to quickly identify blocking schemes, he uses his lateral speed to really find his spots for tackles. He tends to play a little upright, and can be susceptible to being knocked off balance. There shouldn’t be any reason, besides not needing a line backer, that a team interested would blink at the opportunity to draft him.
3. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Jeremiah Trotter, Jr, could be seen on the negative probability side on a bust at linebacker. He is a touch undersized, at 6’ and 230lbs, this could present more problems in the NFL, than it did while he was playing ball at Clemson. The lack of length in a football game that is much faster, wrapping up tackles will be even harder.
Trotter can get a little lost in the zone defense, and he has a bad habit of biting on play action. That being said, an NFL bloodline and a very high linebacker IQ and instincts help overcome those weaknesses. Trotter’s agility and footwork make him great coming in on a blitz. He has gotten great at slipping blocks, and with a great sense of anticipation, he creates a good size headache for offensive lines. Don’t be surprised if Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. is drafted late in the first round, or to mid way of the second.
4. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Finally we have Edgerrin Cooper, of Texas A&M. Cooper is a 6’ 2”, 230 lbs linebacker that plays with incredible intensity. He is great at spying mobile quarterbacks, as well as sniffing out screen plays.
Edgerrin is great at getting around blocks while staying responsive while the play develops, which lets him to put himself in positions to lay some devastating hits.
There are a couple bad habits of having trouble making consistent open field tackles, and sometimes losing where the football is, that are keeping him as a possible busts in the minds of some. With teams in need of linebackers, Cooper should be off the board by the end of the second round.
Measurements from NFL Combine Results
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