It's a really good class of linebackers in this year's NFL Draft that offer a lot of position versatility.
Teams are always on the lookout for three-down players at linebacker or guys with position versatility and the ability to play in space, cover, blitz and maybe even rush off the edge.
Detroit drafted Jack Campbell in the first round two years ago and he's already become one of the better MIKE linebackers in the NFL. WILL linebacker Alex Anzalone, 30, is entering the final year of his contract in 2025 and SAM linebacker Derrick Barnes is a free agent this offseason.
Top 5 linebackers to watch at the Combine:
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-2, 245
Walker split his time between linebacker and edge rusher, and teams are going to love that kind of versatility. It could make him a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a SAM in a 4-3. Walker recorded 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season while also defending a couple passes.
View photos of the linebacker prospects who were invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
Auburn's Eugene Asante (9) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa plays against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener prepares for a play against Eastern Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne (1) is tackled by California linebacker Teddye Buchanan, front right, as he carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) lines up for a play against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) plays during an NCAA college football game between Clemson and South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Kentucky linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) in action during an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Oct. 19 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-20. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
North Carolina linebacker Power Echols runs in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins (34) gets set for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida linebacker Shemar James (6) in action during an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Penn State linebacker Kobe King (41) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser (24) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws a pass in front of South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (17) during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta (84) stiff-arms Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg (45) during the first half an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Minneapolis. Iowa won 13-10. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin (4) tackles Tulsa running back Anthony Watkins (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Joey Johnson)
South Carolina linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (22) returns an interception during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina State on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 50-10. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Miami's Francisco Mauigoa during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Auburn's Jalen McLeod (35) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano makes an interception against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Seattle. Washington won 31-19. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (2) is shown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UAB , Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - Oklahoma State defensive end Collin Oliver (30) runs on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, on Oct. 23, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma State opens their season at home against Central Arkansas on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Mississippi linebacker Chris Paul Jr., left, tackles Mississippi State running back Davon Booth (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Rutgers linebacker Tyreem Powell (22) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in College Park, Md. Maryland won 37-0. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Utah linebacker Karene Reid lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) tackles Alabama State running back Marcus Harris II (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon (0) reacts after Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw an incomplete pass on fourth down during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman (28) defends during the second half of an NCAA football game against Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) follows a play against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard (7) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Las Vegas. Syracuse won 44-41 in overtime. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 244
The Lions love Alabama prospects. Campbell came to Alabama as an edge rusher but moved to linebacker. He is a sure tackler in the open field and his speed and athleticism allow him to make plays in the passing game too, which is an important skillset in today's NFL. Campbell recorded 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles this season. Teams are going to love his versatility.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2, 225
Schwesinger might be the most instinctual linebacker in the class with a really high level of understanding of run and blocking schemes. Like Campbell, he showed the ability to cover and make plays in the passing game. He's a little undersized at 225 but makes up for it with his football IQ and ability to avoid blocks. He had 136 tackles and 90 solo tackles this past season with 4.0 sacks and two interceptions. He could fit in nicely as an NFL WILL linebacker.
4. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina, 6-1, 245
Knight has terrific size and instincts for the position. He's a violent tackler, forcing three fumbles to go along with 82 tackles, 2.0 sacks and an interception. He does a nice job avoiding and fighting off blocks and is rarely taken out of a play.
5. Barrett Carter, Clemson, 6-1, 230
Carter is another linebacker with a terrific skillset to fit as an NFL WILL because of his speed and cover skills (21 PD over last three seasons). NFL teams are looking for three-down linebackers and Carter fits the bill. He's also a very good blitzer (12.5 sacks over last three seasons) and brings a lot to the table from a skillset perspective.
Combine sleeper to watch: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan, 6-1, 245
A lot of evaluators view Stewart as an edge, but he has the body type and skillset to potentially be a SAM in a 4-3 like how the Lions utilize Barnes. They are similar players when I watch them. Talk about a guy who plays hard on every play. I never saw Stewart take a play off.
Lions' need at the position: Definite long-term need
What the team and Barnes do in free agency will ultimately determine if this is more of an immediate need or a long-term need. Either way, this past season certainly challenged Detroit's depth at linebacker and showed teams can never have enough talented or versatile players at the position.
Anzalone is still doing it at a high level but will turn 31 years old in September and is only under contract for one more season. That's a spot Malcolm Rodriguez could step into if he continues to develop.
New Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard coached the linebackers the last few years and knows the importance of that spot being the bridge between the defensive front and secondary and the heartbeat of the defensive unit. He'll try to make sure they have all the right tools they need at linebacker.
Key stat: Only three linebackers in Lions history have ever recorded a season with at least 125 tackles, five tackles for loss, five passes defended and one forced fumble – Campbell (2024), Anzalone (2022) and Stephen Boyd (1999).
