The 2021 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and with 11 picks, Howie Roseman and the Eagles are facing perhaps more pressure than ever to find starting players throughout the draft.
That is especially true at linebacker, a position the team as struggled to find quality players at over the last few seasons. Heading into next season the team has Eric Wilson, Alex Singleton and T.J. Edwards as their likely top three linebackers, with Shaun Bradley and Davion Taylor competing for snaps as well.
Still, with Jonathan Gannon now in at defensive coordinator, the Eagles could be looking for new qualities in their linebackers. Gannon is expected to play plenty of zone, which means any linebacker they draft will have to be comfortable dropping back into zone coverage. It is also possible that Gannon values the position more than Jim Schwartz did — which means the team coul draft one earlier than they have in past years.
With all that being said, here are 13 linebackers the team could target:
Micah Parsons, Penn State:
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds
College Stats: 26 games, 191 tackles, 18 TFL, 6.5 Sacks, 0 INT, 5 PD, 6 FF
Projected Round: 1st
Analysis: Parsons is one of the most interesting prospects at the top of the draft. On one hand, he doesn't have a ton of experience at linebacker, as he played defensive end in college and switched positions when he got to Penn State. Parsons is an elite athlete that has shown he can make play, whether it be exploding into the backfield or laying big hits to force fumbles. It is possible he is used at times strictly as a pass rusher, perhaps even with his hand in the ground. He should also be strong as a blitzing linebacker. The question with Parsons is in coverage, as he didn't get a ton of experience dropping back during his time at Penn State. Still, Parsons is such a disruptive playmaker that he can the potential to go onto any defense and become a difference maker.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
College Stats: 25 games, 142 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 7 Sacks, 1 INT, 7 PD, 5 FF
Projected Round: 2nd
Analysis: Owusu-Koramoah is an explosive athlete that consistently gets into the backfield with a quick first step. He projects as being strong in coverage due to his athleticism and quickness, but can sometimes overreact in an attempt to make a play and get beat. He did have a drop in production in 2020 from 2019, finishing with fewer tackles, tackles for a loss and sacks in one less game.
Zaven Collins, Tulsa
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 260 pounds
College Stats: 32 games, 236 tackles, 25 TFL, 7.5 Sacks, 5 INT, 8 PD, 3 FF
Projected Round: 2nd
Analysis: Collins was a big-time playmaker last season at Tulsa, finishing with four interceptions (two touchdowns), six pass deflections, four sacks, one safety and one forced fumble in just eight game. Collin has excellent speed and athleticism for his size and could be a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball if he lands with the right coaching staff.
Jamin Davis, Kentucky
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 234 pounds
College Stats: 25 games, 144 takes, 5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 5 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF
Projected Round: 2nd
Analysis: Davis didn't get a ton of playing time at Kentucky as he was a starter for just one season, but he made the most of his final season. Davis had a monster 2020 season in coverage, picking off three passes (one of which he brought back for a touchdown) and batting away five passes. He has the size and speed to continue being a game changer in the NFL, especially in a zone scheme.
Nick Bolton, Missouri:
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 232 pounds
College Stats: 32 games, 220 tackles, 17 TFL, 4 Sacks, 2 INTs, 12 PD
Projected Round: 2nd
Analysis: Bolton spent most of his time at Missouri in the outside linebacker spot, but should be able to play all three spots at the next level, and might be best fit in the middle. Bolton is very strong in coverage and has plenty of experience playing zone, which should catch the Eagles' attention. Add in the fact that he is a strong tackler in the running game and Bolton should be a Day 1 starter.
Jabril Cox, LSU
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 231 pounds
College Stats: 10 games, 58 takes, 6.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 INT, 5 PD, 0 FF
Projected Round: 3rd
Analysis: Cox worked his way up from a redshirt freshman at North Dakota State to a starter on LSU's defense, which speaks volumes about his work ethic and ability to improve. Cox put up good all-around numbers during his only season in the SEC, totaling 58 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, eight passes defended and one interception. Cox is strong in coverage, displaying the ability to play in both man coverage and drop back into zone. Cox has good instincts in the run game but struggles tackling, which could be a major issue at the next level. If he improves as a tackler, however, he projects as a very good three-down linebacker.
Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 225 pounds
College Stats: 24 games, 206 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 12.5 Sacs, 2 INT, 5 PD, 2 FF
Projected Round: 4th
Analysis: Another project at linebacker? The Eagles might be hesitant to do so after taking Davion Taylor last year, but Surratt is a player worth keeping a close eye on. Surratt, 6-foot-1, came to North Carolina to play quarterback, but was eventually moved to the defensive side of the ball. The difference between Surratt and Taylor is that Surratt put up huge numbers at North Carolina, totaling 207 tackles, 12.5 sacks and two interceptions in two seasons at linebacker. There aren't many athletes in the draft at linebacker better than Surratt.
Pete Werner, Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 242 pounds
College Stats: 39 games, 185 tackles, 16 TFL, 4 Sacks, 13 PD, 4 FF
Projected Round: 4th
Analysis: Werner could be the three-down linebacker the Eagles need and has serious steal potential in the fourth round if he falls that far. Werner finished with an impressive 54 tackles, one sack, 5.5 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles last season in only eight games. Werner is a strong tackler that has plenty of experience in zone coverage, and as a four-year starter, should be able to play right away.
Tony Fields II, West Virginia
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 220 pounds
College Stats: 45 games, 375 tackles, 21 TFL, 9.5 Sacks, 6 PD, 1 FF
Projected Round: 5th
Analysis: Fields is strong enough in pass coverage that he should be able to carve out a spot on any defense, as he has experience in both man and zone. He showed he is a good enough athlete that he should be able to stick with most tight ends at the next level, and has enough speed to stick with running backs as well. The concern with Fields will be against the run, which could keep him off the field and turn him primarily into a coverage linebacker.
Cameron McGrone, Michigan
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 236 pounds
College Stats: 16 games, 91 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 Sacks, 0 INT, 1 PD
Projected Round: 5th
Analysis: McGrone is an elite athlete that has a ton of potential. He was best against the run in college, but has shown he is quick enough to cover running backs and physical enough to cover tight ends. The question is whether he will be able to switch into a zone scheme if needed. He will need some time, but with the right coaching, he could be a steal in the later rounds.
Blake Gallagher, Northwestern
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 228 pounds
College Stats: 46 games, 332 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 5 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF
Projected Round: 7th
Analysis: Gallagher has shown he can be an impact player in the passing game, picking off four passes in his final two seasons. The fact Gallagher got those interceptions playing in a zone coverage, and using his football instincts to do so, is an encouraging sign for his ability to continue being an impact defender against the pass at the next level.
Max Richardson, Boston College
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 230 pounds
College Stats: 47 games, 315 tackles, 32 TFL, 10 Sacks, 0 INT, 6 PD, 2 FF
Projected Round: 7th
Analysis: Richardson projects as being able to line up at any of the linebacker spots due to his experience moving all around during his time at Boston College. Although he isn't an elite athlete, he does do a good job reacting and reading the offense to get to the ball. Richardson will make a career for himself by excelling in zone coverage.
Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech
Height/Weight: 5-foot-9, 237 pounds
College Stats: 36 games, 293 tackles, 34 TFL, 10 Sacks, 0 INT, 3 PD, 5 FF
Projected Round: 7th
Analysis: Ashby is undersized and not particularly quick, which are obvious red flags for the next level. Ashby makes up for his physical limitations with his high-level football instincts, however, which help him both in zone coverage and against the run. Ashby is definitely worth a flyer in the later rounds.
Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 240 pounds
College Stats: 48 games, 401 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 4 INT, 10 PD, 10 FF
Projected Round: 7th
Analysis: Fisher has one of the best resumes in the draft at the linebacker spot, showing he can make plays all over the field with four interceptions, 24.5 TFL and a whopping 10 forced fumbles. There is little question Fisher has the football smarts, size and talent to be a professional player — the question is how good can be be? Some view Fisher as a low-level starter that might be a backup due to his lack of elite athleticism. His outstanding play at Northwestern, however, is hard to ignore.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
