2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Outside Linebacker

10/19/24: In 2024, Perkins had 16 tackles before going out for the season with an ACL injury. In his few games of action, Perkins was not the same tenacious player that he was in 2023 and 2022. Perhaps he was easing off, trying to protect himself from injury.

6/27/24: Perkins is the size of a traditional outside linebacker, but he is a lightning-fast playmaker who was all over the field for LSU as a freshman in 2022 and 2023. He was a dynamic edge rusher who showed natural blitzing ability. In 2022, he totaled 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and four passes batted. In 2023, Perkins recorded 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 74 tackles and four passes batted. Perkins possesses a unique body type and is undersized as an edge defender, but there is no doubt about his explosive speed and tremendous instincts.

In the NFL, Perkins could be a hybrid defender who rushes off the edge, similar to Micah Parsons or Von Miller, and also can play outside linebacker. However, Parsons and Miller are significantly thicker and bigger than Perkins, so it will be interesting to see how teams evaluate Perkins’ potential for their defenses.

10/19/24: Pearce has 19 tackles and two sacks but has produced a lot of pressures thus far in 2024.

6/27/24: Pearce was a big-time presence for the Volunteers in 2023, making a lot of splash plays and producing a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 27 tackles with 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Pearce is listed at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, but that could be inflated. If those numbers are exaggerated, as often is the case, Pearce could fit as an outside linebacker and edge rusher in a 3-4 defense. Pearce would need to gain weight and get stronger to be an every-down defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

10/19/24: Walker has enjoyed a solid start to the season, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. He has 22 tackles with 1.5 sacks and a pass broken up thus far. In 2023, Walker was a designated pass rusher and rotational player. He had 20 tackles with five sacks. Off the edge, Walker is very similar to other recent Georgia edge rushers like Azeez Ojulari and Nolan Smith.

10/19/24: In 2024, Stewart has five sacks with 18 tackles and one forced fumble.

6/27/24: Stewart has been a dangerous pass rusher for Michigan over the past three seasons. In 2021 he had a breakout season with 12.5 sacks, 43 tackles, and three forced fumbles. In 2022 he had 37 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. As a junior in 2023, Stewart had 38 tackles with 5.5 sacks. Stewart would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker edge rusher in the NFL. Stewart does not have size to be a base end in a 4-3 defense. In a 4-3 scheme, he would have to be a Sam linebacker that rushes off the edge in the sub package.

10/19/24: Styles has 39 tackles with a sack thus far. Ohio State has moved Styles from safety to outside linebacker, and new position is a better fit given his size.

6/19/24: Styles has flashed real ability and a special skill set that could make him an impact player. In 2023, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted, plus he has been very good in pass coverage. Styles is a big safety who moves like a smaller player. Given his size, Styles might get some consideration to move to linebacker as a pro. He could turn into a special prospect prior to the 2025 NFL Draft.

10/19/24: In 2024, Barton has 32 tackles with one pass broken up.

6/27/24: Barton was on his way to an impressive 2023 season before a right foot injury ended his season after seven games. In those seven contests, he totaled 34 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up. In 2022 he had 46 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up. The NFL advance scouts gave Barton a high projection on their preseason watch list.

10/19/24: In 2024, Carter has 35 tackles, one pass broken up, and three sacks.

6/27/24: Carter recorded 62 tackles, five passes batted, and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He had a strong 2022 season with 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight passes broken up. Team sources said Carter is fast and athletic but small and can get destroyed in the inside run. He struggles to get off blocks and is a run-chase linebacker. Carter fits as a coverage linebacker in the sub package, but he could have issues holding up in the base set in the NFL.

10/19/24: Thus far in 2024, Stutsman has 46 tackles. Team sources are projecting him to be a day-two pick. They think he is a solid player with some limitations in pass coverage.

6/27/24: In 2023, Stutsman totaled 104 tackles, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Team sources said Stutsman is very athletic, very fast and very instinctive. They stated they feel he has good size and length, but lacks ideal strength and physicality. They opined that Stutsman could be similar to Pete Werner, except Stutsman is a little more finesse and has a lack of strength compared to Werner. Stutsman had a good 2022 season for the Sooners, recording 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up. He is a big linebacker who displayed good instincts as a sophomore.

10/19/24: Mondon has 17 tackles with two passes broken up.

6/27/24: Mondon played well in 2022 in his first season of playing time, recording 76 tackles, one sack, one breakup and one interception. In 2023, he totaled 68 tackles, three sacks, and a pass defended. Mondon has a good skill set with speed and athleticism. He could fit as a Mike – middle – or Will – weakside – linebacker at the pro level.

10/19/24: Toure went down in training camp with a torn ACL, the same injury that cost him the 2022 season.

6/27/24: Toure was a solid defender in 2023, recording 92 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and two passes defended. He missed the 2022 season and had a big jump from 2021 when he had 51 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Toure has to stay healthy and productive to rise.

10/19/24: Bennett has 19 tackles with one sack, and an interception.

6/27/24: A knee injury cost Bennett the 2023 season opener, and he did not look like the player he was a year ago. Bennett notched 34 tackles and zero sacks in 2023. Bennett enjoyed a breakout 2022 season that included seven sacks, 34 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Previously, Bennett played at Georgia Tech.

10/19/24: Reid has eight tackles. He suffered an injury against Baylor in early September and has been out of the lineup since then.

6/27/24: Reid was a decent contributor for the Utes in 2023, recording 67 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. In 2022 he had 72 tackles with five sacks. Reid must increase his production and play well in pass coverage to rise.

10/19/24: Bruener has 44 tackles with an interception and three passes broken up thus far.

6/27/24: In 2023, Bruener was a solid linebacker for the Huskies totaling 86 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, four passes broken up, and one forced fumble. Bruener could stand to get stronger for the NFL.

10/19/24: Brumfield has 33 tackles with .5 sacks thus far.

6/27/24: Brumfield played at Middle Tennessee before transferring to the Hokies. In 2023 he had 82 tackles with 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He has some ability but is undersized for the NFL.

10/19/24: Coleman has 27 tackles.

6/27/24: Coleman is an undersized outside linebacker with some blitzing ability. In 2023 he had 48 tackles with 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. The previous season he had 4.5 sacks with 42 tackles and one forced fumble. Coleman is the size of a safety so he must get stronger for the NFL.

10/19/24: Bassa has 18 tackles, one sack, and two passes broken up.

6/27/24: Bassa had a decent 2023 season to get on NFL team’s preseason watch list. He totaled 71 tackles with an interception and pass batted. Bassa needs to produce more in 2024 in order to rise.