2020 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2020 3-4 outside linebacker prospects available for the 2020 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2021 prospect. ** – denotes 2022 prospect.

This page was last updated April 22, 2020. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Chase Young*, 3-4OLB, Ohio State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 264. Arm: 33.75. Hand: 10.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
   Projected Round (2020): Top-5.
   4/22/20: Young is the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft, and how high he goes only depends on how the quarterback-needy teams impact Round 1. It looks like a lock that Young will be the first non-quarterback selected. He is a fast edge rusher with functional strength, a repertoire of moves, and the ability do take over games. He looks like a perennial double-digit sack producer for the NFL. From a skill-set perspective, Young is on a par with the Bosa brothers and Bradley Chubb entering the next level.
   
   Young dominated in 2019, notching huge games against Nebraska, Miami of Ohio, Indiana, Cincinnati and Wisconsin. In 2019, Young had 16.5 sacks with 46 tackles, six forced fumbles, three passes batted and a blocked kick. In the first meeting versus Wisconsin, Young put together a record-setting game for Ohio State with four sacks, two forced fumbles and six tackles. He absolutely dominated the Badgers’ edge blockers and beat double teams to lead the Buckeyes’ defense shutting down the Badgers’ offense.
   
   Young was suspended two games due to from taking a loan from a family member, but the NCAA wanted him active in their money-making games to end the season and the suspension won’t impact his draft sock.
   
   6/29/19: With Nick Bosa injured for most of 2018, Young took advantage of the opportunity to have a breakout season. Young has some size to him to go along with speed and athleticism off the edge. In 2018, he recorded 34 tackles with 15.5 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, five passes broken up and two forced fumbles. As a freshman, he totaled 19 tackles with 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.





2. K’Lavon Chaisson*, 3-4OLB, LSU
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 254. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.88.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
   Projected Round (2020): 1.
   4/22/20: Chaisson has a lot of upside to fill out his frame and develop into a dangerous edge rusher. He is fast, long, and athletic on the edge. In 2019, he had 60 tackles with 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two passes broken up while dealing with an ankle injury. Chaisson missed almost all of his 2018 season with a knee injury. In 2017, he had 27 tackles with two sacks and two passes batted. For today’s NFL, Chaisson is a valuable commodity because he is a lightning-fast edge rusher and a twitchy athlete. Chaisson is quick off the ball with a fast first-step. He has a burst to run around the corner and a second gear to close on the quarterback. On top of being a pure speed rusher, Chaisson has an impressive arsenal of pass-rushing moves.
   
   One of the impressive aspects of Chaisson’s game is his ability to play in coverage. LSU lined him up at a variety of places in 2019, allowing Chaisson to display his rare speed and athleticism to run with receivers in the flat and tight ends off the edge. Chaisson is a fluid athlete in the open field with serious foot speed to stay with offensive players. While he could use some refinement, Chaisson has more pass-coverage skills than the typical edge defender.
   
   As a run defender, Chaisson is good in pursuit and he makes some big plays by working upfield to cause disruption in the backfield. However being below 260 pounds with a chiseled lean frame, Chaisson can struggle with downhill runs coming straight at him. Offensive tackles can tie him up with their upper body strength and push him back. He needs to get stronger for shedding blocks in the NFL and holding his ground.
   
   



3. Yetur Gross-Matos*, 3-4OLB, Penn State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 265.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
   Projected Round (2020): 1-2.
   4/22/20: Team sources say Gross-Matos did not impress them with his combine workout. In 2019, Gross-Matos recorded 40 tackles with 9.5 sacks. He was a good run defender and demonstrated improvement as a pass-rusher over his career, but Penn State hurt Gross-Matos’ sack production in 2019 by playing him out of position at nose tackle, at five-technique, and in containment. Gross-Matos was named in a hazing lawsuit against Penn State by a former teammate, but most NFL evaluators don’t think it will hurt him significantly. However, that will vary by team.
   
   6/29/19: Gross-Matos enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2018, recording 54 tackles for a loss, 20 for a loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. Gross-Matos has a lot of upside to improve as he gains more experience.



4. Zack Baun, 3-4OLB, Wisconsin
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 240. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 4.65.
   Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
   4/22/20: In 2019, Baun recorded 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 76 tackles, two passes batted and one interception. He was a dangerous edge rusher and dynamic blitzer for Wisconsin, but has size limitations for the NFL. Given his size, his best fit might come in a 3-4 defense where he plays on the inside in base sets and rushes off the edge in the sub package.
   
   6/29/19: Wisconsin had a some more experienced linebackers on the roster in 2018, but Baun was one of the team’s most impressive and consistent defenders in the middle. On the year, he had 78 tackles with 11 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three passes broken up and one forced fumble. Baun was placed on NFL teams’ preseason watch list.





5. Jon Greenard, 3-4OLB, Florida
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 263. Arm: 34.5. Hand: 9.
   40 Time: 4.87.
   Projected Round (2020): 1-3.
   4/22/20: Some team sources believe Greenard could go late in the first round even though his talent is more fitting for Day 2. That second-day athletic skill set was illustrated at the combine. But Greenard had a solid Senior Bowl, plus the 2020 NFL Draft lacks for edge rushers while plenty of teams need pass-rushing help, so he has a shot at sneaking into the first round.
   
   Greenard is a quick and twitchy edge rusher who is very smart with how he sets up offensive tackles. He has a nice repertoire of moves and some natural pass-rush ability. In 2019, Greenard totaled 9.5 sacks with 50 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and four passes batted. He put consistent pressure on the quarterback for the most part, with the exception being the Georgia game when Andrew Thomas and the Bulldogs’ offensive line held Greenard in check. Greenard also missed some time with injuries, and his medical evaluation could hurt his draft grade.
   
   Greenard is a transfer from Louisville who missed the 2018 season with an injury. In 2017, he had seven sacks with 48 tackles and a pass broken up.



6. Terrell Lewis, 3-4OLB, Alabama
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 262.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.71.
   Projected Round (2020): 2-4.
   4/22/20: Lewis totaled 31 tackles, six sacks and two passes batted in 2019. He was a dynamic edge rusher, showing speed, power, length, and some moves. At the Senior Bowl, Lewis had a hot start and had his share of wins in the one-on-ones. If it weren’t his medical history and concerns about future injury, Lewis would probably be a secure first-rounder. Some team sources feel Lewis is still dragging one of his legs and isn’t all the way back from his injuries. That causes some to project him to the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.
   
   6/29/19: Lewis missed the 2018 season after suffering a torn ACL during the summer before fall camp. Lewis was playing well in the 2017 season opener before sustaining an injury that cost him most of the season. He totaled just 16 tackles with a sack for the year, but scouts who watched 2018 spring football were raving about him. Sources believe Lewis has a ton of potential.
   
   The edge defender, formerly known as Terrell Hall, Lewis developed behind the scenes for Alabama in 2016. Scouts have told me that in practice Lewis was very impressive as he is big and quick, plus possesses surprising change-of-direction skills. They said that Lewis has a great build and is dripping with upside. He has really impressed them watching him in practice during the past few seasons.



7. Josh Uche, 3-4OLB, Michigan
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 245. Arm: 33.25. Hand: 9.5.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
   Projected Round (2020): 2-4.
   4/22/20: In 2019, Uche had 35 tackles with 8.5 sacks, two passes batted and two forced fumbles. He was a fast and dangerous edge rusher for Michigan, but is undersized for the NFL. As a pro, he might best as a 3-4 outside linebacker who is a designated pass-rusher. At the Senior Bowl, Uche told me that he practiced all of his years in college as a Sam linebacker in a 4-3 set but Michigan never used him in that role in the games because of his edge-rush ability. Thus, Uche could make a smoother transition to a 4-3 than expected from his college game tape.
   
   6/29/19: Uche had only 15 tackles during the 2018 season, but seven of those were sacks as he was a dangerous pass-rusher for the Wolverines. In 2017, he had only 10 tackles with a sack. This Michigan coaching staff has had some talented players who they kept in backup and rotational roles even though they had early-round talent for the NFL. Uche could keep that tradition going.





8. Julian Okwara, 3-4OLB, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 252. Arm: 34.38. Hand: 10.25.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
   Projected Round (2020): 2-4.
   4/22/20: Okwara was a dangerous edge rusher for Notre Dame, collecting four sacks, 18 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2019. He was ineffective overall when going against Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas.
   
   6/29/19: Okwara is an edge defender who Notre Dame lists on the defensive line, but NFL teams have him down as an outside linebacker for the next level on their preseason watch list. In 2018, Okwara was a dangerous pass-rusher and good edge defender, totaling 37 tackles with 11.5 for a loss and seven sacks. It was a big improvement over 2017, when he had 2.5 sacks and 17 tackles. It will be interesting to see if Okwara gains weight to become a defensive end or stays lighter and fits as a linebacker.



9. Curtis Weaver*, 3-4OLB, Boise State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 265. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.5.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
   Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
   4/22/20: Weaver was very good for Boise State in 2019, recording 52 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three passes defended and forced fumble. Team sources say Weaver was a good college player as a try-hard guy, but he has physical limitations for the NFL. In speaking with sources at a handful of teams, Weaver had mid-round grades, with many giving him a late third-round/early fourth-round grade.
   
   6/29/19: In 2018, Weaver had 43 tackles with 15 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He broke out in 2017 as a redshirt freshman and recorded 11 sacks, 33 tackles, two passes broken up and a forced fumble on the year. With Weaver’s size and body type, he might fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.



10. Bradley Anae, 3-4OLB, Utah
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 257. Arm: 31.88. Hand: 9.5.
    40 Time: 4.93.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: Anae came alive and finished the 2019 regular season simply terrorizing the quarterback while totaling 13 sacks with 41 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass batted for the year. Anae had a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl to help himself, but had a rough combine with a very slow 40 that hurt him.
    
    Against Washington left tackle Trey Adams, Anae had an interesting game as he was dominated in the first half and then used his speed to burn Adams for a lot of pressures and a sack in the second half. Anae was a productive player for the Utes, but team sources say he has some skill-set limitations. Anae is undersized, and he does not have dynamic speed off the edge. Some team evaluators feel Anae is more of a mid-round pick because of his skill-set limitations.
    
    6/29/19: Over the past two seasons, Anae has been a solid contributor for Utah. After two sacks over six games as a freshman, Anae broke out in 2017 with seven sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 39 tackles, and three forced fumbles. As a junior, he improved to 51 tackles, eight sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Some NFL teams have given Anae a projection of having the potential to go in the top half of the 2020 NFL Draft.





11. Anfernee Jennings, 3-4OLB, Alabama
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 252. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.38.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: Jennings recorded 83 tackles, eight sacks, five passes defended, one interception and a forced fumble in 2019. He is a dangerous blitzer who is a solid run defender in the middle of the field. Jennings has some limitations for the next level, but he could be a solid rotational backup.
    
    6/29/19: In 2018, Jennings totaled 50 tackles with 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, one interception and 11 passes broken up. He had a slow start to the season and did not look like the same player, but he improved and was playing better to close out his junior year. Jennings then made the wise decision to return for his senior year.
    
    Jennings was coming on strong in 2017 and looking like a potential dominant force before a knee injury ended his season early in Alabama’s win over Clemson in the semi-final. For the year, Jennings totaled 41 tackles with six for a loss, one sack, two passes batted and two forced fumbles.



12. Kenny Willekes, 3-4OLB, Michigan State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 264. Arm: 31.25 Hand: 9.75.
    40 Time: 4.87.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: In 2019, Willekes recorded 78 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He is a solid edge rusher with a good motor, but he did not impress at the Senior Bowl or combine.
    
    6/29/19: Willekes went under the radar prior to a breakout 2018 season in which he totaled 78 tackles with 20.5 for a loss, 8.5 sacks, one pass batted and one forced fumble. As a sophomore, Willekes recorded 73 tackles with seven sacks.
    
    Willekes looks like more of a 3-4 outside linebacker candidate for the NFL. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, but looks smaller than that. Coming off the edge, Willekes has some quickness with active hands and the ability to use his hands and feet at the same time. It would help him to get stronger for the NFL.



13. Darrell Taylor, 3-4OLB, Tennessee
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 259. Arm: 33. Hand: 10.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: In 2019, Taylor totaled 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble, four passes batted and 46 tackles. He had a slow start to the season before getting hot. Taylor played well enough in 2019 to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and he was solid, but not impressive, in Mobile.
    
    6/29/19: Taylor went under the radar in 2018, but he had a breakout year for the Volunteers, logging 36 tackles with eight sacks and three forced fumbles. Taylor has the upside to rise, although he could stand to improve as a run defender while duplicating his pass-rush production.







14. Khalid Kareem, 3-4OLB, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 265. Arm: 34.38. Hand: 10.88.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: Kareem had 46 tackles with 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2019. He was a solid defender for the Fighting Irish but did not overwhelm in his final season. Team sources like his potential but a plethora of missed tackles hurt Kareem’s grade.
    
    6/29/19: Kareem was one of the tough defensive linemen who led the Fighting Irish in 2018. He totaled 42 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, five passes broken up and a forced fumble on the year. Kareem possesses a lot of upside to get better in 2019.



15. Jabari Zuniga, 3-4OLB, Florida
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 253. Arm: 33.13. Hand: 10.
    40 Time: 4.64.
    Projected Round (2020): 3-5.
    4/22/20: In 2019, Zuniga had 14 tackles with three sacks. He missed a lot of games with a high ankle sprain, including the contests against Tennessee, Auburn, Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Florida State. The Gators played him out of position for the NFL, lining him up inside in the sub package at times, but Zuniga showed versatility with how he can get after the quarterback. He then looked good at the combine and blazed a fast 40. If his medical evaluation went well, then Zuniga really helped himself.
    
    6/29/19: Zuniga totaled 45 tackles with 11 for a loss and 6.5 sacks in 2018. He needs to get stronger for the NFL. In a 4-3, Zuniga would be limited to being a designated pass-rusher, and he would definitely fit better as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Zuniga (6-3, 245) benefited in 2018 from Jabari Polite having an excellent season.
    
    It was wise for Zuniga to return for his senior year and get stronger before going to the NFL. He has upside as a pass-rusher to rise with a strong 2019, as he has shown some natural pass-rushing skills throughout his collegiate career. In 2017, Zuniga totaled 34 tackles with eight tackles for a loss and four sacks. In 2016, he flashed as a rotational player and situational pass-rusher with five sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss and 25 tackles.



16. Bryce Huff, 3-4OLB, Memphis
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
    Projected Round (2020): 4-6.
    4/22/20: In 2019, Huff totaled 52 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He has some backup edge-rush potential for the NFL.
    
    6/29/19: In 2018, Huff totaled 49 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass batted. It was a huge jump from his sophomore year when he had 30 tackles with two sacks. Huff could be a riser in 2019 if he continues to produce big sack numbers.





17. Tipa Galeai, 3-4OLB, Utah State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 235. Arm: 33.63. Hand: 9.5.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.78.
    Projected Round (2020): 5-7.
    4/22/20: Galeai notched 55 tackles and five sacks in 2019. He was not nearly as impressive compared to his junior season.
    
    6/29/19: Galeai was all over the field for the Aggies in 2018, making a lot of plays in the backfield and putting pressure on the quarterback. He is a long pass-rusher who could fit well as an edge defender in a 3-4 defense in the NFL. In 2018, Galeai had 64 tackles with 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, three passes broken up, two interceptions and one blocked kick. He redshirted in 2017 after transferring from TCU. For the Horned Frogs, Galeai notched 3.5 sacks as a sophomore.



18. Trevon Hill, 3-4OLB, Miami
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 233. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.13.
    40 Time: 4.89.
    Projected Round (2020): 6-FA.
    4/22/20: Hills had 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and a pass defended in 2019. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl.
    
    6/29/19: Hill landed in Miami after being dismissed from Virginia Tech’s football team. He was a decent defender for the Hokies over the past three seasons, collecting 11.5 sacks during that time. He only played in three games in 2018 before getting kicked off the team, but he totaled 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 11 tackles in those three games.



19. Keisean Lucier-South, 3-4OLB, UCLA
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 235.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
    Projected Round (2020): 6-FA.
    4/22/20: Lucier-South was suspended from games and practice because of academic issues, but he returned to the field to total 17 tackles with 2.5 sacks, three passes batted and a forced fumble for his 2019.
    
    6/29/19: Lucier-South totaled 46 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, six passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2018. As a sophomore, he recorded 53 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up.





20. La’Darius Hamilton, 3-4OLB, North Texas
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 262. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 9.25.
    40 Time: 4.89.
    Projected Round (2020): 6-FA.
    4/22/20: In 2019, Hamilton totaled 39 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Sources say Hamilton could be a late-rounder or undrafted free agent.
    
    6/29/19: Hamilton didn’t do much as a freshman or sophomore but then broke out as a junior with 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for a loss, 33 tackles and one pass batted. He was placed on NFL teams’ preseason watch list, with some projecting him to have potential to be a pick in the back half of the 2020 draft.



21. Qaadir Sheppard, 3-4OLB, Ole Miss
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
    Projected Round (2020): 7-FA.
    4/22/20: Sheppard totaled 25 tackles with a pass broken up in 2019.
    
    6/29/19: Sheppard had 48 tackles with 10 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass batted and two forced fumbles in 2018. He barely played in 2017, so he could be better as a senior after gaining some experience.

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