2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

4/23/24: Cooper impressed team sources in 2023, showing explosive speed and athleticism. They noted that while Cooper is not as natural in coverage, he is a beast in the ground game. In 2023, he totaled 83 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, zero interceptions and a pass batted.

Cooper has excellent size for the NFL, including ideal height and length. He accepted an invitation to the East-West Shrine, but then declined to practice at the last minute. Cooper did not interview well with teams at the East-West Shrine, displaying a poor attitude and giving teams questions about whether they would want to add him to their locker room. Sources said Cooper was so-so in his combine interview.

4/23/24: Wilson put together a massive senior season and was all over the field for the Wolfpack. In 2023, he totaled 138 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, three interceptions and six passes defended. It was a huge increase over 2022. Wilson flashed his 2023 play back in 2020 when he amassed 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and one pass broken up.

Wilson has good size for the NFL. Some sources think he could develop into being a starter, while others have projected him as a backup. Wilson helped himself with a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl. There is no doubt that he is fast and athletic, but he will need some time to develop the necessary physicality to be an inside linebacker in the NFL.

4/23/24: In 2023, Gray collected 121 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four passes defended. Team sources have said Gray has good instincts, but he misses a lot of tackles. He’s not super athletic, but he plays downhill and runs well. Those sources said they think Gray is a very good player overall with good size, length, and great football character. Multiple team sources project Gray to go on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

9/2/23: Gray was one of the best linebackers in college football in 2022, and he was super productive for the Tar Heels. On the year, Gray recorded 144 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and one sack. In 2021, he totaled 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups.

4/23/24: Colson is a big inside linebacker who is a tough run defender in the box. In 2023, he recorded 95 tackles and two passes defended. In 2022, he totaled 101 stops and two sacks. Colson should further refine his pass-coverage skills for the NFL.

4/23/24: Liufau impressed team sources in 2023, recording 44 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. In 2022 as a first-season starter, he totaled 51 tackles, an interception, .5 sacks and a pass defended. Liufau missed the 2021 season with an injury.

Pro evaluators say they love how Liufau is extremely fast and athletic. They labelled his instincts as good, but not great, although he is very violent and can play stacked or rush the quarterback. They state he is a different kind of player with an exceptional skill set. Liufau could be a nice sleeper value pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Sirmon did not have a huge 2023, statistically, with 47 tackles, but that was because he only played in seven games. In 2022, he racked up 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and four passes defended. He had 91 tackles in 2021. Sirmon turned in an excellent week of practice at the Senior Bowl, showing size, quickness and instincts.

4/23/24: Bertrand was a dependable inside presence for the Fighting Irish over the past three seasons. His best production came in 2021 with 102 tackles. He showed improved pass coverage as a senior, highlighted by five passes broken up. Bertrand looks like a backup and special teams contributor for the NFL.

4/23/24: Knight was a solid linebacker for UTEP over the past four seasons. He notched 101 tackles as a sophomore and 97 in his junior year. As a senior, Knight exploded for 140 tackles alongside 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and six passes defended. Knight is a mid-round sleeper with upside for the 2024 NFL Draft.

4/23/24: Trotter racked up 87 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended and two forced fumbles during 2023. Team sources said Trotter was a very good college player, but he faces some athletic limitations for the NFL. Trotter could have issues translating to pass coverage in the NFL, which might make him more of a backup middle linebacker.

8/30/23: Trotter had a superb 2022 season, making a lot of plays for the Tiger defense. He recorded 92 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, six passes broken up, one forced fumble, and one interception returned for a touchdown. It was only his first seasons as a starter, so he could be even better now that he has some experience. His father Jeremiah Trotter Sr., played 12 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time Pro Bowler whose his best seasons came with the Eagles and the Redskins.

4/23/24: In 2023, Hopper notched 55 tackles, three passes defended and three sacks. He should have returned to school, but he decided to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

9/2/23: Hopper was a solid linebacker for Missouri in 2022, recording 74 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defended. Prior to 2022, Hopper played at Florida, seeing a few starts while mostly rotating as a backup and special teams contributor. Hopper needs to show improved pass coverage and production in 2023.

4/23/24: In 2023, Watson was a tackling machine for the Bulldogs, recording 137 stops. He made a lot of splash plays as well, notching 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and two passes defended. Watson played well in 2022 too, totaling 113 tackles, six sacks and an interception. He is an intriguing linebacker with run-defense and pass-rush potential. Watson had a solid week at the Senior Bowl.

4/23/24: Jacobs flashed a good skill set at times with Penn State, but his production never reached a high level. In 2023, he notched 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Jacobs recorded 52 tackles in 2022 and 61 in 2021. He showed some blitzing potential, but will need to improve his coverage skills for the NFL. Jacobs looks like a backup candidate and special teams contributor at the next level.

4/23/24: Manuel was a tackling machine in 2023, racking up 121 tackles and three passes broken up while also doing a superb job of creating turnovers with five forced fumbles. He could be a mid-round steal given his instincts and playmaking ability.

4/23/24: Ulofoshio recorded 94 tackles, an interception, forced fumble, two passes defended and three sacks in 2023.

9/2/23: In 2019 and 2020, Ulofoshio looked like he had some upside and ability to grow into a playmaker, but that did not happen in 2021 and 2022, with injuries costing him the majority of those seasons. Ulofoshio has to have a healthy and productive senior year to rise.

4/23/24: Casey played well for Indiana in 2023, recording 109 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three passes broken up. He is sleeper who has some limitations in terms of speed, but he could be a solid backup who contributes on special teams.

4/23/24: Chambers had a decent senior year with 83 tackles, an interception and one pass defended. He could be a backup linebacker with special teams potential.

4/23/24: Gibbs was a productive linebacker for the Cowboys in 2023, totaling 109 tackles, two sacks, an interception and five passes defended. He totaled 121 tackles in 2022 and 89 tackles in 2021. He could be a backup who develops while contributing on special teams.

4/23/24: In 2023, Hunter was a tough defender for the Panthers, racking up 95 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Over the previous two seasons, he totaled 94 tackles. Hunter’s strong play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl.