2025 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebacker

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.

9/21/24: Williams had two tackles and was active against Clemson in the season opener, but he suffered a sprained ankle in the second half and missed the next two games. Williams is expected to return this season, but it is unknown when he will be back for Georgia.

6/27/24: While playing behind some veterans, Williams flashed big-time ability as a freshman for Georgia, recording 4.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for a loss, and 28 tackles. He had 16 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted as a sophomore while playing in a rotation. Williams has good size, speed, and athleticism. He has the potential to be a breakout player in 2024.

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: 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: Payton has 18 tackles and four sacks. Payton’s run defense looks improved over his 2023 performance. After a slow start, he has ramped up the pass rush production as well.

6/27/24: Payton was superb in 2023, making a lot of clutch plays for the Seminoles. He totaled 43 tackles, seven sacks, and nine passes batted. Playing across from Jared Verse, Payton was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. In 2022, he totaled 31 tackles, five sacks, and three passes batted.

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: Umanmielen has 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles.

2/26/24: Umanmielen played well in 2023, recording seven sacks and 39 tackles. He transferred out of Florida after the season with a pay day coming from Ole Miss. In 2022, he totaled 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Umanmielen totaled 3.5 sacks over the 2021 and 2020 seasons. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder has quality size with some speed and athleticism off the edge. He has shown improvement and growth as he has gained experience. Umanmielen still possesses upside to develop, so he could make a jump in 2024.

10/19/24: Tuimoloau has three sacks and 15 tackles.

6/27/24: Tuimoloau totaled 38 tackles, five sacks and two passes broken in 2023. He did not provide a big edge presence for the Buckeyes and has not lived up to the media hype. Hence returned to Ohio State for the 2024 season. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Tuimoloau turned in an intriguing season for the Buckeyes, showing an ability to produce big plays. He recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions, and two passes broken up on the year. Tuimoloau could rise for the 2024 NFL Draft if his pass rush and sack production improve in 2023.

10/19/24: Sawyer has 19 tackles, one forced fumble, and 2.5 sacks.

6/27/24: In 2023, Sawyer had 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes batted. He was not a big presence and has been disappointing as a former No. 1 recruit. However, Sawyer decided to return for the 2024 season, so perhaps he makes a big jump as a senior. Sawyer flashed potential for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2021 with 13 tackles and three sacks in a backup role. In 2022, he recorded 24 tackles, one pass defended and 4.5 sacks.

10/19/24: Burke has eight tackles, one sack, and an interception.

6/27/24: Burke played well in 2023, recording 41 tackles, one forced fumble, and 5.5 sacks. He ate up the Alabama offensive line in Week 2. Burke has upside to grow as he gains experience.

10/19/24: Jones has started the season strong and could be having the breakout season that he seemed capable of the past few years. Thus far in 2024, Jones has 21 tackles with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass broken up.

6/27/24: In 2023, Jones recorded 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two passes broken up in 2023. He was wise to return to LSU to improve before going pro. In 2022, Jones recorded 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 23 tackles. He has the athletic potential to be a riser.

10/19/24: Diggs has 28 tackles with four sacks thus far.

6/27/24: Diggs has a good skill set with upside. In 2023 he totaled 36 tackles with four sacks and two passes batted for Texas A&M. He had 28 tackles with three sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022. After the 2023 season, he transferred to Syracuse.

10/19/24: Rucker has eight tackles, one sack, and one pass batted. Rucker had an undisclosed leg injury and that kept him out of the month of September.

6/27/24: Rucker was a dangerous edge rusher for North Carolina in 2023, recording 8.5 sacks and 61 tackles. In 2022, he totaled 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He recorded four sacks in 2021. Rucker is short and lacks length for the NFL, but he has some speed and athleticism off the edge. Rucker could be a designated pass rusher candidate in the NFL due to his length and weight limitations.

10/19/24: Alston has 15 tackles with 2.5 sacks, one interception, and one pass defended.

6/27/24: Alston played at Marshall in 2023, where he recorded 45 tackles with six sacks, two forced fumbles, two passes broken up, and one interception. Alston is undersized but could be a potential designated pass rusher candidate if he produces well as a rusher with the Hurricanes.

10/19/24: Bennett has 19 tackles and one sack.

6/27/24: A knee injury cost Bennett the 2023 season opener, and he did not end up looking like the same 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: Joyner has 22 tackles with 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. He has some talent and length, but Joyner is inconsistent and lacks physicality in run defense. Thus, they see him as more of a designated pass rusher. He lacks some speed to power, hand usage, and rush plan. That being said, Joyner has good height, weight, speed, and upside to develop.

6/27/24: In 2023, Joyner did not produce much as a run defender, recording only 18 tackles, but he was a real presence in the pass rush, totaling 7.5 sacks with two forced fumbles.

10/19/24: Sorrell has 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

6/27/24: Sorrell was a quality contributor for the Longhorns, joining other talent up front to give Texas a steady pass rush in 2023. In 2023 Sorrell totaled 36 tackles with four sacks. He had 44 tackles with 5.5 sacks the previous season. Sorrell needs to ramp up his production to rise as a senior.

10/19/24: Harvey has 10 tackles with one sack and one forced fumble.

6/27/24: In 2023, Harvey recorded 23 tackles, a sack and a pass batted for Miami. Harvey entered the transfer portal after the season. Harvey showed some pass-rush potential in 2022, suggesting the upside to improve as he gains experience. Harvey recorded 5.5 sacks and 31 tackles in 2022, but his play disappointed in 2023.