2024 NFL draft prospect rankings: Linebackers

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 linebackers, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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1. Junior Colson (Jr., Michigan, 6-foot-2, 238 pounds)

The former four-star recruit spent the first nine years of his life in Haiti. Colson played in all 43 games (starting 36) for the Wolverines after enrolling, helping them win their first national championship since 1997. The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner was the leader of the best defense in college football last season, and led the team in tackles the last two seasons. He's a strong run defender who possesses a great feel for coverage. Projected: Round 2

— 2. Edgerrin Cooper (Jr., Texas A&M, 6-2, 230)

Cooper catapulted himself into early-round discussion after a dominant junior season for the Aggies — 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks with two forced fumbles. The first-team All-American is the only prospect in this class who led his team in all four categories. Cooper features elite speed, decent coverage skills and plenty of special teams experience (11 career tackles on both kick and punt coverages). Projected: Rounds 2-3

— 3. Payton Wilson (Jr., NC State, 6-4, 233)

Based solely on 2023, Wilson would likely be the first linebacker selected and it would almost assuredly be in prime time on Day 1. The unanimous All-American and Butkus Award winner produced 138 tackles (17.5 for a loss), nine passes defensed, six sacks, three interceptions (including one pick-six), two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He's a three-year captain, big, fast and capable of making plays sideline-to-sideline. However, there are ruby red flags when it comes to durability. He has an injury history that dates back to high school, including multiple surgeries on both shoulders and multiple knee injuries. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 4. Cedric Gray (Sr., North Carolina, 6-1, 234)

Gray was a three-star recruit who became a three-year starter for the Tar Heels, producing 100-plus tackles his final three seasons in Chapel Hill. He was the only Power 5 player to average double-digit tackles per game in both 2022 and 2023. He was a multiyear team captain in both high school and college. Gray needs to bulk up a bit, and his aggressive nature can be used against him at times, but his premium athleticism, production and football IQ is indicative of an impact player in the pros. Projected: Rounds 3-4

— 5. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Jr., Clemson, 6-0, 228)

Trotter's father, Jeremiah Sr., was a two-time All-Pro with the Philadelphia Eagles. Junior shares some of his father's skills such as his ability to fly around, trust his instincts and make plays. He led the Tigers in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in each of the past two seasons. In coverage, NFL athletes will give him some trouble, but he has the pedigree to adjust. Projected: Rounds 2-4

— 6. Tommy Eichenberg (Sr., Ohio State, 6-2, 233)

The two-time team captain is an old-school thumper with impressive instincts and a relentless motor who thrives playing downhill. However, there are limitations to Eichenberg's sideline-to-sideline range as a run defender, and he'll need to work on identifying routes in coverage at the next level. Projected: Rounds 3-5

— 7. Trevin Wallace (Jr., Kentucky, 6-1, 237)

The traits scream superstar. Wallace is an explosive athlete with a background in track and field and weightlifting, but the play recognition and football instincts are lacking. There's a diamond here ready to be polished by the right coaching staff. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 8. Jordan Magee (Sr., Temple, 6-1, 228)

Magee was a high school quarterback who became a three-year starter at linebacker for the Owls. He'll need to add bulk in the pros, but the two-time team captain is an effective blitzer who has proven capable of creating negative plays (23 tackles for loss the last two seasons). Magee can be a special teams contributor right away. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— 9. Tyrice Knight (Sr., UTEP, 6-0, 233)

Knight wasn't ranked by recruiting services and was forced to go the JUCO route before ending up in El Paso. He's proven versatile enough to play inside or outside, and has been a tackling machine for the Miners. Knight finished No. 1 in the FBS in solo tackles in 2023 — 84 of his Conference USA-leading 140 tackles were all him. He plays faster than he tests, with no wasted movement when he's in pursuit. Knight will be a 24-year-old NFL rookie. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— 10. Darius Muasau (Sr., UCLA, 5-11, 225)

There are some athletic limitations for the Hawaii transfer, but the production is hard to argue against. Muasau led his team in tackles in each of the last four seasons (two for the Rainbow Warriors, two for the Bruins). He was a special teams MVP as a freshman in Hawaii and has played in all 63 games across five seasons — Bill Parcells famously once said, "Availability is the best ability." Muasau's vision, play recognition and tackling acumen will translate at any level. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Curtis Jacobs (Sr., Penn State, 6-1, 241)

Jacobs was a five-star recruit, and the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2020 recruiting class. The three-year starter checks the size and athleticism boxes, but he never quite fulfilled the hype at State College. I'd like to see more aggression as a tackler, and he'll have to be more consistent in coverage if he hopes to be more than a backup or special teams contributor in the pros. Projected: Rounds 4-6

— BONUS: Jaylan Ford (Sr., Texas, 6-2, 239)

The two-time first-team All-Big 12 linebacker finished with at least 101 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. He also accounted for 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four forced fumbles) over that span. Ford has a tendency to over-pursue and struggles to disengage once a blocker locks on to him, but an NFL strength program and coaching could help alleviate that issue. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Edefuan Ulofoshio (Sr., Washington, 6-0, 236)

Ulofoshio was a walk-on for the Huskies despite being a standout defender for high school powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Despite injuries (biceps, ACL) wiping out the better part of 2021 and 2022 for him, he eventually earned a scholarship and produced an impressive season as a sixth-year senior. Ulofoshio wins with physicality and could shine as a core special teams member, while competing for an opportunity on defense. Projected: Rounds 4-7

— BONUS: Ty'Ron Hopper (Sr., Missouri, 6-2, 231)

Hopper transferred to Mizzou from Florida after head coach Dan Mullen was fired. He's a dynamic blitzer who features sideline-to-sideline range, but there are times he looks lost in coverage. Hopper also needs to be a more consistent finisher (17 missed tackles in 2023). Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: Marist Liufau (Sr., Notre Dame, 6-2, 234)

Liufau made 25 straight starts to finish his Irish career after a broken ankle sidelined him for the 2021 season. He's an aggressive tackler, but needs to be more consistent. He's inhospitable to tight ends early in their routes, and possesses the qualities to potentially compete as a nickel linebacker with special teams value in the pros. Liufau is the cousin of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and former Colorado quarterback Sefo Liufau. Projected: Rounds 5-6

— BONUS: JD Bertrand (Sr., Notre Dame, 6-0, 235)

Bertrand was a productive three-year starter, leading the Irish in tackles the last three seasons, while finishing as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman) in 2023. Elite instincts, work ethic and processing ability almost always puts the two-time team captain in a position to make a play. There are some durability concerns, but he's the type of player an NFL coach will pound the table for. Projected: Rounds 5-7

— BONUS: Nathaniel Watson (Sr., Mississippi State, 6-2, 233)

Watson's size/speed combination and production are impressive. He became the first player to lead the SEC in both tackles (137) and sacks (10) in the same season in 2023. He's a heat-seeking missile when he has eyes on the ball-carrier, but his tight hips make him a liability in coverage. Watson's off-field decision-making will also be scrutinized by NFL front offices. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: James Williams (Jr., Miami, 6-4, 231)

Williams was the No. 1 safety in the 2021 recruiting class, and a top-15 overall prospect nationally. The further he is from the line of scrimmage, the more questions I have, so a defense that utilizes him primarily in the box in attack mode or to neutralize tight ends will likely put him in position to succeed. Williams features outstanding length and premium athleticism, but he'll need to play with more discipline (17 penalties in his collegiate career, including nine personal foul/unnecessary roughness flags). There are also some durability concerns (he's had surgeries on his left shoulder and groin). Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Michael Barrett (Sr., Michigan, 5-11, 232)

No Wolverine has played in more career games (64). Barrett primarily played quarterback in high school, and originally began his time in Ann Arbor on offense before switching to defense full-time. He lacks ideal size, but he plays fast and physical. Barrett is a ferocious striker, and possesses enough cover talent to be developed and special teams ability to make a roster. He will be a 25-year-old NFL rookie. Projected: Rounds 6-7

— BONUS: Aaron Casey (Sr., Indiana, 6-0, 230)

Casey is limited in coverage, and his range will be tested against NFL speed, but he's an enforcer who brings the hammer down when he hits. The Hoosiers' team captain was the only Division I player with 100-plus tackles and 20-plus tackles for loss in 2023. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Easton Gibbs (Sr., Wyoming, 6-0, 232)

Gibbs was a two-star recruit at safety when he committed to the Cowboys in 2019 before switching positions and adding nearly 40 pounds. Former Wyoming linebackers Logan Wilson and Chad Muma followed a similar path to the NFL. Gibbs doesn't possess the same athletic traits Wilson or Muma had, but he's a productive team leader with 319 tackles over his last three seasons. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Kalen DeLoach (Sr., Florida State, 5-11, 210)

The three-year starter looks more like a safety, but only Jared Verse had more sacks for the Seminoles (seven) in 2023. DeLoach is a fast (ran a 4.47 40-yard-dash at the combine), run-and-hit talent with a nose for the football, but he may not have the size or strength to be an every-down player unless he switches positions or he ends up with a creative defensive coordinator. He's a potential special-teams ace at the next level — 10 career tackles for Florida State. Projected: Round 7-PFA

— BONUS: Bo Richter (Sr., Air Force, 6-0, 248)

Richter was a standout lacrosse player and didn't begin playing football until his junior year of high school. A no-star recruit, he chose his lone FBS scholarship offer over several Ivy League opportunities. Athletically, Richter is in the same stratosphere as NC State's Payton Wilson. He totaled 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2023. Some teams could draft or sign him in hopes of developing his skills as an edge defender. Projected: PFA

— BONUS: Winston Reid (Sr., Weber State, 5-11, 223)

Reid is undersized, but the two-time team captain produced 230 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions his last two seasons for the Wildcats. Projected: PFA