Primetime’s Top LBs 2018
#1 Roquan Smith, Georgia
Smart LB. Super fast for the position. Plays fast but under control… Understands the game. Reads plays with effortlessly. Rarely gets blocked due to instincts and quickness. Sifts through traffic to locate ball carrier. Uses hands well to shed. A little undersized but not to small… Great ball and overall coverage skills.
Player comp: Patrick Willis
#2 Tremaine Edmunds, V-Tech
6’5 245 so great size. Moves like a much smaller man.Very smooth athlete. 19 years old and very raw but still dominated many college games. The sky is the limit for this player. Pass coverage good… Versatile player who locates the ball and sheds blocks effortlessly. Closing speed is off the charts.
Player Comp: Brian Urlacher
#3 Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Good size… sturdy frame… Ultimate Alpha Dog mentality wants to make every hit. Ferocious tackler. He is a super twitched up athlete with a non stop motor. Great blitzing from just about anywhere. Fills holes hard. Wasn’t asked to cover a lot but when he did it look natural due to good hips. Inconsistent tracking the ball… and inconsistent shedding blocks. Moved around the formation and was used in a variety of ways. Violent hitter.
Player Comp: Ray Lewis
#4 Malik Jefferson, Texas
Decent size… super athletic Athlete. Plays fast and aggressive… can over run plays. Raw from a technical perspective. Not afraid of contact… This guy will light you up. Uses hands well to shed. Works through traffic. Good blitzer. Can cover. Tough player who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Competitive player who gets stronger as the game goes on.
Player comp: Derrick Johnson
#5 Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
Excellent size… Good athlete. Only a one year starter who improved each game. Excellent in pass coverage. Diagnosing plays wasn’t great but showed a lot of promise for a first year starter. Huge upside. Once he sees it he looks like a top 20 pick. Gets lost in traffic at times.
Player Comp: Jaylon Smith pre injury
#6 Josey Jewell, Iowa
Not a big player but has a durable build. Better athlete then perception. quick change of direction. Smart football player. Great instincts. Understands passing lanes. Reads are super quick and reacts with no wasted movement… Football speed faster then combine times. Trusts his eyes/sheds well and tracks ball carrier with ease
Player comp: Sean Lee