Ranking 7 linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft

And looking at how they might fit with the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching many of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, I’ll release my Eagles-specific rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!

1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, I may rank player ‘X’ above player ‘Y’ in terms of pure talent and my own personal rankings, but due to the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit, I have player ‘Y’ above player ‘X’.
2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the exact numerical order. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
3. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t factor that in when ranking these prospects. We don’t have the necessary information.
4. If I haven’t ranked someone, I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment, and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

You can check out my podcast feed here to hear more from me. Also, I have released an Eagles-specific Draft Guide on my Patreon, which will include more information on each player. If you want to see what the guide looks like, please see below!

Previously: Running Back / Wide Receiver / Tight End / Offensive Line / Defensive Tackle / EDGE

Linebacker

Tier 1

1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-2 235

Overall: Campbell is a tough, versatile player with great athleticism and speed, capable of playing MIKE, SAM, or even EDGE at times. He should be a reliable, every-down linebacker, and he blew up the combine and has real speed. While he’s an elite tackler and excels in coverage, his raw instincts and need for further development, especially in play recognition and physicality, could hold him back at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Campbell would be a great fit in Philly’s defense, but I doubt he will be around at pick 32. I doubt the Eagles spend money on a linebacker and draft another one in the 1st, either!

Tier 2

2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 1/2 242

Overall: Carson Schwesinger is a classic quick trigger stack backer. He’s an intelligent linebacker with elite processing speed. His ability to read and react quickly makes him an asset in both the run and pass game. While he might need to add strength and more power to his hands to get off blocks, his instincts and tackling ability are excellent.

Eagles Thoughts: I think the Eagles might really like Schwesinger, but I doubt they invest a high pick in a linebacker and I think he could go in the top 50. His ability to cover ground quickly and excel in zone coverage would suit this defense. But the Eagles play a lot of light boxes, and he would need to develop more physicality to hold up against blockers on early downs. He would be interesting next to Baun!

Tier 3

3. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-3 2/8 233

Overall: Danny Stutsman is a physical, downhill linebacker with strong leadership qualities, but his coverage and block-shedding issues may limit his role to early downs. He’s an interesting prospect due to his athleticism and speed.

Eagles Thoughts: Vic Fangio would love his speed and tackling ability, but I worry about his ability in coverage in a Fangio defense. I doubt the Eagles see him as a fit due to his coverage limitations. However, he has the traits to get better in coverage. I bet the Eagles would love him on ST though! I wouldn’t take him until round 4.

4. Demetrius Knight II, South Carolina, 6-1 6/8 240

Overall: Knight is a physical, hard-nosed linebacker who plays with physicality against the run. He’s a classic stack-and-shed backer. He lacks the athleticism/change of direction to play in space and can struggle in coverage at times. He is unlikely to develop into a high-level starter and is already 25 years old, but he has value as a special teams ace and strong linebacker against the run.

Eagles Thoughts: I think the Eagles might like Knight if he is there in the 4th round. With Oren Burks leaving and Nakobe Dean’s future in the balance, a 25-year-old rookie may not be the worst idea. He has a lot of value on special teams, where Oren Burks excelled too.

5. Chris Paul Jr. Ole Miss, 6-0 7/8 222

Overall: Chris Paul is an interesting prospect with good athleticism and coverage skills, as well as His sideline-to-sideline range. He fits the modern NFL, but he needs to add strength and improve his instincts. He just looks too small at times, to me.

Eagles Thoughts: I worry a little about undersized linebackers, as the Eagles are already pretty light at the position. Paul is similar in size to Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and I’m not sure the Eagles need a linebacker similar in profile. He will probably go earlier than the Eagles will have interest. I would consider him from the 4th onwards.

6. Smael Mondon Jr. Georgia, 6-2 2/8 224

Overall: Mondon is a versatile linebacker with tools but still needs to refine his processing and physicality against the run. He has the length and range to be a starting-caliber linebacker, but his issues need a lot of work. He projects more as a rotational piece and a strong special teams player in the early stages of his career.

Eagles Thoughts: Mondon would likely fit into the Eagles’ defense as a rotational linebacker and special teams contributor. Fangio would like his ability to play in coverage, but he would need to sit for a little while he develops against the run. I wouldn’t consider him until day 3.

7. Barrett Carter, Clemson, 6-0 1/8 231

Overall: Barrett Carter stands out with his impressive sideline-to-sideline speed and ability to chase down plays. However, he struggles to shed blocks and struggles with lateral quickness and man coverage against tight ends, which will limit his effectiveness at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Similarly to the other guys in tier 3, I think Carter makes sense on day 3 as a developmental prospect with good speed who should excel on special teams while he develops as a linebacker.

As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (including strengths and weaknesses), then please check out the Draft Guide via Patreon.