2019 Draft Preview: Linebackers
by Alex Zeese
February 13, 2019
[EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second column in our draft preview series. We previously covered wide receivers, which can be found here]
When any hardcore Redskins fan sits down and starts looking at the team’s needs for next season, inside linebackers are a unique spot. Though it’s not a dire situation like quarterback or safety, where the team is totally lacking in starters, many question marks remain at the position. Late-season pickup Reuben Foster may still be suspended by the NFL for his troubles with the law. Zach Brown was a fan favorite two seasons ago but has fallen out of favor, and both he and co-starter Mason Foster look to be on their way out. The team does have some good depth behind them with Shaun Dion Hamilton and money backer Josh Harvey-Clemons. That all said, I think most fans would probably agree that this is a position that could use an upgrade and this draft is one with a number of players who could come in and fit a unique role on the defense.
Here is a list of a few players from this year’s draft who the Redskins could look at.
First-round pick
Devin White, LSU – Stats
White seems to be the consensus top prospect at the inside linebacker position. He has the right size you look for, 6’1 / 240 lbs and has all the tools you want to look for from an inside linebacker. He’s a physical player who has a nose for the ball carrier, a tackling machine. He racked up 286 tackles (114 solo) in the last 3 seasons.
When it comes to shear production there’s not another linebacker in this class who’s even close, at least not from one of the big 5 conferences. I highly doubt that White will drop out of the top 10. If somehow he’s there when the Skins pick, you have to seriously consider him as an option, the Redskins need to start finding new blue-chip players for their team for the next 10+ seasons and White could be that dominating MLB that you see as a keystone in many good defenses.
Possible 2nd or 3rd round picks
Mack Wilson, Alabama – Stats
I almost hate to put a Bama player this high up because we know that the Redskins are in love with Alabama defensemen. From what I saw of his play Wilson sticks out as another money backer style of player that I love and that I think the Redskins need more of on defense. The Redskins inside linebacker group has been lacking a good coverage linebacker, and that’s exactly what Wilson can be.
He plays with speed. He’s a ball hawk. Has only been the starter at Alabama for two years but has six interceptions in that time, his coverages skills are as good as any safety, and he can get to the sideline. Wilson is an impressive athlete so I won’t be surprised if he’s gone before the 2nd round, but if he’s available I’d grab him if I were Washington.
Devin Bush, Michigan – Stats
If Wilson is your dream speedy linebacker, Bush is the powerful hitter of a running back’s nightmares. Even though he’s on the smaller side, 5’11 / 233 lbs, Bush plays with impressive strength. That is one thing that stood out to me – he has very good form when tackling and when he does get ahold of the ball carrier, he stops them in their tracks. He also had 10 sacks in college. He may not put up those kinds of numbers in the NFL because of the speed of the game but I won’t be surprised if he contributes to a team’s sack total wherever he ends up.
Lastly, I’m going to focus on a few possible diamonds in the rough. There are two guys who could be great finds in the 3rd rounds or later. As I’ve mentioned above, the one thing I’m looking for most if I’m the Redskins is finding another linebacker with some dangerous speed and coverage ability. Both these players fit that mold. Watson and Hanks were both brought up by readers in our comment section, and I will always try and cater to our readers.
Tre Watson, Maryland – Stats
Watson looks to me like he could be the lesser version of Alabama’s Mack Wilson in this draft. He’s a rangy, speedy coverage linebacker who’s better suited dropping back in the secondary than he would be going face to face with the center. He has only been at UMD for one season, but last year managed to get 5 interceptions and 108 tackles. Five picks by a linebacker: that’s like finding a unicorn.
Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State – Stats
This kid probably isn’t a prototypical linebacker for a 3-4 defense. If you watch any video of him you will notice that New Mexico typically has him on the outside, often on the line of scrimmage to rush the passer, so he’s probably suited to a 4-3. Size-wise he’s probably not built to be an edge rusher in the NFL at 6’3 / 235.
This is a kid with a all the athletic tools and a talent for making plays. Hanks plays in a smaller school has put up some incredible stats. In his 45 games he had 391 tackles, 11 sacks, 8 INT’s and 7 forced fumbles. That’s a lot of big plays. His skills remind me of Hasson Reddick.
Here’s a list of some other linebackers in this draft that I didn’t mention above.
Te’von Coney, Notre Dame
Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
Tre Lamar, Clemson
TJ Edwards, Wisconsin
Germaine Pratt, NC State
Cameron Smith, USC
Juwon Young, Marshall
Tyrel Dodson, Texas A&M
Deshaun Davis, Auburn
Bobby Okereke, Stanford
Josiah Tauaefa, USTA
Joe Dineen Jr. Kansas