Draft Preview 2021: Linebacker
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April 16, 2021
by Jamual Forrest
Quarterback is not the only glaring need the Washington Football Team is looking to resolve in its near future. Granted, veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick should provide stability for at least one year, but you get the point: they need long-term stability. With that being said, they do not have to go quarterback first round; linebacker is also a need that Washington has been trying to address for quite some time now. The combination of Jonathan Bostic, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Cole Holcomb was the team’s best trio in 2020, but it was not good enough. It was just average, maybe even below average. In turn, taking a look at the first and second-round prospects may not be a bad idea for Washington, and in fact, I am all for it. So who are the options out there that Washington can take a look at?
Micah Parsons, 6-3, 245 lbs, Penn State
Parsons is by far the most talented linebacker, according to most college draft experts. He is an explosive player with the instincts and athleticism to the lineup at multiple positions in the front seven. Parsons has the body frame to play on all three downs, and from reports, he is an excellent blitzer, too. For Washington, this would be their first round, day one starter and can make a similar impact on their team just like Chase Young did a season ago. According to some, he will need to improve upon his patience when diagnosing plays, and taking on blocks is a concern. Please make no mistake though, the consensus on Parsons is that he is a quality player, and his issues can be worked out with more experience and proper coaching.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, 6-1, 215 lbs, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah, similar to Parsons, has the explosiveness trait that jumps out at you while watching him play. Obviously, at 215 pounds, the significant difference between him and Parsons is their size. However, where he lacks in his frame, he makes up for it in other aspects, such as pass-coverage, something that Washington has been missing at the linebacker position for some time. He can cover running backs, tight ends, and receivers. Even at 215, the report on him plays fast and physical, which makes him a missile when barreling down on the ball carrier. With that being said, the question for him would be, is he a safety or a linebacker? If Washington faces that dilemma after selecting him, then that becomes another issue because they may still have a linebacker need next year, too. I think he will work out just fine at linebacker, and odds are his success will come at the weak side, not the middle.
Jamin Davis, 6-4, 234 lbs, Kentucky
Davis is a solid linebacker on all fronts. His technique, where his strength, athleticism, and hand placement make it difficult for an offensive lineman to hold their blocks on him. Unfortunately, the knock on Davis is his experience; he only started 11 games in his career at Kentucky, so his inexperience sticks out more than most despite the talent he puts on display. Drafting Davis would be okay, especially with the coaches in Washington; however, this type of player should not be the focal point for them until about the third round.
Nick Bolton, 6-0, 232 lbs, Missouri
Bolton’s pursuit and play recognition is commonly mentioned when discussing his skillset. It is top-tier. Bolton, like Owusu-Koramoah, is a talented coverage linebacker and has made quite a few plays in pass coverage. Bolton will best serve as a middle linebacker for Washington, but he will need to improve upon his lateral quickness and the angles he takes to pursue ball carriers. Drills can quickly improve his lateral quickness; however, the angles he takes will come directly from proper coaching. Bolton would be a second round, if not mid-round, pickup for the Washington Football Team.
Jabril Cox, 6-4, 231 lbs, LSU
Cox, who transferred to LSU from North Dakota State after the 2019 season, impressed in his only year at the SEC level. Scouts believe that Cox is a player who will need to be placed in the suitable scheme at the next level in order to fully thrive as a pro, a scheme that allows him to attack downfield versus thinking as a player. The first start would be allowing Cox to play at the strong or weak side in the pros versus playing the middle. He is easily a three-down starter in the NFL, too, so Washington would be in good shape if they decide to select Cox in the 2021 draft. His best skillsets are his range and agility. However, he is an impressive blitzer as well, which will increase his draft stock. His issue, as mentioned earlier, will come when he is forced to do more thinking on the field, which will decrease his ability to play more freely. That, again, will all come down to scheme fit and who selects him. Washington can benefit from a player like Cox, and I am sure he is on their radar if he is there in the third round.