2022 Draft Preview: Linebackers

Washington’s linebacker group as a collective was underwhelming in 2022. Even if you looked at individual performances, nobody stood out from the linebacker group that suggested Washington has star potential amongst this unit. In October, veteran Jon Bostic was hurt with a torn pectoral and was placed on injured reserve. Jamin Davis struggled as a rookie to put things together from a mental and physical standpoint. Cole Holcomb has a motor, but as a linebacker, he has been inconsistent in pass coverage and his run defense, which questions his ceiling and how high it is. 

Heading into free agency, Washington needed a leader at the linebacker position who would communicate effectively amongst the defense and put Jamin Davis in proper positioning on the field to make plays. However, as we head into the NFL Draft, Washington chose against upgrading with a veteran and has the same problems at the position when the season ended. So let’s look at some linebacker prospect options for Washington to consider. 

Devin Lloyd, Utah, 6’3”, 235 lbs, 4.66 40-yd Dash

Lloyd finished his 2021 season with 110 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, eight sacks, ten passes defended, and four interceptions in 14 games played (13 starts). Lloyd was a consensus All-American, Pac-12 Defensive player of the year, First Team All-Pac 12 in 2021.

Lloyd would be considered as a trade-back option for the Commanders. Lloyd is viewed as an inside or outside linebacker, and Washington will use him as the Mike backer if they go this route. He transitioned from safety to linebacker upon arrival at Utah in 2017, and it’s paid off for his career to this point. Lloyd’s strengths are in his competitive toughness and physicality; he can take on lead blocks on power runs and has the strength to shed offensive lineman. In addition, Lloyd is a capable off-ball blitzer and a rusher from the edge, ultimately capable of affecting the game in multiple facets. Lloyd’s concerns center around his play recognition and coverage abilities; he can be a late processor against the run and have technical issues in pass coverage. 

Nakobe Dean, Georgia, 5’11”, 229 lbs

Dean finished his 2021 season with 72 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions in 15 games played (15 starts). 

Dean is a high-athletic player who can become a true three-down linebacker in today’s game. He has great explosiveness, good agility, and initial quickness to flow well laterally, pursuing the football consistently well. Dean is physical in the box and forceful upon contact with ball carriers and will attack gaps without hesitation. Like Lloyd, he’s an effective blitzer and can be utilized in multiple ways. Dean is a good cover linebacker and has the athleticism to pattern-match receivers and tight ends. The concerns for Dean stem from his size; at 5’11”, he can be swallowed up by offensive lineman if against zone if they can climb to the second level. From a mental standpoint, he can be late attacking the climbing linemen reaching the second level. 

Chad Muma, Wyoming, 6’2”, 239 lbs, 4.63 40-yd dash

Muma finished his 2021 season with 142 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended, and three interceptions in 13 games played (13 starts). 

Transitioning to the day two and three options, Muma is viewed as a developmental player who can start for the team that drafts him. Muma is a technical linebacker who processes well and has above-average athleticism. He has proper pad-level in the box and good processing in zone coverage. The concerns for Muma are mainly in the run game. Muma lacks desired physicality when taking on blockers.

Christian Harris, Alabama, 6’2”, 232 lbs, 4.44 40-yd dash

Harris finished the 2021 season with 79 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended in 15 games played (15 starts).

Harris is an athletic, playmaking linebacker who started three seasons for Alabama and will be viewed as a developmental player early on but can see the field situationally due to his athleticism and competitive toughness. Defensive coordinators can use him in blitz packages that allow him to play in the box or at the line of scrimmage. The concerns surrounding Harris are his instincts and his coverage ability. He may have issues processing what he sees on the field, resulting in him being a liability when he has to drop back in pass coverage. 

Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma, 6’2”, 226 lbs, 4.56 40-yd dash

Asamoah finished the 2021 season with 89 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and two forced fumbles in 12 games (ten starts). 

Asamoah is an athletic linebacker with excellent mental processing in the box; he can quickly diagnose run schemes and blow up blockers in the process. In addition, Asamoah is a good coverage linebacker who has the athleticism to pattern-match and flip his hips as required. The concerns for Asamoah stem from his patience and tackling angles. Asamoah is not the most technically-sound defender. While Asamoah is athletic and processes well, he can also be a liability because he will put himself out of position pursuing the ball carrier or just be too high at the point of attack.