2023 Draft Preview – Middle Linebackers

April 24, 2023

by Alex Zeese

Washington could clearly use some more talent in the linebacker room.  After the loss of Cole Holcomb in free agency, the team started to re-build their linebacker roster around Jamin Davis, but the free agent moves they have made this season have all been short-term deals. Washington should be active with this position group, and be looking for linebackers in the draft, maybe not to start this season, but guys who could provide depth and hopefully develop into starters down the road.

This draft class is not especially deep at inside linebacker so I would be surprised to see any of these guys drafted early. Few if any linebackers will be viewed as first-round picks, but there are a hand full of guys who could be there on days 2 and 3 and be able to contribute to the linebacker room. While none of these players have every tool in the linebacker toolbox, many of them would be great role players to start, coming in for particular packages early on.  I think that if the team utilized them right they could be productive in a limited role early on.

Here are the handful of linebackers who could be drafted by the Commanders early on and how I could best see them utilized.

Jack Campbell, Iowa, 6’5” / 249: Campbell’s size would make you think he’s a natural edge player but he is really an impressive coverage linebacker. He would be a matchup nightmare for most NFL tight ends. Huge in size, and great in coverage. special teams coverage. He does not exactly have elite speed but he ran a 4.5 and should be able to match up with many NFL tight ends. He’s likely a day 2, day 3 caliber pick. If Washington were to take Campbell I think the best role for him early on is to basically be a cover-two style MLB in the base 4-3 look. Have him drop back into the zone or shadow tight ends on early downs.

Henry To’o’To’o, Alabama, 6’1″ / 227: If you are looking for a more traditional in-the-box linebacker, To’oto’o is probably the guy. He has a real talent for stopping the run inside the box and going downhill. I could see him being really dangerous behind the Commander’s duo at defensive tackle and a good 3rd and short-run stuffer.

Demarvion Overshown Texas, 6’3″ / 229: word is this is a guy the Commanders are bringing in for a visit and spending a lot of time with, so don’t be shocked if we see him end up in Washington. If you want to see a perfect pass-rushing type linebacker this is the pick. Go watch some tape of Overshown’s highlights and you can tell right away, the dude can be a monster rushing the QB, he has mid-4.5 speed. I do worry a bit about his size. But this guy could be a perfect player to bring in a 3rd and long situation where all you want to do is rush 5 guys and drop everyone else deep into coverage.

Trenton Simpson, Clemson, 6’2″ / 235: With 4.4 speed, Simpson is probably the fastest linebacker in the draft, he has 4.4 speed. He reminds me a bit of Jamin Davis in that he’s an athletic freak and fits the mold of linebackers this team has liked in the past. Like Davis I’d imagine that he would need a year or so to develop the finer skills needed to be an everyday starter, he misses a lot of tackles.

There are many other linebackers on the board obviously but I think really think these four are the ones to focus on for Washington.  Of course, there are some others who will likely be drafted late in the draft. Again, I don’t think any of these guys will be every-down, starting linebackers as rookies.  This all will probably need 1-2 years to develop and see how high their ceilings really are.  Right now, Washington could use any of them as substitution guys and spot starters.