2. Patrick Queen is solidly ranked at #2, but notice I don't have him in a separate tier. He is the perfect LB for the modern NFL (gosh that's such a cliche now), and went to a fantastic organization that is DYING for talent and consistency at ILB. 100+ combined tackles in his rookie year, bet on that.
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3. Kenneth Murray's coverage limitations may limit him to being a 70-80% player, at least this year. And then when you factor in the maddening handling of off-ball LBs that we have seen from the Chargers the last several years, ugh... you should be drafting other positions in rookie drafts anyway
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4. Willie Gay checks in here, as a supremely talented 2nd round pick who definitely has less-than-stellar LBs ahead of him on the depth chart. Some character concerns, for sure, and I doubt he sees the field in a starting capacity right away, but he could be an LB1 by season's end.
5. Jordyn Brooks was just the latest in a LONG line of hilariously crappy Seahawks 1st-round selections, but here we are - ans man, I'm puzzled. Is KJ Wright going to get benched? Will their 1st round rookie LB get benched?? Will KJW play SLB on early downs, and then supplant Brooks on the weak-side on passing-downs? Didn't they just draft 2 off-ball backers relatively early last year...? I don't think he will be a reliable fantasy starter until year 2, sadly.
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6. Logan Wilson was a 3rd rounder, but only slightly removed from having been listed as a 2nd-round pick, obviously. Point being, linebackers taken in the first 75 picks usually end up getting at least a SHOT to prove themselves as starting caliber players. I have never loved Germaine Pratt's game, but he does have a year in the system so he probably opens the year as one starter for Cincy; one of their vets (Josh Bynes being the favorite, Jordan Evans being the underdog) will probably man the other spot for a fair bit, but Wilson could very well earn a starting nod by 2021.
7. Zach Baun was the target of a trade up, always a good sign. He played a lot off the edge in college, but is expected to play off the ball for New Orleans. There is certainly opportunity there, next to Davis!
8. Jacob Phillips was probably overdrafted, but Kirksey/Schobert/Collins have left behind a gaping hole in Cleveland, so he's worth a dart throw at the end of your rookie draft if he's there.
