What the tape reveals about 2025 LB class with Lions potentially in the market for long-term help at the position
Continuing with our pre-combine, film-based series, introducing you to top prospects in the 2025 draft class, we’re inspecting this year’s crop of off-ball linebackers.
As a reminder, the names below reflect consensus top-100 players from several respected draft analysts. They’ll be sorted into three categories — top of the board, first-round talent and Day 2 options — and will be listed alphabetically within the tiers.
The top of the board suggests a player is currently projected to be selected in the top half of the first round. The Lions are scheduled to pick No. 28. The remaining first-round options aren’t necessarily expected to be available at that spot, but fall within a range where the Lions could reasonably trade up to snag a specific target.
Some concluding thoughts are attached after the scouting reports.
Top of the board
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Listed height/weight: 6-foot-2, 245 pounds
2024 stats: 14 games, 60 tackles (11 for a loss), 6.5 sacks, two pass defenses, two fumble recoveries
How talent-rich are the Bulldogs? Walker saw fewer than 400 combined defensive snaps the past two seasons before logging more than 600 in a versatile role during the 2024 campaign that has him near the top of many analysts’ draft boards. That includes ranking No. 3 on an updated list recently released by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
Walker lines up all over the place. He’s primarily off the ball on early downs before moving to wide alignments along the line of scrimmage on third. He’ll occasionally follow the motion man into the slot or creep up to the line over the guard/center as a potential blitzer.
He’s dynamic coming after the passer. Walker offers sudden acceleration to threaten the edge and has an equally impressive ability to abruptly change direction, which he pairs with good hand usage to cross the face of the tackle and attack inside lanes.
As a run defender, Walker is overly patient, taking his time to sift through his reads before firing to the ball carrier, often allowing blockers to get on him in the second level. This could easily be chalked up to not having many reps. Georgia frequently deployed him in a spy-like role, which he was well suited to mirror the QB’s movement in the pocket and give chase with impressive sideline-to-sideline speed.
Walker shows promise in coverage, whether operating off the ball or dropping from the line. He has the athleticism to cover tight ends and running backs man-to-man. He also has above-average zone awareness, keeping eyes on the QB but adjusting his positioning to match target movements within his assigned area.
First-round talent
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Listed height/weight: 6-foot-3, 244 pounds
2024 stats: 13 games, 117 tackles (12 for a loss), 5.0 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles
A three-down linebacker who typically lines up off the ball but situationally operates as a stand-up edge rusher.
A quality processer in the second level of Alabama's defense, Campbell has a nose for the ball and excellent speed in the open field, contributing to his big tackle tallies. He navigates through traffic well and is better at weaving around blockers than taking them head-on, where he occasionally gets stuck.