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2020 NFL Draft: BTD’s Favorites - Linebackers

Our favorite linebackers in the upcoming draft.

By BTD Staff
College Football Playoff National Championship - Clemson v LSU Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

The_Coach: David Woodward (Utah State)

NCAA Football: Utah State at Air Force Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Not athletic enough. Short arms. Medical red-flags. Not big enough. Not fast enough. Utah State linebacker David Woodward has been told every reason why he won’t be a likeable NFL prospect, but just as he’s done all along, the 6’ 2”, 230-pounder will keep moving and proving people wrong. He posted 93 tackles, 2 sacks and forced 4 fumbles in an injury-shortened 2019 campaign, with a knack for the ball and an ability to read the game before him that is way beyond his years. He reminds me a lot of former NFL stand-out Paul Posluszny, who donned a similar frame and found a way to last 11 years in the league. Maybe Woodward can do the same.

Ross Parker: Patrick Queen (LSU)

NCAA Football: College Football Playoff Semifinal-Oklahoma vs Louisiana State Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

LSU is a linebacker factory, they know how to build NFL ready LB’s and Patrick Queen is no different. Queen has sideline to sideline range and should provide quality reps in pass coverage that you don’t see out of a rookie linebacker. Queen has lightning quick reactions to a play and diagnoses an offense exceptionally quick for a one-year starter. His tackle radius is average which will be the biggest factor holding him back. However, he makes up for this with his high football IQ and sheer athleticism. Queen should be a late round one pick in the draft.

Travis Johannes: Evan Weaver (CAL)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 30 Redbox Bowl - Cal v Illinois Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Coach said if I don’t contribute he was gonna tweet mean things about me in all caps and there is nothing I fear more in life than mean tweets. My favorite linebacker is Cal’s Evan Weaver. He is pretty low on big boards and likely a mid round pick, but I expect him to be a sneaky good linebacker in the NFL. He may not blow people away or rack up a ton of sacks, but will be a consistent performer year in and year out for whatever team lands him.

John Severs: Akeem Davis-Gaither (Appalachian State)

NCAA Football: Georgia Southern at Appalachian State Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Davis-Gaither doesn’t quite have the size a lot of teams are looking for, but he has an incredible ability to slip past blocks and get to the ball carrier. He’s absolutely excellent at stopping a run at or behind the line of scrimmage, and generated a ton of pressure on opposing QBs last season. He needs to work on his angles, and he missed too many tackles last season, but the potential is absolutely there.

Want more of our favorite players in the upcoming NFL Draft? Check out our previous position groups below: