The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy gives his top 10 linebackers in this year’s NFL draft, based on evaluations and conversations with people around the league:
True middle linebacker with edge-rushing capability (9.5 sacks last season) in sub packages. Sideline-to-sideline range and block-shedder against the run. Only one season as a starter after transfer from Alabama. Upside, but needs to sharpen recognition of play-action fakes.
Fits in a position-less defense, lining up on the weak side or the strong side. Covers tight ends better than most safeties but can blitz or spy a mobile quarterback because of speed. Missed tackles are a result of bad angles.
Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman, no relation) and Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) winner. Reliable tackler whose instincts put him where the ball is going, especially on screen passes. Lacks some burst, so not much production behind the line of scrimmage.
Good coverage linebacker on the weak side. Might not make dynamic plays but won’t allow big plays by blowing an assignment, either. Played more physically in the box last season than earlier in his career. Coach on the field.
Active boxscore filler: 106 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception. Fearlessly crashes running lanes as a wrap-up tackler. Coverage ability is a question but he’s still relatively new to the position (and to defense). Core special-teamer.
Dominant (302 tackles, 27 for loss, 9.5 sacks) as three-year starter against inferior schedule. Is he big enough to fight off blocks and show the same nose for the ball in NFL? Has coverage traits to play in big slot.
Younger brother of No. 7 pick in 2021 (Peneii Sewell). Numbers nosedived in 2022 (56 tackles, 1.5 sacks) compared to 2021 (114 and 4.0, respectively). Speed and agility concerns were exposed. Sheds blocks with force charging downhill.
Senior Bowl standout. Only college player with 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles last season, his only with Bearcats after transferring from Miami-Ohio. Shot out of a cannon. Bad habits of biting on fakes and over-pursuit.
Brother, Nate, is NFL offensive lineman. Stand-up edge rusher who had 20 sacks in last 24 games but could move inside because of troubles setting the edge against the run. Needs to roam freely rather than disengage from blocks.
Versatile inside/outside chess piece. Quick first step makes up for less-than-ideal size. Ball-carriers feel his hits nonetheless, especially when he squeezes through a lane with a head of steam. Quarterbacks targeted his area underneath in zone coverage.
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas, 6-3, 229 pounds
As much as Sewell slipped over the last year, Overshwon gained. Former safety explodes on blitzes. Plays fast and with anticipation for route development and awareness of teammate responsibilities but struggles finishing tackles in open space.
Ventrell Miller, Florida, 6-0, 232 pounds
Made 33 starts despite season-long suspension as a freshman and two injury-plagued final seasons. Hard-hitting run-stopper needs to be subbed out in third-down pass situations. About to be 24 years old. Not typical SEC speed.
Aubrey Miller Jr., Jackson State, 5-11, 229 pounds
Seven tackles in 22 games (zero starts) over four years at Missouri before transferring. Averaged 8.9 tackles per game under coach Deion Sanders. His hits fire up sidelines, especially on special teams. Loses gap integrity when locked on ball-carriers.