2021 NFL Draft Outside Linebacker Superlatives: Best Run Stuffer, Tackler, Upside and More

Who are some of the class's top outside linebackers and what are their best traits?

Author:
Lorenz Leinweber
Publish date:
Apr 24, 2021 11:44 AM EDT

Strength of Class:

QB = 8
RB = 6
WR = 8.5
TE = 6
OT = 7.5
OG = 6
C = 6
DT = 5.5
DE = 7
LB = 7
CB = 7.5
S = 5.5

In a draft that has been billed as being offense-heavy, there are a number of talented outside linebackers that will be difference makers at the next level. Starting with Nagurski Award winner Zaven Collins who has great size and physicality which makes him a strong run defender. Teams should not discount his coverage ability despite that size. Someone who will get drafted highly thanks to his coverage skills is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah of Notre Dame. In college, he was deployed as a linebacker/safety hybrid and some teams may well see him as a strong safety. His explosiveness and tackling will help him to carve out a role on an NFL defense early on in his career. The most physically gifted player at the position is Baron Browning. The former five-star recruit is a great athlete with explosiveness and physicality. If he can improve his processing, Browning can be a quality starting linebacker for years to come.