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:
1. Micah Parsons, Penn State, 6-foot-3, 246 pounds
Top-two defensive prospect in the draft. Character concerns from incidents in his high school and college careers. Elite blitzer and run-stuffer who can cover, too. Plays any linebacker spot.
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame, 6-foot-1, 221 pounds
Is the Butkus Award winner too small to play NFL linebacker? Not as valuable as a safety, even with cover skills. Sideline-to-sideline game-changer with first-one-in, last-one-out mentality.
3. Zaven Collins, Tulsa, 6-foot-4, 259 pounds
A 96-yard pick-six showed rare size and speed combination. Big for an inside linebacker, but not much edge experience. Won 2020 Nagurski Award as college football’s best defensive player.
4. Jamin Davis, Kentucky, 6-foot-3, 234 pounds
Only 11 career starts, but filled the stat sheet in 2020, including a blocked kick. Reads the quarterback’s eyes, reacts to what’s about to happen and follows the scent of the ball.
5. Nick Bolton, Missouri, 5-foot-11, 237 pounds
Knack for shedding blocks. Stands up ball-carriers despite being undersized by NFL standards. Always communicating — like a true middle linebacker.
6. Jabril Cox, LSU, 6-foot-3, 232 pounds
Three-time FCS national champion at North Dakota State who fit in seamlessly as LSU’s leader. Change-of-direction quickness to match the best pass-catching backs.
7. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina, 6-foot-2, 229 pounds
Played quarterback until 2019. Not a position change you see every day. Still learning linebacker fundamentals, but has athleticism, football IQ and willingness to initiate contact.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Micah Parsons, Jamin Davis Getty Images (3)8. Dylan Moses, Alabama, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds
Five-star recruit who never put it all together as expected. Returned from missing 2019 season to be a team captain who makes others better, but he doesn’t play behind the line of scrimmage often enough.
9. Monty Rice, Georgia, 6-foot, 233 pounds
Gutted out a foot injury last season, but might have done more than harm than good for his stock. Hard-hitter who makes ball-carriers want to step out of bounds.
10. Pete Werner, Ohio State, 6-foot-2, 238 pounds
Three-year starter who looked comfortable in various linebacker spots and on special teams. Will quickly understand not only his own responsibility, but also those of 10 others on any given play.
Late Riser
Jamin Davis, Kentucky, 6-foot-3.5, 234 pounds
His 42-inch vertical leap and 4.41-second 40-yard dash have scouts buzzing.
Falling Fast
Tony Fields, West Virginia, 6-foot, 222 pounds
Arizona transfer piled up tackles, but didn’t make game-changing plays. At his size, needs to be better in pass coverage or he will get lost in the big-body shuffle.
Small-School Wonder
Riley Cole, South Alabama, 6-foot-2, 240 pounds
Former Alabama commit held his own competing against the big-school products at the Senior Bowl. Will do all the dirty work, including special teams.
