The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its nine-part series previewing top players in the 2024 NFL draft (April 25-27) with the inside linebackers.
This collection of linebackers isn’t likely to produce a first-round pick although there are at least two players with first-round talent when you consider Payton Wilson (North Carolina State) and Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M).
Overall, these linebackers aren’t playmakers or speedy or hard hitters. Rather they’re a collection of good players whose low-profile draft status is reflective of their position’s low-profile role in today’s pass-happy NFL.
The Miami Dolphins are OK at inside linebacker even though they lost Jerome Baker to Seattle in free agency.
Miami returns starter David Long Jr., and it signed Jordyn Brooks (Seattle) and Anthony Walker Jr. (Cleveland) in free agency. The Dolphins also return Duke Riley and Channing Tindall.
The Dolphins have six picks in the draft, and for the first time in the Mike McDaniel era, Miami has a first-round pick — No. 21. Aside from that, the Dolphins have a second-round pick (No. 55), a fifth (No. 158), two sixths (Nos. 184 and 198), and one seventh (No. 241).
Here’s a breakdown of the top inside linebackers in the draft:
Payton Wilson, North Carolina State
Wilson (6-4, 233), who won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker, is an athletic player who has first-round talent. He amassed 138 tackles, 17.5 for loss, including 6.0 sacks, and three interceptions. But he’s an injury risk with knee (2018) and shoulder (2020) surgeries.
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Cooper (6-2, 230) is a speedy, see-and-hit linebacker who posted 8.0 sacks last season. His aggression could use some refinement and sometimes gets him in trouble, but he’s a starting-caliber player. Regarded as a rising talent in the draft process.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Trotter (6-0, 228), whose father, Jeremiah, was a Pro Bowl linebacker for Philadelphia, is a playmaker. He had 15 tackles for loss last season after recording 13.5 in 2022. He has a high football IQ, but his size works against him at a physical position.
Junior Colson, Michigan
Colson (6-2, 238), a native of Haiti, has the classic inside linebacker size and instincts. He’s a hard-hitter who plays downhill. He’s not especially athletic or bendy, but he could be a three-down linebacker.
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Gray (6-2, 234) is likely a Day Three draftee who doesn’t have many above-average NFL traits. However, he’s consistent and productive in his role, which is likely a two-down linebacker who can make plays once he’s going downhill.
Best of the rest
Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg, brother of Dolphins offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, has battled injury issues but he’s instinctive; Kentucky’s Trevin Wallace is an athletic player who recorded 5.5 sacks last season; Notre Dame’s Marist Liufau is an attacking, downhill player but he’s limited; Texas-El Paso’s Tyrice Knight (4.5 sacks) has gained attention as a late-rising prospect due to his performances in the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl.
Class grade: C
There don’t seem to be many Day One starters in this group. It’s an average collection of talent, and it doesn’t feature one or two game-impacting players at the top.
Teams in need
Atlanta, Philadelphia, Arizona, San Francisco, Green Bay, Los Angeles Rams, Denver, New Orleans, Seattle, Tampa Bay.
Dolphins’ focus
Miami won’t draft an inside linebacker with its first- or second-round picks. And drafting an inside linebacker with its fifth-, sixth- or seventh-round picks likely means he’ll be a special teams contributor as a rookie instead of playing from scrimmage. This isn’t a high-priority draft position for the Dolphins because of their free agent signees.
More 2024 NFL draft coverage
David Furones’ 2024 NFL mock draft: Do Dolphins pick at 21 or trade up/down?
Dolphins, with top receiving duo, need to secure third WR this offseason
Dolphins NFL draft options: Wide receivers
Dolphins have added tight ends in free agency; do they still look for another in draft?
Dolphins NFL draft options: Tight ends
Dolphins could draft a high-quality O-lineman (Armstead’s successor?) in first two rounds
Dolphins NFL draft options: Offensive line
Dolphins NFL draft options: Running backs
