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The 2025 NFL draft is just hours away, and all 32 NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears, are finalizing their draft plans before things kick off in Green Bay.
Every team in the league needs to have a good defense to succeed. You can score points in bunches, but none of it will matter if your opponent can walk all over you. Most people would admit that the defensive line, in particular players who can get after the quarterback often, and defensive backs are the most important.
In the last 20 years, we've seen the linebacker position become more of a depth role on the team. That doesn't mean that they aren't important; they just aren't as highly paid or sought after. If a team does, however, need a great linebacker, the draft is a great place to look.
With that in mind, we're taking a look at the best linebackers and when they should be available between Days 1, 2 and 3.
There may not be many linebackers called in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Jalon Walker can play both linebacker and edge rusher, so only time will tell where he sticks once he gets in the NFL. No matter what, he is a first-round talent who should go in the first half of the first round. Jihaad Campbell should also be a Day 1 guy as a true linebacker.
The linebacker position is thinner and thinner with each passing draft. That is because, as mentioned before, teams don't value it the way they once did. These players should be drafted on Day 2, but a couple of them may slip to Day 3, depending on who else falls and what teams consider to be a need in this particular year.
If you can hit on a linebacker on Day 3, you are winning as an NFL organization. That means you didn't use your earlier picks on one, yet you still landed a good player at the position late. If a team's set of scouts loves what they are seeing from these guys, they might take a chance. However, don't expect too many linebackers to be selected overall in this draft.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Best linebackers
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Every team in the league needs to have a good defense to succeed. You can score points in bunches, but none of it will matter if your opponent can walk all over you. Most people would admit that the defensive line, in particular players who can get after the quarterback often, and defensive backs are the most important.
In the last 20 years, we've seen the linebacker position become more of a depth role on the team. That doesn't mean that they aren't important; they just aren't as highly paid or sought after. If a team does, however, need a great linebacker, the draft is a great place to look.
With that in mind, we're taking a look at the best linebackers and when they should be available between Days 1, 2 and 3.
Day 1
- Jalon Walker, Georgia
- Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
There may not be many linebackers called in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Jalon Walker can play both linebacker and edge rusher, so only time will tell where he sticks once he gets in the NFL. No matter what, he is a first-round talent who should go in the first half of the first round. Jihaad Campbell should also be a Day 1 guy as a true linebacker.
Day 2
- Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
- Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
- Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
- Barrett Carter, Clemson
- Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
The linebacker position is thinner and thinner with each passing draft. That is because, as mentioned before, teams don't value it the way they once did. These players should be drafted on Day 2, but a couple of them may slip to Day 3, depending on who else falls and what teams consider to be a need in this particular year.
Day 3
- Shemar James, Florida
- Kain Medrano, UCLA
- Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
- Smael Monden Jr., Georgia
- Teddye Buchanan, California
If you can hit on a linebacker on Day 3, you are winning as an NFL organization. That means you didn't use your earlier picks on one, yet you still landed a good player at the position late. If a team's set of scouts loves what they are seeing from these guys, they might take a chance. However, don't expect too many linebackers to be selected overall in this draft.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Best linebackers
Continue reading...
