The NFL Draft is within striking distance, beginning April 28. Before that magical weekend arrives, let’s look at the top rookie LB prospects and consider how they may fair in 2022 fantasy football IDP leagues.
This is your 2022 pre-draft Rookie Linebacker Primer.
If you’re looking for the next Micah Parsons, you may be sorely disappointed by this draft class. There is no consensus top LB, but Devin Lloyd is the safest choice for me to be the first IDP LB taken in fantasy drafts. He has solid physical metrics (6’2″, 237 lbs, 4.66 40-yard dash) and the football IQ to be the future leader of an NFL defense.
His stats at Utah also showcase his ability to make plays and drop back in coverage. He totaled 111 total tackles, seven sacks, 22 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and six passes deflected. The difference between Lloyd and Nakobe Dean, the only other LB considered worthy of a first-round projection, is that Dean (6’0″, 225 lbs) is significantly smaller than Lloyd. If you find yourself in an IDP rookie draft, make sure you target Lloyd. He’s the top option in a good (not great) LB draft.
Dean may be drafted before Lloyd, but I still think Lloyd is the better IDP player right away. If selected before Lloyd, Dean is undoubtedly worthy of that selection, winning the Butkus Award for being the nation’s best linebacker and totaling 71 tackles, six sacks, two fumbles forced, two interceptions, and six passes deflected. He was Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) highest-graded linebacker while leading college football’s top defense in 2021 (Georgia).
As far as his potential NFL production, he could be an exciting project but may struggle right away. He’s got elite speed and is a top-notch blitzer, but he’s undersized for the position (5’11” and 229 lbs) and doesn’t have much experience with pass coverage beyond the RB level.
The question that needs answering is: “How will he fair with coverage against TEs?” If he’s too small or struggles in coverage right away, he could find it hard to serve as a three-down ILB. Don’t get it twisted. He’s not someone you want to count out too soon.
Christian Harris (LB – Alabama)
Christian Harris stands similarly to Nakobe Dean; smaller than we’d like but has elite athleticism and skills. He’s 6’0″ and 226 lbs, flashing 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash. He posted a 2021 season with 80 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes deflected. His game tape shows that he’s quick, powerful, and rarely misfires, meaning he’s pro-ready. His negatives are similar to Dean’s, though. His relatively small frame for the position makes him a liability against pulling linemen.
However, the pro-level experience gained at Alabama, his skill against the run, and his brilliance in coverage make him a potential day-one starter. If he lands in the right situation, his ceiling could be much higher than his current draft value. He expects to go in the second round. Harris is currently my favorite LB target in dynasty IDP leagues.
Dean isn’t the only Georgia LB worth monitoring this off-season. Quay Walker, Dean’s bigger yet somehow less physically impressive teammate, will also be drafted next week. He should go in the third round, so his landing spot will determine how quickly he gets a chance to play. He’s 6’4″ and 241 pounds, but he’s surprisingly slim in his frame. His size and build make him a solid coverage linebacker, which is why he and Dean played well together.
The trouble with Walker is that he’s not an athletic freak and needs time to develop. He’s also not a high-end blitzer. Unless he lands on the most LB-starved franchise in the league, he’s probably a year or two away from having significant fantasy value. However, due to his size and college pedigree, he could be developed into the best of the lot. Consider him a solid dynasty bet.
Leo Chenal is a 6’2″, 261 lbs LB out of Wisconsin. He’s an oversized LB who tallied 96 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021. He’s the kind of rock-solid run-stopping, blitz-heavy linebacker you want your team to have for most of the game.
His weakness, however, is pass-coverage. He ranked second overall by PFF for pass-rushing among FBS defenders in 2021 and first overall in run defense, so he’s good at what he does. Due to his lacking abilities in coverage, he likely won’t end up at the MIKE position for whatever defense adds him. He could end up there over time, but it would be best to put him in a position to focus on blitzing and stopping the run. If Blake Martinez weren’t still in the league, I’d think of him as Blake Martinez reborn.
Chad Muma led the nation in tackles and finished 2021 as PFFs third-highest graded linebacker. He’s 6’3″ and 242 lbs. He tallied 142 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions. Muma’s not necessarily a sack artist, but he may get lucky and end up on a team that needs him to be the playmaker he is.
He doesn’t have a weakness against the run or in coverage. But he needs some time to get bigger. Muma has the potential to start right away. If he continues to grow and improve, he’ll be a high-level IDP contributor, at least from an overall tackles standpoint.
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Tim Metzler is a featured writer at FantasyPros, known for multiple article series’, including 5 Under 25, Expert Consensus Rantings, his in-season Running Diary, and his dynasty IDP rankings. For more from Tim, check out his archive and follow him @Timmy_The_Metz.
