2020 NFL Draft – Outside Linebacker Rankings

Complete NFL Draft Rankings – OLB:

You are currently viewing the best outside linebackers in the 2020 NFL Draft. Our top outside linebacker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best linebackers in college football. Even though only about 20 will get selected in the draft, a lot are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite. Find who is a first round talent, and who is likely nothing more than a training camp body. Find draft sleepers, draft stars, who will be a bust, and who is being undervalued.

BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2020 outside linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.

(Last Updated: April 16, 2020)

2020:  | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

Isaiah Simmons is a freakish athlete who excelled at linebacker, safety, and even some defensive end with Clemson. At 6’4" 238 pounds, he certainly has enough size for linebacker, while being one of the most athletic players in the class regardless of position. His work ethic and desire to win are as elite as his physical traits, and he has already seen success in coverage, rushing the passer, and in run stopping. His long arms and DB experience make him a perfect matchup against tight ends, and has helped in excel in zone from the ILB position. He plays with great quickness and gets sideline to sideline, making him the perfect fit as a next-generation linebacker.

2019 Stats

15 games: 104 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 11 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles forced

Chaisson oozes potential as an edge rusher, combining a 6’3" 250+ pound frame with the agility of an offensive talent. He moves side to side as well as any edge rusher in the class, and has shown a bevy of pass rushing moves despite still being fairly raw as a redshirt sophomore. Chaisson has a frame that can put on more healthy weight, and he has the speed/power combination to excel as an outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end. He’s known for having a very high character and being intelligent on and off the field, which some coaches will fall in love with. He might need to learn to have success dropping back in coverage to be an every down guy in some systems, but he is a pass rusher and run stopper through and through.

2019 Stats

13 games: 60 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 fumble forced

Zack Baun exploded this past season for the Badgers, putting up 20 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. While he doesn’t have the freakish size or speed of most top end edge rushers, he has prototypical 4-3 linebacker size and above average athleticism. He plays very quick and closes on the ball well, which has also translated at times to coverage ability. He is very agile and rarely misses tackles, and has been very well coached while waiting his turn to star in Madison. While he has struggled with long offensive tackles, he has good bend and a relentless attack that can affect the QB even when he doesn’t get there. He offers some scheme versatility and could excel as a blitz man or a cover linebacker.

2019 Stats

14 games: 75 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles

Harrison is a big and strong linebacker (6’3" 247 pounds) with experience playing inside and out, although his best fit is probably as a 4-3 strong side linebacker. He has a great tackling form and rarely needs help bringing down running backs or receivers in space. Harrison has a great understanding of run defense and is unselfish in containing and not trying to do too much. He has special teams experience which will help him early in his career, and he blossomed the last two years with 16.5 tackles for loss as a senior. He’ll need to improve in coverage, but has instincts and reaction time to be solid.

2019 Stats

14 games: 75 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defended

Curtis Weaver is a productive edge rusher who can be great if used correctly. While he is a bit of a tweener at the next level, he is an instinctive pass rusher who never gives up on getting to the quarterback. Weaver bends well around the edge and is able to cut inside, while displaying good use of his hands and a balanced attack. In the run game he was more of a space eater who wouldn’t offer much resistance in containing the edge, which he’ll need to improve upon as an NFL linebacker. His lack of straight line speed will also make it difficult to drop in man coverage, and he might be pigeonholed into a high-end Designated Pass Rusher role with a team.

2019 Stats

14 games: 52 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced

Complete draft rankings for 2020 – Outside Linebacker

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2020: | QB | WR | RB | FB | TE | OT | G | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S | CB | K | P | LS | OVERALL |

The linebacker position is evolving into more of a speed/hybrid role, while my group of outside linebackers is always a mix of 3-4 weak side linebackers and true edge rushers. When combined, it means this position group can play a wide variety of roles on the defense. Isaiah Simmons is the perfect example, as he played inside and outside in college, as well as safety and even some defensive end. A few stellar athletes can excel in the NFL in a creative role, while athletic former-DE’s like Carter Coughlin can excel as designated pass rushers. Actual draft results could vary greatly from my rankings as teams will look for the right fit among a see of solid talent. While this class isn’t especially strong, it is much better than people once thought, and offers as much versatility as we’ve ever seen. Most linebacker draft sleepers can be found in the inside linebacker rankings, but there’s several players with that potential here as well.