The linebacker position remains a key and critical position in fantasy football. The 2020 draft is not as deep at linebacker as in the past, but it still holds plenty of talent that could have an impact this year. The key to this crop of linebackers is finding the rare three-down potentials and hoping they land in a favorable spot.
Linebackers
Isaiah Simmons — Simmons opened plenty of eyes when he posted a 4.39 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. That is serious speed for a 6’4”, 238 lb linebacker. He has rare speed and versatility that will create serious problems and mismatches for offenses. Simmons can play linebacker as well as safety and cornerback. He can cover in zone and man-to-man schemes. In addition, his speed will allow him to spy on quarterbacks who are dual threat runners.
Fantasy Points: Simmons brings so much to the table that defensive coordinators (DC) will build weekly game plans around him. His versatility allows a DC to disguise blitz and coverage packages. There is some concern that his decision making at the line of scrimmage needs work, but this is a teachable skill. Simmons works best in space and away from bodies, so he could be used in a hybrid safety position much like Jamal Adams or Derwin James. He is destined to be a three-down IDP in the NFL, no matter what position he plays.
Patrick Queen — Queen is another stud linebacker coming out of LSU. He follows in the footsteps of other LSU interior linebackers like Devon White, Kwon Alexander, and Deion Jones. His speed, physicality, and confidence exude from tape of his performances. He diagnoses plays well and moves quickly to the ball. This makes him an efficient open-field tackler and run defender. Queen has good lateral quickness with excellent short-area burst and closing speed.
Fantasy Points: Queen plays with finesse more than power or strength. His ability to get off blockers and attack ball carriers aggressively gels with solid pass coverage skills. One knock against Queen coming out of LSU is that he did not play downhill enough. So we are not sure if he is a three-down starter or possibly a sub-package LB in his first season. Queen is a quick learner and we Are confident in him becoming a three-down starter sooner than later.
Kenneth Murray — Murray has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed, even though he is susceptible to overrun ball carriers at times. His chiseled body will serve him well in the NFL. Still, he needs to improve on his play recognition and ability to take on blockers. Murray has exceptional closing speed to get to quarterbacks but also has the ability to sit and read plays before making the stop.
Fantasy Points: Murray is best suited as a WLB in a 4-3 base defense early on in his career. He tends to be more flashy than consistent. So, he could give fantasy owners headaches in his first few seasons. Whether he is a three-down LB option or not is to be seen. Plan on him not being one but still taking 50-60% of the defensive snaps in the right system.
Troy Dye — Dye has excellent sideline-to-sideline range and quickness to the ball. He has a high football IQ and has a great locker room presence. Dye can bring the heat on quarterbacks with blitzes and also drop off in coverage down the field. Even though Dye is 6’3” and 231 lbs, he is considered to have a super thin frame on long skinny legs. This might be a deterrent for NFL teams considering him in the draft. Still, has a history of high total tackle production. Dye
Fantasy Points: Dye has the college statistics that make NFL general managers drool. He had 84 or more total tackles in all four college seasons and posted 39 big plays in those four years. Dye can play inside in a 3-4 base or all three positions in a 4-3 system. The key here is if teams can overcome their fears of him being undersized, he could be a three-down IDP option at the next level.
Zack Baun — A couple of words that keep popping up when researching Baun are twitchy and explosive. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in strength and diversity. His aggressiveness will guide him against the run while his explosiveness will serve him well in edge rushing and dropping into coverage.
Fantasy Points: Baun may not be a three-down LB to start off with, but his ability to stuff the run and drop into coverage will allow him to see increased snap count with each game he plays. His size could be a detriment for NFL teams, but should thrive under the right tutelage and guidance at the next level. We see him as a capable WLB or SLB that can also play OLB in a 3-4 system.
Logan Wilson — Wilson excels in pass coverage with a solid burst and lateral movement. He can drop off deep which is a rare trait for an ILB. Wilson has elite tackling skills as well. He has the size (6’2” and 240 lbs) to play the MIKE position. As long as he does not over think things and attacks plays using solid instincts, he should fare well at the next level.
Fantasy Points: If Wilson can adjust to the speed of the NFL and improve taking on blocks, he could very well be a three down LB option in the right system. His pass coverage skills could have teams considering a move to SLB, but he can play ILB in a 3-4 system.
Willie Gay, Jr. — Gay is 6’1” and close to 245 lbs. He is a solid run defender who can play sideline-to-sideline. Gay displayed explosive impact moves taking on blockers in the run game, but needs to use his hands better to improve on technique. He has the speed to be utilized in blitz packages inside or off the edge as evidence in his 4.46 40-yard dash. Gay did miss eight games in his senior year due to an NCAA violation in regards to an academic tutor.
Fantasy Points: Gay overall displays speed and thump on the ball while showing blitz flash. He needs to improve on his technique and reduce the wasted motion he has. Teams could start him off as a WLB to begin his career. While Gay has some zone coverage ability, he is a work-in-progress against the pass. Much of his success is going to be the system he lands in and how he fits in. We do not see Gay as a three-down LB early on, but that could change in the right scheme.
Malik Harrison — Harrison has the desired size and physical traits needed for an NFL team looking for a run defending linebacker. He ran a 4.66 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and this thumper is a solid 6’3”, 247 lb linebacker. Harrison is impressive when changing direction, but does have coverage limitations. Still, he can excel in blitz packages and shadow mobile quarterbacks.
Fantasy Points: Harrison has experience playing all three LB positions from his days with Ohio State. He is best suited to play inside or as a 4-3 SLB. Keep in mind that he will need to find the right defensive scheme fit due to his coverage limitations. So, his snap count could be low in his first NFL season.
Jordyn Brooks — Brooks has above average instincts and is an aggressive down-hill tackler. He is well built for the NFL at 6’0” and 240 lbs. Brooks diagnoses the run well as he has solid twitch that gives him excellent lateral movement and helps him change direction quickly. He does have limitations in pass coverage, though.
Fantasy Points: Brooks has the speed to get to the perimeter and is a sure tackler. He can shed blockers extremely well and creates havoc in the backfield. Unfortunately, he has limitations in coverage. Thus, many teams will not see him as a three-down linebacker.
Markus Bailey — Bailey is a blue-collar, non-flashy workhorse. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with strength and intelligence. Bailey is aggressive as he drives through ball carrier with pop. He plays against the run and pass well enough to challenge for a roster spot at the next level. Bailey did suffer knee injuries in 2015 and 2019 (ACL), so that could hurt his draft stock and drop him into the later rounds.
Fantasy Points: Bailey will likely be a two-down backup LB to start his career. He lacks explosive athleticism and run down speed. While Bailey can cover in short zones, he needs to improve on his coverage skills to be counted on as a three-down LB. He could be involved in blitz packages for the right team, but likely makes a roster on his special team play.
Akeem Davis-GaitherO — Davis-Gaither plays with good instincts and toughness. He defends the run well. He can dip his hip and shoulder to get under blockers and make tackles in the backfield. Davis-Gaither has top end speed when in pursuit. He is a better pass rusher than a cover man as he tends to take bad angles when out in space.
Fantasy Points: Davis-Gaither is likely a backup WLB in a 4-3 base defense. His rookie season will likely be special teams heavy with a few snaps on defense. He has playmaking ability, but teams will be uncomfortable with his size and coverage skills.
