Projecting The NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers

Power 5 Conferences dominate the LB rankings.

Welcome to NFLDraftScout.com's "Projecting The Combine" series, which features predictions at each position for who will be invited to Indianapolis for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Next up is linebckers. Over the past five years, the Combine has averaged 39 linebacker invites (36 linebackers drafted per year).

In 2018, the Combine featured 48 linebackers invited to Indianapolis, including 42 who were selected in last year’s draft. While not as many linebackers are expected to be taken this year, a strong variety of prospects make this crop deep.

Below is a breakdown of combine invites and the number of linebackers drafted over the past five years. By taking the average number, we try to predict the linebacker invites for the 2019 Combine with their projected draft grade in parenthesis.:

Linebackers invited To NFL Combine

2018: 48

2017: 37

2016: 39

2015: 35

2014: 35

Selected In NFL Draft

2018: 42

2017: 30

2016: 35

2015: 37

2014: 34

2019 NFL Scouting Combine Prediction: Linebackers

The Top 5

1. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky (Day 1) – After bulking up nearly 30 pounds during his final seasn, Allen wreaked havoc on the SEC, maintaining his speed and strength, while improving his ability to sheds blocks.
2. Devin White, ILB, LSU (Day 1) – The speedy linebacker flies around the field, hovering sideline-to-sideline and possesses natural football instincts, which helps him to quickly shoot the gaps and swarm to the football.
3. Brian Burns, OLB, Florida State (Day 1) – Limber, lean and constantly pressuring quarterbacks like the lawn-mower man, Burns has been praised for his football savvy and work ethic.
4. Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida (Day 1) – An explosive edge rusher, Polite flashes explosive burst off the snap, along with terrific agility, allowing him to scrape the edge and close on unsuspecting quarterbacks.
5. Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan (Day 2) – The heart and soul of the Wolverines defense, Bush possesses a tenacious style of play, leadership and is extremely quick to swarm to the ball due to exceptional instincts.

The Rest

Outside Backers

1. D’Andrew Walker, Georgia (Day 2)
2. Vosean Joseph, Florida (Day 2)
3. Germaine Pratt, North Carolina State (Day 2)
4. Christian Miller, Alabama (Day 2)
5. Justin Hollins, Oregon (Day 2)
6. Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois (Day 2)
7. Porter Gustin, USC (Day 3)
8. Chase Hansen, Utah (Day 3)
9. Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State (Day 3)
10. Sione TakiTaki, BYU (Day 3)
11. Andrew Van Ginkel, Wisconsin (Day 3)
12. Jordan Jones, Kentucky (Day 3)
13. Terez Hall, Missouri (UDFA)
14. Darrell Williams, Auburn (UDFA)
15. Cody Barton, Utah (UDFA)
16. Bryson Allen-Williams, South Carolina (UDFA)
17. Malik Reed, Nevada (UDFA)

Inside Backers

1. Tre Lamar, Clemson (Day 2)
2. Te’von Coney, Notre Dame (Day 2)
3. Deshaun Davis, Auburn (Day 2)
4. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin (Day 2)
5. Tyrel Dodson, Texas A&M (Day 2)
6. Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame (Day 2)
7. Otaroi Alaka, Texas A&M (Day 3)
8. Bobby Okereke, Stanford (Day 3)
9. Cameron Smith, USC (Day 3)
10. Kendall Joseph, Clemson (Day 3)
11. Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington (Day 3)
12. Joe Giles-Harris, Duke (Day 3)
13. Dakota Allen, Texas Tech (Day 3)
14. David Long, West Virginia (Day 3)
15. Blake Cashman, Minnesota (Day 3)
16. Ryan Connelly, Wisconsin (UDFA)
17. Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas (UDFA)

2019 NFL Combine Projections:

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Defensive Backs
• Special Teams

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