If the Wolverines decide to move Jaishawn Barham from linebacker to edge rusher, it would not only help Michigan in more ways than one, it would help boost Barham’s NFL draft stock:
The Michigan Wolverines received some good news when Jaishawn Barham wasn’t on the list of underclassmen who declared for the 2025 NFL Draft . In recent weeks, reports started surfacing that Barham may be considering a move to edge rusher . It’s a switch that could help the team replace the loss of Josaiah Stewart and improve Barham’s draft stock.
The Wolverines played Barham’s natural linebacker spot after he transferred from Maryland. He played in every game and ended the year with 66 tackles, one sack and two pass breakups. But there could be another level of his game unlocked with a move to the edge.
Barham is able to get to the quarterback in a hurry, so the defense might have more success if Barham gets more opportunities starting closer to the line of scrimmage. His experience at linebacker will only help when the Wolverines work in more advanced pressure schemes or disguise certain coverages.
Another question the Wolverines have next season is depth. Losing the aforementioned Stewart, along with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham, will have a significant impact on the team’s pass rush in 2025. While there are solid guys still in Ann Arbor, you have to expect the line will slightly regress next season after losing those guys.
The good news is the Wolverines have TJ Guy and Derrick Moore returning at edge, but having another rotational player like Barham will help them continue their dominance at the line of scrimmage. Michigan has been building up depth at the linebacker position for years and will have a chance to get guys like Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan and Georgia transfer Troy Bowles into the mix. Moving Barham to edge would greatly help in this area.
It’d also likely help Barham out in the long run, too. We’ve seen this position change work for other players in recent years, including Penn State’s Abdul Carter this past season. He improved from a 69.7 grade on Pro Football Focus in 2023 to 91.2 in 2024. He was a key piece in Penn State’s defense this season and could be a top-10 pick in April.
It’s not just teams on the college level considering the switch for some of their linebackers. The Washington Commanders even tried to switch a former first-rounder, Jamin Davis, to play edge this season. While it didn’t ultimately pan out in this situation, it’s clear coaches at all levels are seeing certain linebackers as potentially great edge rushers.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, it was clear teams valued players who could help improve their pass rush. Teams selected five edge rushers in the first round last spring, with another five going in the second and third rounds. When you look at linebackers, they didn’t start hearing their names called until the second round.
If Barham is hoping to improve his draft stock during his senior year, this could be a good chance to help him make an impression on scouts. Barham’s PFF grades have slipped since his first season with Maryland, but a change like this could see him reach his full potential.