Identifying which linebackers the Detroit Lions should be keeping an eye on during the 2025 NFL Combine.
The 2025 NFL Combine is scheduled to be televised from Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 2, and we’re previewing every position group leading up to the big event.
So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks , running backs , wide receivers , tight ends , offensive tackles , interior offensive linemen , interior defensive linemen , and edge rushers that the Detroit Lions should be scouting. In this article, we move off the ball and examine the linebacker prospects that should be on the radar of general manager Brad Holmes.
Of note: Linebackers will kick off the on-field drills on NFL Network on Thursday, February 27.
Team need
The Lions love their linebackers. In the first three seasons, they kept six on the 53-man roster and every one of them was active on game days. In 2024, due to injuries, the Lions cycled through 13 linebackers, finishing the season with seven on the active roster and another three on the practice squad.
The Lions return four of their top five linebackers from last season, with Derrick Barnes a pending unrestricted free agent. Trevor Nowaske is an exclusive rights free agent and likely back, but Anthony Pittman (restricted), Ezekiel Turner, Ben Niemann, and Kwon Alexander all join Barnes on the free agent market.
But even with Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the fold, the only linebacker under contract beyond 2025 is Campbell. Additionally, Rodriguez is returning from an ACL, and while he is expected to be ready for camp, there are no guarantees. And finally, if the Lions wish to continue using the SAM linebacker in a similar role, there isn’t a player on the current roster who can fill the void.
All that is to say, while the linebacker position looks strong in the two deep off-the-ball rotation, it’s a sneaky big need in the long term and therefore could be a higher draft priority than many assume.
What skills to watch for during on-field drills
The Lions linebackers tend to be above-average athletically, with all but one achieving a Relative Athletic Score (RAS ) of 8.0 or more. The physical traits Detroit covets are explosion and agility, which aid in their downhill approach to run stopping. During drills, keep an eye on a prospect’s lateral movement, processing skills (read and react), the ability to unlock their hips in coverage, and if they play with their head up and eyes on the ball.
Jalon Walker, SAM, Georgia (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) will likely be listed amongst EDGE rushers on most teams’ draft boards. He technically played linebacker in college and will be working out with this group at the Combine. This will give teams the opportunity to compare him with other linebackers to see if he has the range to fill multiple roles on defense. Basically, the Lions will want to know if he is James Houston, Derrick Barnes, or a combination of both.
Walker is a special athlete who possesses explosive movement and a terrific speed-to-power pass rush. His best attributes are as a pass rusher, and he is ranked in the top six by several of the biggest draft analysts in the industry (Dane Brugler, Daniel Jeremiah, Jordan Reid, etc). But there are some who question his ability to be a full-time starter on the EDGE, projecting a potential drop down the board. His Combine performance will go a long way in determining if he is a top-six pick or someone who falls into the Lions’ range.
Jihaad Campbell, SAM/WILL, Alabama (6-foot-3, 244 pounds) is a legitimate combo off-the-ball linebacker and pass rushing threat, which makes him an ideal plug-and-play option at SAM linebacker. But Campbell’s game isn’t limited to that role, as he is also a natural WILL linebacker and could give the Lions an insurance plan if Anzalone were to depart during the 2026 free agency period.
Carson Schwesinger, WILL, UCLA (6-foot-2, 225) is, in a lot of ways, Alex Anzalone but eight years younger. Elite instincts, sensational run defender, and is a chase-and-tackle pursuer in coverage. His reaction time is top-notch, as is his ability to avoid blocks, which arguably makes him the top true off-the-ball linebacker in this draft class. He’ll score high on the Grit Index .
Demetrius Knight Jr., WILL South Carolina (6-foot-1 1⁄2, 246) is a downhill pursuer who flies to the football. He plays full-out on every play and can wreck plays before they even have a chance to unfold. He’s physical, fast, and explosive, and makes sure to finish the play through the whistle. He has evolving coverage skills, which could make him a three-down WILL, but he’ll need to prove his long speed at the Combine.
Chris Paul Jr., WILL, Mississippi (6-foot-1, 224) has MIKE instincts and skills, but at his size, he will likely switch to the WILL spot at the NFL level. He has a knack for getting skinny and slipping through blocking lanes both as a blitzer and in pursuit of the run. He can drop into zone, but, like Knight, there will be some questions about his long speed in man coverage. His down-to-down effort will put him on the Lions’ radar.
Danny Stutsman, MIKE, Oklahoma (6-foot-3 1⁄2, 240) has been making impact plays at Oklahoma since his days as a true freshman. A downhill pursuer with instincts and intelligence, he can diagnose quickly and deliver punishing tackles. Stutsman’s special teams work will be amongst the best in this class, even if he’s not a premier athlete.
Smael Mondon Jr., WILL, Georgia (6-foot-2 1⁄2, 229) will be, at worst, a third-down coverage/blitzing specialist as a rookie, with the chance to develop into a role at the WILL. He’s fast and fluid on the run, and physical on contact. He lacks the instincts of others on this list, but he’s so quick to read and react that he overcomes this deficiency. Day 1 special teams starter.
Jack Kiser, MIKE/WILL, Notre Dame (6-foot-2, 227) is a gritty, intelligent linebacker who can play multiple positions and will be a staple on special teams. While not an elite athlete, Kiser is consistent in his role and will provide teams with a nice balance of skills—even if it’s only as a reserve.
Collin Oliver, SAM, Oklahoma State (6-foot-2, 242) is going to find himself listed as an EDGE on several teams’ draft boards, but like Walker, he’d be a great SAM option if the Lions decide to wait until Day 3 to address. Unfortunately, a foot injury cost him most of 2024, but he’s got plenty of film from his previous years. A natural pass rusher with developing off-the-ball skills and special teams promise, Oliver could end up being a high-value draft pick.
Jalen McLeod, SAM, Auburn (6-foot-2, 247) also fits the bill at SAM for a lot of the same reasons as Walker and Oliver. McLeod is undersized for a permanent EDGE role but has enough pass rushing prowess and play-making ability for NFL teams to take notice. He’s not as clean as the other SAM options on this list, but there’s talent to develop as a potential late-round pick.