Which linebackers were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft? Which teams drafted those LBs, and how does the 2023 class compare to previous years?
Which Linebackers Were Drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a look at the linebackers drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama | Houston Texans
Round 1, Pick 3
Will Anderson Jr. racked up 7.0 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss. He did this as a freshman for Alabama during their 13-0 National Championship season. It was clear from an early edge that Anderson had immense upside.
The Texans clearly believed in Anderson, trading up to select him No. 3 overall. All Anderson did was register 45 combined tackles, seven sacks, and 22 QB hits en route to Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He immediately established himself as a defensive force and one of the best pass rushers in the league.
Will McDonald IV, Iowa State | New York Jets
Round 1, Pick 15
PFN’s college football analysts projected Will McDonald IV as a second-round-caliber selection. Yet, the Jets selected him in the middle of the first round.
In his rookie year, McDonald recorded 14 combined tackles while registering three sacks and five QB hits. Given the depth of the Jets’ defensive line, McDonald was unable to earn a regular weekly role.
As a result, that limited his production. It also means the jury is still out on him. McDonald needs to earn more playing time as a sophomore to justify the draft capital the Jets spent on him.
Jack Campbell, Iowa | Detroit Lions
Round 1, Pick 19
Jack Campbell was one of college football’s most productive defenders the past two seasons. Nevertheless, he was still a bit of a surprise selection by the Lions in the middle of the first round.
We can debate the merits of taking a non-pass rushing linebacker in the first round, but there’s debating Campbell performed well as a rookie. He recorded 95 combined tackles while adding two sacks and three QB hits. Campbell’s play earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year votes, with him finishing eighth.
Nolan Smith, Georgia | Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1, Pick 30
With two first-round picks, the Eagles reasserted their dominance over the NFC, pairing perhaps the best defensive player in the draft (Jalen Carter) with, quite possibly, a top-eight defensive player in Nolan Smith.
Although some scouts question his durability given his “slight frame” (for a linebacker), he appeared to possess all the tools to make an immediate impact — even in Philly’s stacked defense.
That proved not to be the case. Excluding a Week 18 game where the Eagles pulled starters at halftime, Smith averaged fewer than nine snaps per game as a rookie. He registered just 18 combined tackles and one sack. Time will tell if Smith can become a starting linebacker and justify his draft position.
Derick Hall, Auburn | Seattle Seahawks
Round 2, Pick 37
PFN’s college football analysts projected Derick Hall as the 38th-best player in the draft. He went No. 37 and to a team that understands an improved defense.
Despite playing all 17 games, Hall played primarily on special teams. He didn’t hit a 40% defensive snap share in a single game. Hall recorded 38 combined tackles and five QB hits as a rookie.
Tuli Tuipulotu, USC | Los Angeles Chargers
Round 2, Pick 55
Tuli Tuipulotu earned more playing time and performed better than several of the guys who were drafted ahead of him. He totaled 53 combined tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 12 QB hits. Tuipoulotu quickly established himself as a force defending the run game.
Round 3-7
7) Drew Sanders, Arkansas
R3-P67 | Broncos
8) Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
R3-P76 | Patriots
9) DJ Johnson, Oregon
R3-P80 | Panthers
10) Daiyan Henley, Washington State
R3-P85 | Chargers
11) Trenton Simpson, Clemson
R3-P86 | Ravens
12) DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
R3-P90 | Cowboys
13) Dorian Williams, Tulane
R3-P91 | Bills
14) Ventrell Miller, Florida
R4-P121 | Jaguars
15) Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss
R4-P124 | Ravens
16) Nick Herbig, Wisconsin
R4-P132 | Steelers
17) Yasir Abdullah, Louisville
R5-P136 | Jaguars
18) Noah Sewell, Oregon
R5-P148 | Bears
19) SirVocea Dennis, Pittsburgh
R5-P153 | Buccaneers
20) Nick Hampton, Appalachian State
R5-P161 | Rams
21) Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama
R5-P167 | Texans
22) Owen Pappoe, Auburn
R5-P168 | Cardinals
23) Zaire Barnes, Western Michigan
R6-P184 | Jets
24) Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
R6-P196 | Buccaneers
25) Amari Burney, Florida
R6-P203 | Raiders
26) Titus Leo, Wagner
R6-P211 | Colts
27) Andre Jones, Louisiana
R7-P222 | Commanders
28) Jalen Graham, Purdue
R7-P255 | 49ers
How Many Linebackers Were Drafted in 2023?
With teams loading up more than usual on other positional players, the 2023 draft witnessed fewer linebackers taken than in recent years. From 2013 to 2022, an average of 32.5 LBs were selected, with a low of 25. And the three linebackers taken in the first round are slightly below the 3.7 average of the previous 10 years.
KEEP READING: EDGEs Drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft
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