2020 IDP Rookie Review: Off-Ball Linebackers
Part three of this defensive rookie review takes a look at the off-ball linebackers. There was quite a bit of excitement with this class; that’s understandable considering four of them were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. None of the day one or two picks lived up to the hype, but there’s still value, upside and hope for most of the high picks.
If you missed the first two articles in this series, part one focused on the edge rushers, and part two took a look at the interior defensive linemen. The next and final article will hit on the safeties.
Here are my usual disclaimers on these rookies: You’ve probably heard about their poor play, and it’s understandable as the vast majority of them struggle with the transition from college to the pros in normal years. It helps to keep in mind that for the 2020 rookie class, there were no rookie minicamps and no organized team activities (OTAs). Working with COVID-19 restrictions, training camps had a different look and feel.
Credit goes to Pro Football Reference for missed tackle and passing completion data, and pressures (defined as a combination of hurries, quarterback knockdowns, and sacks).
Tier One: Elite Assets
1. Patrick Queen, BAL
- Drafted: First round, No. 28 overall pick (LSU)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 22
Stats to Know:
- 858 of 1,065 defensive snaps (80.6 percent)
- 66 solo tackles, 40 assists; nine tackles for loss; 21 missed tackles (16.5 percent missed tackle rate)
- 42 completions on 55 targets (76.4 percent completion percentage); two passes defensed; one interception
- 85 blitzes; 13 pressures; three sacks; eight quarterback hits
- two forced fumbles; two fumble recoveries
There’s a difference between an elite player and an elite asset. Queen falls under the latter category – his rookie season was marred by the missed tackles and poor pass coverage – but he’s still considered an elite asset since he played a lot of snaps and was the top-scoring rookie linebacker. I personally think that given he’s in a good situation in Baltimore, coaching and player-to-player accountability will help push him to improve in both facets. We need to see it in year two though.
Coaching and scheme also help him in the production department, as the Ravens brought him on blitzes several times each game – that’s a big play boost you don’t get in a lot of spots. I wouldn’t be afraid to move Queen if the right offer came along, but I still like his upside as a future LB1.
Tier Two: Low-End and Matchup-Based Starts
2. Isaiah Simmons, ARI
- Drafted: First round, eighth overall pick (Clemson)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 377 of 1,112 defensive snaps (33.9 percent)
- 43 solo tackles, 11 assists; four tackles for loss; five missed tackles (8.5 percent missed tackle rate)
- 16 completions on 25 targets (64 percent completion percentage); two passes defensed; one interception
- 43 blitzes; five pressures; two sacks; three quarterback hits
- one forced fumble; one fumble recovery
Despite the disappointing opening campaign, Simmons still has the highest fantasy ceiling of any rookie IDP not named Chase Young – just witness that ten-tackle, one-sack game in week 11. Simmons had his rough moments, especially against the 49ers’ George Kittle and Raheem Mostert, but given his draft capital and versatility, it seems reasonable to expect Simmons to assume a three-down role next season. He was blocked this year by De’Vondre Campbell, whose contract voids February 12.
3. Kenneth Murray, LAC
- Drafted: First round, No. 23 overall pick (Oklahoma)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 22
Stats to Know:
- 958 of 1,036 defensive snaps (92.5 percent)
- 68 solo tackles, 39 assists; five tackles for loss; eight missed tackles (7 percent missed tackle rate)
- 44 completions on 53 targets (83 percent completion percentage); three passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 32 blitzes; one pressure; one sack; one quarterback hit
Murray was poor in coverage, but with a swap in coaching staff, you almost have to throw out what he was tasked with doing on the field. Murray wasn’t asked to blitz much at all, so he missed points off big plays typically created by getting after the quarterback more often. I don’t know if that’s going to change drastically under new coach Brandon Staley and defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill, but we do know Staley runs a lot of single-linebacker packages, and Murray should be the guy in Los Angeles filling that productive role. Murray could rocket to LB1 status next year – or he could play a secondary role to Drue Tranquill or Kyzir White. Just realize Murray is not a slam-dunk riser.
4. Willie Gay Jr., KC
- Drafted: Second round, No. 63 overall pick (Mississippi State)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 267 of 1,072 defensive snaps (24.9 percent)
- 29 solo tackles, ten assists; three tackles for loss; six missed tackles (13.3 percent missed tackle rate)
- 13 completions on 15 targets (86.7 percent completion percentage); three passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 19 blitzes; two pressures; one sack; one quarterback hit
- one forced fumble; zero fumble recoveries
Coverage was supposed to be Gay’s strength but the Chiefs only used him on base downs when they used him at all. Nicknamed “Turbo” by teammates, Gay’s snap counts were all over the place, but when he played he popped off the screen with his play speed. Will he show enough this off-season to push his way into a three-down role? The good news is linebacker ‘mates Damien Wilson and Ben Niemann are free agents – both are below-average options and hogged lots of snaps that could go to Gay.
5. Jordyn Brooks, SEA
- Drafted: First round, No. 27 overall pick (Texas Tech)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 367 of 1,150 defensive snaps (31.9 percent)
- 35 solo tackles, 22 assists; two tackles for loss; three missed tackles (5 percent missed tackle rate)
- 17 completions on 25 targets (68 percent completion percentage); two passes defensed; zero interceptions
- eight blitzes; one pressure; zero sacks; zero quarterback hits
Seattle surely drafted Brooks in the first round with the thought that he would be a three-down player, a linebacker who could learn under the tutelage of Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright for a season or two before assuming the mantle as the defense’s on-the-field leader. He performed well in a supporting role in this season, and his sideline-to-sideline ability was evident and superior to that of the aging Wagner and Wright.
The immediate question with Brooks is: How long until we see full-time snaps? Wagner is probably still elite, but will turn 31 prior to the 2021 season. Wright is a year older and entering free agency. He’s still a good player though, and if Seattle elects to bring him back, we’ll have to wait another year before seeing a return on investment in Brooks.
6. Krys Barnes, GB
- Undrafted (UCLA)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 421 of 1,027 defensive snaps (41 percent)
- 49 solo tackles, 31 assists; five tackles for loss; seven missed tackles (8 percent missed tackle rate)
- 27 completions on 31 targets (87.1 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 16 blitzes; two pressures; one sack; one quarterback hit
- one forced fumbles; zero fumble recoveries
Barnes was a major surprise from week one, earning a promotion from the practice squad and starting after fellow rookie linebacker Kamal Martin was placed on injured reserve. Before Martin could return, Christian Kirksey suffered a shoulder injury, and Barnes quickly overtook Ty Summers in Green Bay’s predominant single-linebacker scheme. He missed three weeks due to COVID-19, suffered some shoulder injuries, and broke his thumb in the NFC Championship game, so he’s probably going to need some time to heal up this off-season.
The oft-injured Kirksey is an easy cap cut before the second year of his two-year deal kicks in. He’s still a good player when healthy, but not worth the money he’s due. Barnes, though not the fastest linebacker you’ll watch, works through traffic well, knows how to find his way to the ball, and is a sure tackler. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has said a lot of nice things about Barnes publicly, and I’m going to guess the primary inside linebacker job is his to lose in 2021. If he had draft capital backing him up, he’d be higher on this list.
7. Logan Wilson, CIN
- Drafted: Third round, No. 65 overall pick (Wyoming)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 25
Stats to Know:
- 343 of 1,059 defensive snaps (32.4 percent)
- 23 solo tackles, ten assists; four tackles for loss; two missed tackles (5.7 percent missed tackle rate)
- nine completions on 14 targets (64.3 percent completion percentage); three passes defensed; two interceptions
- 43 blitzes; two pressures; one sack; two quarterback hits
Wilson is the oldest of the rookie linebackers covered here, but he also showed more pass coverage chops than anyone else and was a solid tackler. That bodes well for a future three-down role – now if only the Bengals would play along. While Cincinnati seemed perfectly happy giving two-down work to Josh Bynes and Germaine Pratt, and working in Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither on passing downs, Bynes is a free agent and uninspiring. I like Wilson to move into three-down duty next season.
A foot injury kept Wilson out of the final three games of the season but shouldn’t hamper his development leading up to 2021.
8. Jacob Phillips, CLE
- Drafted: Third round, No. 97 overall pick (LSU)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 22
Stats to Know:
- 169 of 1,076 defensive snaps (15.7 percent)
- 15 solo tackles, ten assists; one tackle for loss; one missed tackle (3.8 percent missed tackle rate)
- 12 completions on 13 targets (92.3 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
- seven blitzes; two pressures; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
A week one leg injury really derailed Phillips for most of the season, and it wasn’t until week 17 that we were able to see what Phillips could do with a healthy complement of snaps. In his outstanding performance against the Steelers, he put on display an ability to quickly see plays develop, and showcased great range and closing speed. His arrow is definitely pointed up, and unless the Browns spend a high draft pick on an inside linebacker, I have to think Phillips has the inside track on three-down work.
As far as his competition, I still hold hope for Mack Wilson, but his star faded in 2020. Sione Takitaki hasn’t shown to be anything more than a part-time player or backup. BJ Goodson is a free agent, and even if Cleveland brings him back, he’s a solid but not spectacular option.
Tier Three: Worthy of a Roster Spot
9. Akeem Davis-Gaither, CIN
- Drafted: Fourth round, No. 107 overall pick (Appalachian State)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 314 of 1,059 defensive snaps (29.7 percent)
- 20 solo tackles, 11 assists; zero tackles for loss; three missed tackles (8.8 percent missed tackle rate)
- 12 completions on 18 targets (66.7 percent completion percentage); three passes defensed; one interception
- 29 blitzes; six pressures; half a sack; two quarterback hits
While my money is on Wilson becoming a three-down fixture in Cincinnati next season, I won’t totally rule out Davis-Gaither retaining some value despite a less-than-promising rookie campaign. Appalachian State has a good program, but it wasn’t playing SEC-level competition week-in and week-out, so an adjustment period was expected. The Bengals should move on from Bynes, but I could see a run/pass rotation between Pratt and Davis-Gaither in 2021. One key to unlocking his value could be in his blitz percentage, as he’s got the burst and speed to get into the backfield for big-play points. I’m just not sure Cincinnati will oblige.
10. Tae Crowder, NYG
- Drafted: Seventh round, No. 255 overall pick (Georgia)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 24
Stats to Know:
- 403 of 1,088 defensive snaps (37 percent)
- 34 solo tackles, 23 assists; three tackles for loss; four missed tackles (6.6 percent missed tackle rate)
- 18 completions on 24 targets (75 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
- 21 blitzes; four pressures; one sack; three quarterback hits
- zero forced fumbles; one fumble recovery
Crowder, the NFL Draft’s Mr. Irrelevant, took over the middle linebacker spot next to Blake Martinez in week four. The Georgia product ran a 4.80-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine but looked a lot faster on the field. A hamstring injury cost him four weeks in the middle of the season, but he finished strong and was productive in the five games that he eclipsed 70 percent of defensive snaps.
Despite the productivity, he was hard to start with the Giants playing a lot of one-linebacker looks. He’s certainly not playing over Martinez unless he’s injured, but is going to be worth plugging in should that happen.
11. Mykal Walker, ATL
- Drafted: Fourth round, No. 119 overall pick (Fresno State)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 24
Stats to Know:
- 385 of 1,081 defensive snaps (35.6 percent)
- 31 solo tackles, 14 assists; one tackle for loss; two missed tackles (4.3 percent missed tackle rate)
- 12 completions on 14 targets (85.7 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
- 34 blitzes; two pressures; zero sacks; two quarterback hits
- one forced fumble; zero fumble recoveries
Walker impressed the Falcons in training camp, especially in coverage. He had a big week three as the injury fill-in for Foye Oluokun but otherwise didn’t get enough snaps to be useful for fantasy. His immediate value seems tied to the health of Oluokun and Deion Jones. After 2021 though, Oluokun is a free agent, and Walker already looks capable of filling that weakside linebacker role. Continue to hold him through 2021 if you can spare the roster spot.
12. Davion Taylor, PHI
- Drafted: Third round, No. 103 overall pick (Colorado)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 32 of 1,101 defensive snaps (2.9 percent)
- seven solo tackles, three assists; zero tackles for loss; zero missed tackles
- two completions on three targets (66.7 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- zero blitzes; zero pressures; zero sacks; zero quarterback hits
We saw next-to-nothing of Taylor this season, and given his reputation as a size-speed prospect with high but vastly untapped potential, it wasn’t surprising. He received only special teams work in nine games, and missed the final four games of the season with a knee injury.
We got our best look at him in week 11. Phillips was slow to read and react to plays, but once he processed it his speed and tackling ability flashed. Let’s hope an off-season with the team does wonders for his understanding of the game and his place in it. He remains a dart throw, but one that has a chance to hit bullseye.
13. Malik Harrison, BAL
- Drafted: Third round, No. 98 overall pick (Ohio State)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 263 of 1,065 defensive snaps (24.7 percent)
- 26 solo tackles, 18 assists; one tackle for loss; two missed tackles (4.3 percent missed tackle rate)
- 14 completions on 18 targets (77.8 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
- ten blitzes; one pressure; zero sacks; zero quarterback hits
I’m torn on Harrison because I loved him as a prospect with his combination of on-field smarts and physical play. Unfortunately, he’s never going to see a three-down role in Baltimore unless Queen bombs. That doesn’t seem likely to happen. You could consider starting him in games that project a run-heavy game script from the opponent, but otherwise you’re holding him in case of an injury to Queen.
14. Kamal Martin, GB
- Drafted: Fifth round, No. 175 overall pick (Minnesota)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 189 of 1,027 defensive snaps (18.4 percent)
- 17 solo tackles, seven assists; three tackles for loss; three missed tackles (11.1 percent missed tackle rate)
- four completions on five targets (80 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 12 blitzes; three pressures; one sack; one quarterback hit
Martin was supposed to be the Packers’ second option at linebacker next to Kirksey before getting hurt just prior to week one. He missed six weeks, then week nine due to COVID-19. With both Martin and Barnes on the field together in week eight, I thought Martin looked like the better player, but he settled into the part-time number two spot for good in week ten. It was one season ago, but remember he was projected to start in week one with Barnes on the practice squad before Martin’s injury. He’s worth the bench spot in case something happens to Barnes and Green Bay indeed parts ways with Kirksey, or the Packers decide to field a second linebacker more often under a new defensive coordinator.
We never got a look at (15) Justin Strnad of the Broncos or (16) Tanner Muse of the Raiders, but both hold appeal as stashes.
Strnad was looking good to slide into a sub-package role as a rookie until he broke his wrist and had surgery in late August. He has good size and movement skills, and likes to hit hard. If things break right for him – maybe free agent AJ Johnson signs elsewhere and Denver whiffs on linebackers in the draft – he could find himself looking at serious snaps in 2021.
Muse, a college safety at Clemson converting to linebacker in Las Vegas, picked up a toe injury in training camp that never healed. He had surgery on it in November. The Raiders drafted him in the third round, so they clearly thought highly of him. Nicholas Morrow is a free agent, so Muse should get a shot at snaps behind Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton.
Tier Four: Watch List
17. Troy Dye, MIN
- Drafted: Fourth round, No. 132 overall pick (Oregon)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 24
Stats to Know:
- 201 of 1,075 defensive snaps (18.7 percent)
- 13 solo tackles, 15 assists; zero tackles for loss; three missed tackles (9.7 percent missed tackle rate)
- eight completions on 12 targets (66.7 percent completion percentage); two passes defensed; zero interceptions
- six blitzes; one pressure; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
Like Wilson, Dye is an older rookie, and turns 25 shortly after kickoff of the 2021 season. He certainly had his share of fans coming out of Oregon, but his play strength leaves a lot to be desired for the position, and I would have thought at his age he would have filled out his lower half if he was ever going to. With Eric Kendricks set to return from injury, Dye will have to compete for number two linebacker snaps with a veteran – possibly Todd Davis, who played well as a late-season free-agent pickup – or a draft pick. I didn’t see much to get excited about.
18. Anfernee Jennings, NE
- Drafted: Third round, No. 87 overall pick (Alabama)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 24
Stats to Know:
- 292 of 1,017 defensive snaps (28.7 percent)
- ten solo tackles, ten assists; zero tackles for loss; two missed tackles (9.1 percent missed tackle rate)
- four completions on five targets (80 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- 15 blitzes; two pressures; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
Jennings showed some promise as a move linebacker, playing on the edge and off the ball. He’s quite possibly playing for the greatest defensive mind the NFL has ever seen, but we know that doesn’t exactly bring with it fantasy points – and that makes Jennings hard to trust even if he sees a big bump in snaps in 2021. I like the player but I’m dubious of his fantasy value going forward.
Tier Five: Let It Go
19. Cam Brown, NYG
- Drafted: Sixth round, No. 183 overall pick (Penn State)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 92 of 1,088 defensive snaps (8.5 percent)
- eight solo tackles, four assists; zero tackles for loss; two missed tackles (14.3 percent missed tackle rate)
- one completion on one target; zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- eight blitzes; four pressures; zero sacks; three quarterback hits
- one forced fumble; zero fumble recoveries
I probably should have included Brown in the edge review, because he actually played a traditional outside linebacker role as a stand-up end. With a listed weight of 233 pounds, I don’t know that he’d ever be able to bulk up enough to compete against tackles.
I watched him a good bit in week seven against Philadelphia, and he got tossed around and stuffed in one-on-ones with the right tackle. He had more success on stunts, and was competent as a backfield spy against Baltimore in week 16. Brown is a good athlete with a long frame and is probably a useful specialist linebacker and special teamer, but his fantasy outlook is dim.
20. Khaleke Hudson, WAS
- Drafted: Fifth round, No. 162 overall pick (Michigan)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 23
Stats to Know:
- 52 of 1,040 defensive snaps (5 percent)
- eight solo tackles, six assists; two tackles for loss; zero missed tackles
- two completions on three targets (66.7 percent completion percentage); zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
- zero blitzes; one pressure; zero sacks; one quarterback hit
Hudson came into the league with some serious question marks. Short-armed and lacking bulk, he’s a stretch at linebacker. He’s got a box safety game if more than anything else, but he’s a liability in coverage. We didn’t see much of him on defense until week 15 with Cole Holcomb and Kevin Pierre-Louis sidelined due to injuries. Hudson picked up almost half the defensive snaps, and was around the ball quite a bit with a fast downhill play speed. He’s got a fun-to-watch play style (as long as he’s not in coverage), but he’s probably maxing out in the NFL as a core special teamer.
21. Shaun Bradley, PHI
- Drafted: Sixth round, No. 196 overall pick (Temple)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 24
Stats to Know:
- 76 of 1,101 defensive snaps (6.9 percent)
- nine solo tackles, six assists; one tackle for loss; two missed tackles (11.8 percent missed tackle rate)
- one completion on one target; zero passes defensed; zero interceptions
We didn’t see enough of Bradley to form much of an opinion, but he was a late day three draft pick and couldn’t get on the field despite a lackluster linebacker corps in Philadelphia. If you are holding out hope for Bradley, keep an eye on him, just don’t clog up a roster spot.
22. Markus Bailey, CIN
- Drafted: Seventh round, No. 215 overall pick (Purdue)
- Age prior to kickoff of 2021 season: 25
Stats to Know:
- 44 of 1,059 defensive snaps (4.2 percent)
- one solo tackle; zero missed tackles
- one completion on two targets (50 percent completion percentage); one pass defensed; zero interceptions
Like Bradley, it’s hard to know anything about Bailey since he didn’t play much. We know he’s behind classmates Wilson and Davis-Gaither as well as rising third-year linebacker Pratt, so going forward it’s hard to imagine a role that provides fantasy value.
- 2024 IDP Rookie Review: Off-Ball Linebackers, Part Two - April 7, 2025
- 2024 IDP Rookie Review: Off-Ball Linebackers, Part One - April 1, 2025
- 2024 IDP Rookie Review: Edge Rushers - March 15, 2025
