2025 IDP Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookies: Top Landing Spots For Linebackers
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the focus shifts from evaluating college talent to projecting their best team fits. While talent remains a critical component, a player’s landing spot plays a key role in determining whether they will have the chance to contribute early in their NFL career.
This article will identify the ideal landing spots for the top linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Ideal landing spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DLF’s number one rookie linebacker is a sideline-to-sideline player who can contribute in multiple phases of the game. His eye-popping numbers in 2024 speak to his versatility – 119 tackles, five sacks, two force fumbles, two passes defended, and an interception.
As a converted edge rusher, the former five-star recruit offers rare upside as a blitzer, with elite-level athleticism, an explosive first step, and the bend to create havoc for offensive linemen.
Jihaad Campbell is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.87 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 41 out of 3182 LB from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/CM95a7neNd pic.twitter.com/1t5bt5WM3Q
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 2, 2025
While the 21-year-old enjoyed success completely evading would-be blockers, varying his approach and demonstrating a willingness to become more aggressive at the point of attack would likely help keep opposing blockers guessing.
Campbell’s abilities in pass coverage have improved steadily each year, offering a glimpse into his potential as a three-down linebacker. In run defense, he missed only 5.9% of his tackle attempts in 2024. He occasionally gets caught out of position and relies too heavily on his athleticism to recover, but his closing speed is phenomenal.
Jihaad Campbell is a name that will gain A LOT of steam next week at the Combine. Freaky burst for his size. Speed for days.
Let him rush the passer! pic.twitter.com/qknSIcYH1S
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 20, 2025
Landing with the Buccaneers would be a great fit. Todd Bowles has spoken of his desire to generate more pressure with his front four, but it is unlikely he would completely abandon his tendency to allow his off-ball linebackers to blitz at a high rate if he landed someone with Campbell’s skillset. Additionally, the youngster could learn plenty from Lavonte David—one of the best coverage linebackers of the last decade—and would stand to inherit a full-time role when David presumably retires after 2025.
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Ideal landing spot: Baltimore Ravens
Schwesinger has crept up mock draft boards over the last few months, and it is not hard to understand why he has threatened or surpassed Campbell as the top off-ball linebacker prospect as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. Fluid athletes who combine an incredibly high work rate with leadership skills tend to be coveted by NFL teams and fantasy obsessives alike.
Technically sound, Schwesinger offers an unrivalled ceiling among his rookie peers and has demonstrated the natural instincts and lateral quickness common among the best in the league.
15 TACKLES
1 SACK
1 PUNT BLOCKCarson Schwesinger in his ninth 10+ tackle game of the season 💪#B1GFootball x @UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/rRVEInDLrM
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 1, 2024
As a one-year starter for UCLA, the major knock on the former walk-on is his lack of experience and narrow frame. However, when we consider the potential upside of a player who excelled in his first and only year as a full-time player, it puts into context just how good Schwesinger could become if he can continue to develop.
The Ravens are suddenly looking thin at linebacker. Chris Board and Malik Harrison left in free agency and defensive coordinator Zach Orr seemingly lost faith in 2023 third-round pick Trenton Simpson toward the end of last season.
Baltimore seems interested in Schwesinger’s services, but it is difficult to say whether a full-time role alongside Roquan Smith will be up for grabs. Simpson played at least 85% of the defensive snaps in only five of his 11 games before his role diminished, and Board and Harrison split time from thereon. Even so, Schwesinger’s potential as a three-down linebacker offers a reason to believe he could claim a significant, fantasy-relevant role.
Demetrius Knight Jr, South Carolina
Ideal landing spot: Indianapolis Colts
Multiple evaluators criticized Knight’s short-area quickness and lack of speed after watching his tape, questioning whether he possessed the athleticism to make it as a pro. As the only linebacker to compete in all of the athletic testing NFL Combine, Knight sent a defiant message to his doubters.
Demetrius Knight Jr. is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.17 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 582 out of 3182 LB from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/Z43oTq96of pic.twitter.com/SbK8hmp8xE
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 2, 2025
With a wide frame and strong hands, Knight stacks and sheds blocks as effectively as any of the other linebackers listed in this article. He diagnoses plays quickly, has good instincts, and hustles to every play.
South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight is such a Chris Ballard player. Former high school QB that is explosive with long arms. Also a Senior Bowl guy and a plus special teamer.
If Indy misses out on Jihaad Campbell and Carson Schwesinger, I could see Knight being their guy pic.twitter.com/JvFl98Cxje
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 23, 2025
At 25 years old, Knight’s longevity may be called into question by fantasy managers in dynasty leagues. However, NFL teams could be willing to overlook his age, mindful of the leadership skills he brings to the table.
The Colts would be a soft landing spot for Knight. Incoming Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo demonstrated a tendency to use two full-time linebackers in his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Colts vacated over 1000 snaps at the position when E.J. Speed left town recently. Knight is unlikely to start out of the gate, but he has what it takes to beat 2024 fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies for the opportunity to line up next to Zaire Franklin.
Jalon Walker, Georgia
Ideal landing spot: Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders, or Green Bay Packers
Keen observers may notice the Georgia product was also listed in the edge rusher version of this article. While we outlined why Walker’s skillset is better suited to being an edge rusher, at only 6’1” and 243 lbs, his stature is more prototypical to that of an off-ball linebacker.
While DLF’s number three rookie linebacker lacks the instincts of some of his off-ball peers, he could bring his pass-rush skills to bear at linebacker. Walker’s willingness and proficiency at taking on and beating blockers also helps him against the run to a certain extent.
Jalon Walker containing the edge for a stop on 3rd & 1
*while dragging 300 pounds in the process* pic.twitter.com/PBqMJbnEPf— Football Digest (@FoootballDigest) April 1, 2025
Walker offered glimpses of his potential in pass coverage, but it is premature to suggest that a player who was targeted only 22 times in his three years at Alabama will develop into a competent coverage linebacker at the pro level.
As previously noted, the Washington Commanders or Green Bay Packers would make good fits for Walker if they intend to use him as a hybrid at the next level. However, both teams appear set at linebacker for 2025, so it’s difficult to imagine him getting sufficient snaps in those destinations during his rookie year.
The Cincinnati Bengals may provide Walker a better chance of fulfilling his potential as an off-ball linebacker. Germaine Pratt requested a trade in February, and has only a year left to run on his contract. And if new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden brings a similar version of his Notre Dame scheme to Cincinnati, there will be room for Logan Wilson and Walker to thrive, as both should see plenty of snaps.
