Late-round linebacker prospects Lions could target in upcoming NFL Draft
Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, it is expected that Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes will make a concerted effort to upgrade the defensive side of the ball.
While linebacker isn’t necessarily a pressing need for the organization, it wouldn’t hurt the Lions to take a late-round flyer on a player at the position with NFL intangibles.
Without further ado, here are three late-round linebackers that Holmes and company could potentially target this April in the draft.
Knight, one of the best draft prospects to come out of UTEP in recent memory, produced a highly impressive 2023 campaign.
He amassed a Conference USA-best 140 total tackles — also the fourth-most tackles in the entire FBS — with a staggering 15.5 of them coming for loss.
Additionally, the 6-foot2, 235-pounder secured 4.5 sacks, six passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Additionally, in four seasons at UTEP, he recorded 392 total tackles, with north of 100 tackles in two of those seasons.
For his efforts, Knight was invited to next week’s NFL combine in Indianapolis.
He profiles as a solid run defender at the next level, and should have the ability to thrive on special teams, too.
Knight wouldn’t be one of the first linebackers drafted this April.
Yet, Holmes shouldn’t hesitate to take a late-round flyer on him.
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
You can never go wrong taking a linebacker from Penn State, right?
Jacobs might not have put up the most gaudy numbers during at Penn State.
But, he was still a core member of the team’s linebackers unit, specifically during his final three seasons with the Nittany Lions (2021-2023).
During each of those campaigns, he produced at least 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss, including a career-best nine tackles for loss in his final season in Happy Valley.
Jacobs is a high-motor defender with tremendous athletic ability and sideline-to-sideline range.
During his time at State College, he also showcased the ability to effectively defend slot receivers and tight
his time ends in man coverage. Yet, he’s not the most proficient run defender, and that should ultimately move him down teams’ draft boards.
Despite his known deficiencies against the run, Jacobs would still be a solid value pick for Detroit later in the draft.
Michael Barrett, Michigan
Barrett, a graduate student and team captain in 2023, recorded a strong season during Michigan’s national championship-winning campaign.
The 6-foot, 239-pound linebacker suited up for all 15 games, and amassed 65 total tackles, including 3.5 for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. And, for his efforts, he earned a career-best Pro Football Focus overall grade of 84.3.
The Wolverines product is a physical, rangy defender with more-than-adequate coverage ability and solid sideline-to—sideline speed. He operates best in space, and profiles as an offball linebacker at the next level. He’d be a solid Day 3 find for the Lions.