2021 NFL Draft: 4 day-three steals at linebacker

There’s a history of solid linebackers that are available in later rounds of the draft and here are some to watch for in the 2021 NFL draft. 

This year’s linebacker class in the 2021 NFL Draft is pretty solid. Micah Parsons from Penn State has superstar potential. Tulsa’s Zaven Collins won the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik awards last year, solidifying him as the best defensive player in the nation in 2020. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame is another top-end prospect at the linebacker position.

Those guys will all be good, but this linebacker class could be much deeper than just those three. Linebackers are plentiful this year, and past drafts have shown that day three produces some solid contributors.

Robert Mathis was a fifth-round pick that turned out to be an anchor on the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl team in 2007. Adalius Thomas was a Pro Bowler that won a Super Bowl and a key contributor on the Patriots’ near-perfect team. And those are just recent examples. Going back even further produces multiple Pro Bowlers and Hall of Famers.

The 2021 NFL draft has some depth and potential for greatness as well. If a team is looking for the next Robert Mathis, these are some guys that should be available on day three of the draft.

Before we head there, an “honorable mention” goes to LSU star Jabril Cox, who before his time at LSU was a star on the North Dakota State defense.

Cox likely won’t meet the day three quota, as he’s generally looked at as a day-two prospect, Cox is worthy of day one selection and has the potential to become one of the best overall players in the entire 2021 NFL draft.