Philadelphia Eagles: Top 5 Prospects at Linebacker

Jerome Baker, Ohio State

Jerome Baker comes out of Ohio State as a more prototypical linebacker in today’s game. He is another prospect that could be labeled as undersized as he stands at 6’1″ weighing 225-pounds. Again, he is one of those guys that won’t wow you when you see his size but can be very impressive when it comes to his athletic abilities.

Baker could fit in very well with the Eagles defensive scheme. His quickness and ability to become a force in the passing game are what is most impressive about him. But there are some question marks around his ability to stop the run. An anonymous AFC scout also mentioned that his grit and toughness can be questionable for the next level of football.

Obviously, linebackers are expected to be beasts when it comes to stopping the run, but Baker just doesn’t have that quality. He is more useful in chasing down players with his speed rather than making a statement with a head-on collision. Fortunately for the Eagles, they need more help in defending passes across the middle, which is where Baker could help out the most. The Eagles could definitely use him in the rotation for 2018.