Editor’s note: This is the fourth installment of Dane Brugler’s 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting series. Previous ranking: Wide receivers | Defensive tackles | Running backsLinebacker isn’t considered a “premium” position on draft weekend, yet there is no denying its importance to an NFL defense.While I don’t think we will see an off-ball linebacker drafted as early as No. 7 next April, as Sonny Styles was in the 2026 draft, the ’27 class could be a talent-rich group. Like this past draft, we could see a handful of potential top-50 linebackers.(Note: An asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams currently have on file for each player, per league sources.)1. Sammy Brown, Clemson (6-2, 234)*Best trait: Explosive speedBrown is a good-sized linebacker and plays like one of the fastest guys on the field. He moves loose to easily unlock and drive to the football, using his size to power through contact without impeding his range. He brings the type of explosiveness that NFL teams covet at linebacker.Given his traits, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn Brown was a five-star recruit and the highest-ranked player in Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class. He is a dynamic pursuit athlete.Sammy Brown vs. Penn StateDane BruglerMust improve: Playmaking skills in coverageBrown is an above-average size/speed athlete, but he’s still developing his coverage skills. This upcoming season, scouts want to see him better understand route combinations in zone coverage and show improved coverage angles to affect passing lanes. As his situational spacing gets better, his coverage consistency and playmaking will become a strength.2027 NFL Draft outlookBased on summer scouting, Brown is the clear LB1 entering the 2026 season. A Butkus Award winner in high school, Brown was a hot commodity as a recruit and spurned his home state Georgia (and several other high-profile programs) to sign with Clemson. He quickly lived up to the hype as ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, then led the Tigers in tackles (107) as a sophomore, earning first-team All-ACC honors.Brown is a big-time athlete, and that will always be his foundation as a player, but his tackling technique, diagnose skills and motor are all strengths, as well — and they’re continuing to get better. Clemson has had a defensive player selected in the first round of three of the past four drafts, and Brown is up next in that pipeline.2. Chris Cole, Georgia (6-3, 235)*Best trait: Freaky size/speed athleticismBecause of his length and play speed, Cole was asked to do a little bit of everything last season coming off the bench for the Georgia defense. Throw on the Alabama or Kentucky tapes, and you can see him get home as a pass rusher; against Texas and Ole Miss, he matches the tight end on deep crossers in coverage.Cole can play the “Jack” edge role just as easily as line up stacked, the latter of which allows him to flip his hips and fly to the football as he defends sideline to sideline.Chris Cole vs. CharlotteDane BruglerMust improve: Handle full-time starting snapsHaving averaged 30 defensive snaps per game last season as a sophomore, Cole has plenty of experience, but only one start to his name. He’ll move into a more elevated role in 2026, as the Georgia coaches look to maximize his toolsy skill set. Scouts are eager to see if he is up for it.2027 NFL Draft outlook“Wait, who is No. 9?!”That question appeared in my notes for CJ Allen while studying Georgia’s 2025 defense because Cole frequently flashed on each tape. Like Brown, Cole was a five-star high school recruit and earned SEC All-Freshman honors in his first year in Athens. Despite being a reserve last year as a sophomore, he still led the Bulldogs in sacks (4.5) while finishing fourth in tackles (59).