Continuing our position-by-position look at the 2026 NFL Draft, we now turn to the linebacker class after beginning the series with defensive backs. There are arguably three Top-5 caliber prospects at the position, with Sonny Styles, Harold Perkins Jr., and Barrett Bailey frequently projected in that range in mock drafts.
However, once you get past the first five or six names, the talent drops off quickly. There are several two-down players, a couple of tweeners who may eventually move to edge rusher, and at least one true project. Let’s take a look at the top linebacker prospects in this year’s draft.
1. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
6’5”, 244lbs, 32 ⅞” arms, 10” hands
As in our defensive back breakdown, the top spot on the linebacker list is held by a Buckeye. Sonny Styles is a do-it-all three-down linebacker who can step in as a Day 1 starter. A converted safety, his experience playing deep gives him an edge in pass coverage compared to most off-ball linebackers. Styles has the speed, size, and football IQ to emerge into a perennial All-Pro.
Anyone doubting his athleticism only needs to look at his off-the-charts Combine numbers, and anyone questioning his play can turn to his postseason performances and long list of accolades. He’s a true middle linebacker who will never put up massive sack totals, but there’s a clear NaVorro Bowman-like style and ceiling to his game.
Projection: Top 5
2. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
6’4”, 241lbs, 32 ½” arms, 9 ½” hands
Arvell Reese is regularly projected as the second overall pick in next month’s draft, but the other top Ohio State linebacker may be getting miscast as a pass rusher. Reese is a run stopper with speed, downhill aggression, and a knack for filling running lanes. He’s a natural fit as a box or rover linebacker, where he can attack the ball and play downhill.
That’s not to say he can’t grow into an edge rusher, but he’s nowhere near as polished there as some suggest. He’s still raw as both a pass rusher and in coverage. It’s an unusual comparison given the differences in their physical profiles, but Reese shows flashes of Jadeveon Clowney. If he can match Clowney’s impact against the run while continuing to develop as a pass rusher, he could become a truly disruptive player in the NFL.
Projection: Top 5
3. David Bailey, LB/EDGE, Texas Tech
6’4”, 251lbs, 33 ¾” arms, 10 ¼” hands
David Bailey is arguably the best pass rusher in the draft, and it may initially seem strange to see him listed here at linebacker. The reality, however, is that he’s simply too talented to be viewed strictly as an edge rusher. Bailey is extremely versatile and can disrupt the passing game both as a rusher and in coverage. He also shows more natural bend than the two Buckeyes above him, making him an ideal fit as a 3-4 outside backer.
The reason Bailey falls to third despite his natural gifts is a combination of physical limitations and inconsistent play recognition. At times he can play smaller than his 251-pound frame, losing to powerful blockers at the point of attack. He can also be manipulated by creative play design and struggle when forced into multi-read situations. The talent is undeniable, but there is real boom-or-bust potential if he doesn’t improve his ability to diagnose plays as they unfold.
Projection: Top 5
4. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
6’1”, 230lbs, 31 ½” arms, 10 ⅛” hands
In contrast to Bailey, who can sometimes play smaller than his frame, CJ Allen is the type of linebacker who consistently plays bigger than his size. Despite measuring just 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Allen may be the best run defender among linebackers in this draft class. He led Georgia in tackles and tackles for loss in the ultra-competitive SEC while anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses. Allen fills gaps, crashes run plays, and consistently delivers in his role.
While Allen is a tackle machine and defensive leader, he’s an average coverage defender at best. He’s far more comfortable attacking downhill than dropping into coverage, which could limit him to a two-down role if he can’t improve in that area. That said, he has the potential to become a London Fletcher–style field general and tackle accumulator as the middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Expect him to land in exactly that type of role at the next level.
Projection: Mid 1st Round
5. Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
6’2”, 238lbs, 32 ⅜” arms, 9 ⅝” hands
Projected to be the top linebacker entering the college season, Hill got caught up in the middle of an underwhelming season by the Longhorns. He’s probably better than his current perception, though not quite as dominant as many expected at the start of the year.
Hill can wreak havoc across the field against the run thanks to a rare combination of speed and strength, and he’s more versatile than most traditional linebackers in this draft. He’s also an effective blitzer in passing situations. While he’s not particularly strong in coverage, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a team like Baltimore target him, where positional flexibility in the front seven is highly valued.
Projection: Late 1st/Early 2nd Round
6. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
6’1”, 231lbs, 30 ⅞” arms, 9 ¼” hands
My first big diversion in this prospect series, Rodriguez is viewed by many as a third-round prospect whose smaller frame and short arms will limit his production. But the tape tells a different story. While Rodriguez isn’t perfect, he’s productive, intelligent, and highly coachable.
Rodriguez’s background as a former quarterback shows in his ability to read plays before the snap, though that instinct can sometimes work against him when he misreads a play or overcommits. His pre-snap recognition helps him in coverage, though he still needs to improve as a tackler. Ultimately, Rodriguez brings leadership qualities and processes the game faster than most prospects. If he lands with a strong coaching staff that can help rein in some of the overaggressive tendencies in his game, he could become a top-tier defensive signal-caller.
Projection: Mid 2nd Round
7. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
6’4”, 239lbs, 30 ⅝” arms, 9 ⅞” hands
Jake Golday may be the biggest boom-or-bust prospect on this list. The linebacker worked his way from the FCS level to Cincinnati and currently offers more as an athlete than as a finished product.
Golday profiles as a Logan Wilson–type linebacker, with the ability to rack up tackles against the run and the natural speed and athleticism to cover the middle of the field and the sidelines. However, he’s still raw from a football IQ standpoint and relies heavily on athleticism rather than refined pass-rush technique. He’s unlikely to be a Day 1 starter, but he could become a major contributor on special teams while growing into a larger defensive role with the right coaching.
Projection: Late 2nd
8. Josiah Trotter, LB, Mizzou
6’2”, 237lbs, 32 ¼” arms, 10 ¼” hands
Son of Jeremiah Trotter Sr., Josiah looks to join his brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the NFL as the latest linebacker in the family. Coming out of Missouri, Josiah is an effective two-down linebacker with a knack for shutting down the interior run game.
Unfortunately, Trotter lacks both the size and sideline-to-sideline speed to be more than an early-down player. He isn’t quick enough to consistently reach the perimeter, nor does he have the speed to stay with tight ends or slot receivers in coverage. Trotter should carve out a role for himself, but he’s unlikely to develop into a full-time starter in the NFL.
Projection: Early-to-Mid 3rd
9. Gabe Jacas, LB/EDGE, Illinois
6’4”, 260lbs, 33” arms, 10” hands
The first player on this list who is likely to end up as a full-time edge rusher in the NFL, Jacas comes out of Illinois as a seasoned pass rusher with question marks across the rest of his game.
Jacas has the size to set the edge and hold up against outside runs, which gives him some solid three-down value. He has the drive, production, and technique to help a team right away, even if it’s initially in a rotational role.
Projection: Mid-to-Late 3rd
10. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
6’3”, 226lbs, 31 ⅞” arms, 9 ¼” hands
Lawson had plenty of success at Alabama and logged a heavy snap count in the process. A strong run defender at the collegiate level, Lawson has a natural feel for how plays develop and where he needs to be to shut them down. He’s adequate in coverage, which wouldn’t be as much of an issue if not for his size.
Lawson comes in under 230 pounds and will likely struggle dealing with the size of NFL linemen. Combine that with a suspect tackle rate, and it raises questions about how well his game will translate to the next level. He doesn’t have the profile to transition to a box safety role, but if he lands with the right team, Lawson could still improve his coverage recognition and reshape his game into more of a pass-coverage specialist.
Projection: Late 3rd/Early 4th
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