2026 NFL Draft: Linebacker Big Board

The off-ball linebacker class is loaded with hugely talented prospects that should see several names off the board on the first night. Who are the best linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft? How many will go on Day 2 in this linebacker big board as the draft commences in Pittsburgh?

In case you missed the previous position groups in the big board series, they are listed below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Tackle

Interior Offensive Line

EDGE

Interior Defensive Line

Note: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference, and all RAS numbers are courtesy of @MathBomb

1. Sonny Styles | 6’5 244 | Ohio State

Look up the definition of freak athlete, and Styles’ picture should be next to it. He blew away the testing process, especially a guy at his size. He’s being talked about in the upper echelons of the first round with good reason. The son of former Buckeyes safety and Super Bowl winner, Lorenzo Sr has all the tools to be great. A three-year starter with well over 220+ tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and eight interceptions speaks to his ball skills and football IQ. He could be utilized in the same way as Micah Parsons in theory. A cover linebacker who can play EDGE in certain packages when his athleticism is required. Stylistically and physically, he compares to longtime Patriots standout Jamie Collins.

Round Projection: First Round

RAS: 9.99

Player Comp: Jamie Collins

Statistics: 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three PBUs, and one forced fumble

2. Jacob Rodriguez | 6’1 231 | Texas Tech

If there was a defensive award handed out during the 2025 season, odds are that Rodriguez was in the running for it or a favorite to win it. He authored one of the best defensive seasons this century for a linebacker with statistical excellence across the board. The offseason testing process was kind to him as he produced an awe-inspiring 9.61 RAS. Arm length is a question when he’s blitzing against bigger blockers. He’s generally a sound tackler but has moments of confusion. Rodriguez possesses consecutive 120+ tackle campaigns, 16 PBUs + interceptions, and ten forced fumbles over that span. He would be a lock for a first-round selection if not for the size questions. Physically, he compares to former Notre Dame star Drue Tranquill.

Round Projection: First Round

RAS: 9.61

Player Comp: Drue Tranquill

Statistics: 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, six PBUs, seven forced fumbles

3. Anthony Hill, Jr | 6’2 238 | Texas

Hill was a former five-star recruit who started for almost three seasons for the Longhorns. He carried immense promise and largely lived up to it while on the 40 Acres. He’s an excellent athlete with the speed and athleticism to do whatever he wants on the field. The offseason testing process only confirmed that his athleticism is top-tier for any position, let alone linebacker. He’s a slightly bigger linebacker, so playing inside is better suited for him long-term. Consistency in production was a big theme for him throughout his career. He racked up over 240 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and three interceptions in Austin. Hill, Jr., is on the borderline of a first-round selection but will likely settle into the second round. Physically compares to Samson Ebukam.

Round Projection: Day 2

RAS: 9.81

Player Comp: Samson Ebukam / Brian Asamoah

Statistics: 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, one PBU, three forced fumbles

4. Kyle Louis | 5’11 220 | Pittsburgh

Louis showed up and showed out at the Senior Bowl, where he recorded multiple stops and interceptions, boosting his skyrocketing stock. He’s undersized for the position, even by today’s smaller-sized linebacker standards. He won’t stop a blocker from reaching him one-on-one, but he can move quickly. Louis is a primetime athlete, as the testing bore out, and can cover sideline to sideline in a hurry. The former Pitt Panther star has plus instincts and the athleticism to remain in the picture at all times. He is currently projected as an early Day 3 selection and profiles similarly to Cole Holcomb. The production was immense over the last two seasons, with more than 180 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He notched 12 ball involvements in that span.

Round Projection: Day 3

RAS: 8.83

Player Comp: Cole Holcomb

Statistics: 81 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, three PBUs, one forced fumble

5. CJ Allen | 6’0 230 | Georgia

Allen didn’t test during the offseason while recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of only one game. While healthy, he’s one of the best linebacker prospects in the class as is usually the case with Georgia ‘backers. He turned into a two-year starter during his stay in Athens, posting 164 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and nine PBUs in that time. Instinctually, he’s one of the best in the class and was the field general for the Bulldogs defense. His athleticism is above average and, married to his instincts, makes him one of the more dangerous linebackers. He’s a bit on the smaller side, length-wise, so teams will have to account for that. The former Bulldogs standout projects as a Day 2 selection.

Round Projection: Day 2

Statistics: 88 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four PBUs, and two forced fumbles

6. Kaleb Elarms-Orr | 6’2 234 | TCU

Elarms-Orr transferred to TCU from Cal before the 2024 season after a standout 2023 campaign. As a two-year starter, he produced over 210 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and six PBUs. He didn’t start in 2024, but managed to post 54 tackles in 13 games. He’s one of the premier athletes at his position, and the testing proved it. His athleticism will be his calling card into the league as he develops more power. He’ll have to earn a starting role on special teams to start his career as a Day 3 selection. His physical comparison to former Ohio State star Pete Werner.

Round Projection: Day 3

RAS: 9.33

Player Comp: Pete Werner

Statistics: 130 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two PBUs

7. Bryce Boettcher | 6’1 233 | Oregon

Boettcher walked onto the football team after a standout baseball career that saw him drafted by the Houston Astros, but he chose the football route. He stood out as a producer with 136 combined tackles during the Ducks’ run to the playoffs. His athleticism remains a question mark after offseason testing revealed it to be above average but not excellent. He gets by with veteran wit and guile to make plays all over the field, using his baseball instincts to guide him. Instinctually, there are holes to work on, as he converted from safety to linebacker, so he’s getting used to different keys. The former Duck star linebacker should be drafted in the early to mid rounds of Day 3. He could be a special teams ace before earning his way as a starter. He compares physically and stylistically to Elandon Roberts.

Round Projection: Middle Day 3

RAS: 7.15

Player Comp: Elandon Roberts

Statistics: 136 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, six PBUs, and two forced fumbles

8. Jack Kelly | 6’1 240 | BYU

Kelly spent his final collegiate season in Provo after transferring in from Weber State. He became one of the best linebackers in the class. The former Cougar produced 162 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 25.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and nine PBUs over the past three seasons. He isn’t the biggest prospect, but offseason testing showed he’s a capable athlete. A sub-4.6 timed linebacker who has the work ethic and character to thrive as a starter. However, length is an issue with Kelly with sub-32″ arms. The experienced linebacker has seen just about everything there is to see by offensive coordinators. He’s projected to be an early Day 3 selection and compares physically to standout Zaire Franklin. Whichever team drafts him could use him in a pass-rush specialist package, given his athleticism and production in that role.

Round Projection: Day 3

RAS: 9.72

Player Comp: Zaire Franklin

Statistics: 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one PBU, and two forced fumbles

9. Namdi Obiazor | 6’2 229 | TCU

TCU’s “other” linebacker is a pretty good prospect in his own right. Obiazor transferred to TCU from the JUCO ranks before the 2022 season. He eventually became the starter at inside linebacker for three seasons, producing consistently in the 80-tackle range with 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Arm length is an issue with sub-32″ arms, which can hinder him in pursuit and blitzing. He tested really well during the offseason, elevating himself into the 9 range on the RAS. A team could take a chance on him for the future on late Day 3. His physical comparison is Jerome Baker.

Round Projection: Day 3

RAS: 9.14

Player Comp: Jerome Baker

Statistics: 88 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, one PBU, and one forced fumble

10. Xavien Sorey | 6’2 228 | Arkansas

Sorey transferred to Arkansas in 2024 after spending the first two seasons of his career at Georgia. While his testing numbers weren’t as high as those of the other linebackers in the class, he’s an above-average athlete for the position. The former five-star recruit participated in the Senior Bowl after a standout career for the Razorbacks. He produced 180 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks during his time with Arkansas. He’s a playmaking linebacker who can aptly cover sideline-to-sideline against quicker skill positions. Teams will question his size, but the athleticism should overshadow those questions. He’s a dynamic athlete who profiles similarly to former Vanderbilt linebacker Anfernee Orji. The former Razorbacks standout should be selected during the middle stages of Day 3.

Round Projection: Middle to Late Day 3

RAS: 7.39

Player Comp: Anfernee Orji

Statistics: 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three PBUs, and one forced fumble