Linebacker Rankings 2026 NFL Draft
LAST UPDATED: 04/10/2026
Player Rankings - Linebacker
| # | Player | Pos | H/W/S | Team | Weight | Height | 40YD | AVG POS RANK | AVG OVR RANK | Rating | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
6-4
251lbs
4.50
|
LB/ED |
|
251lbs | 6-4 | 4.50 | 2 | 11.4 |
89.7
|
Bailey's first step is among the best in this class, and once he clears the corner, quarterbacks are in serious trouble. The 13.5 sacks and... |
2 |
|
6-4
241lbs
4.46
|
LB |
|
241lbs | 6-4 | 4.46 | 1 | 3.9 |
89.0
|
Reese is a heat-seeking missile against the run with the kind of closing speed that makes offensive coordinators cringe when they see him... |
3 |
|
6-5
244lbs
4.46
|
LB |
|
244lbs | 6-5 | 4.46 | 3 | 12.1 |
88.5
|
The combine in Indianapolis confirmed what Ohio State's strength staff had been whispering about for two years. A 4.46 forty, a 43.5-inch... |
4 |
|
6-1
230lbs
4.55
|
LB |
|
230lbs | 6-1 | 4.55 | 4 | 34.8 |
86.3
|
Allen represents exactly what defensive coordinators covet in a modern off-ball linebacker: a player who can be trusted to do his job on... |
5 |
|
6-2
238lbs
4.51
|
LB |
|
238lbs | 6-2 | 4.51 | 5 | 46.2 |
85.9
|
Watch Texas play and the first thing that jumps out is how fast Hill gets from Point A to Point B. This is a linebacker who plays like his... |
6 |
|
6-1
231lbs
4.57
|
LB |
|
231lbs | 6-1 | 4.57 | 7 | 55.3 |
85.2
|
The tape and the workout tell the same story, which is not always the case with college linebackers who put up huge numbers. Rodriguez sees... |
7 |
|
6-4
260lbs
4.80
|
LB/ED |
|
260lbs | 6-4 | 4.80 | 6 | 51.5 |
85.1
|
There's genuine NFL-caliber ability in Jacas' game, though teams will need to carefully evaluate what they're getting versus what they hope... |
8 |
|
6-2
237lbs
4.61
|
LB |
|
237lbs | 6-2 | 4.61 | 9 | 60.2 |
85.0
|
Trotter plays with a physicality that shows up immediately on tape. He trusts his reads, triggers downhill without hesitation, and meets... |
9 |
|
6-4
239lbs
4.62
|
OLB |
|
239lbs | 6-4 | 4.62 | 8 | 56.4 |
84.9
|
With Golday, teams are buying the body, the speed, and the trajectory more than a finished product. The gap between his run defense and... |
10 |
|
6-3
226lbs
4.60
|
LB |
|
226lbs | 6-3 | 4.60 | 11 | 81.8 |
84.8
|
Lawson is a long, rangey linebacker with legitimate coverage tools and excellent run-defense instincts who needs to get stronger and... |
11 |
|
6-0
220lbs
4.53
|
LB |
|
220lbs | 6-0 | 4.53 | 10 | 77 |
84.7
|
Louis belongs in a 4-3 scheme as a weakside linebacker where the front four can keep his frame clean. Put him in space and let him play... |
12 |
|
6-4
240lbs
4.64
|
LB/ED |
|
240lbs | 6-4 | 4.64 | 12 | 82.1 |
84.5
|
Run defense is the calling card here, full stop. The way Barham attacks down blocks, stacks offensive linemen at the point, and triggers... |