The 2026 NFL Draft linebacker rankings highlight a shift towards versatile athletes, moving away from traditional run-stuffers. Top prospects include Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles from Ohio State.
Key points
Linebacker position has evolved with versatile athletes
Arvell Reese is a top prospect with multiple skills
Sonny Styles is another leading linebacker from Ohio State
Modern linebackers resemble big safeties more than traditional types
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Ohio State
Arvell ReeseSonny Styles
In the era of position-versatile athletes and defensive schemes that have to adapt to stop anything the offense can throw their way, the linebacker position has evolved. The bruising run-stuffers in the mold of Levon Kirkland are gone, and in are the new-wave types that almost look like big safeties more than traditional linebackers. That shows up in this year’s NFL Draft class, which is a great group of athletes who were productive in college. Here are our top linebackers in this year’s NFL draft class:
Reese is one of the best all-around football players in this draft, and he has a lot of Abdul Carter and Micah Parsons in him. He can be deployed as an edge rusher, but can also play off-ball, and he’s proficient at both stuffing the run and dropping into zone coverage. He’s a versatile defensive weapon that any team would be eager to add.
Simply put, Sonny Styles is the modern prototype for an NFL linebacker. He’s 6’5”, 246 pounds, and runs a 4.46 40-yard dash, which is an incredible combination of size and speed. He was originally recruited to the Buckeyes as a safety, and those instincts show up in his zone drops and ability to read the QB while in coverage.
3. Anthony Hill Jr, Texas
NFL, please don’t overthink this one. The value of the off-ball linebacker has never been lower, but if you turn on the tape, Anthony Hill Jr is worthy of spending a first-round pick on. He’s a difference maker who flies all around the field and dominated games for Texas in the last two seasons, and can play in multiple roles.
Q&A
Who are the top linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The top linebackers include Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles from Ohio State.
What makes Arvell Reese a standout linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Arvell Reese is noted for his versatility, being effective as both an edge rusher and in coverage, making him a valuable asset for any team.
How has the linebacker position evolved for the 2026 NFL Draft?
The linebacker position has shifted towards more versatile athletes who resemble larger safeties, adapting to modern offensive schemes.
What college did the top linebacker prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft come from?
The top linebacker prospects, including Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, are from Ohio State.
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4. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Rodriguez will certainly be considered short and undersized by NFL standards, but he was one of the best football players in the country in the 2025 college football season. He didn’t just stumble into 4 interceptions and 7 forced fumbles by accident.
5. CJ Allen, Georgia
Simply put, CJ Allen is a linebacker who is always where he should be, when he should be there. He’s a remarkably well-coached, high-IQ defender who is going to make any NFL Defensive Coordinator happy. He’s a little undersized, but he showed the toughness to play the run like a defender heavier than him.
Jacas’s split time in college as an edge rusher and a traditional off-ball linebacker gives him versatility that any defender will covet. He’s big, and he’s got a lot of pass-rush moves, but he lacks the top-end speed to be a great zone coverage linebacker.
7. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
More of a project than a finished product. Golday is tall, long, fast, and explosive, and this shows up on tape when he’s flying over the field defending the run. But the other aspects of his game, pass rushing and zone coverage, need a lot of work.
A versatile piece who started for multiple seasons and played multiple positions for the vaunted Michigan defense. Barham’s specialty is his run defense. From any alignment, he can read, diagnose, track, and finish with the best of them. Any team in need of help with defending the run will be lucky to have him and will be able to find a spot for him.
9. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
The son of former Eagle Jeremiah Trotter, Josiah is a bit of a one-trick pony at this point. But that one trick is one that he is really good at – he’s one of the best downhill run defenders in this draft class. He likely can’t be a 3-down starter at linebacker at this point, but he should be able to cause a lot of damage on the first two.
I’m still holding out hope that Perkins can recapture the magic that he displayed in his freshman season for LSU. Since that campaign, LSU switched his position multiple times, and he had an ACL tear. He still possesses incredible speed at the linebacker position, and was such a natural pass rusher as a freshman; I have hope that he can get back to that form in the NFL.
