Complete 2026 NFL Draft LB Rankings:
You are currently viewing our linebacker rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2026 LB looks significantly better than the past two years, but just how good will it be?
Our top linebacker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented inside linebackers in college football. Even though only about 25 will get selected in the draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know who will be a star, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2026 NFL draft linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: April 22, 2025)
1. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
LB | 6’3″ | 235 lbs | 3rd Year
Anthony Hill Jr. Preseason Scouting Report
NFL linebackers are getting smaller as teams opt for speed instead of power. Anthony Hill offers both speed and power, with a lightning first step and quick play diagnosis at 6’3″” 235 pounds. This past season, Hill led Texas with 113 total tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles en route to earning All-America recognition.
Hill is a hard hitter who easily jars the ball loose, but he also plays under control. He’s consistently the first to the ball, effectively using his eyes and showing consistent effort to get sideline to sideline. He’ll want to improve in coverage, but is an absolutely menace working downhill and getting in the backfield to blow up plays.
Anthony Hill Jr. 2024 Stats
16 games: 113 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 4 fumbles forced
2. Harold Perkins, LSU
LB/EDGE | 6’1″ | 225 lbs | 4th Year
Harold Perkins Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Harold Perkins 2024 Stats
4 games: 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
3. CJ Allen, Georgia
LB | 6’1″ | 235 lbs | 3rd Year
CJ Allen Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
CJ Allen 2024 Stats
14 games: 76 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended, 1 interception
4. Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
LB/EDGE | 6’1″ | 210 lbs | 3rd Year
Suntarine Perkins Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Suntarine Perkins 2024 Stats
13 games: 60 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 interception
5. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
LB/S | 6’4″ | 235 lbs | 4th Year
Sonny Styles Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Sonny Styles 2024 Stats
16 games: 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 fumble forced
6. Deontae Lawson, Alabama
LB | 6’2″ | 240 lbs | 5th Year
Deontae Lawson Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Deontae Lawson 2024 Stats
11 games: 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced
7. Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
LB | 6’2″ | 240 lbs | 3rd Year
Drayk Bowen Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Drayk Bowen 2024 Stats
16 games: 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, 3 fumbles forced
8. Lander Barton, Utah
LB | 6’4″ | 235 lbs | 4th Year
Lander Barton Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Lander Barton 2024 Stats
12 games: 72 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble forced
9. Austin Romaine, Kansas State
LB | 6’2″ | 240 lbs | 4th Year
Austin Romaine Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Austin Romaine 2024 Stats
13 games: 96 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, 3 fumbles forced
10. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
LB | 6’0″ | 225 lbs | 4th Year
Kyle Louis Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Kyle Louis 2024 Stats
13 games: 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble forced
Complete 2026 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Hill | Texas | 3rd | 6'3" | 235 |
| 2 | Harold Perkins | LSU | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 3 | CJ Allen | Georgia | 3rd | 6'1" | 235 |
| 4 | Suntarine Perkins | Ole Miss | 3rd | 6'1" | 210 |
| 5 | Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 4th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 6 | Deontae Lawson | Alabama | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 7 | Drayk Bowen | Notre Dame | 3rd | 6'2" | 240 |
| 8 | Lander Barton | Utah | 4th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 9 | Austin Romaine | Kansas State | 3rd | 6'2" | 240 |
| 10 | Kyle Louis | Pittsburgh | 4th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 11 | Tony Rojas | Penn State | 3rd | 6'2" | 240 |
| 12 | Wade Woodaz | Clemson | 4th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 13 | Bryce Boettcher | Oregon | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 14 | Taurean York | Texas A&M | 3rd | 6'0" | 235 |
| 15 | Whit Weeks | LSU | 3rd | 6'2" | 225 |
| 16 | Kendal Daniels | Oklahoma | 5th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 17 | Jordan Hall | Michigan State | 3rd | 6'3" | 235 |
| 18 | Keli Lawson | UCF | 5th | 6'4" | 225 |
| 19 | Raylen Wilson | Georgia | 3rd | 6'1" | 235 |
| 20 | Ernest Hausmann | Michigan | 4th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 21 | Jason Henderson | Old Dominion | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 22 | Jack Kelly | BYU | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 23 | Xavian Sorey Jr. | Arkansas | 5th | 6'3" | 225 |
| 24 | Jaishawn Barham | Michigan | 4th | 6'3" | 245 |
| 25 | Devon Jackson | Oregon | 4th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 26 | Aiden Fisher | Indiana | 4th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 27 | Mohamed Toure | Rutgers | 7th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 28 | Brandon Tucker Jr. | UTSA | 4th | 5'10" | 225 |
| 29 | Nikhai Hill-Green | Alabama | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 30 | Arion Carter | Tennessee | 3rd | 6'1" | 235 |
| 31 | Yanni Karlaftis | Northwestern | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 32 | Chase Wilson | West Virginia | 6th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 33 | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 34 | Martavius French | Colorado | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 35 | Jhalyn Shuler | South Florida | 6th | 6'3" | 225 |
| 36 | Travion Barnes | Baylor | 4th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 37 | Kam Robinson | Virginia | 3rd | 6'2" | 235 |
| 38 | Sean Brown | NC State | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 39 | Triston Newson | Missouri | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 40 | Namdi Obiazor | TCU | 6th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 41 | Marques Watson-Trent | Nebraska | 6th | 5'11" | 225 |
| 42 | Stephen Dix | Arkansas | 6th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 43 | Kaleb Elarms-Orr | TCU | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 44 | James Conway | Fordham | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 45 | Levani Damuni | Utah | 7th | 6'2" | 245 |
| 46 | Caleb Bacon | Iowa State | 5th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 47 | Dion Crawford | Buffalo | 3rd | 6'1" | 235 |
| 48 | Scooby Williams | Texas A&M | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 49 | Sam Brumfield | Memphis | 6th | 5'11" | 225 |
| 50 | Erick Hunter | Morgan State | 5th | 6'4" | 210 |
| 51 | Taniela Latu | San Jose State | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 52 | Jaylin Alderman | Miami (FL) | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 53 | Darryl Peterson | Wisconsin | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 54 | Justin Flowe | Arizona | 6th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 55 | Brendan Harrington | Georgia Southern | 7th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 56 | Rodney Dansby | North Texas | 5th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 57 | Shane Bruce | Coastal Carolina | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 58 | Jalen Brooks | Campbell | 6th | 5'11" | 230 |
| 59 | Kendrick Blackshire | UTSA | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
MORE NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a Linebacker Prospect Great
Inside linebackers are often called the quarterback of the defense, and need to make a ton of lightning quick reactions to play effectively. Closing speed, tackling, play recognition, and lateral quickness are among some of the most important factors of scouting the top linebacker prospects.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Closing Speed
When the play presents itself, the best linebackers will have the closing speed to get there in a flash. This speed doesn’t always translate to a great 40 time as it happens in slightly shorter bursts, but this burst is a must-have to get sideline to sideline.
Play Recognition
Even if you have great speed, if you don’t have the football IQ to recognize plays, you’re likely going to be late to your spots. Determining run versus pass, understanding route combinations, and identifying blocking concepts all fall into this category.
Lateral Quickness
Linebacker prospects need to be able to keep their eyes in the backfield while moving side to side and occupying the proper gaps. Having good lateral quickness and smooth feet will help them stay in good position and continually find themselves near the play.
Tackling
Hit power and tackling form are absolute necessities for linebackers. While tackling form can definitely be improved with coaching, most of the elite linebackers in college football are already advanced with their tackling form and have it come naturally to them.
2026 LB Draft Prospects FAQs
Who is the best LB in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Anthony Hill from Texas is the heavy favorite to be the first linebacker selected in the 2026 NFL Draft due to his combination of size, speed, production, and pedigree.
How good is the edge rusher draft class in 2026?
The 2026 linebacker class looks significantly stronger than the past two seasons. Led by a talented group of versatile defenders who can play multiple positions, this is the first linebacker class in several years where there are many players in play in the top 50 picks.
