FIRST LOOK: 2026 NFL Draft Linebackers

As I wrap up my first look series, we’re going to talk about the linebackers today. If this is your first article of mine you’ve come across, here are links to all the position groups I’ve done so far:

Quarterbacks
Runningbacks
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen

Below is some basic NFL Draft information I’ve put together, giving you a quick look at some averages over the last couple of decades (if you’re into that sort of thing). History isn’t the be-all end-all in the NFL, as things change, but it gives us a good idea of what position groups tend to get drafted in what round and volume of players drafted throughout the entirety of the draft.

NFL Draft Breakdown (2006-2025)

On average, over the 7 rounds of the NFL Draft, we see the following numbers of players taken at each position: 

And here’s a breakdown by round:

FIRST LOOK: Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Linebackers

I think Anthony Hill Jr will wind up being most people’s #1 linebacker in the class. He’s a versatile player and possesses the size and speed to play sideline to sideline. His burst and quickness should allow him to be able to cover those faster tight ends the league is gravitating towards in the passing game, and he is a sure tackler who (as long as he doesn’t overpursue) should be just as good in the run game as he can be in the pass game.

After Hill, I like the next 5 a lot, and honestly could’ve put them in a few different orders, but stuck with Harold Perkins Jr, who was my favorite linebacker in last year’s class before an injury forced him to go back to LSU for one more season. He’s another speedy linebacker who is a reliable tackler and can cover as well. 

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For my next three, it really depends on what type of linebacker the teams are looking for. CJ Allen and Deontae Lawson are in the 6’1”/6’2” range and not as fast as Hill or Perkins, but smart linebackers that have played at big-time programs in big-time games and show the instincts to be starters at the next level. Sonny Styles, on the other hand, comes from an NFL family (dad played for 6 seasons) and is huge at 6’4” and is extremely fast. So, with him, does a 3-4 team want to use him as a stand-up edge rusher? He can do that. Does a team want to have him drop back in coverage? Yep, he’s good there too. If you told me he went before some of these other guys, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least. 

After my top 5, I have a block of about 10 names that could be considered in the 5-10 range, as I think this class has quite a bit of talent in it. Jaishawn Barham came in at 6 because I love his pass-rushing ability, and I think he projects well to the NFL, as teams will love his motor on top of being a critical piece of a very good defense for multiple seasons.