Writing The Ship: 2026 NFL Draft – Linebacker Rankings

The NFL draft is just over two weeks away. We are at the time of year where evaluators have watched all the players and now it is just a matter of stacking up their boards. Looking at each position and deciding who you like best relative to the others.

While I look at all of these players through the lens of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are some that I like more than others who might not fit the Bucs needs as much. So this is not a list of best fits, but just my rankings of players. However, based on what they are as players, it’s easy enough to draw conclusions as to who the best fits would be in Tampa.

With that said, here are my 2026 NFL draft interior offensive line rankings.

Honorable Mential – Bryce Boettcher – Oregon

I’m not sure that Boettcher is especially good at anything, but he’s not bad at anything either. He plays with 100% effort and that translates to making tackles and getting to his spot in coverage. This guy was born to be an NFL special teams captain. 

10) Kaleb Elarms-Orr – TCU

On paper, there is a lot to like with Elarms-Orr. He’s a good coverage linebacker and he picks his way through traffic well to make fundamentally sound tackles. I wish he had a little more violence to his game, but if you are looking for a good depth linebacker who can start then I like this player.

9) Kyle Louis – Pittsburgh 

Elite coverage skills for the position. Louis is undersized (6 ‘0 and 220 lbs), but makes up for it with speed, quickness and is an eraser in the passing game. On top of that he gives good effort vs the run and I think he can overcome some of his size issues.

8) CJ Allen – Georgia

I’m much lower on Allen than the general consensus. He strikes me as both tough and smart, but I just haven’t seen the movement skills from him to be anything more than average at best in coverage. This is a box linebacker who I see as good, not great, at what he does.

7) Anthony Hill Jr – Texas

Hill tested as a great athlete at the NFL combine. However, he’s someone who looks a bit heavy footed when I watch him. I think he’s functional in zone coverage and a good player vs the run and as a blitzer.

6) Josiah Trotter – Missouri 

If you are looking for a tone setter who can blow up blockers then this is the pick for you. Trotter is the son of former pro bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and he looks ready for the physicality of the NFL. He’s limited in coverage, but with more experience he could be a true force against the run. 

5) Jake Golday – Cincinnati 

Golday is a high upside player with a relatively high floor. He’s good in coverage and as a former edge rusher he’s comfortable on the blitz. With more time playing true middle linebacker then I think he could be a Zach Baun type player.

4) Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech

There aren’t many linebackers in this class who can match Rodriguez in terms of instincts. In college that translated to massive tackle and turnover production. I believe those things will translate to the NFL.

3) Taurean York – Texas A&M

This might be my favorite player in the entire draft. His instincts are excellent and he makes plays from sideline to sideline. If York were an inch taller and 4 lbs heavier then I believe he would be viewed as a consensus top 50 pick.

2) Sonny Styles – Ohio State

A potential elite talent. Styles is fast, physical, and as a former safety has outstanding potential in coverage. He’s only played two years at linebacker, so as good as he is, I would expect him to only continue to get better.

1) Arvell Reese – Ohio State

Reese’s potential is off the charts. He annihilates blockers and he looks so natural dropping into coverage. Some view him as an edge, which he can do some of, but I see him as a linebacker who has pass rush ability. Another player who’s best football should be ahead of him and if he reaches his potential then he’ll be the best player from this class.