This linebacker group in the 2026 NFL Draft has the potential to be a very deep group, even if it is not seen that way on paper. While it may be headlined by one standout name, there is an argument to be made that you can find future starters deep into this draft.
Check out my top ten linebackers below:
- 1) CJ Allen, Georgia
- 2) Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- 3) Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- 4) Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- 5) Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
- 6) Deontae Lawson, Alabama
- 7) Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
- 8) Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- 9) Bryce Bocttcher, Oregon
- 10) Taurean York, Texas A&M
Yes, Arvell Reese is listed on both EDGE and linebacker. No, I have zero clue where he will play in the NFL, but I would imagine he will eventually land as an OLB. Sonny Styles will surprise people, but questions about his pure coverage skills and positional strengths worry me. CJ Allen, calling plays for a Kirby Smart defense, and thriving as he did, is being criminally underrated during this process. Anthony Hill Jr. is going to make some GMs seem like a genius when he’s taken late on day two, as he is more polished in coverage and has more career sacks than Reese.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: No Ohio State players at the top of our LB rankings