2026 Draft Eligible Linebackers - Early Top 5

Newt Westen

Linebackers remain one of the toughest positions to evaluate, requiring a blend of instincts, athleticism, and physicality to thrive in today’s NFL. The 2026 class has plenty of range and versatility, with several players already flashing the ability to cover in space, rush the passer, and fill gaps downhill. With Sonny Styles just missing the cut as an honorable mention, let’s break down the top five linebackers heading into the season.

Honorable Mention, Sonny Styles

• Height: 6’4”

• Weight: 230 lbs

• School: Ohio State

Sonny Styles is a hybrid defender with the size of a linebacker and the athleticism of a safety, giving him the versatility to handle multiple roles. His range in coverage and ability to match up with tight ends is a clear strength, and he’s proven capable of impacting the game near the line of scrimmage. Where he needs growth is in processing—hesitation against misdirection can pull him out of plays. Still, with 57 total tackles in 2024, Styles’ unique profile makes him a matchup weapon at the next level.

5. Austin Romaine

• Height: 6’1⅛”

• Weight: 233 lbs

• School: Kansas State

Austin Romaine is a downhill thumper with reliable tackling and the physicality to meet ball-carriers head-on. He diagnoses runs quickly and fills lanes with authority, giving him a strong presence in the box. His limitation comes in coverage, where he lacks the fluidity to consistently stick with backs or tight ends in space. Even so, Romaine tallied 91 tackles in 2024, proving his value as a steady and tough inside linebacker.

4. Anthony Hill Jr.

• Height: 6’3”

• Weight: 234 lbs

• School: Texas

Anthony Hill Jr. is an athletic, high-upside linebacker who thrives when attacking downhill. His burst as a blitzer makes him a weapon on passing downs, and his range allows him to cover ground sideline to sideline. His weakness lies in consistency—he can overrun plays and occasionally miss tackles when trying to finish with too much aggression. Still, with 5.5 sacks in 2024, Hill has the versatility and explosiveness to become a defensive chess piece in the NFL.

3. Whit Weeks

• Height: 6’2⅝”

• Weight: 225 lbs

• School: LSU

Whit Weeks is a rangy, instinctive linebacker who flies to the football with urgency and effort. His speed shows up in coverage, where he can run with tight ends and disrupt passing lanes, and his motor makes him a consistent finisher. At times, though, he struggles to disengage from blocks, getting stuck on climbing linemen in the run game. Weeks posted 93 tackles in 2024, underlining his ability to be a reliable playmaker at the second level.

2. Taurean York

• Height: 6’0”

• Weight: 230 lbs

• School: Texas A&M

Taurean York is a smart, well-rounded linebacker who brings strong instincts and leadership to the heart of the Aggies’ defense. He’s rarely fooled by play-action, and his tackling form makes him one of the more dependable defenders in the class. His stellar athleticism enables him to have sideline-to-sideline range, and he flashes elite explosiveness compared to his peers in this group. His biggest detriment is his frame, bring one of the shorter and lighter linebackers in this class. Even so, with 120 total tackles in 2024, York’s consistency and awareness make him one of the most reliable linebackers in the country.

1. CJ Allen

• Height: 6’1¼”

• Weight: 235 lbs

• School: Georgia

CJ Allen is the total package at linebacker, pairing instincts with physicality and the athleticism to impact every phase of the game. He diagnoses quickly, flows downhill with force, and is comfortable dropping into coverage against backs or tight ends. If there’s a weakness, it’s that his aggression occasionally takes him out of position, leaving cutback lanes open. Still, after racking up 92 tackles as a sophomore, Allen looks like the leader of Georgia’s defense and a future high NFL Draft pick.