Taking a look at this linebacker class, it runs deep. Which is good news to any team that needs a linebacker but bad news for a team that does not have any day-2 picks.
I want to note that there has been plenty of discussion about how incredible Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles are as athletes and players. Here are some linebackers that need to be discussed as late 1st rounders and day-2 picks.
Also, including a sleeper pick, that I believe should be considered in the 3rd round but because of production could really go anywhere in rounds 3-7.
CJ Allen | Georgia
CJ Allen is one of the most physical linebackers in this class. He plays downhill, he plays fast to the ball, and when he gets there, he finishes.
You see his background as a former running back, he understands angles, he understands contact, and he’s comfortable playing in tight spaces. At Georgia, he made a living near the line of scrimmage, shooting gaps and delivering hits.
The concern is in coverage. He’s not a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, and asking him to consistently operate in space could expose some limitations.
But if you’re looking for a tone-setter in the middle? Allen is one of the best in this class at doing that.
Jake Golday | Cincinnati
Golday is one of the more interesting evaluations in this group because of how he was used.
At Cincinnati, he played everywhere: in the box, in space, even as a big nickel. That versatility shows up on tape. He’s comfortable running, he tracks the ball well, and he rarely misses tackles.
What stands out most is his awareness. He knows where the play is going before it fully develops, and when he’s allowed to run free, he makes plays.
The concern is consistency in coverage, especially in man situations, and at times he’ll overrun tackles trying to make a play.
Still, in today’s NFL, a linebacker who can function in space has real value — and Golday fits that mold.
Anthony Hill Jr. | Texas
Anthony Hill plays like he’s shot out of a cannon.
He’s everywhere: crashing the run, blitzing off the edge, and flying around the field. His ability to cover ground quickly makes him one of the more disruptive linebackers in this class.
Texas used him in multiple ways, and that versatility shows. He can line up as an edge rusher, attack downhill, and create chaos in the backfield.
The issue is control. Hill can be overly aggressive, which leads to missed fits or being out of position, and his coverage still needs development.
But if you’re betting on traits and playmaking ability, Hill is a player you take a chance on.
Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech
Rodriguez might be the most productive linebacker on this list, and one of the most instinctive.
He finds the football. Every time.
Whether it’s forcing fumbles, jumping routes, or making tackles through traffic, Rodriguez consistently shows up around the ball. His instincts and awareness allow him to play faster than he times.
He’s not the biggest linebacker, and that shows when dealing with blocks. At times, he can get overwhelmed physically, and his movement isn’t the most fluid.
But he makes plays. And in the NFL, that still matters.
Josiah Trotter | Missouri
The name stands out, and the play backs it up.
Trotter comes from an NFL lineage, and it shows in how he processes the game. He reads quickly, reacts decisively, and plays with confidence in the middle of the defense.
He’s a true linebacker: physical against the run, reliable as a tackler, and capable of moving side to side.
There’s still growth needed in coverage, particularly in man situations, but his instincts consistently put him in the right position.
He feels like a player who could outperform where he’s drafted.
UNDER THE RADAR–
Harold Perkins | LSU
Perkins is one of the most intriguing players in this class.
When he’s right, he’s a difference-maker. He can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and chase plays down with his athleticism. His versatility jumps off the screen.
But there are real questions.
He’s undersized, coming off an ACL injury, and his role at the next level isn’t completely defined yet. Teams will have to figure out how to best use him. He has had better years at LSU than last season, the Tigers struggled to figure out how to use him.
If he develops and returns to form, he has upside. But there’s more projection here than certainty.
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