Dane Brugler's 2026 NFL Draft summer positional rankings: Linebackers

New York Times

2 days ago

Editor's note: This is the fifth installment of Dane Brugler's 2026 Summer Scouting series. Previous rankings: Edge rushers | Running backs | Defensive tackles | Tight ends
If we are forecasting the deepest positions for the 2026 NFL Draft, linebacker has to be in the conversation. There are a few first-round hopefuls at the top of the list, led by Georgia's CJ Allen. But the quality should extend into Days 2 and 3 with promising linebacker talent.
(Note: Asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player, with a 'v' representing verified measurements and 'e' for estimated measurements.)
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Between his range, instincts and the fact that he dons Georgia's No. 3 jersey, Allen brings back immediate flashbacks of Roquan Smith patrolling the middle of the defense in Athens.
Allen is quick to key, read and flow and shows the range to make plays outside the numbers. Although he isn't the longest player, he can defeat blocks with quickness or force.
Allen also hits like a ton of bricks without sacrificing his balance at contact, which makes him a reliable tackler. On the play below, Notre Dame running back Jermayne Love has a few steps of momentum but Allen's stopping power plants him in the hole.
Allen trusts his eyes in coverage and looks comfortable turning and shadowing routes, so I wouldn't call him a liability by any means. But he can do a better job recognizing routes and getting his head turned to influence the catch point. Texas found some success throwing behind him in last year's regular-season matchup.
Allen broke into the Bulldogs' starting lineup as a true freshman after Jamon Dumas-Johnson was injured, and he never gave the job back. His tape last season showed an every-down backer with natural diagnose skills and the ability to cover ground quickly. And he doesn't miss tackles — he strikes with accurate angles and the play strength to put ball carriers on the ground.
If Allen continues to ascend in his second year as a starter, he will lay claim to LB1 in this draft class.
Styles is built differently. He immediately passes the eye test with his tall, well-defined frame and long arms (the strength staff at Ohio State raves about him), and he moves like an athlete who is 30 pounds lighter. With his speed, fluidity and reflexes, Styles has outstanding range to open and react to what he sees.
Between his first season as a starter and last year, Styles took a big step reading his keys and understanding field leverage. But he still needs to improve his tackling mechanics to be a better finisher. Though his long arms help him wrap, Styles leaves too much production on the field.
Styles checks a lot of boxes that will be scouting catnip for NFL teams. A former five-star recruit, he is a 20-year-old senior with rare physical traits and the son of a former Super Bowl champion linebacker. On top of his freaky tools, he was voted an 'Iron Buckeye' this spring for his training and discipline, and one member of Ohio State's staff told me Styles is 'one of the best leaders in the program.'
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Styles isn't quite the speed demon that Isaiah Simmons was coming out of Clemson, but there are certainly similarities between the two as former safeties and rare size-speed athletes. Simmons has struggled to become a consistent NFL starter, but he was a top-10 draft pick because the NFL will always bet on athletic traits. Styles has a chance to be a first-round pick for the same reasons.
Once he sees it and gets going, Hill is a dogged chaser in pursuit — which was unsurprising to see on tape considering he led the Longhorns last season in tackles (113), tackles for loss (16.5) and forced fumbles (four). He does some of his best work as a blitzer, when there is less reading and more attacking, which allows him to unlock and chase.
Hill is highly disruptive on the Oklahoma tape, especially as a pass rusher, because he is able to avoid blocks and track down the ball carrier.
Hill can be quick to fill versus the run, but he tends to be too reactionary with his reads. And when his diagnose skills aren't on time, he finds himself stuck in the muck or flowing the wrong direction based on the mesh read. NFL scouts are hoping to see a jump this season in his anticipation (downhill and in coverage) and ability to punch off blocks.
Hill arrived in Austin as a five-star recruit with a ton of fanfare, which he lived up to as a Freshman All-American in 2023 and second team All-American in 2024. Because of his resume and production, NFL hype has followed.
NFL scouts don't currently view Hill as a slam-dunk first-round pick — as one scout put it to me: 'His traits are good, but I can't call any of those traits 'outstanding.'' But Hill is an easy player to like because of his size, speed and hunting skills.
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Weeks is a classic run-and-hit linebacker, at his best when kept clean. He trusts what he sees, mirrors well laterally and closes in a flash to explode through his target. Weeks also has dynamic blitzing talent, and his athleticism shows when he drops into coverage.
With a slightly undersized frame, Weeks can get lost in the trash at times when blockers impede his path. He can dip around blocks and isn't shy using his hands, but his pursuit speed with clean sight lines is what separates him from other linebackers.
Last season, as a sophomore, Weeks moved into a starting role and immediately put himself on the NFL radar with his play speed and clean-up talent. He finished the 2024 season with a team-best 125 tackles plus double-digit tackles for loss and three forced turnovers (two fumbles, one interception).
Weeks suffered a gruesome dislocated ankle and broken tibia in the bowl game and underwent offseason surgery. However, he is expected to be full-go by the end of summer — and the Tigers need his energy on defense. Aside from his talent, Weeks has the type of football character that will endear him to NFL coaches (Brian Kelly: 'Whit is our driver. … He's got incredible passion. It rubs off on our entire defense.').
Perkins gets where he is going in a hurry, regardless of alignment. He is a twitched-up athlete with the burst to win immediately or the speed to track down plays. He is fluid in everything he does, which helps him be effective as a rusher, dropper or chaser.
This is the first play on the South Carolina tape and sums up Perkins' game:
Despite the eye candy in the backfield, Perkins reads the tight end screen off play action and showcases burst to close for what should have been a tackle for loss. (He needs to become a better tackle-finisher on plays like this.)
Over the last two seasons, Perkins evenly split his snaps between the edge, off-ball linebacker and a nickel role in the slot. You could argue that his best highlights have come while rushing off the edge, but he can't play there full-time at this size.
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Does he have the take-on and diagnose skills to be a full-time off-ball player? Can he survive in a slot role at the next level? Or does he need a true hybrid position to maximize his skill set? The answers to those questions will be very different from coach to coach and scheme to scheme.
As early as his true freshman season in Baton Rouge, Perkins put his name on the NFL radar — his level of athleticism sets him apart from the rest. Most expected him to leave after his junior season and be part of the 2025 NFL Draft, but a torn ACL last September changed those plans and NFL scouts are eager to see him back on the field.
Despite Perkins' special athleticism, I don't think the phrase 'draft him and figure out where to play him later' applies here. Coaches need a specific deployment plan to understand how (or if) he fits the scheme, because he will be viewed as versatile by some but as more of a tweener by others.
1. Styles
2. Deontae Lawson, Alabama (6-2 3/8, 218)
3. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (6-3, 241)
4. Lander Barton, Utah (6-4, 236)
5. Bryce Boettcher, Oregon (6-0 5/8, 226)
6. Scooby Williams, Texas A&M (6-1 7/8, 220)
7. Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas (6-1 5/8, 228)
8. Ernest Hausmann, Michigan (6-1 1/8, 221)
9. Wesley Bissainthe, Miami (FL) (6-1 3/8, 226)
10. Eric Gentry, USC (6-6 5/8, 222)
11. Jake Golday, Cincinnati (6-4, 237)
12. Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma (6-4 1/8, 239)
13. Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6-0 1/4, 232)
14. Mohamed Toure, Miami (FL) (6-2, 235)
15. Wade Woodaz, Clemson (6-3 1/8, 230)
16. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU (6-1 1/2, 233)
17. Caleb Wheatland, Auburn (6-1 3/8, 226)
18. Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (6-1 5/8, 231)
19. Jack Kelly, BYU (6-1 3/8, 242)
20. Justin Jefferson, Alabama (6-0 1/4, 218)
21. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (6-0, 232)
22. Jordan Pollard, San Jose State (6-0 1/8, 211)
23. Desmond Purnell, Kansas State (5-10 7/8, 231)
24. Triston Newson, Missouri (6-1 1/2, 215)
25. Namdi Obiazor, TCU (6-2, 233)
1. Allen
2. Hill Jr.
3. Weeks
4. Perkins
5. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh (6-0, 225)
6. Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss (6-1, 210)
7. Arvell Reese, Ohio State (6-4, 240)
8. Austin Romaine, Kansas State (6-2, 245)
9. Taurean York, Texas A&M (6-0, 235)
10. Arion Carter, Tennessee (6-1, 235)
11. Teitum Tuioti, Oregon (6-3, 220)
12. Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame (6-2, 240)
(Top photo of Sonny Styles: Robin Alam / ISI Photos / Getty Images)