Best available LB in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The NFL Draft has arrived. No more conjecture or hypotheticals. Five months of preparations and the biggest job interview in the world will now become real.
Viewers have become accustomed to certain similarities. The best quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive lineman and cornerbacks towards the top, while running back, safety and linebacker are less prioritized at the top. In 2026 throw out almost all the positional tendencies and trends.
Linebackers will come off the board early. A stark contrast from most years. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles are expected to be top 10 picks. The second round could see a legitimate run on linebackers.
Even in the middle to late rounds, there are future starters to consider. Even into the fourth and fifth rounds should see significant names coming off the board. There could even be some late round steals if some linebackers are willing to entertain a transition to safety.
Best available LB in 2026 NFL Draft
| Name | School | HT | WT | Range | Pick | Team |
| Arvell Reese | Ohio State | 6’4 | 243 | Top 5 | 5 | Giants |
| Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 6’5 | 243 | Top 10 | 7 | Commanders |
| Anthony Hill Jr | Texas | 6’3 | 238 | Rd 1-2 | 60 | Titans |
| CJ Allen | Georgia | 6’1 | 235 | Rd 1-2 | 53 | Colts |
| Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech | 6’1 | 235 | Rd 1-2 | 43 | Dolphins |
| Deontae Lawson | Alabama | 6’2 | 228 | Rd 2-3 | ||
| Jake Golday | Cincinnati | 6’4 | 240 | Rd 2-3 | 51 | Vikings |
| Josiah Trotter | Missouri | 6’2 | 237 | Rd 2-3 | 46 | Buccaneers |
| Kyle Louis | Pitt | 6’1 | 220 | Rd 2-3 | 138 | Dolphins |
| Taurean York | Texas A&M | 5’10 | 227 | Rd 2-4 | ||
| Keyshaun Elliott | ASU | 6’2 | 235 | Rd 2-4 | ||
| Aiden Fisher | Indiana | 6’1 | 231 | Rd 2-4 | ||
| Trey Moore | Texas | 6’2 | 243 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Kaleb Elarms-Orr | TCU | 6’2 | 230 | Rd 3-5 | 126 | TCU |
| Harold Perkins Jr | LSU | 6’1 | 222 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Red Murdock | Buffalo | 6’1 | 240 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Owen Heinecke | Oklahoma | 6’1 | 227 | Rd 3-5 | ||
| Bryce Boettcher | Oregon | 6’2 | 232 | Rd 4-6 | 135 | Colts |
| Eric Gentry | USC | 6’6 | 225 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Xavian Sorey Jr | Arkansas | 6’3 | 225 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Lander Barton | Utah | 6’5 | 240 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Scooby Williams | Texas A&M | 6’2 | 230 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jaden Dugger | LA Lafayette | 6’5 | 250 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Jimmy Rolder | Michigan | 6’2 | 240 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Wesley Bissainthe | Miami | 6’1 | 215 | Rd 4-6 | ||
| Karson Sharar | Iowa | 6’2 | 235 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Wade Woodaz | Clemson | 6’4 | 235 | Rd 5-7 | 123 | Texans |
| Jack Kelly | BYU | 6’2 | 242 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Jordan Pollard | SJSU | 6’1 | 202 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Desmond Purnell | Kansas State | 6’0 | 232 | Rd 5-7 | ||
| Justin Jefferson | Alabama | 6’1 | 227 | Rd 5-7 | 149 | Browns |
| Triston Newson | Missouri | 6’2 | 230 | Rd 5-7 |
Social media reactions to LB selections in 2026 NFL Draft
Back to back from Bama!
Welcome to the team, Justin Jefferson pic.twitter.com/t46NyXffZL
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 25, 2026
K5 to The A‼️
The @AtlantaFalcons select @KendalDaniels__#OUDNA x #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/hF5hdpjfWN
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) April 25, 2026
K5 to The A‼️
The @AtlantaFalcons select @KendalDaniels__#OUDNA x #NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/hF5hdpjfWN
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) April 25, 2026
Pick is in: #Bills drafting TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr https://t.co/b4s4wnKliLpic.twitter.com/p9DV23WdfH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2026
Opening up a can of Woodaz 💪 pic.twitter.com/cMBkcDrMG3
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) April 25, 2026
THE DETROIT LIONS TAKE ANOTHER MICHIGAN WOLVERINE 🦁
The Lions have selected Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder with the 118th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft! pic.twitter.com/u6WAX52cu7
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) April 25, 2026
Kyle Louis is the best available LB according to ESPN’s draft tracker.
Welcome to Nashville, @thegoatanthony1! 👋 pic.twitter.com/mzB3nuZMCz
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 25, 2026
With the 53rd pick in the draft, the #Colts have selected LB CJ Allen. Welcome to Indy! pic.twitter.com/QvGleAk4sq
— The Blue Stable (@TheBlue_Stable) April 25, 2026
Golday All Day.
The #Vikings have selected LB @GoldayJake with the 51st overall pick. https://t.co/S6CMEqZRpspic.twitter.com/wlbqixLMSX
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 25, 2026
Josiah Trotter is headed to Tampa Bay 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dxL6gGHvPh
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) April 25, 2026
With the No. 43 overall pick in the 2026 @NFLDraft, the @MiamiDolphins select Jacob Rodriguez.
NFL Draft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/WBfRlfwNQD— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2026
LB Sonny Styles is heading to Washington at #7!
His reaction is awesome 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fPs7DwB8PJ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 24, 2026
LB Sonny Styles is heading to Washington at #7!
His reaction is awesome 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fPs7DwB8PJ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 24, 2026
2026 NFL Draft How to Watch
The 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network– available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
