2026 Draft: Linebacker

[Clonamery]

I think my LB rankings are currently

Mid to High first

Arvell Reese

Mid to low first

CJ Allen
Sonny Styles

First to Second

Anthony Hill Jr

2nd to 3rd

Whit Weeks

Note: I like to rank my players in tiers rather than just numerical rankings.

Where do you see Barton? low 3rd to high 4th? Or lower?

 

[manxman2601]

Taurean York, Texas A&M, 6-0, 235lbs
Another in this insane LB group. A little concerned about his height, but York looks to be a very good fundamentals guy.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Exceptional diagnostic ability allows him to process blocking schemes instantly, rarely taking false steps or getting caught up in misdirection despite aggressive play style.
• 
  
• Natural leverage-winner who plays bigger than his 6'0" frame, consistently getting underneath blockers' pads to maintain gap integrity in congested areas.
• 
  
• Exceptional tackler with advanced technique and finishing power - 89.8 tackle grade backs up the film showing he rarely misses when getting hands on ball carriers.
• 
  
• Shows juice as a blitzer with sharp timing and compact burst, demonstrated in the Texas game where he knifed through protection schemes multiple times.
• 
  
• Field commander who owned pre-snap adjustments as a sophomore, showing veteran-level communication skills and alignment recognition rarely seen in underclassmen.
• 
  
• Operates with controlled violence through contact, displaying tremendous core strength to absorb and shed blockers without sacrificing positioning or balance.
• 
  
• Tracks ball carriers through traffic with disciplined eyes, showing rare ability to maintain sight lines while navigating through blocking schemes.
• 
  
• Better coverage defender than metrics suggest - shows fluid hip rotation and spatial awareness when dropping into zones or matching underneath routes.

Taurean York Linebacker Texas A&M | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.9 Rank: #5 Forty: 4.58 York's tackling technique and run defense instincts translate immediately, though interior offensive linemen will test his undersized frame. His processing...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

He's never had double digit missed tackles in a season with a career average of 10.2%.

 

[manxman2601]

Where do you see Barton? low 3rd to high 4th? Or lower?

I need to watch more but late day 2/early day 3 sounds about right. He probably falls because of just how insane this class is at the top. I haven't watched him enough yet though.

 

[mayoclinic]

You've left out the 2 Perkins.

 

[manxman2601]

You've left out the 2 Perkins.

Not sure where to place them yet. We also haven't talked about Deontae Lawson at Alabama

 

[mayoclinic]

For a reason.

 

[manxman2601]

CJ Allen scouting report

"up there with the best run defending linebackers I've ever watched"

 

[mayoclinic]

Need to fuse CJ Allen with David Bailey.

 

[manxman2601]

I finally took a look at Bruce Feldman's freaks list for this year. Sonny Styles might not be quite Jamie Collins but if the freaks list is right, he might be close.

Vert - 40.5" (compared to 41.5")
BJ - 11' (compared to 11'7").

 

[Clonamery]

I finally took a look at Bruce Feldman's freaks list for this year. Sonny Styles might not be quite Jamie Collins but if the freaks list is right, he might be close.

Vert - 40.5" (compared to 41.5")
BJ - 11' (compared to 11'7").

Who you picking (right now) between CJ Allen or Sonny Styles?

 

[mayoclinic]

I predict Manx is picking Allen.
I am picking Styles.

Both very good, but very different players.

Picking Arvell Reese over both.

 

[manxman2601]

Who you picking (right now) between CJ Allen or Sonny Styles?

I think I give a very slight edge to CJ Allen for two reasons.

1. His tackling is outstanding

2. He's a direct replacement for Spillane whereas I wonder if Styles is an Elliss replacement, at least initially.

But it's very very close and could easily change.

 

[mayoclinic]

The second level of the defense clearly needs an upgrade. Just a sieve right now.

Spillane has not been good, but Elliss way out of his depth.

 

[stelfans]

They need guys like Downs and Styles. Either look to be the ideal pick right now. That might change but for now that’s what I would do.

 

[stelfans]

Edit

 

[manxman2601]

The second level of the defense clearly needs an upgrade. Just a sieve right now.

Spillane has not been good, but Elliss way out of his depth.

Spillane has been better today. The issue today is sloppiness - fumble, penalties, bad play calling with goal to go. If I was to come up up with one need today it's the right side of the OL.

 

[manxman2601]

Spillane has been better today.

Yup!

 

[Clonamery]

Yup!

Yup.

 

[manxman2601]

Spillane has been better today. The issue today is sloppiness - fumble, penalties, bad play calling with goal to go. If I was to come up up with one need today it's the right side of the OL.

Also yup.

 

[mayoclinic]

Arvell Reese / Micah Parsons