2026 Draft: Linebacker

[mayoclinic]

did we post that at the same time?

Yes.

 

[dliverey44]

I have been having draft fantasies of coming out of the draft with Hill Jr and Styles. I don't know how this happens but it was my dream so I made it happen.

I have become enamored with Lander Barton

 

[mayoclinic]

In the Harold Perkins writeup at the start of this thread, Manx described Landry as an "ideal compliment to the more traditional Linebacker role of Robert Spilane."

Ideally, I think you want 2 LBs with complementary skills. CJ Allen fits the Spillane mold. You want that guy to be Mr. Reliable, and a sure tackler, which is why Spillane's misses are so vexing.

The complementary LB will be more of a "star" guy, would expect a higher missed tackle rate. 10-12% probably ok. Landrey's 17% missed tackle rate somewhat concerning.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have been having draft fantasies of coming out of the draft with Hill Jr and Styles. I don't know how this happens but it was my dream so I made it happen.

I have become enamored with Lander Barton

If my top 5 guys (Woods, Faulk, Downs, Bain and Fanu) are gone, I would love a slight trade-back and trade-up from our 2nd round to come away with any 2 of:

- LB/EDGE Hill or Styles
- DB Thieneman or Delane
- OL World or Lew
- TE Sadiq

 

[manxman2601]

In the Harold Perkins writeup at the start of this thread, Manx described Landry as an "ideal compliment to the more traditional Linebacker role of Robert Spilane."

Ideally, I think you want 2 LBs with complementary skills. CJ Allen fits the Spillane mold. You want that guy to be Mr. Reliable, and a sure tackler, which is why Spillane's misses are so vexing.

The complementary LB will be more of a "star" guy, would expect a higher missed tackle rate. 10-12% probable ok. Landr's 17% missed tackle rate somewhat concerning.

I agree on Allen. He has coverage upside but he's not the ideal WILL right now. My only issue is that does a complimentary linebacker warrant a high pick? Just checking the total snaps so far, Elliss trails Spillane by 35 snaps already. Across the course of a season, that's about 300 snaps. I'm not sure that's worth a 1st round pick. Second round? Maybe.

Edit: I made this case and then immediately started making a case for Delane in my own head if the big 5 are gone and realised that for years one or two, he’d be a backup or starting NCB and realised I’m failing my own test on the amount of snaps you want from a starter. So perhaps, disregard the above.

 

[manxman2601]

If my top 5 guys (Woods, Faulk, Downs, Bain and Fanu) are gone, I would love a slight trade-back and trade-up from our 2nd round to come away with any 2 of:

- LB/EDGE Hill or Style
- DB Thieneman or Delane
- OL World or Lew
- TE Sadiq

If the top 5 plus Tyson are gone, I think Delane, Thieneman, CJ Allen and Connor Lew are my favourites for our first pick.

1. I do think Tyson is so far ahead of the other WRs in the class he's definitely worth a look still.

2. CJ Allen - That 6% missed tackle rate has really got to me. He'd be better than Elliss day one and would replace Spillane in '27.

3. Delane - He has been lights out so far. A BPA pick.

4. Thieneman and Lew - After a trade back, but I think they're the next highest on my board. Day one starters with plus starter upside.

so my round one tiers would be:

Tier One
The top 5 (although I'm souring on Woods unless he steps up his game)

Tier Two
Tyson

Tier Three
CJ
Delane
Thieneman
Lew.

 

[Clonamery]

If the top 5 plus Tyson are gone, I think Delane, Thieneman, CJ Allen and Connor Lew are my favourites for our first pick.

1. I do think Tyson is so far ahead of the other WRs in the class he's definitely worth a look still.

2. CJ Allen - That 6% missed tackle rate has really got to me. He'd be better than Elliss day one and would replace Spillane in '27.

3. Delane - He has been lights out so far. A BPA pick.

4. Thieneman and Lew - After a trade back, but I think they're the next highest on my board. Day one starters with plus starter upside.

so my round one tiers would be:

Tier One
The top 5 (although I'm souring on Woods unless he steps up his game)

Tier Two
Tyson

Tier Three
CJ
Delane
Thieneman
Lew.

This is a good outline to have 7 months before the draft especially since you 2 are just about on a mind meld.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'd definitely keep Styles and Hill in my second tier. And you somehow left out Kenyon Sadiq - are you touring on him, or do you just see TE as less of a need?

 

[manxman2601]

I'd definitely keep Styles and Hill in my second tier. And you somehow left out Kenyon Sadiq - are you touring on him, or do you just see TE as less of a need?

I still really like Sadiq but I'm waiting on more production out of him to warrant a first round grade. Only 5 catches so far this year. Plus, I think we can wait another year. I was impressed by Hooper at the weekend and Maye seems to like Henry.

I want to watch more of Styles - I'm not discounting him - it's just that the guys I listed are the ones who have really grabbed my attention. Styles could definitely join the list. As for Hill, I'm wondering whether he's a first or second rounder. I still haven't decided.

 

[manxman2601]

Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss, 6-2, 210-220lbs
I've seen Perkins listed at both 210 and 220lbs. He plays EDGE for Ole Miss but I wonder about him as a conversion to MLB in that Jamien Sherwood type role. He certainly has the closing speed and range to play the role and, as an EDGE has the experience taking on blocks as well as potentially being an excellent blitzer.

Let's face it, with a near 15m dead cap cost, Robert Spillane won't be going anywhere next year so I envisage Perkins either backing him up or playing WILL while, with his athleticism and power, being an outstanding special teamer in the meantime and then potentially stepping up into Spillane's role in '27.

Round 3-4?

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Possesses freakish closing burst that turns potential scrambles into negative plays-shows rare ability to close space in a blink when quarterbacks try to escape the pocket.
• 
  
• Natural bend and flexibility around the edge lets him dip his shoulder and flatten to the QB at sharp angles that bigger rushers simply can't manage.
• 
  
• Runs angry as a blitzer through interior gaps, showing relentless motor and nasty finishing ability when he gets a clean run at the quarterback.
• 
  
• Changes direction with explosive lateral quickness-can plant his foot and redirect without gearing down, making him lethal on stunts and twists.
• 
  
• Coverage skills are significantly better than most edge defenders-former high school defensive back who can legitimately match up with tight ends in space.
• 
  
• Versatility is off the charts-can line up with his hand down, as an off-ball linebacker, or walked out in the slot depending on situation and matchup.
• 
  
• Shows genuine dog in him when playing bigger than his size-fearlessly takes on pulling guards and tackles without hesitation despite weight disadvantage.
• 
  
• Football I.Q. translates to consistently being in right spot-rarely gets fooled by misdirection and shows advanced understanding of blocking schemes.

Suntarine Perkins Linebacker - EDGE Ole Miss | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 87.6 Rank: #3 Forty: 4.58 Perkins is going to require a defensive coordinator who sees him as a linebacker first, not a tweener edge rusher. His coverage ability is the real separat...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Just heard on an Ole Miss podcast (see how deep into the weeds I go ) that Perkins runs a 4.3-4.4 forty time. Now that's interesting if accurate.

 

[mayoclinic]

Very interesting prospect, but where do you put him? Several standard deviations from the norm for an EDGE rusher, still way off even for a LB. Not sure where he would fit, or if he would hold up to the physical wear and tear, unless used predominantly in the secondary.

 

[manxman2601]

Very interesting prospect, but where do you put him? Several standard deviations from the norm for an EDGE rusher, still way off even for a LB. Not sure where he would fit, or if he would hold up to the physical wear and tear, unless used predominantly in the secondary.

It depends whether he's 210 or 220. Jamien Sherwood is 220 I believe and that was supposedly Vrabel's 1st choice for linebacker this year. Special teams and backup year one and see what he develops into but you don't get 43 pressures and 11 sacks in a season, along with 42 tackles without coming up against contact. I wouldn't take him before day 3 though. Our second pick in round 4 perhaps?

 

[manxman2601]

Look what Arvell Reese does to the RT on the first play in this video. He's going into my first round tier.

 

[manxman2601]

That's linebacker Lander Barton catching the TD for Utah. Vrabel-esque?

 

[Clonamery]

That's linebacker Lander Barton catching the TD for Utah. Vrabel-esque?

He's another guy that could stand to gain 10 lbs. If he was there at 3rd pick and we still had that big need at Coverage LB, I'd vote yeah.

 

[mayoclinic]

Where Arvell Reese lined up vs. Texas, in just the 1st quarter alone.

 

[manxman2601]

Where Arvell Reese lined up vs. Texas, in just the 1st quarter alone.

I can see him being the board favourite come draft time.

 

[manxman2601]

Where Arvell Reese lined up vs. Texas, in just the 1st quarter alone.

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.

 

[mayoclinic]

Looks spot on to me. Plenty of time for some movement up or down.

 

[manxman2601]

In this clip Arvell Reese is the highlighted but watch how fluid Sonny Styles is dropping into coverage next to him.



Arvell Reese isn't the only Ohio State linebacker who can rush off the edge. Sonny Styles (no 6) at the top of the screen.