2026 Draft: Linebacker

[manxman2601]

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon, 6-2, 225lbs

If you want a coverage linebacker who is good against the run, you could do worse than Bryce Boettcher of Oregon.

He currently leads top linebackers in man coverage with an 81 grade. In 2024, he ranked 3rd in man coverage behind Kyle Louis (really like him too) and Deontae Lawson. He was also top in zone coverage in '24 too.

One cautionary note is that he was drafted as a center fielder by the Houston Astros so it's not a given he chooses the NFL. Says a lot about his range in coverage though.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Exceptional football instincts and field awareness - diagnoses plays quickly and consistently puts himself in position to make tackles
• Outstanding run defender who fills gaps aggressively and rarely misses assignments in Oregon's complex defensive schemes
• Versatile coverage defender who shows comfort in both man and zone concepts with solid range in the intermediate passing game
• Relentless motor and compete level - attacks every snap with intensity and pursues ball carriers sideline to sideline
• Natural leadership presence who commands respect from teammates and effectively communicates defensive adjustments as the green dot linebacker
• Proven durability and availability, starting 13 of 14 games while logging 467 defensive snaps without missing time to injury
• High-level tackling technique with strong fundamentals - wraps up consistently and rarely allows extra yards after contact
• Impressive athletic versatility demonstrated through elite-level baseball performance, suggesting untapped physical ceiling and hand-eye coordination

He does sound like the type of guy Vrabel would cherish.

Bryce Boettcher Linebacker Oregon | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 81.5 Rank: #16 Forty: 4.65 Boettcher's best path to an NFL roster runs through his coverage ability and special teams value. His zone awareness is solid, he tracks the ball natural...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

 

[manxman2601]

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 220lbs
AKA The Little Engine That Could (my nickname for him)

A linebacker with "the movement skills of a slot corner"

Watch the coverage reps in the highlight video.

Earned 80 plus grades in run defence and coverage in '24.
Led Power 4 with 22 tackles for loss
Led power 4 in INTs with 4


Such a fun highlight reel.

 

[Clonamery]

I kept list to top-20 picks

Reading comprehension....read your post from the bottom up (almost)

 

[Clonamery]

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon, 6-2, 225lbs

If you want a coverage linebacker who is good against the run, you could do worse than Bryce Boettcher of Oregon.

He currently leads top linebackers in man coverage with an 81 grade. In 2024, he ranked 3rd in man coverage behind Kyle Louis (really like him too) and Deontae Lawson. He was also top in zone coverage in '24 too.

One cautionary note is that he was drafted as a center fielder by the Houston Astros so it's not a given he chooses the NFL. Says a lot about his range in coverage though.

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS​

• Exceptional football instincts and field awareness - diagnoses plays quickly and consistently puts himself in position to make tackles
• Outstanding run defender who fills gaps aggressively and rarely misses assignments in Oregon's complex defensive schemes
• Versatile coverage defender who shows comfort in both man and zone concepts with solid range in the intermediate passing game
• Relentless motor and compete level - attacks every snap with intensity and pursues ball carriers sideline to sideline
• Natural leadership presence who commands respect from teammates and effectively communicates defensive adjustments as the green dot linebacker
• Proven durability and availability, starting 13 of 14 games while logging 467 defensive snaps without missing time to injury
• High-level tackling technique with strong fundamentals - wraps up consistently and rarely allows extra yards after contact
• Impressive athletic versatility demonstrated through elite-level baseball performance, suggesting untapped physical ceiling and hand-eye coordination

He does sound like the type of guy Vrabel would cherish.

Bryce Boettcher Linebacker Oregon | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 81.5 Rank: #16 Forty: 4.65 Boettcher's best path to an NFL roster runs through his coverage ability and special teams value. His zone awareness is solid, he tracks the ball natural...

www.nfldraftbuzz.com

Walk-on. Started as a DB.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Arvell Reese: Ohio State’s Rising Star Linebacker Climbing 2026 NFL Draft Boards - NewsBreak

As the 2025 college football season heats up, few players have captured the attention of NFL scouts quite like Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese.

www.newsbreak.com

 

[manxman2601]

From The Athletic

Better than Caleb Downs?​

The most celebrated defensive player in the country entering this season was Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, an All-American and leader on last year’s national champions.

The Buckeyes (4-0) are again No. 1 in the country, and Downs has 15 tackles and an interception for one of the stingiest defenses in the country. Ohio State is allowing 5.5 points per game.

However, some coaches who have faced Ohio State say Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese is surpassing Downs as the most valuable of the Silver Bullets.

“(No. 8) is their best player on that defense,” said one offensive coach, granted anonymity to speak candidly about an opponent.

The 6-4, 243-pound Reese is tied for the team lead in tackles with 25, with two sacks and a team-best two passes broken up. The junior’s stat line doesn’t present the whole picture.

“He is a super freak, and he’s not just an athletic freak,” the coach said. “They ask him to do a lot. I think if you replaced him with an average player, they’d be in some trouble. If you replaced Caleb Downs with an average player, they’d be fine. (Reese) is a hybrid body, who is long, rangy and explosive. He is smart enough and he can cover, blitz and hold up against linemen, can cover tight ends, can cover backs. He’s playing their ‘adjustor’ position, so he rushes as a down lineman in pass-rush situations. He’s just really impressive.”

Where did Bill Belichick’s UNC roster go wrong? What we’re hearing entering Week 6

At North Carolina, six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick appears to have simply assembled a poor roster.

www.nytimes.com

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

Arvell Reese 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Can Ohio State linebacker crack top 10?

Arvell Reese might be different.

ca.sports.yahoo.com

 

[manxman2601]

The best linebacker in CFB got an INT last night. And two TFLs too.

 

[manxman2601]

Dane Brugler included him on a list of risers too

 

[stelfans]

Seems like a great year to need a safety and a linebacker.

 

[manxman2601]

Seems like a great year to need a safety and a linebacker.

And an X Wide receiver.

 

[mayoclinic]

And a RT.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Seems like a great year to need a safety and a linebacker.

Lucky we have Hawkins and Elliss so we are all set.

 

[stelfans]

And a RT.

meh..

 

[Clonamery]

Lucky we have Hawkins and Elliss so we are all set.

Fall in love with a couple prospects. We're on the upswing.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Fall in love with a couple prospects. We're on the upswing.

That was sarcasm. I thought it would be apparent by liking Hawkins and Elliss who both get repeatedly replaced, and need premanent replacement.

 

[Clonamery]

That was sarcasm. I thought it would be apparent by liking Hawkins and Elliss who both get repeatedly replaced, and need premanent replacement.

I got it. It's ok to love again though.