2027 Draft: Linebackers

[mayoclinic]

Ben Roberts
Ray Coney
Arion Carter
Tony Rojas
Xavier Atkins
Myles Graham
Rasheem Biles
Cole Sullivan

Some good depth and talent beyond the Big 3, who I think James Foster has in the right range.

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 had one of the best LB groups in memory. They went:

5. Arvell Reese
7. Sonny Styles

43. Jacob Rodriguez
46. Josiah Trotter
51. Jake Golday
53. CJ Allen
60. Anthony Hill

118. Jimmy Rolder
123. Wayne Woodaz
126. Kaleb Elarms-Orr
134. Kendall Daniels
135. Bryce Boettcher
137. Kyle Louis
149. Justin Jefferson

Right now I would put Cole, Brown and KVA between Reese/Styles and the second group.

The other guys I mentioned probably go rounds 3-5 right now, but some could emerge.

 

[manxman2601]

2026 had one of the best LB groups in memory. They went:

5. Arvell Reese
7. Sonny Styles

43. Jacob Rodriguez
46. Josiah Trotter
51. Jake Golday
53. CJ Allen
60. Anthony Hill

118. Jimmy Rolder
123. Wayne Woodaz
126. Kaleb Elarms-Orr
134. Kendall Daniels
135. Bryce Boettcher
137. Kyle Louis
149. Justin Jefferson

Right now I would put Cole, Brown and KVA between Reese/Styles and the second group.

The other guys I mentioned probably go rounds 3-5 right now, but some could emerge.

I can see Brown and KVA falling into the late 2nd. Brown is all about the athletic upside but there are questions about coverage and his instincts. I think his upside is Carson Schwesinger and his floor is probably Anthony Hill.

As for KVA, I think the upside is higher, but he needs a full year at MIKE and no sign of injury. Back half of the first round is probably his tops.

The range for Cole is massive. He probably is a 3rd-4th rounder right now if you don't take into account his potential. But he could be a Jihaad Campbell or Jalon Walker depending on how he's used and if he has an excellent year.

 

[mayoclinic]

Rasheem Biles 2027 NFL Draft Early Profile

Rasheem Biles is one of the most exciting playmakers in college football. How does he fare as a prospect in this early Rasheem Biles 2027 NFL Draft profile?

lastwordonsports.com

 

[manxman2601]

John Curry, LB, Texas Tech
6-2, 235

Versatility.

114 snaps on LoS
210 snaps at LB
380 snaps as slot/overhang



Bear in mind

Run Defense - 82.6
Coverage - 83.2
MTR - 8.9%

Not saying he's necessarily a starter - sometimes versatile prospects can be prospects without a true position - but a backup, useful tool and special teamer as a minimum.

 

[Clonamery]

John Curry, LB, Texas Tech
6-2, 235

Versatility.

114 snaps on LoS
210 snaps at LB
380 snaps as slot/overhang



Bear in mind

Run Defense - 82.6
Coverage - 83.2
MTR - 8.9%

Not saying he's necessarily a starter - sometimes versatile prospects can be prospects without a true position - but a backup, useful tool and special teamer as a minimum.

A BB kind of guy but with a Vrabel 'stache.

 

[manxman2601]

I saw an Ohio State podcast that Alliegro will be playing Will and Sam this year rather than MIKE. Payton Pierce will be the MIKE.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Sigh. My binkies getting too much attention.

 

[Clonamery]

Sigh. My binkies getting too much attention.

As usual and it's but August.

 

[manxman2601]

Payton Pierce, Ohio State
6-1, 232

Team captain and playing MIKE for the Buckeyes this year. True junior.

Run defense - 83.8
Coverage - 75.4
MTF - 6.0%

Here's his position coach James Laurinaitis talking about him.

 

[manxman2601]

Pay attention to Missouri for their linebackers this year.

1. Nicholas Rodriguez, Missouri
6-0, 225

Junior and reportedly will play the MIKE.

Run Defense - 86.4
Coverage - 78.4
MTR - 7.8%

2. Robert Woodyard Jr, Missouri (frmly Auburn)
6-0, 233

Senior that just transferred in from Auburn. Listed as WILL.

Run defense - 86.6
Coverage - 61.6
16 pressures
MTR - 7.6%

Both are a little short but are two well graded LBers. They could be interesting to watch.

 

[manxman2601]

Mel Kiper talks about Chris Cole. Link should take you straight to the start of the discussion although not a tremendous amount is said.

 

[Clonamery]

Mel Kiper talks about Chris Cole. Link should take you straight to the start of the discussion although not a tremendous amount is said.

That's unusual for Mel. It's usually quantity over quality.

 

[manxman2601]

Paging Chris Cole

 

[manxman2601]

Watch Suntarine Perkins on this INT. Wait for the replay rather than the main footage. You'll see Perkins drop into the short out zone in coverage. Lanoris Sellars is forced to scramble to his side but rather than trying to go for the kill shot on Sellars, Perkins sees a receiver going deep and tracks him. Really impressive discipline I thought.

 

[manxman2601]

I've posted this before but it's really impressive and showcases Suntarine Perkins' flexibility as a prospect. A bendy quick edge rusher, enough power to take on OL and the ability to drop into coverage. He's up to 216lbs and I have no idea how he'd be used by us, but he's an exceptional all-round footballer. He's probably no more than a situational/depth/special teams guy but if Vrabel wants better depth, Perkins would add that. I wouldn't touch him before day 3 but he'd be better and better value the longer day 3 ticks along.

 

[Clonamery]

Watch Suntarine Perkins on this INT. Wait for the replay rather than the main footage. You'll see Perkins drop into the short out zone in coverage. Lanoris Sellars is forced to scramble to his side but rather than trying to go for the kill shot on Sellars, Perkins sees a receiver going deep and tracks him. Really impressive discipline I thought.

He's played a lot of ball. 2024 he had 10.5 sacks. 2025 he had 81 total tackles. Versatile.

 

[manxman2601]

He's played a lot of ball. 2024 he had 10.5 sacks. 2025 he had 81 total tackles. Versatile.

Thing is, he's played a lot of ball because he's good, not because he's been in college a long time. This will only be his 4th year.

Snaps by year

2023 - 365
2024 - 595
2025 - 760