Best available LB in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board

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Apr 25, 2026 - 00:36

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Best available LB in 2026 NFL Draft: Updated results, top prospects still on board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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
CJ Allen	Georgia	6'1	235	Rd 1-2
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
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
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
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
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
Triston Newson	Missouri	6'2	230	Rd 5-7

Social media reactions to LB selections in 2026 NFL Draft

Golday All Day.

The #Vikings have selected LB @GoldayJake with the 51st overall pick. https://t.co/S6CMEqZRps pic.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 @NFLPlus pic.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

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.