The Cincinnati Bengals have not landed any linebackers to this point in free agency. While they do have Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter returning this year, they should still be looking to add talent to the linebacker room.
The draft class is very good at the linebacker position, with two Ohio State Buckeyes at the top of the list.
1. Sonny Styles (6’5” 244) Ohio State
Styles improved drastically an overall off-ball linebacker in 2025 from 2024. The ascension at the position after originally being a safety for the Buckeyes, his incredible
athleticism, instincts, and pursuit speed are all reasons it is nearly a lock that he goes within the first 10 selections this year. As an added bonus to what he does on the field, Styles is known as a great person and team leader in the locker room.
2. Arvell Reese (6’4” 241) Ohio State
Many project Reese to ultimately go higher in the draft than Styles, which is mostly due to the flashes he showed rushing the passer off the edge this year. Reese is a heavy-handed player who exploded on the scene for the Buckeyes in 2025. Whether he stays at linebacker or moves to the edge on a full-time basis, Reese has sideline-to-sideline range, is instinctive against the run, and is an explosive athlete with legitimate pass rush ability.
3. CJ Allen (6’1” 230) Georgia
Allen could be the third linebacker selected in the first round. He is a reliable tackler, just recently turned 21 years old, and is a force against the run. While he is still improving in coverage, that part of his game was much better in 2025 than it was in 2024. He earned his way on the field as a true freshman linebacker for Georgia, which says a lot about the type of talent he possesses.
4. Anthony Hill (6’2” 238) Texas
Hill has legitimate pass-rushing ability, as evidenced by his 17 career sacks in just three seasons. He tested better than expected, recording a 9.93 relative athletic score at the scouting combine. His physicality as a tackler, pass-rush ability, and relentless pursuit are all reasons he shouldn’t make it out of the first 50 selections this year. He is another player who just recently turned 21 years old, as well.
5. Jacob Rodriguez (6’1” 231) Texas Tech
Rodriguez won the Bednarik Award in 2025, naming him the top defensive player in college football for the season. He had 128 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 sack, and 7 forced fumbles during the year. That type of production doesn’t happen by accident. Rodriguez is a high-character, high-effort leader. His football IQ, ability in coverage and against the run, and his surprising athleticism (9.23 RAS) all add up to a player that could push for late first-round consideration for some teams.
6. Jake Golday (6’4” 239) Cincinnati
Golday has an impressive background as a former 190-pound recruit at Central Arkansas. He has shown impressive ability in coverage, rushed off the edge while at Central Arkansas, and has been a two-year starting linebacker at Cincinnati. Golday posted a 9.84 relative athletic score at the combine. His athleticism, size, and coverage ability are going to be coveted on day two of the draft this year.
7. Josiah Trotter (6’2” 237) Missouri
Trotter is your classic downhill thumper at the linebacker position. He is reliable in run support, shows great instincts to diagnose and react, and is physical on contact with the ball carrier. He is still developing in coverage, but as just a redshirt sophomore this past season, he has high upside for the next level. Trotter is the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and the brother of current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Jr.
8. Kyle Louis (6’0” 220) Pittsburgh
Louis lacks ideal measurements for the linebacker position and may ultimately be used as a third safety or in a slot corner type of role at the next level. Regardless, this is a straight-up playmaker. Over just the past two seasons, Louis has accumulated over 180 tackles, 10 sacks, 6 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He should be drafted on day two due to that splash play production, ability to blitz off the edge, and the ability he has shown as one of the better coverage linebackers in this draft class.
9. Kaleb Elarms-Orr (6’2” 234) TCU
Elarms-Orr was spectacular in his second season with TCU, after spending his first two years at Cal. Elarms-Orr had 130 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks during the 2025 season. He has the ability to cover tight ends and running backs out in space, rarely misses tackles, and shows great timing on the blitz. He had a highly impressive 89.1 run defense grade this season. He continued his ascent into a top 10 player at the position during the scouting combine, ending up with a 9.92 relative athletic score.
10. Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
Rolder had limited opportunities as a full-time starting linebacker prior to the 2025 season. Once Michigan moved Jaishawn Barham to playing on the edge, it opened the door for Rolder to become a leader in the middle of the Wolverines’ defense. He had a highly impressive season with 73 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. He had an 80.0 run defense grade, just a 4.7% missed tackle rate, and has never recorded a penalty during his career. Rolder continued impressing during the pre-draft process, posting a 9.52 relative athletic score.
Honorable mentions: Keyshaun Elliot, Harold Perkins Jr., Red Murdock, Taurean York, Deontae Lawson, Kendal Daniels, Bryce Boettcher, Aiden Fisher, Jack Kelly, Wade Woodaz, Lander Barton, and Eric Gentry
