2026 IDP Rookie Breakdown: Linebackers
Eric Harms brings us early rankings, projected draft capital, and dynasty value for the linebackers leading this year’s IDP class.
Just two weeks until the NFL Draft! Will Sonny Styles go inside the top 10? Maybe top 5, even? Will another linebacker sneak into the back of the first round? I think we may have a total of three linebackers in the 1st round. I can’t wait until we know the landing spots for the linebackers to further inform how we should draft them in fantasy leagues.
I didn’t include Arvell Reese in this list because he was in the defensive line article, but he would have been number one here, too. As an off-ball linebacker, he could be a more athletic Zack Baun.
The dynasty rookie draft valuations below are based on a twelve-team superflex league. For projected NFL draft pick capital, I referenced the past two weeks’ worth of mock drafts from NFL Mock Draft Database. Since almost all mock drafts only cover the first round, I averaged The Athletic’s 3-round mock and NFL.com's 5-round mock for deeper picks.
For fantasy, draft capital and landing spot are crucial pieces of information, so expect this list to change quite a bit by the end of April.
Elite Tier Upside
1. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 244 pounds
Age: 21
Path: Played 1 season at Alabama, followed by 2 seasons at Ohio State
RAS: 9.99
Composite draft projection: Round 1, pick 5
Strengths and Shortcomings
Sonny Styles is an intriguing, high-upside defender whose athletic profile points toward a three-down NFL linebacker role. He shows strong play recognition and rarely misses tackles, pairing reliable technique with physicality at the point of contact. His overall production doesn’t fully match his elite traits, maybe due in part to lower snap counts in his senior year (47 per game), so he is somewhat of a projection due to his athletic traits and football IQ.
Styles brings value in both run defense and coverage, with the range and instincts to stay on the field in all situations. He delivers a strong initial strike when taking on blockers, helping him avoid getting stuck early in reps, though he can improve at shedding once engaged. At times, he overcommits while diagnosing plays, and his change-of-direction acceleration can be a bit slow, but his closing speed helps him recover.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
If his production catches up to his athleticism, he has the tools to become a complete defensive playmaker and a top 12 fantasy linebacker.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Early 2nd
2. Jacob Rodriquez, Texas Tech
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 231 pounds
Age: 23.5
Path: Freshman year at Virginia, then played 4 years at Texas Tech.
RAS: 9.61
Composite draft projection: Round 2, pick 4
Strengths and Shortcomings
Jacob Rodriguez is a slightly undersized but highly productive linebacker whose instincts and athleticism consistently show up on tape. A former quarterback, he brings strong football intelligence to the position, highlighted by a breakout 2025 season that included 124 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 7 forced fumbles. His ability to impact both the run and pass game is evident, particularly with an outstanding 92.3 coverage grade.
Rodriguez plays fast and shows good lateral movement, allowing him to work through traffic and avoid blockers effectively. However, his aggressive play style can lead to inconsistency. He has a tendency to take poor angles, overrun plays, and miss tackles, finishing with 20 missed tackles and a 13.9% missed tackle rate. While he does a solid job keeping blockers off him initially, he can struggle to disengage once linemen lock on.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
If he can improve his discipline and finishing ability, his playmaking traits give him awesome upside. There is a good chance Rodriguez is a top 12 fantasy linebacker at some point in his career.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Middle to late 2nd round
Starter Tier Upside
3. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 239 pounds
Age: 22.8
Path: 3 years at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati for his final 2 years.
RAS: 9.85
Composite draft projection:
Strengths and Shortcomings
Jake Golday brings a well-rounded, physical skill set to the linebacker position, highlighted by his overall production and effectiveness as a blitzer. He totaled 101 tackles in 2025 with a solid 9% missed tackle rate, showing reliability as a finisher. As a pass rusher, Golday generated 4 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, and 9 hurries on just 80 pass rush snaps, an impressive 22.5% pressure rate. He wins with strength and quickness rather than shiftiness.
Golday also shows the ability to shed blocks effectively in the run game, helping him stay active around the ball. In coverage, he’s good but not a standout, posting a 77.5 grade in 2025. One area for improvement is his initial trigger, as he tends to hesitate for a beat after the snap. Not sure whether that is due to him processing reads slower than his counterparts or being ultra-patient.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
He should be a top 24 fantasy linebacker and has a chance to reach the top 12 if he develops quicker read/reaction time.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Early 3rd round
4. C.J. Allen, Georgia
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 235 pounds
Age: 21
Path: 3 years at Georgia
Composite draft projection: Round 1, pick 26.
RAS: Didn’t test
Strengths and Shortcomings
C.J. Allen profiles as a steady, dependable inside linebacker who does a lot of things well, even if he lacks standout, highlight-reel traits. A smart and trusted leader, Allen not only handled audibles in college but also took on play-calling responsibilities, reflecting his strong understanding of the defense. He’s effective at disengaging from blocks and consistently puts himself in position to make plays.
Allen recorded 94 tackles in 2025 with just 8 missed tackles (7.8%), showcasing sound technique and reliability as a finisher. While he isn’t particularly fast or quick, he has enough athleticism to hold up at the next level. Coverage remains a concern, as shown by his 55.5 grade, though he is more comfortable in zone than in man situations. As a pass rusher, he adds value with four sacks and nine hurries on 88 pass rush snaps.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
I think his floor is higher than Golday's, but he has a lower ceiling. I don’t see him as a top 12 linebacker, but there is a good chance he reaches the top 24.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Late 3rd round
5. Anthony Hill, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 238 pounds
Age: 21
Path: 3 years at Texas.
RAS: 9.81
Composite draft projection: Round 2, pick 16.
Strengths and Shortcomings
Anthony Hill is an athletic, instinctive linebacker who plays fast and aggressive, highlighted by his ability to diagnose plays quickly and trigger downhill in a hurry. His burst and change-of-direction skills allow him to cover ground effectively, and when he stays under control, he’s a reliable finisher who rarely misses tackles. However, that same aggressiveness can work against him at times, as he’ll occasionally overrun plays and take himself out of position.
Hill’s overall production has been modest, averaging 6.3 tackles per game, but his traits show potential. As a blitzer, he shows promise with 3 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 11 pressures on 86 pass rush snaps. In coverage, he’s been just average so far, which could limit his snap share early in his NFL career. Still, with his athleticism and play speed, there’s clear upside if he continues to develop in that area.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
He could have some top 24 seasons as he develops.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
4th round
Rosterable IDPs
6. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 220 pounds
Age: 22
Path: 4 years at Pittsburgh.
RAS: 8.83
Composite draft projection: Round 3, pick 8
Strengths and Shortcomings
Kyle Louis is an intriguing hybrid defender whose size and athleticism point toward a potential big nickel role at the next level, using his speed, quickness, and strong play recognition to make plays all over the field. Louis excels at avoiding blocks with his movement skills, though he can struggle to disengage once linemen get their hands on him.
His 2025 production included 82 tackles with a 10.9% missed tackle rate, along with contributions as a pass rusher (3 sacks, 4 QB hits, 11 hurries) and in coverage (2 interceptions and solid grades). While his overall grading profile was good but not elite, his athletic traits give him room to grow, particularly in coverage. His 2024 season was even more productive with 97 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 7 sacks. He has an intriguing ability, and if not for his size, he would be higher on this list.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
In the right system, he could be a player in the same vein as Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, though I don’t think he plays quite as physically as Owusu-Koramoah did. Depending on how he is played, he could be a top 24 linebacker or top 12 safety.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Mid 4th to early 5th round
7. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 237 pounds
Age: 20.9
Path: Redshirted 2023 due to a knee injury, played one year at West Virginia, then transferred to Missouri for 1 year.
RAS: Didn’t test.
Composite draft projection: Round 3 pick 28
Strengths and Shortcomings
Josiah Trotter brings a physical, downhill presence to the linebacker position, standing out most for his run defense and ability to deliver big hits. He’s particularly effective as a blitzer, showing a more developed pass-rush arsenal than many linebackers in this class. In 2025, he recorded 3 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 7 pressures on just 53 pass rush snaps, translating to an impressive 26.4% pressure rate.
Trotter finished the season with 81 tackles but did post an 11% missed tackle rate, highlighting some inconsistency as a finisher. That theme shows up elsewhere in his game, as his performance can fluctuate from play to play. Coverage remains his biggest limitation, with a 47.9 grade in 2025, suggesting he may struggle to stay on the field in obvious passing situations early in his career, unless they line him up on the edge.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
Trotter may only get limited playing time his first year or two as he develops, but I think he can be a top 36 linebacker.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
Fifth round.
8. Deonte Lawson, Alabama
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 226 pounds
Age: 23.1
Path: 5 years at Alabama
RAS: Didn’t test.
Composite draft projection: Day 3
Strengths and Shortcomings
Deontae Lawson is an athletic linebacker who triggers quickly against both the run and pass, displaying strong reaction time and the closing burst needed to make plays sideline to sideline. Lawson is pretty good at slipping past blockers or bouncing off contact to stay involved in the play, but he doesn’t always take the best route through traffic.
He recorded 87 tackles in 2025 but also had 17 missed tackles, contributing to a 14.5% missed tackle rate across his college career that he’ll need to clean up at the next level. While he is pretty good at avoiding blocks, he tends to struggle with disengaging once linemen lock onto him. In coverage, Lawson is serviceable, but there’s still room for growth in that area. Overall, his athleticism, instincts, and play speed give him an appealing foundation, but improved tackling consistency will be key to unlocking his full impact.
First-Look Dynasty Valuation
I think he has the potential to be a solid linebacker and could have some seasons in the top 36.
Dynasty Rookie Draft Valuation
5th round, but if Lawson truly doesn’t get picked in the NFL draft until the 5th round or later, he is better left for the waiver wire.
Borderline Rosterable Assets
9. Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Texas Christian
Kaleb Elarms-Orr is an athletic linebacker with a 9.33 RAS but needs to work on play recognition and processing.
10. Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
I love the way Keyshaun Elliot flies around the field and gives effort, but he can tend to get out of position and his pass coverage is not good at all. He is going to have to improve in those areas to be an asset on fantasy teams.
11. Taurean York, Texas A&M
Taurean York is an Ivan Pace Jr.-sized linebacker who would be higher on this list if not for that size. After struggling through the past couple of years waiting for more playing time for Pace, I’m not going to subject myself to that again.
12. Red Murdock, Buffalo
Red Murdock was a tackling machine at Buffalo the last 2 years, averaging 149 combined tackles per year. In 2024, his 156 tackles were second to fellow Buffalo LB Shaun Dolac, who had 168. I want to have him higher, but his average athleticism and the fact that Dolac hasn’t panned out yet have me hesitant.
13. Harold Perkins Jr., Louisiana State
Harold Perkins Jr. is an athletic, undersized linebacker at 6’1, 223, similar to Kyle Louis, but that is where the similarity ends. The play on the field just hasn’t been nearly as good as Louis.
14. Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Aiden Fisher is a smart, productive player, but I worry his below-average athleticism for an NFL linebacker will limit his usefulness for fantasy teams.
15. Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma
Owen Heinecke is another undersized linebacker who has a great motor, but doesn’t have the athleticism of Louis or Perkins. Unless he can put on some good weight, I’m afraid he will be stuck on special teams. He ran a 4.62 40, so there is a chance he could maybe develop into a big nickel type like Louis if he doesn’t add weight.
16. Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Bryce Boettcher is another linebacker with a great motor, but he is limited athletically. Will likely start on special teams and have to work his way to playing linebacker in the NFL.
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