2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

7/3/24: Barton was on his way to an impressive 2023 season before a right foot injury ended his season after seven games. In those seven contests, he totaled 34 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up. In 2022 he had 46 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up. The NFL advance scouts gave Barton a high projection on their preseason watch list.

7/3/24: Carter recorded 62 tackles, five passes batted, and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He had a strong 2022 season with 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight passes broken up. Team sources said Carter is fast and athletic but small and can get destroyed in the inside run. He struggles to get off blocks and is a run-chase linebacker. Carter fits as a coverage linebacker in the sub package, but he could have issues holding up in the base set in the NFL.

7/3/24: In 2023, Stutsman totaled 104 tackles, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Team sources said Stutsman is very athletic, very fast and very instinctive. They stated they feel he has good size and length, but lacks ideal strength and physicality. They opined that Stutsman could be similar to Pete Werner, except Stutsman is a little more finesse and has a lack of strength compared to Werner. Stutsman had a good 2022 season for the Sooners, recording 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up. He is a big linebacker who displayed good instincts as a sophomore.

7/3/24: Playing for Georgia, Dumas-Johnson recorded 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two passes defended in 2023 before going out of the lineup in early November. Team sources said they feel Dumas-Johnson has good instincts and plays strong. After the season, Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky. Dumas-Johnson had an impressive debut as a first-season starter with the Bulldogs in 2022, with 70 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes broken up. He has a good skill set and could rise in Kentucky’s defense because it should fit him well.

7/3/24: Hill had an impressive freshman season in 2023, recording 67 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up. Hill looked like he was just scratching the surface so he could be a riser in 2024 and 2025.