2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker



The top 2026 Inside Linebacker prospects available for the 2026 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2027 prospect. ** – denotes 2028 prospect.

This page was last updated Feb. 18, 2025. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Texas image Anthony Hill Jr.*, ILB/OLB, Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 1.

2/18/25: Hill (6-3, 235) was impressive as a true freshman in 2023, and it looked like he was scratching the surface of his ability. He totaled 67 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. In 2024, Hill had 113 tackles with eight sacks, one pass broken up, and an interception. He was all over the field for the Longhorns, showing blitzing and pass rush ability along with being a tough run defender. He is fast, strong, physical, and instinctive.



2. Georgia image Chaz Chambliss, ILB/OLB, Georgia
Height: 6-2. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

2/18/25: Chambliss provided some clutch plays for the Bulldogs in 2024 while recording 41 tackles with 6.5 sacks. Chambliss has versatility as a run defender and pass rusher.



3. Utah image Lander Barton, OLB/ILB, Utah
Height: 6-3. Weight: 233.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

2/18/25: In 2024, Barton had 72 tackles with four passes broken up, two sacks, and two interceptions. 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.



4. Alabama image Deonte Lawson, OLB/ILB, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2025): 1-3.

2/18/25: 1/11/25: Lawson wwas a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2024, making a lot of plays in the ground game and contributing some plays in pass defense. He had 76 tackles with two sacks, one forced fumble, an interception, and four passes defended. In 2023, he had 67 tackles with three sacks and four passes defended after recording 51 tackles and four passes broken up.



5. Kentucky image Jamon Dumas-Johnson, ILB, Kentucky
Height: 6-1. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 2-3.

2/18/25: Dumas-Johnson had 67 tackles with 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He’s played well for the Wildcats. 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.



6. Michigan image Jaishawn Barham*, ILB/OLB, Michigan
Height: 6-3. Weight: 248.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2025): 2-3.




7. Utah image Karene Reid, ILB/OLB, Utah
Height: 6-0. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round (2025): 5-7.




8. Washington image Carson Bruener, ILB/OLB, Washington
Height: 6-1. Weight: 224.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2025): 5-7.




9. USC image Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, ILB, USC
Height: 5-11. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2024): 7-FA.




10. Rutgers image Mohamed Toure, ILB/OLB, Rutgers
Height: 6-1. Weight: 233.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2025): 7-FA.




2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P