2026 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4OLB

<> 1/9/26: Bailey is a lightning-fast edge rusher with a dangerous repertoire of pass-rushing moves. In 2025, he had 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes batted, and 52 tackles. Bailey is an excellent pursuit player as he eats up ground in a hurry. He has some size limitations for the NFL as a run defender, but Bailey will battle in the ground game. In 2024, he recorded 31 tackles, seven sacks, and five forced fumbles with Stanford.

1/9/26: In 2025, Bain has 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Bain had an excellent freshman season for Miami, totaling 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 44 tackles. At the point of attack, Bain is strong and violent. He is tough to set the edge and battles hard as a run defender. In the pass rush, he shows some quickness and power, but some team sources feel that Bain is a tweener tackle/end. Bain was injured to start 2024 and didn’t debut until early October. He totaled 23 tackles with 3.5 sacks.

1/9/26: Thomas is a fast edge rusher with serious speed off the edge. He shows some variety in moves and some functional strength to fight off blocks. In 2025, Thomas 26 tackles with 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass batted. In 2024, he totaled nine sacks with one forced fumble, one pass batted, and 23 tackles. Thomas is undersized to be a three-down base defensive end in the NFL, so we will have to be rotated and used in obvious pass-rushing situations. He could be a candidate to be moved to outside linebacker in base and move to rush off the edge in the sub package.

1/9/26: Young had 42 tackles with 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes batted, and was among the nation’s leaders in pressures. In 2024, Young had 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Young has good size, length, and upside to develop. While Young has good size, he is also quick to close and shows good instincts as a rusher. Young could be a riser throughout the 2026 draft process.

1/9/26: In 2025, Wilson had 23 tackles, nine sacks, two passes broken up, and one interception. Wilson was a rotational backup at Georgia in 2024, totaling 22 tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Missouri after the season, and he could be a riser with more playing time. Wilson is a former top recruit who has good speed and pass-rush potential.

1/9/26: Howell had 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 31 tackles with six passes batted. Howell is fast off the edge with a repertoire of pass-rushing moves. Howell’s size might make him an odd fit as a linebacker/defensive end, but his production of getting after the quarterback is going to make him an early-round pick next April.

1/9/26: In 2025, Jacas had 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, one pass batted, and 43 tackles. Jacas has played really well for the Fighting Illini this season, providing a big impact at the point of attack. In the ground game, Jacas has functional strength to hold his ground and get in on runs outside of his gap. Jacas is strong and quick in the pass rush, showing the ability to get after the quarterback as a versatile rusher. He had eight sacks, 74 tackles, and three forced fumbles in 2024. Jacas is a riser with early-round potential.

1/8/26: Perkins totaled 55 tackles, three passes batted, four sacks, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in 2025. Perkins did not get the pass-rushing opportunities that LSU gave him in his freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2024, Perkins had 16 tackles before going out for the season with an ACL injury. In his few games of action, Perkins was not the same tenacious player that he was in 2023 and 2022. Perhaps he was easing off, trying to protect himself from injury.

Perkins is the size of a traditional outside linebacker, but he is a lightning-fast playmaker who was all over the field for LSU as a freshman in 2022 and 2023. He was a dynamic edge rusher who showed natural blitzing ability. In 2022, he totaled 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception, and four passes batted. In 2023, Perkins recorded 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 74 tackles, and four passes batted. Perkins possesses a unique body type and is undersized as an edge defender. However, in 2022 and 2023, he showed explosive speed and tremendous instincts.

1/8/26: Perkins has 74 tackles, three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and five passes batted in 2025. This season Perkins was a dangerous quarterback hunter for the Rebels in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with 60 tackles and an interception. He had 38 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023. Perkins needs to gain weight and get stronger for the NFL.

1/9/26: In 2025, Parker had 37 tackles with five sacks and a pass broken up.. Parker has enjoyed a breakout sophomore season for the Tigers with 57 tackles, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder has quality size and impressive instincts for a young player. In his freshman season, Parker had 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles.

<> 1/9/26: Jackson was playing well before an injury knocked him out of the opener against Texas. After coming back to the lineup, Jackson has played well and was very good in the final games of the season. He had 28 tackles, two passes defended, and 6.5 sacksJackson was a solid defender for the Buckeyes in 2024, rotating behind Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. In 2024, Jackson totaled 16 tackles with 1.5 sacks and a pass batted. He could produce more as a starter in 2025 with the potential to rise. Sources say that Jackson has a good skill set and could rise.

1/9/26: In 2025, Dennis-Sutton had 42 tackles with 8.5 sacks, three passes broken up, three forced fumbles, and a blocked punt. While teammate Abdul Carter gets a lot of attention justifiably, Dennis-Sutton was also on the radar of NFL teams as they liked his 2024 tape. Dennis-Sutton (6-5, 272) is a big body at the point of attack, and he has upside with untapped potential. In 2024, he recorded 36 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended, and a forced fumble. However, sources say they liked his 2024 tape more than his 2025 performance. He had 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023. Dennis-Sutton has day-two ability and could be an impressive tester in pre-draft workouts.

<> 1/9/26: Tuioti has played well and has been an active defender for Oregon this season. He has 66 tackles with 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes batted thus far. Tuioti does not have an elite skill set, but he has functional quickness and strength that is paired with a relentless motor. He has instincts and finds a way to make plays. In 2024, Tuioti had 5.5 sacks with 58 tackles. Tuioti is strong at the point of attack and plays physical with non-stop effort.

1/9/26: In 2025, Uiagalelei has 32 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended. He has looked good on some plays, but has been inconsistent. Uiagalelei was a beast for the Ducks in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass batted, and 38 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder has good size, strength, and athleticism.

1/9/26: In 2025, Height was a dangerous edge rusher and combined with David Bailey and Lee Hunter to help produce a lethal defensive line for the Red Raiders. Height totaled 10 sacks with 38 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pass batted. Height showed some speed off the edge with functional strength to get off blocks. He was impressive against Oregon in the college football playoff game as well.

1/9/26: Moore was a productive edge rusher for the Wolverines in 2025, putting some good pressure on the quarterback. Moore totaled 10 sacks with 30 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended. He had four sacks in 2024 and five sacks in 2025. For the NFL, Moore could be a rotational designated pass rusher to start out his career.

<> 1/9/26: In 2025, Curry had 66 tackles with 11 sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up. He was a productive player who played tough with a good motor. As a backup in 2024, Curry had 22 tackles with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He could rise if he produces more as a starter in 2025.

1/9/26: In 2025, Josephs played well for the Volunteers. He showed the ability to be a potential designated pass rusher at the pro level. He had 33 tackles with four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. In 2024, Josphes had 39 tackles with 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

1/9/26: In 2025, Kamara has 27 tackles and two sacks. Kamara lacks height and length on the edge, but he has quickness and plays hard. In 2024, he had 47 tackles with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass batted. The previous season, Kamara had 51 tackles with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. At his size, Kamara is a tweener end/linebacker who may not have a position to be a three-down starter. Thus, he could be a designated pass rusher (DPR) candidate for the NFL.

1/9/26: In 2025, Guy has 18 tackles with 2.5 sacks and an interception. After serving as a backup for three seasons, Guy flashed ability in 2024 with 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He could be a riser if he builds on that, and Guy could be improved now that he has a year of experience.

<> 1/9/26: Llewellyn played well in 2025 with 6.5 sacks and 26 tackles with five passes batted. Llewellyn was a solid defender for Iowa in 2024, totaling 22 tackles with 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His pass-rush ability looked improved from 2023, and if he continues that trend, he could be a riser.

1/9/26: In 2025, Crawford had 36 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and an interception. In 2024, Crawford had 22 tackles as a rotational backup for Auburn. However, Crawford has a skill set with upside to grow. Crawford could start out as a backup who grows into being a starter. The previous season, he had 44 tackles with 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles with Arkansas State.

1/9/26: In 2025, Fano was a solid defender for the Utes with 4.5 sacks, 44 tackles, and two passes batted. Fano plays hard and is physical. He could be a solid backup in the NFL.

1/9/26: In 2025, Sapp had 34 tackles and one sack. Sapp was a disruptive defender for the Gators in 2024, and provided consistent play throughout the season. He totaled seven sacks with two forced fumbles and 46 tackles. Sapp is a tweener end/tackle but has some ability to rush from inside or outside. He looks like he could become a solid backup in the NFL.

<> 1/8/26: In 2025, Gumbs had 31 tackles with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2024, Gumbs had a solid debut for the Gators, showing some edge rush ability. He totaled five sacks with eight tackles for a loss and 35 tackles. In the previous three seasons, Gumbs played at Northern Illinois.

10/15/24: In 2025, Payton had 34 tackles with one sack. In 2024, Payton had 35 tackles and four sacks with Florida State. Team sources were disappointed in his play, and he was wise to go back to school next year. Payton transferred to LSU. Payton was superb in 2023, making a lot of clutch plays for the Seminoles. He totaled 43 tackles, seven sacks, and nine passes batted. Playing across from Jared Verse, Payton was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. In 2022, he totaled 31 tackles, five sacks, and three passes batted.

1/9/26: In 2025, Burke had 40 tackles with three sacks and a pass batted. Burke had 27 tackles, two sacks, four passes defended, and an interception. He is a tough defender at the point of attack, but is not very productive. Burke played better in 2023, recording 41 tackles, one forced fumble, and 5.5 sacks. He ate up the Alabama offensive line in Week 2. Burke needs to improve his pass-rush production in 2025.

<> 1/9/26: In 2025, Reiger had 32 tackles with five sacks. In 2024, Reiger was a solid defender for the Badgers, recording 22 tackles with five sacks and a forced fumble. If he can build on that production, he could be a riser in 2025.