July 18, 2026
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2028 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebacker

Charlie Campbell Charlie Campbell14 mins


*Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, '20, and '21
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021
2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

The top 2028 3-4 Outside Linebacker prospects available for the 2028 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2029 prospect. ** – denotes 2030 prospect.

This page was last updated July 18, 2026. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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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

2027 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. South Carolina image Dylan Stewart, 3-4OLB, South Carolina
Height: 6-5. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
  • ’26 – David Bailey, Texas Tech
  • ’25 – Abdul Carter, Penn State

7/7/26: In 2025, Stewart had 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defended. Stewart flashed big-time ability as a freshman in 2024 and was an immediate contributor for the Gamecocks. In his debut season, Stewart recorded 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 23 tackles. He jumped out, and he looks like a player with special talent.



2. Texas image Colin Simmons, 3-4OLB, Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2027): 1.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Colin Simmons, Texas
  • ’26 – Arvell Reese, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Jalon Walker, Georgia

7/7/26: In 2025, Simmons had 43 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes broken up. In 2024, Simmons had an excellent debut for Texas and showed serious pass-rush ability with nine sacks. He also had three forced fumbles, 48 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. Simmons has upside and could be even better after gaining experience.



3. Alabama image Yhonzae Pierre, 3-4OLB, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 244.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
  • ’26 – Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
  • ’25 – Mykel Williams, Georgia

7/7/26: Pierre has been a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He has been a dangerous edge rusher with speed and physicality to push through blocks. In 2025, Pierre had 52 tackles with eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pass batted. He is an ascending player with a ton of upside.



4. Clemson image Will Heldt, 3-4OLB, Clemson
Height: 6-6. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1-2
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Will Heldt, Clemson
  • ’26 – Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
  • ’25 – James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

7/7/26: In 2025, Heldt has 39 tackles with 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Heldt has played well for Clemson, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. Heldt played well for Purdue in 2024, recording 56 tackles with five sacks. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has good size, a surprising burst, and plays really hard. Heldt has upside, and he could be a nice value pick in the first or second round.



5. Oregon image Matayo Uiagalelei, 3-4OLB, Oregon
Height: 6-4. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 1-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State
  • ’26 – Akheem Mesidor, Miami
  • ’25 – Donovan Ezeiruaka, Boston College

7/2/26: Uiagalelei has a good skill set with size, speed, and athleticism. However, he was an underachiever in 2025 with 34 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended. He looked special on some plays, but was inconsistent and had some quiet stretches where he played down to competition that he should be getting the better of. Uiagalelei needs to improve his motor and play harder. Uiagalelei flashed for the Ducks in 2024, recording 10.5 sacks with two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass batted, and 38 tackles.



6. Ole Miss image Suntarine Perkins, 3-4OLB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-1. Weight: 216.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2027): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
  • ’26 – Zion Young, Missouri
  • ’25 – Mike Green, Marshall




7. Louisville image Clev Lubin, 3-4OLB, Louisville
Height: 6-2. Weight: 267.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2027): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
  • ’26 – Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
  • ’25 – Jack Sawyer, Ohio State




8. Notre Dame image Boubacar Traore, 3-4OLB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-4. Weight: 251.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2027): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Clev Lubin, Louisville
  • ’26 – Gabe Jacas, Illinois
  • ’25 – Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss




9. Miami image Damon Wilson II, 3-4OLB, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame
  • ’26 – R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
  • ’25 – Bradyn Swinson, LSU




10. Michigan image John Henry Daley, 3-4OLB, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 2-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Damon Wilson II, Miami
  • ’26 – Derrick Moore, Michigan
  • ’25 – Josaiah Stewart, Michigan




11. Kentucky image Mi’Quise Humphrey-Gray, 3-4OLB, Kentucky
Height: 6-3. Weight: 269.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – John Henry Daley, Michigan
  • ’26 – Harold Perkins, LSU
  • ’25 – Fadil Diggs, Syracuse




12. Penn State image Ikenna Ezeogu, 3-4OLB, Penn State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Mi’Quise Humphrey-Gray, Kentucky
  • ’26 – T.J. Parker, Clemson
  • ’25 – Tyler Baron, Miami




13. Michigan State image Keahnist Thompson, 3-4OLB, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 251.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Ikenna Ezeogu, Penn State
  • ’26 – Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
  • ’25 – Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina




14. Texas A&M image T.J. Searcy, 3-4OLB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-5. Weight: 261.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Keahnist Thompson, Michigan State
  • ’26 – Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
  • ’25 – Saivion Jones, LSU




15. Indiana image Tobi Osunsanmi, 3-4OLB, Indiana
Height: 6-1. Weight: 251.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – T.J. Searcy, Texas A&M
  • ’26 – Romello Height, Texas Tech
  • ’25 – David Walker, Central Arkansas




16. Oregon image Teitum Tuioti, 3-4OLB, Oregon
Height: 6-2. Weight: 261.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Tobi Osunsanmi, Indiana
  • ’26 – Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
  • ’25 – Jah Joyner, Minnesota




17. Clemson image Jahiem Lawson, 3-4OLB, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
  • ’26 – Caden Curry, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Barryn Sorrell, Texas




18. Georgia image Gabriel Harris Jr., 3-4OLB, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jahiem Lawson, Clemson
  • ’26 – Mikail Kamara, Indiana




19. Ole Miss image Jonathan Maldonado, 3-4OLB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Gabriel Harris Jr., Georgia
  • ’26 – T.J. Guy, Michigan




20. Iowa State image Isaac Terrell, 3-4OLB, Iowa State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 253.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jonathan Maldonado, Ole Miss
  • ’26 – Max Llewellyn, Iowa




21. Memphis image K’Mond Tapp, 3-4OLB, Memphis
Height: 6-3. Weight: 257.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Isaac Terrell, Iowa State
  • ’26 – Keyron Crawford, Auburn




22. Michigan image Cameron Brant, 3-4OLB, Michigan
Height: 6-3. Weight: 276.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – K’Mond Tapp, Memphis
  • ’26 – Tyreak Sapp, Florida




23. Oklahoma image Adepoju Adebawore, 3-4OLB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-4. Weight: 253.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Cameron Brant, Michigan
  • ’26 – Logan Fano, Utah




24. Texas Tech image Trey White, 3-4OLB, Texas Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 252.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Adepoju Adebawore, Oklahoma
  • ’26 – George Gumbs Jr., Florida




25. Auburn image Da’Shawn Womack, 3-4OLB, Auburn
Height: 6-4. Weight: 253.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Trey White, Texas Tech
  • ’26 – Patrick Payton, LSU




26. Boise State image Jayden Virgin-Morgan, 3-4OLB, Boise State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 254.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Da’Shawn Womack, Auburn
  • ’26 – Ethan Burke, Texas




27. LSU image Princewill Umanmielen, 3-4OLB, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Boise State




28. USC image Braylan Shelby, 3-4OLB, USC
Height: 6-4. Weight: 255.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Princewill Umanmielen, LSU




29. Texas A&M image Anto Saka, 3-4OLB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-3. Weight: 256.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Braylan Shelby, USC




30. Vanderbilt image Miles Capers, 3-4OLB, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-3. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Anto Saka, Texas A&M




31. North Dakota image Lance Rucker, 3-4OLB, North Dakota
Height: 6-1. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Miles Capers, Vanderbilt




32. Troy image Donnie Smith, 3-4OLB, Troy
Height: 6-3. Weight: 228.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Lance Rucker, North Dakota




33. Arizona image Tre Smith, 3-4OLB, Arizona
Height: 6-4. Weight: 257.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Donnie Smith, Troy




34. Missouri image Darris Smith, 3-4OLB, Missouri
Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Tre Smith, Arizona




35. North Carolina image Melkart Abou Jaoude, 3-4OLB, North Carolina
Height: 6-4. Weight: 257.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Darris Smith, Missouri




36. Indiana image Joshua Burnham, 3-4OLB, Indiana
Height: 6-3. Weight: 258.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2027): 7-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Melkart Abou Jaoude, North Carolina




37. Ohio State image Beau Atkinson, 3-4OLB, Ohio State
Height: 6-6. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.80.
Projected Round (2026): 7-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Joshua Burnham, Indiana




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

2027 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



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