2028 NFL Draft Prospects: Outside Linebacker



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

This page was last updated July 17, 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. Texas image Colin Simmons, OLB/DE, Texas
Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.59.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Colin Simmons, Texas
  • ’26 – Arvell Reese, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Abdul Carter, Penn State

7/15/26: 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.



2. Alabama image Yhonzae Pierre, OLB/DE, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 248.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
  • ’26 – Sonny Styles, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Jalon Walker, Georgia

7/15/26: 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.



3. Oregon image Matayo Uiagalelei, OLB/DE, Oregon
Height: 6-4. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 1-3.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
  • ’26 – Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
  • ’25 – James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

7/15/26: 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.



4. Ole Miss image Suntarine Perkins, OLB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-1. Weight: 216.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
  • ’26 – Harold Perkins, LSU
  • ’25 – Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

7/15/26: Perkins had 81 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and five passes batted in 2025. 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.



5. Miami image Damon Wilson II, OLB/DE, Miami
Height: 6-4. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Damon Wilson II, Miami
  • ’26 – Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
  • ’25 – Donovan Ezeiruaka, Boston College




6. Michigan image John Henry Daley, OLB/DE, Michigan
Height: 6-4. Weight: 247.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 2-4.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – John Henry Daley, Michigan
  • ’26 – Xavien Sorey, Arkansas
  • ’25 – Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA




7. Oregon image Teitum Tuioti, OLB/DE, Oregon
Height: 6-2. Weight: 261.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
  • ’26 – Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
  • ’25 – Josaiah Stewart, Michigan




8. BYU image Isaiah Glasker, OLB, BYU
Height: 6-5. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Isaiah Glasker, BYU
  • ’26 – Lander Barton, Utah
  • ’25 – Jalen McLeod, Auburn




9. Clemson image Jahiem Lawson, OLB/DE, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jahiem Lawson, Clemson
  • ’26 – Jake Golday, Cincinnati
  • ’25 – David Walker, Central Arkansas




10. Michigan State image Jordan Hall, OLB, Michigan State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 249.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jordan Hall, Michigan State
  • ’26 – Deonte Lawson, Alabama
  • ’25 – Eugene Asante, Auburn




11. Iowa State image Isaac Terrell, OLB/DE, Iowa State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 253.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Isaac Terrell, Iowa State
  • ’26 – George Gumbs Jr., Florida
  • ’25 – Tyreem Powell, Rutgers




12. Texas Tech image Trey White, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 252.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Trey White, Texas Tech
  • ’26 – Mohamed Toure, Miami
  • ’25 – Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia




13. Boise State image Jayden Virgin-Morgan, OLB/DE, Boise State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 254.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Boise State
  • ’25 – Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State




14. LSU image Princewill Umanmielen, OLB/DE, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Princewill Umanmielen, LSU
  • ’25 – Sam Brumfield, Virginia Tech




15. North Dakota image Lance Rucker, OLB, North Dakota
Height: 6-1. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 6-FA.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Lance Rucker, North Dakota




16. Troy image Donnie Smith, OLB, Troy
Height: 6-3. Weight: 228.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 6-FA.

Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Donnie Smith, Troy




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