Inside Linebacker Class

Early-round talent: A-
Mid-round: B
Late-round: B
Overall grade: B+

2025 prospects vs 2026

Sonny Styles
C.J. Allen
Jihaad Campbell
Carson Schwesinger
Jacob Rodriguez
Demetrius Knight
Anthony Hill Jr.
Kyle Louis
Jack Kiser
Danny Stutsman

Just to be clear, this article and series are all my opinion. I base my evaluation on my own film study and also on information I’ve gotten from general managers, directors of college scouting, national scouts, area scouts, and NFL coaches who know way more than I do.

The 2025 NFL Draft was a decent year for linebackers, but 2026 is better. If you include Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, it is a very good year for top-shelf linebacker talent. However, Reese will probably be used more as an edge rusher for the NFL, so he is included in the edge rush position review. Aside from Reese, the 2026 group is stronger than the 2025 class with more first-round and day-two talent.

If you were to merge the two classes together, Sonny Styles and C.J. Allen would be ahead of Jihaad Campbell because of the medical concerns that caused Campbell to slide. On the field, Campbell and Styles were very comparable with what they put on tape. C.J. Allen has a lesser skill set, but he could go higher than where Campbell went because of the medical. Jacob Rodriguez is not as good a prospect as Carson Schwesinger, but Rodriguez is better than Demetrius Knight. Anthony Hill and Kyle Louis are better prospects than Jack Kiser and Danny Stutsman.

Safest Pick: C.J. Allen, Georgia

Previous Picks:
2025 Jihaad Campbell
2024 Edgerrin Cooper
2023 Jack Campbell
2022 Devin Lloyd
2021 Jamin Davis
2020 Kenneth Murray
2019 Devin White, Josh Allen
2018 Roquan Smith, Tremained Edmunds
2017 Jarrad Davis
2016 Reggie Ragland, Myles Jack
2015 Denzel Perryman, Eric Kendricks
2014 C.J. Mosley, Khalil Mack
2013 Kevin Minter, Arthur Brown

This was an easy selection as Allen is a rock-solid prospect. Campbell had a big-time presence for the Bulldogs in 2025 and was all over the field in both phases. Allen is an excellent run defender and a solid contributor in pass coverage. He is instinctive, smart, a leader, and a high-character individual. In the NFL, Allen should become a good starter for a long time.

Biggest Bust Potential: Deonte Lawson, Alabama

Previous Picks:
2025 Barrett Carter
2024 Junior Colson
2023 Trenton Simpson
2022 Brandon Smith
2021 Dylan Moses
2020 Jacob Phillips, Terrell Lewis
2019 Cameron Smith, Jachai Polite
2018 Malik Jefferson, Lorenzo Carter
2017 Raekwon McMillan, Haason Reddick
2016 Tyler Matakevich, Kamalei Correa
2015 Bernardrick McKinney, Randy Gregory
2014 Chris Borland, Dee Ford
2013 Kevin Reddick, Chase Thomas

Lawson was a solid player over the years at Alabama, but he has medical concerns, and his final season was not as impressive. Lawson could get drafted earlier, and he has some bust potential.

Linebacker Rankings by Attributes

Pass Coverage:

NFL prototype: Lavonte Davis, Buccaneers

1. Sonny Styles
2. Kyle Louis
3. C.J. Allen
4. Jacob Rodriguez
5. Anthony Hill

Recap: The ability for a linebacker to be effective in pass coverage is mandatory in the passing-driven NFL. Defensive coordinators need linebackers who cover a lot of ground and can drop quickly downfield. Along with playing zone, linebackers who can effectively match up against the versatile pass-receiving tight ends and running backs out of the backfield are difficult to find. This is a talented group in pass coverage, with all five showing the ability to contribute in coverage.

In the passing-driven NFL, Styles is a great fit to help his defense cover in the middle of the field. Styles is fast and athletic, covering a ton of ground in zone coverage. Styles flies around the field and uses his tremendous speed to neutralize passes to the flat. Styles has good size and length to cover up targets with the skill set to line up in man coverage on tight ends. Styles is smooth in his drop, comfortable in space, and adept at dropping down the middle seam. With his safety background, Styles is natural in coverage. Along with covering well, Styles is a good open-field tackler.

In pass coverage, Louis really stands out as a future contributor for the NFL. He is very smooth dropping in coverage and covers a lot of ground in zone. The athletic and agile Louis demonstrates strong coverage skills against tight ends down the seam and receivers entering his territory. Louis can really run, so he should be a nice asset for defending receiving tight ends. On top of being able to cover and run with receivers, Louis’s ball skills are excellent for a linebacker. He doesn’t panic when passes come his way, and he attacks the ball. Louis is capable of slapping passes away and is dangerous to pick the ball off. Louis is a dynamic pass-defending linebacker, and he is a great fit for the current NFL in this regard.

Allen is a skilled zone coverage linebacker who does a good job of covering the flat. He shows athleticism in space and is adept at tracking down receivers to make tackles in the open field. Allen moves well in zone coverage and also shows some ability to cover tight ends or backs in man coverage. Allen’s pass coverage is rock solid to be a three-down starter in the NFL.

In pass coverage, Rodriguez is able to contribute as well. Rodriguez can move around the field in space in zone coverage, picking up receivers and covering up receiving options. He has shown nice read-and-react skills with the ability to eat up ground. Rodriguez shows good instincts to read the quarterback’s eyes, and that allows him to disrupt passing lanes. He was very adept at jumping routes for interceptions and pass breakups. Rodriguez will need some coaching on technique if his system requires him to play some man coverage on tight ends or backs. He could have some struggles in man coverage to prevent separation. Rodriguez also had some busted coverages last season in college, so he will need some coaching on his diagnosis and recognition.

In pass coverage, Hill shows some ability to drop in coverage and play zone. He does a nice job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and disrupting passing lanes. He could stand to develop his pass coverage ability for the NFL, especially if his pro scheme would like him to play some man coverage on tight ends.

Run Defense:

NFL prototype: Fred Werner, 49ers

1. C.J. Allen
2. Sonny Styles
3. Jacob Rodriguez
4. Anthony Hill
5. Kyle Louis

Recap: As multiple scouts told WalterFootball.com at the college All-Star games, a thumper inside linebacker is a dying breed in the NFL. Still, teams have to have middle linebackers who can be tough run defenders. They especially need pursuit skills with the rash of mobile quarterbacks and the mixing in of read-option plays. This group is a strong class of run-defending linebackers.

In run defense, Allen is big and physical in the tackle box. He is instinctive and fast to read his keys to get in position to make tackles. Allen is strong to take on and shed blocks with a quick burst to fire to the ball carrier. With his strength and physical attitude, Allen will hit hard and put ball carriers into the turf with force. Allen is quick, instinctive, big, and could be a three-down middle linebacker in the NFL.

As a run defender, Styles showed improvement to close out the 2024 season and was vastly improved in 2025 with his ability to take on and shed blocks. Styles did a nice job of taking on, using strength to shed, and then getting in on tackles. Those skills will require continued development for the NFL, but it is definitely headed in the right direction. Styles also looked faster and more comfortable reading his keys. He comes downhill fast and has zero hesitation to get physical. Styles was a really good tackler in 2025 with very few missed tackles, and for the NFL, he could stand to get lower and not tackle as high. That is not surprising considering how tall Styles is, but getting lower in the target zone will help him to avoid missed tackles and helmet-to-helmet penalties.

In the ground game, Rodriguez is a force. He is a very good pursuit linebacker who uses his excellent instincts to chase down backs. With great anticipation, Rodriguez is always around the ball and puts himself in position to make a lot of plays. He has a nice burst and attacks downhill. His background as a quarterback shows advanced ability to read his keys and get in position to make tackles. He attacks the ball and has tremendous ball awareness to go for the strip with a knack for making game-changing plays. Rodriguez has adequate speed and athleticism, but he is not elite in those regards. Rodriguez can get bounced around by offensive linemen, and he will need to work on taking on and shedding blocks from pro offensive linemen.

In run defense, Hill is a tough defender who is an attacking linebacker. Hill shows good instincts to read offenses, and is impressive with his ability to not bite on play fakes or take false steps that get him out of position. Hill reads his keys well and is decisive when he fires downhill to attack a ball carrier. Hill does a superb job of defending screens and perimeter runs while also being a big force in the tackle box. Hill’s speed catches offenses by surprise as he will come downhill quickly to dart past blockers and blow up running plays. With some pro coaching, Hill should be an asset as a run defender in the NFL.

As a run defender, Louis is dynamic in pursuit as he flies around the field and can go sideline-to-sideline. Louis is fast to explode to the flat to defend perimeter runs, and he will come downhill to cut down backs. Louis is an impressive open-field tackler and can break down in space. For the NFL, Louis is undersized, so he will need to work on taking on blocks, stacking, shedding, and getting on tackles. Given his size, that could be a persistent issue for him. Louis can get bounced around by blockers, and he will have issues with that when taking on pro offensive linemen. Thus, adding more strength for the pro game would help.

Tackling:

NFL prototype: Roquan Smith, Ravens

1. C.J. Allen
2. Sonny Styles
3. Jacob Rodriguez
4. Kyle Louis
5. Anthony Hill

Recap: With each passing year, I think tackling is becoming a lost art in the NFL. Missed tackles are a plague on defenses that seems to get progressively worse every season. One of the primary reasons for this epidemic is the decreased training camp practices with less padded work and live hitting. Rule changes have also made tackling more difficult as players must avoid contact in certain locations and methods of taking down a ball carrier. The end result is seeing a plethora of missed tackles on a down-by-down basis. This group is pretty solid, and no player stands out in a really negative manner.

Allen and Styles are very good tacklers. Consistently, they do a good job of wrapping up ball-carriers with solid tackling technique. Rodriguez is a solid tackler. Louis lacks size, but he will deliver some hits. Hill is a solid tackler, but he looked better in earlier seasons than he did in 2025.

Instincts:

NFL prototype: Lavonte David, Buccaneers

1. C.J. Allen
2. Sonny Styles
3. Jacob Rodriguez
4. Kyle Louis
5. Anthony Hill

Recap: Instincts are what separate good linebackers from great ones. Having the innate feeling of what the offense is going to do is a huge factor for linebackers who can take the ball away, make a critical stop on a third down, or consistently set up good down-and-distance situations for the defense. All great players are instinctive.

In this group, I have Allen as the most instinctive linebacker in this draft class, and he really stands out in this regard. His instincts are very good, and he seems to be a step ahead often. Syles, Louis, and Rodriguez have very good instincts as well. There isn’t much separating the top four. Hill looked more instinctive early in his college career.

Pass Rush:

NFL prototype: Micah Parsons, Packers

1. Anthony Hill
2. Kyle Louis
3. Sonny Styles
4. Jacob Rodriguez
5. C.J. Allen

Recap: There aren’t too many inside linebackers in the NFL who consistently rush the passer, but 3-4 defenses especially like to have interior backers who can blitz up the middle after the quarterback. This group has some linebackers that are very good blitzers, especially the top five.

In 2024, Hill showed some serious pass-rush ability, as he is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge. He is fast and explosive to get upfield to run around offensive tackles, and that was clear with eight sacks that season. In 2025, Texas used Hill more in coverage.

Louis is a dangerous blitzer who closes on the quarterback in a blur. He has good vision to pick a rush lane and work his way through the line. Louis is a dynamic pass-defending linebacker, and he is a great fit for the current NFL in this regard.

Styles showed in 2024 that he is a dangerous blitzer for the NFL with six sacks. He dropped in coverage more in 2025 and reduced his sack total to .5. Styles is very decisive about when he commits to coming downfield. That makes him dangerous on blitzes, as well as defending perimeter runs. He has a serious burst to eat up ground and can be a hard charger that dodges blockers while flying to the quarterback. With elite straight-line speed, Styles eats up ground in a hurry, and he is very dangerous on delayed blitzes.

Rodriguez showed some blitzing ability in 2024 with five sacks. He has a burst to close and is instinctive to pick his lane and hunt the quarterback. Allen showed some blitzing ability in 2025 with 3.5 sacks. He has a burst to close and is athletic to work his way into the backfield.

Position Review: Tight Ends

Tight End Class
Early-round talent: B
Mid-round: A-
Late-round: A
Overall grade: A-

2025 prospects vs 2026

Colston Loveland
Tyler Warren
Kenyon Sadiq
Mason Taylor
Elijah Arroyo
Harold Fannin Jr.
Sam Roush
Oscar Delp
Michael Trigg
Joe Royer

Just to be clear, this article and series are all my opinion. I base my evaluation on my own film study and also on information I’ve gotten from general managers, directors of college scouting, national scouts, area scouts, and NFL coaches who know way more than I do.

The 2025 NFL Draft was a superb year for tight ends. While 2026 does have as much first-round talent, it is a very deep class with good tight ends for day two and the mid-rounds.

If you were to merge the two classes, Kenyon Sadiq would be behind Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren, but he would be ahead of Mason Taylor. Sam Roush, Oscar Delp, Michael Trigg, and Joe Royer would be behind Harold Fannin Jr.

Safest Pick: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Previous Picks:
2025 Colston Loveland
2024 Brock Bowers
2023 Sam LaPorta
2022 Trey McBride
2021 Kyle Pitts
2020 Adam Trautman
2019 T.J. Hockenson
2018 Hayden Hurst
2017 O.J. Howard
2016 Hunter Henry
2015 Clive Walford
2014 Eric Ebron
2013 Zach Ertz

Sadiq is a safe bet to be a very good starting tight end. Sadiq is a dangerous receiver, a mismatch weapon, and a playmaker in the passing game. He also blocks hard and really competes as a blocker. Sadiq looks like a safe pick to be a very good pro starter.

Biggest Bust Potential: Max Klare, Ohio State

Previous Picks:
2025 Harold Fannin
2024 Brevyn Spann-Ford
2023 Will Mallory
2022 Grant Calcaterra
2021 Hunter Long
2020 Hunter Bryant
2019 Noah Fant
2018 Jordan Akins
2017 Adam Shaheen
2016 Nick Vannett
2015 Nick O’Leary
2014 Jace Amaro
2013 Gavin Escobar

This was a tough call as none really stood out to me. However, I was disappointed with Klare last year at Ohio State. He had some dropped passes and did not seem as dynamic a receiver or blocker. He could get overdrafted and disappoint.

Tight End Rankings by Attributes

Pass Receiving:

NFL prototype: Brock Bowers, Raiders

1. Kenyon Sadiq
2. Michael Trigg
3. Oscar Delp
4. Sam Roush
5. Joe Royer

Recap: The NFL has evolved to the point where tight ends are a critical part to a potent passing attack. Some teams have better receiving weapons at tight end than they do at receiver. The league is driven by passing, so if a tight end can’t contribute as a receiver, he could have a hard time seeing the field. This draft class has some excellent receiving tight ends for the NFL.

As a receiver, Sadiq is a mismatch asset for his offense. He is a fast route runner with fluid athleticism to get open in the middle of the field. Sadiq has the speed to get down the seam and accelerate to find soft spots in zone coverage. With excellent body control and agility, Sadiq makes difficult catches using his body to box out defensive backs and make leaping grabs over them. Sadiq is a true mismatch weapon as he is too fast and athletic for linebackers; he will burn them in man coverage. Sadiq is also too big for defensive backs with his ability to make catches over them. Sadiq is a dangerous run-after-the-catch tight end as well, with good moves to dodge tacklers along with size to finish his plays well.

Trigg has the potential to be a mismatch receiving tight end with quickness, athleticism, and feel. Trigg is smooth as a route runner, and linebackers can struggle to run with him. He tracks the ball well downfield, has excellent ball-adjustment skills, and shows late hands to make the catch even when defenders are close. With his quickness and athleticism, Trigg is dangerous to rip off more yardage after the catch with the ball in his hands. Trigg shows toughness as a runner, as he won’t go down without a fight, and he has some elusiveness to juke defenders. Trigg has strong hands to snatch the ball out of the air and presents a good target for his quarterback. Trigg has some natural receiving ability, and he could be a good contributor to an NFL passing attack. His route-running is raw and could use some refinement, but the talent is there for him to be a dangerous receiving weapon.

Delp has the potential to contribute as a receiving tight end with the skill set to develop into a starter. Delp is an athletic and quick tight end who can challenge defenses down the middle seam or along the sideline. He has the speed and fluidity as a route-runner to create separation and is a natural hands catcher. With a burst in the second level, Delp can accelerate away from defenders and is a threat to create some chunk gains. Delp could stand to get more elusive as a runner and use his size to power through defensive backs. With his receiving ability, Delp could be a nice contributor as an F tight end for a pro offense.

As a receiver, Roush is a big target with enough functional speed and athleticism to be dangerous against zone coverage. Roush presents a big target going down the seam and running passes to the flat or along the sideline. Roush runs quality routes and has reliable, strong hands with a natural ability to snatch the ball. Roush is dangerous after the catch, showing a surprising burst to dart downfield after he makes a catch. Roush uses his big body to bounce off tacklers, and he shows a knack for ripping off good gains after making a reception. Roush does not have the speed and athleticism to separate from adept pro linebackers or safeties in pass coverage, but he has the size to win 50-50 and contested catches. Roush is not a dynamic receiving threat, but he could be a functional and good contributor to the pass game.

In the passing game, Royer is not overly fast or athletic, but he is a solid backup-caliber tight end who could be thrown the ball some, as defenses will probably not devote much attention to his direction. With nice technique, Royer is a solid route runner who does not take extra steps. He presents a big target and can high point the ball. While Royer is not an elite receiving option, he has the ability to contribute as a receiver in the NFL.

Blocking:

NFL prototype: George Kittle, 49ers

1. Sam Roush
2. Kenyon Sadiq
3. Joe Royer
4. Oscar Delp
5. Michael Trigg

Recap: Blocking ability is still important for NFL tight ends, Not just in the ground game, but in pass protection. Teams like their tight ends to have the ability to help tackles when they’re going against an elite edge-rusher and contribute to helping cover up tacklers in the rushing attack. To be a good well-rounded starting tight end in the NFL, you have to be able to pass protect and block the c-gap in the ground game.

Many tight end prospects are finesse receiving tight ends who struggle to block, but Roush is big, strong, and valuable to contribute as a blocker. He is strong at the point of attack and shows the ability to seal rush lanes from edge defenders and linebackers. All good tight ends have to be able to block the C-Gap and pass protect. Roush shows that ability with the size to tie up edge rushers and is capable of handling the C-Gap with his ability to tie up and block in the ground game, pushing straight ahead next to the tackle. Roush should be an asset as a blocker as a pro.

As a blocker, Sadiq is better than one would think from the eyeball test. Many receiving tight ends don’t like blocking, but Sadiq blocks his tail off. He will fight, hit, and scrap with defenders through the whistle. He will look to finish defenders when given the chance. Many pro coaches just want their tight ends to give an effort and get a draw, and Sadiq can do that. A tight end has to be able to help in pass protection and block the c-gap to be a true three-down starter, and Sadiq has the ability to do it. Given his size, he will always have some limitations taking on NFL defensive ends, but Sadiq fights hard, and that’s half the battle for a tight end.

As a blocker, Royer has room for improvement for the NFL, but the skill set is there to be a good blocker in time. Royer has good size and strength to be a blocker. His technique needs improvement, but he has the potential to be a solid Y tight end.

Delp is a willing blocker, and he competes. Many tight ends don’t give a good effort as blockers, but Delp does. He fights and battles, but does need to get stronger for blocking pro edge defenders and linebackers. Delp has potential, but needs more power and development to be reliable as a pass protector and blocking the C-gap.

As a blocker, Trigg is going to need development as a blocker to become a true three-down starter in the NFL. While he needs to be coached up, Trigg also has some size limitations. Trigg is going to need to get stronger and show that he can be relied on to pass protect and block the C-gap to be a three-down starter.

Red Zone:

NFL prototype: Sam LaPorta, Lions

1. Kenyon Sadiq
2. Sam Roush
3. Joe Royer
4. Oscar Delp
5. Michael Trigg

Recap: Tight ends are critical players in the red zone. Multiple tight ends are needed for goal-line packages. Many teams also like to use double-tight end sets inside the 20-yard line. A tight end who is a big target with sure hands and leaping ability is a good weapon to help produce touchdowns instead of field goals. Also, being an effective blocker is very helpful in the condensed field, short yardage situations, and goal line. Tight ends that are terrible blockers aren’t options for goal-line packages.

Sadiq is the best red zone weapon in this group because of his receiving ability, his route running to get open, his size to make contested catches, run after the catch ability, and because he is capable of splitting out and beating man coverage as a receiver.

Roush is a close second because not only was he a good red zone contributor as a receiver, but he also blocks well enough to keep defenses guessing on what he might do on any given play. Royer and Delp are potential red zone weapons with their ability to contribute as receivers and blockers. Trigg made some plays in the red zone last year, showing versatility, but he has limitations as a blocker that could get him pulled out of the game at the goal line.

Hands:

NFL prototype: George Kittle, 49ers

1. Kenyon Sadiq
2. Sam Roush
3. Joe Royer
4. Oscar Delp
5. Michael Trigg

Recap: Tight ends with bad hands don’t get thrown the ball often in the NFL. They have a hard time seeing the field and end up only playing in goal-line situations and on special teams. In the group above, there wasn’t one player that stood out as having bad hands.

Sadiq and Roush have the best hands of this group and are natural hands catchers. Royer has really soft hands and is a natural receiver. Delp and Trigg have reliable hands overall, but they can have an occasional drop.

Yards After the Catch:

NFL prototype: Brock Bowers, Raiders

1. Kenyon Sadiq
2. Sam Roush
3. Oscar Delp
4. Michael Trigg
5. Joe Royer

Recap: There are some tight ends in the NFL who are very dangerous with the ball in their hands. Having the ability to pick up yards after the catch (YAC) is not an easy trait to find in tight ends. This class has some quality yards after the catch tight ends, and none of the five is bad at it.

With his speed, athleticism, and strength, Sadiq is dangerous after the catch to rip off yards and turn routine catches into big plays. Roush and Delp had some excellent runs after the catch in their careers, and they could translate that to the NFL. Trigg flashes some run-after-the-catch ability, and he made some big plays for Baylor last season. Royer was okay for college, but may not offer much run-after-the-catch ability in the NFL.