Linebacker Prospects

2026 Prospects

Evaluated Through the Vikings Lens

Linebackers are the connective tissue of a defense. The Skol Draft Room Linebacker Prospects page evaluates second-level defenders based on how well they process, react, and fit within the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive structure.

This isn’t about tackle totals or highlight hits. It’s about range, discipline, and trust in space.

How We Evaluate Linebackers

Linebackers are graded on traits that allow them to survive in today’s spread-heavy NFL. Our evaluations emphasize:

Processing speed and play recognition
Lateral range and closing burst
Tackling form and consistency
Coverage ability vs. backs and tight ends
Blitz timing and gap integrity
Football intelligence and communication

Linebackers who think fast play fast.

Fit Within the Vikings Defense

Minnesota’s defense demands linebackers who can handle multiple responsibilities without tipping coverage or structure. Each prospect is evaluated on their ability to:

Flow cleanly in zone and man assignments
Fit the run without over-pursuing
Execute pressure packages and delayed blitzes
Stay effective in sub-packages and nickel looks

A linebacker who can’t hold up in coverage becomes a matchup target.

Role-Based Evaluation

This page differentiates linebacker roles, including:

Every-down MIKE linebackers
Coverage-first WILL linebackers
Run-fit specialists
Pressure and blitz packages fits

Value is tied to versatility and snap-to-snap reliability.

Draft Value & Development

Linebacker value varies widely based on role and scheme. Rankings account for:

Early special teams contribution
Ability to earn sub-package snaps
Developmental upside with coaching
Draft capital vs. positional value

Three-down linebackers are rare — identifying them matters.

Building the Second Level

Skol Draft Room evaluates linebackers as stabilizers of the defense. Every prospect is measured by how they clean up plays, communicate adjustments, and keep the unit sound.

Because great defenses don’t miss tackles in space.

Linebacker Prospects

RK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	YEAR	POS	POS RK	HT	WT
5	Arvell Reese	Ohio State	Jr	LB	1	6-4	243
11	Sonny Styles	Ohio State	Sr	LB	2	6-5	243
26	Jake Golday	Cincinnati	Sr	LB	3	6-4	240
34	CJ Allen	Georgia	Jr	LB	4	6-1	235
40	Malachi Lawrence	UCF	Sr	LB	5	6-4	260
41	Anthony Hill Jr.	Texas	Jr	LB	6	6-3	238
44	Josiah Trotter	Missouri	Soph	LB	7	6-2	237
46	Romello Height	Texas Tech	Sr	LB	8	6-3	240
58	Jaishawn Barham	Michigan	Sr	LB	9	6-3	243
90	Keyron Crawford	Auburn	Sr	LB	10	6-4	255

94	Ethan Burke	Texas	Sr	LB	11	6-6	259
102	Arion Carter	Tennessee	Jr	LB	12	6-1	235
103	Gabe Jacas	Illinois	Sr	LB	13	6-3	270
107	Kyle Louis	Pittsburgh	Jr	LB	14	6-1	220
121	Tyreak Sapp	Florida	Sr	LB	15	6-2	274
123	Cian Slone	NC State	Sr	LB	16	6-4	252
125	Jacob Rodriguez	Texas Tech	Sr	LB	17	6-1	235
131	Red Murdock	Buffalo	Sr	LB	18	6-1	240
133	Lander Barton	Utah	Sr	LB	19	6-5	240
135	Derrick Moore	Michigan	Sr	LB	20	6-3	260

RK	PLAYER	SCHOOL	YEAR	POS	POS RK	HT
UR	Deontae Lawson	Alabama	Jr	LB	21	6-0
UR	Taurean York	Texas A&m	Sr	LB	22	6-2
UR	Trey Moore	Texas	Sr	LB	23	6-0
UR	Harold Perkins Jr.	Arizona	Jr	LB	24	6-2
UR	Owen Heinecke	Oklahoma	Sr	LB	25	6-0
UR	Bryce Boettcher	Oregon	Soph	LB	26	6-0
UR	Xavian Sorey Jr.	Arkansas	Sr	LB	27	6-2
UR	Eric Gentry	USC	Jr	LB	28	6-0
UR	Scooby Williamns	Texas A&M	Sr	LB	29	5-11
UR	Jaden Dugger	Miami (Fla.)	Sr	LB	30	6-0