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Linebackers

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Day 3 at the 2026 NFL Combine: Explosive Styles Drives Stock, Lions Draft Talks Grow
sports12 hours ago

Day 3 at the 2026 NFL Combine: Explosive Styles Drives Stock, Lions Draft Talks Grow

Day 3 at the NFL Scouting Combine featured standout testing from Sonny Styles (6-5, 244) who posted a 43.5-inch vertical, an 11-foot-2 broad jump and a 4.46 40, elevating his stock; Kaleb Elarms-Orr followed with a 4.47 40 and a 40-inch vertical, pushing him into Day 2 discussions. Other notes included Jeremiyah Love drawing a Gibbs-like comparison for his speed and power, Makai Lemon’s USC connection boosting buzz, Diego Pavia’s height concern despite solid production, Malachi Lawrence’s smooth on-field drills and Day 2 potential, Ja’Kobi Lane’s multi-sport background, Fernando Mendoza drawing a big media crowd, and Kyle Louis showing explosive traits. There’s also continued Lions chatter about adding a versatile WR who can contribute as a returner, highlighting the draft’s strong edge and receiver classes and Detroit’s evolving target list.

Sonny Styles leads standout LB show at the 2026 NFL Combine
sports22 hours ago

Sonny Styles leads standout LB show at the 2026 NFL Combine

Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Combine highlighted linebackers, with Sonny Styles (Ohio State) delivering one of the event's most complete athletic performances, including a fast 10-yard split, a sub-4.5 40, a 43.5-inch vertical, an 11-foot-2 broad jump, and elite agility—earning NFL.com's top linebacker score and a potential top-five trajectory; Cincinnati's Jake Golday and Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez joined him as standout athletes (Golday 1.6/4.62 split, 39-inch vertical, 10-foot-5 broad; Rodriguez 1.6/4.57, 38.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-1 broad, plus strong 3-cone and short shuttle). Pittsburgh's Kyle Louis also posted elite marks (1.58/4.53, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-9 broad, 6.97 3-cone, 4.26 shuttle). Texas's Anthony Hill did not participate in drills but posted strong measurables (1.58/4.51, 37-inch vertical, 10-foot-5 broad) and has drawn Lions interest after a meeting. The piece frames Styles as a potential top-five pick, while noting Hill's lack of on-field drills leaves questions to answer.

Patriots Target Edge Rushers as Front-Seven Depth Shines at NFL Combine
sports1 day ago

Patriots Target Edge Rushers as Front-Seven Depth Shines at NFL Combine

Patriots executives stressed edge rush as a drafting priority at the NFL Combine, noting a deep class and the need for speed, violence and versatility. The piece highlights potential first-round length outliers Rueben Bain and Cashius Howell, provides testing context for Mason Thomas and TJ Parker, and flags Malachi Lawrence as a strong Day-Two fit. It also spotlights sleeper interior DL prospects like Zane Durant, Gracen Halton and Kaleb Proctor, and notes two Day-Two linebacker options in Anthony Hill Jr. and Jacob Rodriguez as the team looks to inject youth behind veterans.

sports1 day ago

Steelers Eye Secondary Upgrades and Inside-LB, DL Options at 2026 Combine

Two days into the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signaling a heavy focus on upgrading the secondary with multiple formal and informal meetings and potential Day 1–2 picks; inside linebacker is in play as they consider a possible replacement for Patrick Queen and have spoken with prospects like Jake Golday. The defensive-line class skews interior this year, with several nose tackles (Lee Hunter, Cameron Ball, Tim Keenan III, etc.) and potential first‑round targets such as Kayden McDonald and Lee Hunter, plus options like Darrell Jackson Jr. and Rayshaun Benny. Edge players Rueben Bain Jr. and Cassius Howell show historically short arm lengths, a notable note from measurements, but Bain remains a top prospect. The Steelers could delay a defensive-line pick to Day 2 given depth and five picks projected for Days 1–2.

Cowboys map a modern 3-4 makeover with new LB coaches at 2026 Combine
sports1 day ago

Cowboys map a modern 3-4 makeover with new LB coaches at 2026 Combine

Dallas Cowboys' new defensive staff, led by coordinator Christian Parker, plan to overhaul the defense from a 4-3 to a versatile 3-4, with Chidera Uzo-Diribe coaching outside linebackers and Scott Symons developing inside linebackers; both discuss their approach and what they’ll seek from players at the 2026 NFL Combine to shape the roster.

Linebacker Versatility, Titans Tactics Highlight NFL Combine Day 2
sports2 days ago

Linebacker Versatility, Titans Tactics Highlight NFL Combine Day 2

Day 2 of the NFL Combine spotlighted versatile defenders—Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and David Bailey—emphasizing edge rusher vs. off-ball linebacker versatility and wide-ranging schemes, with Ohio State's Patricia credited for boosting the Buckeyes' defense. Bain said Titans QB Ward has been pushing for him and had a formal interview with Tennessee, while Reese and Styles outlined multi-role capabilities and drew comp to Micah Parsons and Jamie Collins; Reese noted he’d like outside linebacker/edge work. Alabama's Justin Jefferson discussed speed and his martial-arts background ahead of the 40. Mike Vrabel offered unscripted interviewing tips from the podium, and Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, plus Ravens coordinators Monken and Macdonald, were in attendance. The takeaway: teams chase versatile, pass-rush-minded linebackers; Vrabel prefers flowing conversation over scripted questions.

Lions Target Five High-Character LBs at the NFL Combine
sports2 days ago

Lions Target Five High-Character LBs at the NFL Combine

The article profiles five high-character linebackers—Bryce Boettcher (Oregon), CJ Allen (Georgia), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Anthony Hill (Texas), and Karson Sharar (Iowa)—as potential Lions targets at the NFL Combine. It notes that two met Detroit and four made Erik Schlitt’s watchlist, with quick bios and combine vibes highlighting leadership, football IQ, and motor. Highlights include Boettcher’s emotional intelligence, Allen’s captaincy, Rodriguez’s quarterback-to-LB journey and inspiration from his wife, Hill’s vocal leadership, and Sharar’s hustle and Lions connections. Even though LB isn’t an urgent need, Detroit’s emphasis on character could keep these players on the radar for draft consideration.

Linebackers headline the 2026 NFL Combine as Reese, Styles stand out
sports2 days ago

Linebackers headline the 2026 NFL Combine as Reese, Styles stand out

On Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, top linebacker prospects spoke to reporters: Ohio State's Arvell Reese discussed potentially playing outside linebacker or edge, Georgia's CJ Allen announced he won't workout in Indy and will push testing to his pro day, five-star Sonny Styles drew frequent comparisons to Fred Warner and is viewed as a top draft prospect, Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez said he’s open to Bears/ Broncos fits and will participate in all workouts except the bench press, and TTU edge rusher David Bailey plans to test in most events as his stock remains high.

Broncos Probe Linebacker Talent at the Combine
sports3 days ago

Broncos Probe Linebacker Talent at the Combine

Denver Broncos used the NFL Scouting Combine to interview several top linebacker prospects, including Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, Missouri’s Jake Golday, and Josiah Trotter, signaling a heavy offseason focus on the position as veterans Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad hit free agency and Dre Greenlaw battled injuries. The team could address the need via free agency, re-signings, or a strong draft haul, with Rodriguez, Golday, and Trotter viewed as viable Day 2 options and Styles likely off the table due to a top‑15 projection. Broncos also reportedly spoke with other linebackers like CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr, and Kyle Louis, indicating multiple potential picks in a loaded draft.

Depth-Driven Niners Ride to Playoffs after Eagles Win
sports1 month ago

Depth-Driven Niners Ride to Playoffs after Eagles Win

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 to advance in the playoffs, overcoming star tight end George Kittle’s torn Achilles and a spate of linebacker injuries. Veterans Eric Kendricks and Garrett Wallow anchored the defense with strong tackling, Keion White applied pressure late, Marques Sigle delivered at safety, C.J. West helped slow the run, and Demarcus Robinson flashed for 111 receiving yards, underscoring the team’s depth as they head to Seattle.

49ers Training Camp Highlights: Key Winners, Losers, and Takeaways
sports7 months ago

49ers Training Camp Highlights: Key Winners, Losers, and Takeaways

The 49ers' Day 8 training camp saw key players like Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and Nick Bosa return to practice, with Bosa shining as a top performer. Ricky Pearsall and Dee Winters also stood out, while rookies like CJ West are emerging as potential starters. Losers include rookie Alfred Collins, who is still developing. The camp featured a long, simulated game practice, highlighting the team's ongoing evaluation and development.