Our 2026 NFL Combine preview series continues, as we explore each position group ahead of the big event. In this article, we are examining the draft’s linebacker prospects that should be on the radar of Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes.
In case you’ve missed any of this series, so far, we have already previewed:
Note: Linebacker prospects will take the field on Thursday, February 26.
Team need
In 2025, under defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions deployed three linebacker sets more than any team in the NFL, using them on roughly 75-85% of defensive snaps—some games even featured all three starters for its entirety. With the Lions using nickel sets roughly 50% of the time, it creates a form of schematic fluidity that is unique in today’s NFL.
Entering the 2026 offseason, the Lions only have Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes under contract, leaving a potentially Alex Anzalone-sized hole in their scheme.
As a result, one of the big questions the Lions will need to answer in the coming weeks is this: will they continue their current scheme and require the acquisition of a starting WILL linebacker, or will they shift to a more modern two-linebacker/nickel-heavy scheme?
What skills to watch for during on-field drills
The Lions prefer their linebackers to be highly athletic. Last year, every linebacker on the Lions roster had an RAS score of 8.0 or better, and the year prior, all but one met or exceeded that threshold. To help spot those traits during the Combine, keep an eye on the following skills during on-field drills:
- Explosion and agility
- Downhill, aggressive approach to run stopping
- Lateral movement
- Mental processing skills (read and react)
- Ability to unlock their hips in coverage
- Play with their head up and eyes on the ball
Can’t pass up
Was recruited to OSU as a safety but transitioned to linebacker in 2024 and thrived. Paired with hybrid Arvell Reese (who is expected to be a top 5 pick, and therefore isn’t listed on this watchlist), OSU leaned on Styles as their MIKE. However, he projects best at WILL in the Lions scheme, has the range to play SAM, and could play MIKE if needed.
Styles is arguably a top-five, blue-chip prospect in this draft class, but with the NFL not prioritizing off-ball players due to down-to-down impact and the slotted rookie salary scale, there’s a chance Styles slides into striking range of the Lions. With a create-a-player video game-like skill set—several analysts have compared his game to 49ers Fred Warner—Styles is a player that the Lions simply may be too valuable to pass up.
Styles has a very appealing combination of size, speed, athleticism, and youth. He possesses rare off-ball traits, including tremendous sideline-to-sideline speed, disciplined play recognition, a high level of read-and-react skills, and natural man-cover instincts. His elite athletic range shows up in his burst, when scraping the line of scrimmage in run pursuit, and when mirroring running backs and tight ends. He uses his length and hands to stay clean of blocks, disengage when blocked, and increase his tackle radius. He’s not brutally physical, but he’s a reliable tackler, a strong finisher, and an effective blitzer. While elite in man, Styles does not always look comfortable in zone coverages, often falling for baited looks from the quarterback, but it’s far from limiting.
Likely to win a starting role
Golday won’t be LB2 on many draft boards, but he might be for the Lions. Cincinnati deployed Golday all over the field, lining him up in the box at WILL and MIKE, dropping him on the EDGE in a SAM role, shifting him into the slot as an overhang defender, and even as a spy versus mobile quarterbacks. He’s comfortable and productive in each spot, and it wasn’t unusual to see him drive downhill from the WILL to stop the run on one play, then line up at SAM and drop 15-yards into coverage for a pass breakup on the next.
Golday looks very much like a prototypical Kelvin Sheppard/Dan Campbell linebacker, blending traits of Anzalone and Barnes. With an elite size-speed combo and explosive downhill trigger, Golday runs down ball carriers all over the field. He attacks what he sees and covers a ton of ground, showing strong instincts, decision-making, and the ability to finish tackles. He’s physical and willing enough to take on blocks but struggles to get clean, and would benefit from being more elusive/avoidant in this area. When he stays clean, it’s typically because of his hand usage or by stacking the linemen and running them into gaps. In coverage, he’s very strong on zone, but just average in man, and has shown room for growth. Day-1 special team starter.
Allen is a high-character leader who excels as a MIKE communicator and may be valued higher on other teams’ boards than the Lions because Detroit has Jack Campbell. Allen has the skill set to play the WILL, but he’s arguably the best true MIKE in this class, which will carry weight.
Fitting the mold of previous Georgia MIKE linebackers, Allen is a highly intelligent and speedy middle-of-the-field defender who plays with great instincts, anticipation, and the ability to quickly diagnose plays both pre- and post-snap. He flies around the field, displays starter-level lateral agility, and is explosive in pursuit. Allen is a stout run defender who moves clean through the wash, displaying production as a tackler and rarely missing his target. He’s more effort than power-based, and he can be a bit stiff in man coverage, but he has the speed to run with running backs and tight ends. While Allen brings a lot of intangibles to the table, he’s more of a reliable defender than a playmaker right now, but there’s potential for growth.
Hill could slip into a MIKE or WILL role at the next level, making him appealing to a wide range of teams. He’s a multi-phase producer with strong instincts, great read-and-react range, and moves with fluidity and control, wasting little energy unnecessarily. With terrific NFL size and speed, Hill’s athleticism shows up in all phases.
As a run defender, Hill closes with speed and is a reliable downhill finisher. He had a bit of a problem with missed tackles in 2024, but cleaned things up in 2025. He’s an elite blitzer—both against the run and pass—and while he doesn’t disguise his intentions or shed blocks easily, he is apt at avoiding blocks when tracking. In coverage, his ability to move with speed allows him succeed in both zone and man coverage assignments, and his change-of-direction skills help him run with running backs and tight ends.
While most early evaluations of Rodriguez’s game peg him for the third or fourth round, he’s a terrific fit for the Lions WILL linebacker role, and feels like a player that would be higher on Holmes board than some other more popular linebackers in this class. As a defensive leader on Texas Tech’s elite defense, Rodriguez caught my attention early in this process, and I highlighted his fit with the Lions in my Senior Bowl prospects preview article:
A complete package at WILL linebacker, Rodriguez should be on the short list of possible replacements for the Lions should Alex Anzalone depart in free agency. While the main criticism of Rodriguez’s game is his speed, his elite instincts and terrific football IQ consistently put him in the right spots when defending the run and in the passing game. Add in his propensity for generating turnovers (15 in the past two seasons), and Rodriguez is sure to draw the attention of Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
To connect those dots a step further. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire traveled to Detroit during the Lions’ 2025 OTAs to meet with coach Dan Campbell. While there, McGuire saw Sheppard’s “punch-out” drill and loved it so much that he brought it back to his program and installed it at their camp. Rodriguez picked up the drill immediately and utilized the “punch-out” move to force seven (!) fumbles in 2025.
If Rodriguez shows better athleticism than expected at the Combine, his stock should continue to rise in Detroit.
The son of Jeremiah Trotter (All-Pro Eagles linebacker in the early 2000s), Josiah is a tough-as-nails linebacker who will thrive in an inside role (two-LB sets) at the next level, but probably has the range to play WILL in the Lions scheme, even though it’s a clean fit.
Trotter is an above-average heavy-handed run defender who attacks downhill with force and plus instincts. He aggressively welcomes contact and pursues the ball carrier with intensity and confidence. He quickly identifies running backs’ paths and closes by taking good angles. He’s physical when taking on blocks and times his gap shots well, but too often he tries to simply overpower blockers, which won’t be as easy at the NFL level. The kryptonite in his game is coverage, which could drop his stock for the Lions. He doesn’t look comfortable in zone, and can be out-athlete’d by offensive skill players in man, potentially limiting his schematic usage.
Undersized specialists
Louis was another linebacker I highlighted in my Senior Bowl preview, noting that his elite coverage skills will appeal to all defensive schemes. While his size won’t fit a starting role in every scheme, his ability to contribute in subpackages—running step-for-step with running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers—is something NFL teams won’t overlook.
As an athlete, Louis is an explosive closer who flows to football with impressive change-of-direction and reaction skills. While coverage is his calling card strength, Louis is also very instinctive at defending the run, showcasing quick decision-making and the ability to slip blocks. His size can be an issue when offensive linemen snag him, and there are not a lot of power elements in his game, but the team that has a plan for how to properly feature his skills will get a highly productive player that fits cleanly in today’s modern defenses.
Perkins has been on NFL radars since 2022 due to his elite athleticism and ability to rush the passer. Unfortunately, an ACL tear in 2024 tanked his draft stock, and he returned to LSU in 2025 to prove he has more off-ball skills than scouts had previously seen. While he’s still developing his off-ball skills, his athleticism is unique enough that coaches will find a role for him at the next level.
In addition to his impact as a blitzer, Perkins has shown good ability to defend the run. He’s physical at the point of attack, can void blocks with his athleticism, and has a finisher’s mentality when making tackles. His coverage abilities are a work in progress, and it’s not clear if his ACL zapped his explosion or if he’s still regaining it after the injury, but there’s room for development in his overall game, and he has the potential to contribute on special teams while going through that process.
Just feel like Lions
A former baseball star center fielder who went from walk-on to starter on the football field, Boettcher is a hard-nosed linebacker with great awareness for the position and is a fearless downhill pursuer. With the instincts and understanding of how offenses flow, Boettcher attacks with aggression and has the range to make plays all over the field. While still developing as an off-ball linebacker, he is likely a Day-1 starter in all five phases of special teams.
Despite contributing all four years at Michigan, Rodler didn’t earn a starting role until 2025, but he seized the opportunity to showcase his skills. While still a bit inexperienced, he has a balanced skillset to build around. He attacks ball carriers with confidence and flows naturally through traffic. His four years of special teams contributions have helped him hone his technique as a tackler, and he finishes with consistency. His cover skills are still a work in progress—as expected with his level of experience—but he could buy himself time to further develop those skills by starting as a five-phase special teamer.
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