Do the New York Giants need to select a linebacker highly in the 2026 NFL Draft?
That could depend on how free agency pans out, and it’s possible that they could resolidify their linebacking corps in free agency. However, it’s also possible that they could look to the draft to find a long-term answer at linebacker.
If so, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill could be a high-upside option early on the second day of the draft. Hill is still developing in some areas of his game, however he’s highly athletic and has a near-prototypical profile for a modern off-ball linebacker.
Could that make him an option for the Giants?
Prospect: Anthony Hill Jr. (0)
Games Watched: vs. Oklahoma (2024), vs. Oklahoma (2025), vs. Mississippi State (2025)
Red Flags: Hand (broken bone suffered 11/9/2025)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-3 (unofficial)
Weight: 238 pounds (unofficial)
Strengths
Best traits
- Athleticism
- Range
- Quickness
- Agility
- Processing
- Space play
Anthony Hill Jr. is an athletic and well-rounded off-ball linebacker prospect. He has near prototypical size for a modern off-ball linebacker at 6-foot-3, 238 pounds, with long arms and room to add some mass without compromising his athleticism.
Hill has remarkable quickness and agility, as well as a great explosiveness, speed, and range in space. He has the ability to cover large swathes of field in coverage, as well as the speed to fly to the ball when playing downhill.
He is a quick processor who usually diagnoses the offense well and accurately. He has a very quick trigger when playing downhill and wastes no time attacking when he makes his reads. Hill is able to blow up perimeter runs, swing passes, and screens, and also has the potential to be a dangerous blitzer.
Hill has also shown good development as a run defender, showing an improved ability to take on offensive line blocks. He flashes the ability to drive linemen back when he engages with good leverage and technique. His quickness and agility allow him to make quick adjustments and tackles in close quarters.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Run defense
- Block deconstruction
- Instincts
Hill Jr. is a well-rounded linebacker overall, and there are few true holes in his game.
The most common issue in Hill’s game is that he isn’t a truly instinctive linebacker, and is much more of a “read and react” player. Hill needs to see the play begin to develop before launching into motion, and while he typically processes the offense well, there’s a notable pause while he diagnoses the play before moving. He can occasionally guess on the play, which can also lead to him guessing wrong and running himself out of the play or biting too hard on misdirection.
Hill can also be a bit too cautious in taking on blockers, particularly in space. There are some instances where he allows tight ends to get into position and establish their blocks before engaging.
Game Tape
(Hill is the Texas linebacker wearing number 0 and white sleeves on both arms.)
Projection
Anthony Hill Jr. projects as a starting off-ball linebacker at the NFL level.
He would likely start his career as a weak-side linebacker who primarily plays in space and as a pursuit player. However, he could develop into a strong-side or inside linebacker if he continues to develop in his ability to take on blocks.
Hill will need to get quicker and more consistent in deconstructing blocks in the run game, and also more consistently accurate in how he processes the offense. He shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called on the second day of the draft and could develop into an impact defender if his mental skills fully align with his athletic traits.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes
Final Word: An early Day 2 prospect
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