2026 NFL Draft class OLB rankings: gap widening behind Sonny Styles

There is a real gap in the 2026 NFL Draft outside linebacker class, and it starts with Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. He is clearly the top player at the position and one of the best prospects in the entire draft, checking in as a top-five player on NFL Mock’s March Big Board.

After Styles, the drop-off is steep. No other OLB in this class carries a clear first- or second-round grade, which says everything about the lack of top-end depth. That said, there is still value to be found on Day 3. Players like Trey Moore and Keyron Crawford bring intriguing upside as pass rushers and could easily outperform their draft slots in the right roles.

Please note we are seperating outside and inside linebackers in our ratings.

Top Player: Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Picking Ohio State’s Sonny Styles as the best outside linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft is an easy call, as he is also NFL Mock’s fifth-best player in the entire draft. He has the tools to be an elite pro, showing impressive athletic ability with fluid hips and the speed to match up well in coverage. The 2025 All-American is also strong against the run and is one of the surest tacklers in the draft, missing only two tackles all season, according to PFF. With his size, athleticism, and versatility, he looks like a future top-10 pick and multi-time Pro Bowl player at the next level.

Guy I Would Stand on the Table For: Trey Moore, Texas

A Day 3 pick who could outperform his draft slot in the right scheme is Texas’s Trey Moore. His best fit is as a 3–4 outside linebacker, where he can primarily rush the passer, but that is not how Texas has used him the past couple of seasons, which helps explain the drop in production after transferring from UTSA. As a pass rusher, he shows an explosive first step off the ball and has proven he can produce, including a 14-sack season at UTSA, making him a strong value pick if used correctly at the next level.

Breakout Player: Romello Height, Texas Tech

One of the main reasons Texas Tech had an elite defense this season was the play of Romello Height, who had a true breakout year. After totaling just 6.5 sacks across his first three college seasons, he erupted for 10 sacks and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors. As a pass rusher, he wins with a relentless motor and a quick first step off the ball. At the next level, his best fit is likely in a 3–4 scheme, and a team like the New England Patriots could target him early on Day 3 of the draft.

Biggest Risk: Harold Perkins, LSU

LSU’s Harold Perkins is one of the more intriguing players in the 2026 NFL Draft. As a freshman, he was outstanding, posting a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade that led all Power Five linebackers while recording 7.5 sacks. However, his play has regressed since then, raising the question of whether the drop-off is due to his performance declining or how he has been used in the Tigers’ defense. One concern about his game is his instincts, particularly in coverage, where he can be late to react and occasionally finds himself out of position.

Sleeper: Keyron Crawford, Auburn

A sleeper in the 2026 outside linebacker class is Auburn’s Keyron Crawford. Despite being ranked as the 10th-best outside linebacker by Mel Kiper Jr., he looks more like a top-three player at the position. Crawford stands out as an impressive pass rusher, finishing fourth in the SEC with 43 pressures despite only 240 pass-rush snaps, according to PFF. He consistently wins with a quick first step and the agility to turn the corner, while also showing comfort playing in space as his coverage skills continue to improve.

Overrated: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

A player widely viewed as a first-round prospect, with some outlets like Sports Illustrated projecting him in the middle of the first round, is Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell. However, he looks more like a third-round prospect despite elite production that included 11.5 sacks and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. The concern is that he mainly wins as a pass rusher but struggles to hold up at the point of attack against the run and has shown limitations in coverage. There are also physical questions for a pass-rush specialist, as he measured just 6-foot-2 with 30¼-inch arms, which is below the length most teams prefer at the position.

Overall Rank

1. Sonny Styles, Ohio State (first round)

2. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (third round)

3. Keyron Crawford, Auburn (third round)

4. Harold Perkins Jr., LSU (fourth round)

5. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee (fourth round)

6. Romello Height, Texas Tech (fourth round)

7. Jake Golday, Cincinnati (fourth round)

8. Eric Gentry, USC (fifth round)

9. Trey Moore, Texas (sixth round)

10. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh (sixth round)

11. Wade Woodaz, Clemson (sixth round)