All articles tagged with #linebackers
Sonny Styles is projected to go fifth to the New York Giants, threatening the Cowboys’ plan to draft him at 12; DraftKings odds and Daniel Jeremiah's mock drafts favor the Giants, who recently added Tremaine Edmunds and have shown a willingness to draft elite prospects, potentially forcing Dallas to trade up or watch Styles come off the board to a division rival.
After the first wave of 2026 NFL free agency, several teams still face notable roster holes: Cincinnati’s inexperienced linebackers need a veteran upgrade; New York Jets’ receiver group remains underwhelming after losses; Washington’s cornerbacks are a weakness; and Miami’s secondary is thin despite some additions. Teams are likely to pursue veterans or rely on the 2026 draft to patch these gaps.
The 49ers re-signed Dre Greenlaw to a one-year, $7.5 million contract after the Broncos released him with a post-June 1 designation following an injury-plagued season. The move reunites Greenlaw with star linebacker Fred Warner and coach Kyle Shanahan, though health questions remain after his Achilles tear in 2024 and limited action in the most recent season.
The 49ers bring back linebacker Dre Greenlaw on a one-year, $7.5 million deal after his stint with the Broncos, adding veteran depth at a position hit by injuries and reuniting with a defense that will operate under new coordinator Raheem Morris.
The San Francisco 49ers re-signed Dre Greenlaw to a one-year, $7.5 million contract after his stint with Denver, reuniting him with Fred Warner and the team’s linebacking corps. Greenlaw’s injury-plagued recent seasons and the short-term deal raise durability questions, but his familiar culture and playmaking fit add depth as cap space could improve after Bryce Huff’s retirement.
In the NFL free-agency frame, the Browns are considering re-signing LB Devin Bush and eyeing LB Kaden Elliss as a backup option, while navigating departures (Wyatt Teller, David Njoku) and a potential return by Joel Bitonio; PFF projections estimate Elliss at three years, about $36 million with $21 million guaranteed, with Bush projected to a similar deal but with different guarantees, signaling possible defensive changes this offseason.
Washington aims to overhaul its 2025 defense with a bold 2026 free-agent push under GM Adam Peters and new DC Daronte Jones, targeting elite edge rushers, versatile linebackers, and lengthier, faster corners and safeties to fit an as-yet-unspecified scheme.
Detroit Lions are weighing a linebacker overhaul to replace Alex Anzalone, evaluating high-profile free-agent options (Dean, Lloyd, Bush, Ellis, Wagner, Edmunds) against cost-effective fits (Quincy Williams, Alex Singleton, Justin Strnad) and considering re-signing internal depth. The plan emphasizes youth and upside, with internal players like Nowaske, Cunningham, and Rodriguez in play for affordable deals while Anzalone’s departure appears likely.
Chicago released Tremaine Edmunds after a failed trade due to his $13.9 million 2026 base salary, freeing $15 million in cap space and potentially rekindling interest from the New York Giants. With Okereke gone, the Giants need a reliable middle linebacker, and Edmunds—28, Pro Bowler, 119 starts—fits the profile and even carries Bills-era ties with Giants GM Joe Schoen. The team could pursue Edmunds while still considering a high-draft inside linebacker such as Sonny Styles, blending veteran presence with youth.
The San Francisco 49ers have hired Matt Eberflus as assistant head coach of defense. He previously served as the Colts’ defensive coordinator (2018–2021), Bears head coach (2022–2024), and Cowboys defensive coordinator last season, and will work with Raheem Morris to run San Francisco’s defense. His mix of results—solid Colts defense, Bears struggles, Cowboys linebackers’ development—suggests a focus on sharpening the linebacking corps and possibly adding interior pass-rush help this offseason, with implications for the roster around star linebacker Fred Warner and recent draft picks.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.