The NFL scouting combine season is a great time to get information.
All 32 teams gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to get an up-close look at the 2026 NFL Draft prospects, which is typically where teams talk business.
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For the Las Vegas Raiders, it was a chance for second-year general manager John Spytek and first-year (rookie) head coach Klint Kubiak to answer questions in front of a microphone and the media. Kubiak left quite a nugget: The Silver and Black plan to run a 3-4 base defense under new (and rookie) defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.
Under former defensive coordinator Patrick Graham (now the defensive coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2022-25), Las Vegas deployed a 4-3 formation and often used a 4-2-5 five-point formation as its base defense. This is a scheme that has at most two or three linebackers on the field at the same time.
With the emergence of the 3-4 scheme, the Raiders’ lack of depth at linebacker was exposed. But returning to this basic formation is reminiscent of the Silver and Black’s three Lombardi Trophies: The Raiders’ three Super Bowl victories came with a 3-4 frontline defense.
With that said, let’s take a look at the linebacker prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, which could not only help fill roster holes but also bolster the team’s depth with free agency a month away.
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Specifically, the linebacker profile and skill set remind Raider Nation of William Thomas (2000-01 season, 166 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 9 interceptions (1 with 6 interceptions), 17 pass deflections) and Thomas Howard (2007 season with 96 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss (2 with 6 interceptions), and 11 pass deflections). deflection).
prospect
Kyle Lewis, Pittsburgh
Don’t let his listed height of 5 feet 11 inches and weight of 224 pounds deter you. Lewis may be undersized, but he’s a playmaking linebacker who can get into zone or coverage and not be a liability. Louis possesses the athleticism and speed, as well as the ability to diagnose and react to plays, and he is quick to find the football and make plays on the ball and/or the man on the receiving end.
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Over the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, Lewis totaled 182 tackles (101 total in 2024) and also had 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six interceptions (one interception for six) and six pass deflections. If Pro Football Focus (PFF) is your thing, the organization rates Lewis highly going into the 2024 season, ranking him No. 1 in tackles for loss/off the ball and quarterback pressures and No. 8 in defense.
Lewis has the potential to be a quicker version of Seattle Seahawks linebacker (and former Raiders undrafted free agent) Derek Thomas.
Texas A&M Taurus York
Another undersized prospect at 5-foot-10, 232 pounds, York is a defensive captain-type prospect who possesses a high IQ, communication and leadership skills, and a tenacious attitude as a linebacker.
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York is an extension of the defensive coordinator on the field, tweaking Texas A&M’s defensive front and putting it in the best position to succeed, while also tweaking other parts of the defense.
With his explosiveness and acceleration in short areas, York is able to not only chase down the outside run, but also keep up with receiving opportunities. His awareness and intelligence make him very troublesome for quarterbacks and receiver options.
While York doesn’t bring ideal long-distance speed, he has the necessary effort and urgency to compete. York totaled 229 tackles in three seasons, including 25.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception and seven pass deflections.
Harold Perkins Jr., Louisiana State University
The 6-foot, 222-pound rookie is a decisive, athletic and physical linebacker with explosiveness that reflects who he’s assigned to defend. Perkins has the speed and physicality to keep up in coverage (whether solo or zone) and has the drive needed to be a punisher against the run downhill.
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Perkins reads and reacts quickly and will rush past opponents to make tackles. While Perkins will be more productive in 2024 when he tore his ACL, he still has enough athleticism to keep up with receiving options, albeit not at the elite level he once was.
It is worth noting that Perkins totaled 56 tackles, 8 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 pass deflections for LSU this season. Overall, he finished his college career with 220 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
Jack Goldie, Cincinnati
Now there’s a big linebacker prospect who’s 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. With his size, Golday brings speed and frenetic energy as an offensive defender, taking on blocks as a run defender while also blitzing against the run and pass.
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His best work is at the point of attack, where Goldy’s size and athleticism make him the prototypical defender against tight ends. While he may be susceptible to smaller running backs out of the backfield, Goldie’s size and physicality could cause significant trouble against larger receivers or tight ends.
The linebacker finished his two-year college career at Cincinnati with 163 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks and five pass deflections.
Omission
One important prospect left out above is Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound linebacker — who possesses prototypical size, speed and production — is the main reason the Buckeyes’ linebacker is projected to be a top-10 pick in April.
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The Raiders do own the No. 1 pick, and while it’s possible to trade down (and get an additional pick in the swap) unless Vegas acquires another first-round pick, Styles will likely end up elsewhere.
The safety-turned-back still maintains the fluidity of a defensive back and becomes a true tight end coverage player — even at the pro level. With his elite size and weight, Styles is a nightmare matchup for tight ends. His speed and agility also allow him to mimic running backs.
Stiles’ career at Ohio State totaled 244 tackles in four seasons, during which time he totaled 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception and nine pass deflections.