BEST RATED LINEBACKERS IN COVERAGE 2026 NFL Draft

2026 BEST RATED LINEBACKERS IN COVERAGE

Coverage grade is the number that decides whether a linebacker plays on third down. It scores every coverage snap: matching a back or tight end in man, dropping to a zone, and what happened when the ball came his way. Luke Kuechly (Boston College) was the college standard; most linebackers who fall out of the first round do so because of this grade.

Below, draft-eligible linebackers are ranked by coverage grade, with tackling, pass rush, run defense and overall rating alongside.

RANK	Player	Pos	TACKLING	PASS RUSH	RUN DEFENSE	COVERAGE	Rating
1	David Bailey	LB /ED	86	100	83	95	89.7 MORE>>
2	Jacob Rodriguez	LB	66	70	93	92	85.2 MORE>>
3	Mitchell Melton	LB /ED	51	80	77	89	73.0 MORE>>
4	Sonny Styles	LB	88	74	89	88	88.5 MORE>>
5	Taurean York	LB	79	71	77	87	84.5 MORE>>
6	Bryce Boettcher	LB	85	78	80	85	81.5 MORE>>
7	Kyle Louis	LB	80	73	83	82	84.7 MORE>>
8	Red Murdock	LB	77	69	88	82	81.2 MORE>>
9	Jake Golday	OLB	85	63	93	82	84.9 MORE>>
10	Kaleb Elarms-Orr	LB	88	71	91	78	81.3 MORE>>
11	Marvin Jones Jr.	LB /ED	77	77	77	77	75.0 MORE>>
12	Wade Woodaz	LB	64	56	70	76	73.0 MORE>>
13	Karson Sharar	LB	76	76	76	76	75.0 MORE>>
14	Justin Jefferson	LB	79	65	68	75	81.1 MORE>>
15	Wesley Bissainthe	LB	69	61	71	74	78.0 MORE>>
16	Deontae Lawson	LB	65	63	90	73	84.8 MORE>>
17	Eric Gentry	LB	61	74	71	72	74.1 MORE>>
18	Jackson Kuwatch	LB	73	64	81	71	77.0 MORE>>
19	Owen Heinecke	LB	57	75	82	71	79.8 MORE>>
20	Anthony Hill Jr.	LB	85	66	85	68	85.9 MORE>>