Fitting the Bills: Inside Linebackers for the 2026 NFL Draft

The Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 offseason with a clear mandate to bolster their defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, whose scheme emphasizes an attacking, aggressive philosophy. Leonhard, drawing from his time as a player and coach in systems like Wisconsin's, favors a multiple-front defense that prioritizes disruption at the line of scrimmage, heavy blitz packages, and versatile second-level defenders. This approach demands inside linebackers (ILBs) who can diagnose plays quickly, flow sideline-to-sideline, drop into coverage against modern passing attacks, and rush the passer when called upon. Key traits in Leonhard's ILBs include high football IQ (often wearing the green dot for play-calling), explosive burst to close on ball carriers, reliable tackling in space, and the versatility to handle man/zone coverage or blitz from various alignments. With the Bills moving on from aging and oft injured Matt Milano and depth concerns lingering, the Bills need ILBs who can step in and make an immediate impact in this high-pressure system.

In this edition of "Fitting the Bills," we spotlight five ILB prospects available across Rounds 1-7 who align with Buffalo's needs. We've prioritized players projected to be on the board at pick 26 (Round 1) or later, focusing on two premier potential starters, one pure depth piece with special teams upside, and two sleeper steals. Each profile includes scouting notes, combine workouts, leadership details, and their projected fit and impact in Leonhard's defense.

Premier Potential Starter:

Jake Golday, Cincinnati (Projected: Round 1, Pick 26)

Jake Golday is a prototypical modern ILB with the tools to anchor Leonhard's defense from Day 1. At 6'4" and 239 pounds, he combines length and instincts, earning a reputation as a green-dot communicator who quarterbacks the second level. Scouting notes highlight his sideline-to-sideline range, physical run-stuffing ability, and fluidity in coverage—traits that earned him All-AAC honors and a Butkus Award finalist nod in 2025. He's a vocal leader, serving as team captain for two seasons at Cincinnati, where he called defenses and mentored younger players.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'4 3/8", Weight: 239 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.62 seconds, Bench Press: 24 reps, Vertical Jump: 36 inches, Broad Jump: 10'2", 3-Cone Drill: 7.05 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.25 seconds. His explosive metrics (RAS 9.73) underscore his freakish athleticism, with elite burst and agility that popped in drills.

Fit and Potential Impact: Golday's high IQ and versatility make him an ideal Mike linebacker in Leonhard's scheme, where he'd wear the green dot, blitz on third downs (he notched 6.5 sacks in 2025), and cover tight ends or backs in zone. As a potential three-down starter alongside Bernard, he could elevate Buffalo's run defense (ranked 18th in 2025) and add 80-100 tackles with turnover production, accelerating the Bills' return to Super Bowl contention.

C.J. Allen, Georgia (Projected: Late Round 1/Early Day 2)

C.J. Allen is a high-IQ linebacker with the instincts and leadership to thrive in an attacking scheme, making him a strong fit if available around pick 26 or via a slight trade-up. At 6'1" and 230 pounds, scouting notes praise his football smarts, timely pursuit, and ability to read offenses pre-snap, drawing from Georgia's championship pedigree. He recorded 85 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 2 INTs in 2025, showing polish against elite SEC competition. Allen served as a co-captain in 2025, organizing extra film sessions and leading by example in practice.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'0 5/8", Weight: 230 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.60 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches, Broad Jump: 9'10", 3-Cone Drill: 7.12 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.28 seconds. His solid testing (RAS 7.1) highlights reliable athleticism, with good short-area quickness evident in coverage drills.

Fit and Potential Impact: Allen's instinctive play and green-dot potential align perfectly with Leonhard's philosophy, where he'd excel as a Mike or Will, diagnosing runs and dropping into zone coverage. His leadership would stabilize the unit, potentially contributing 90+ tackles and play-calling duties as a Year 1 starter, providing a seamless transition if Milano misses time.

Eventual Starter w/ Special Teams Ability:

Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (Projected: Day 2, Rounds 2-3)

Jacob Rodriguez is a high-motor, versatile ILB who could provide immediate depth and special teams value while developing into more. At 6'1" and 231 pounds, scouting notes emphasize his range, tackling efficiency (under 10% miss rate in 2025), and ability to contribute in sub-packages. He tallied 92 tackles and 5 TFLs for Texas Tech in 2025, showing growth in coverage. Rodriguez was a team captain in his senior year, known for his work ethic and rallying the defense during tough stretches.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'0 7/8", Weight: 231 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds, Bench Press: 23 reps, Vertical Jump: 35 inches, Broad Jump: 10'0", 3-Cone Drill: 7.00 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.20 seconds. Impressive agility metrics (RAS 9.52) stood out, making him fluid in pursuit and coverage simulations.

Fit and Potential Impact: In Leonhard's scheme, Rodriguez would rotate at Will, blitzing occasionally and covering in nickel sets, while his motor makes him a core special teamer on coverage units. He could add 40-60 tackles in Year 1, offering insurance against injuries and growing into a rotational staple.

Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (Projected: Day 2, Rounds 2-3)

A rising star from the SEC, Anthony Hill Jr. brings star potential with his blend of speed and physicality. At 6'2" and 238 pounds, he's a heat-seeking missile against the run, with scouting notes praising his instinctive pursuit angles, gap-shooting burst, and ability to shed blocks. Hill tallied 98 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 4 sacks in 2025, showing polish in Texas' aggressive front. He wasn't a full-time captain but emerged as a vocal leader in the linebacker room, organizing film sessions and motivating during key games.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'2", Weight: 238 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds, Bench Press: 22 reps, Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches, Broad Jump: 10'5", 3-Cone Drill: 6.95 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.18 seconds. His testing mirrored top 2024 performers like Payton Wilson, with elite explosion that shone in position drills.

Fit and Potential Impact: Hill's twitchy athleticism fits Leonhard's attacking style, where he'd thrive as a Will linebacker blitzing off the edge or flowing to the ball in run support. His coverage chops (allowed under 7 yards per target in 2025) would bolster Buffalo's pass defense against RBs and TEs. As a Year 1 rotational starter with Pro Bowl upside, he could contribute 70+ tackles and force fumbles, providing insurance if injuries hit the unit again.

Potential Sleeper/Steal:

Jack Kelly, BYU (Projected: Day 2, Rounds 3-4)

Jack Kelly is a toolsy sleeper with steal potential, blending size and explosion for upside in an aggressive defense. At 6'2" and 240 pounds, scouting notes highlight his burst off the snap, sideline range, and improving pass-rush moves, with 78 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 4 sacks in 2025 at BYU. He emerged as a leader without formal captaincy, mentoring underclassmen and stepping up in key games.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'2", Weight: 240 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds, Bench Press: 25 reps, Vertical Jump: 37 inches, Broad Jump: 10'4", 3-Cone Drill: 6.98 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.22 seconds. Elite explosion (RAS 9.81) shone through, with top-tier jumps and agility that impressed in bag work and shuttles.

Fit and Potential Impact: Kelly's athletic profile fits Leonhard's blitz-heavy approach, where he'd disrupt as a rotational ILB or edge hybrid, adding pass-rush juice. As a sleeper, he could outperform his slot with 50-70 tackles and sacks, providing high-upside depth that evolves into a starter.

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU (Projected: Day 3, Rounds 3-4)

Kaleb Elarms-Orr is an athletic sleeper with impressive testing numbers and upside in coverage-heavy roles, making him a potential steal on Day 3. At 6'2" and 234 pounds, scouting notes highlight his above-average athleticism, explosiveness, physicality, agility, tackling, and pass-rushing ability, though instincts need refinement. Transferring from California to TCU, he earned All-Big 12 honors in 2025 with 119 tackles, 57 solo, and 9 TFLs, plus Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week recognition. While not a formal captain, he emerged as a leader in the linebacker room, stepping up in key games and contributing to team morale.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'2", Weight: 234 lbs, Arm: 31 1/2", Hand: 9", 40-Yard Dash: 4.47 seconds, Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches, Broad Jump: 10'2", Short Shuttle: 4.41 seconds. His elite speed and explosion (RAS 9.71, athletic score 83—7th among LBs) stood out, with top rankings in 40 (2nd), vertical (2nd), broad (8th), and shuttle (8th), impressing in pursuit and coverage drills.

Fit and Potential Impact: Elarms-Orr's sideline-to-sideline range and twitch fit Leonhard's blitz packages and zone coverage demands, where he'd disrupt as a rotational Will or coverage specialist. As a sleeper, he could add 50-70 tackles, interceptions, and pass-rush production in sub-packages, evolving into a three-down contributor with his NFL-ready frame and closing speed.

Josiah Trotter, Missouri (Projected: Day 3, Rounds 4-5)

Josiah Trotter is a raw but intriguing sleeper with NFL bloodlines (son of Jeremiah Trotter Sr.) and physical tools that scream value late. At 6'2" and 240 pounds, scouting notes focus on his power, gap-filling ability, and developing instincts, tallying 68 tackles and 6 TFLs in 2025 at Missouri. He wasn't a captain but showed leadership through his on-field toughness and offseason preparation.

Combine Workouts: Height: 6'2", Weight: 240 lbs, 40-Yard Dash: 4.72 seconds, Bench Press: 24 reps, Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches, Broad Jump: 10'1", 3-Cone Drill: 7.15 seconds, Short Shuttle: 4.30 seconds. Solid testing (RAS 7.8) with good power metrics, holding up well in strength-based drills.

Fit and Potential Impact: Trotter's strength and motor suit Leonhard's run-stuffing demands, where he'd contribute in base packages and on special teams. As a steal, his development could yield 40+ tackles and rotational snaps, offering low-cost upside. For another day 3 option, keep an eye on TCU's Kaleb Elarms-Orr, whose 4.47 speed (RAS 9.71) and range could provide similar sleeper value in coverage-heavy roles.These ILB prospects offer a mix of immediate starters, developmental depth, and hidden gems to fortify the Bills' defense. Stay tuned for our next piece on nose tackles. For more draft analysis, visit profootballwarroom.com.