As the Denver Broncos approach the 2026 NFL draft, one position to monitor is inside linebacker.
Denver prioritized re-signing both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad this spring, but they will turn 33 and 30, respectively, in the coming months. So the Broncos would be wise to draft and develop at the position, adding an ILB who can contribute on special teams right away while learning behind Singleton and Strnad on defense.
Today, we're taking a quick look at five linebackers the Broncos could target with one of their first three picks in the draft. Denver does not hold a first- or third-round pick this year, but the team holds selections in the second (No. 62 overall) and fourth (Nos. 108 and 111) rounds. These linebackers could be potential candidates at those spots.
1. Georgia LB CJ Allen (6-0, 230 pounds): Allen earned first-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC honors last season. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to college football's best linebacker. Some mock drafts have him falling to No. 62.
2. Cincinnati LB Jake Golday (6-4, 239 pounds): Golday received first-team All-Big 12 recognition last fall after totaling 105 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. He could be another potential candidate at No. 62.
3. Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez (6-1, 231 pounds): Rodriguez took home a host of honors in 2025, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (given to the nation's top defender). A first-team AP All-American, Rodriquez racked up 255 tackles, 10 forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups, six sacks, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) in his final two seasons at Texas Tech.
4. Missouri LB Josiah Trotter (6-1, 237 pounds): Trotter is the son of former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowler. Josiah Trotter's older brother, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., currently plays in Philly. Josiah earned first-team All-SEC honors last fall after totaling 84 tackles and two sacks.
5. Texas LB Anthony Hill (6-2, 238 pounds): Hill was a finalist for the Butkus Award and earned second-team All-American and second-team All-SEC recognition in 2025 after recording 69 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
6. TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (6-2, 234 pounds): Elarms-Orr was named a first-team All-Big 12 Conference linebacker last fall after totaling 130 tackles and four sacks. He's the only linebacker on this list who could fall into the fourth round (based on pundit projections).
The NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh this week, with Round 1 set for Thursday evening, Rounds 2-3 scheduled for Friday and Rounds 4-7 set for Saturday. We'll have coverage of Denver's picks on Broncos Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 2026 NFL draft: 6 linebackers for Denver Broncos to target