Raiders draft: Cover linebackers that can boost Las Vegas’ defense

NFL Scouting Combine season is a great time for nuggets of information.

All 32 teams descend upon Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to get an up-close look-see at the 2026 NFL Draft prospects and it’s often a place where the squads talk business.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, it was an opportunity for both second-year general manager John Spytek and new (and rookie) head coach Klint Kubiak to get in front of a mic and media to field queries. And there was quite a nugget dropped by Kubiak: The Silver & Black are slated to deploy a 3-4 base defense under new (and rookie) defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.

Under previous defensive coordinator Patrick Graham (2022-25 and now Pittsburgh Steelers defensive boss), Las Vegas deployed a 4-3 front and often, a 4-2-5 nickel formation as its base defense. It was a scheme where at most, two to three linebackers were on the field at the same time.

With a 3-4 front on horizon, the Raiders’ lack of linebacker depth is brought to the forefront. But the return to that base formation harkens back to the Silver & Black’s trio of Lombardi trophies: The Raiders three Super Bowl wins were with 3-4 front defenses.

That noted, let’s take a look at linebacker prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft that can help not only fill roster voids, but also bolster the team’s depth a month after free agency.

Specifically, the linebackers who have the profile and skillset to remind Raider Nation of cover-types in the mold of William Thomas (2000-01, 166 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, 9 interceptions (one pick six), 17 pass deflections) and Thomas Howard (a stellar 2007 season with 96 total tackles, six interceptions (two pick sixes), and 11 pass deflections).

The Prospects

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh

Don’t let his listed measurements of 5-foot-11 and 224 pound dissuade you. Louis may be undersized but he’s a playmaking linebacker that can drop into zone or man in coverage and not be a liability. Boasting the athleticism and speed alongside the ability to diagnose and react to plays, Louis quickly finds the football and makes a play on the ball and/or the person on the receiving end.

With 182 total tackles over the course of the last two seasons at Pittsburgh (101 total in 2024), Louis also racked up 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and six interceptions (one pick six) and six pass deflections. If Pro Football Focus (PFF) is your jam, the group gave Louis high marks since the 2024 season, ranking him first in tackles for loss/no gain stops and quarterback pressures and eighth in coverage.

Louis has the potential to be a faster version of Seattle Seahawks linebacker (and former Raiders undrafted free agent) Drake Thomas.

Taurean York, Texas A&M

Another undersized prospect at 5-foot-10 and 232 pounds, York is a defensive captain-type prospect who brings high IQ, communication and leadership to the table along with a hard-nosed attitude as a linebacker.

An extension of the defensive coordinator on the field, York got Texas A&M’s defensive front adjusted and put in the best possible position to succeed while also aligning the other parts of the defense.

With his burst in short areas and his ability to accelerate allows York to not only chase down outside runs but keep up with receiving options. His awareness and intelligence make him quite the nuisance for the quarterback and receiving options.

While he doesn’t bring ideal long speed, York has requisite effort and urgency to play the game. Racking up 229 total tackles in three seasons, York notched 25.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one interception, and seven pass deflections.

Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

This 6-foot and 222-pound prospect is a decisive, athletic, and physical linebacker who has the explosiveness to mirror whom he’s tasked to cover. Perkins has the speed and physicality to keep up in coverage — man or zone — and has the required drive to be a downhill punisher against the run.

Perkins reads and reacts quickly and will run through the opposition for tackles. While he was much more electric pre-2024 when he tore an ACL, Perkins still has the athleticism to keep up with receiving options, albeit not at that elite level previously.

That noted, Perkins totaled 56 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, three interceptions, and a trio of pass deflections this pas season for LSU. Overall, he closed his collegiate career with 220 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and 10 pass deflections.

Jake Golday, Cincinnati

Now here’s one big linebacker prospect at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds. With the size, Golday brings the speed and frenetic energy as an attacking defender who takes on blocks as a run defender while also blitzing to defend both the run and pass.

His best work comes near the point of attack, Golday’s size and athleticism make him a prototype defender to matchup with tight ends. While he may be susceptible to smaller running backs coming out of the backfield, Golday’s build and physicality can be a supreme nuisance in coverage against bigger wide receivers or tight ends.

The linebacker closed out his two-year collegiate career at Cincinnati with 163 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and five pass deflections.

The Omission

One prominent prospect omitted from above is Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. The main reason why the 6-foot-5 and 243-pound linebacker — the possess prototypical size, speed, and production — is the Buckeyes’ defender is projected to be a Top 10 pick in April.

The Raiders do have the No. 1 overall pick and while a trade down is a possibility (and acquiring additional draft picks in that swap), unless Las Vegas lands another first-round pick, Styles is likely end up elsewhere.

The safety-turned-linebacker still maintains the defensive back fluidity to be a true man-press tyle cover man — even at the pro level. And with his premium size and weight, Styles is a nightmare matchup for tight ends. His speed and agility allows him to mirror running backs, too.

Closing out his Ohio State career with 244 total tackles in four seasons, Styles racked up 22.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, one interception, and nine pass deflections in that timespan.