This is the seventh of our prospect positional preview series for the Detroit Lions heading into the NFL combine, which kicks off next week in Indianapolis. Today: Linebackers. Previously: Quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line/EDGE

Need?

It’s all depending on what happens with Alex Anzalone and free agency in the next couple of weeks. If Anzalone finds a new home, say hello to another need worth addressing. If Anzalone returns, then it’s safe to kick this can down the road based on all the other needs this offseason.

Anzalone and the Lions had a contract dispute before the season started, eventually finding a band-aid resolution for the short term. Now, the multi-time team captain and starting linebacker needs a new deal. Anzalone was third on the defense in reps and was one of only three defenders to play more than 1,000 snaps.

He’s held down the WILL linebacker spot as the team’s top coverage linebacker. His fit with Jack Campbell at the MIKE and Derrick Barnes as the SAM was one of the team’s strengths this season and a reason they lived in base defense more than most. Barnes didn’t add much as a pass rusher and could see a role tweak thanks to his versatility next year. But it won’t be easy to replace Anzalone’s leadership, experience, coverage chops and fit next to the rising star that is Campbell.

Grant Stuard, Malcolm Rodriguez, Zach Cunningham and Zeke Turner are also free agents. Stuard was a hit as a standout special teams stalwart. Rodriguez worked his way back from last year’s ACL injury, starting the finale in place of Anzalone. Re-signing both would boost the special teams depth and add valuable linebacker depth, with the hopes that Malcolm Rodriguez is better further into his knee recovery.

Detroit’s defense is better with Anzalone on it. With needs on the offensive line and defensive edges, along with depth questions at safety, nickelback and tight end, Brad Holmes and Co. have a busy couple of months ahead.

Top prospects

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Sonny Styles is so good that it would almost be a crime to let him slip past the 17th pick. On that note, he’s very unlikely to make it that far based on his talent, traits and some linebacker-needy teams picking earlier. Styles brings that coveted hybrid ability as a former safety. He broke out in 2024 with 100 tackles, 10.5 for loss and six sacks in his first season as a linebacker. And while his numbers were down in 2025, Styles, 21, looks like a long-term and immediate starting-level talent. He’s 6-foot-4, 240 pounds and is expected to run as low as 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash next week, per The Athletic.

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

CJ Allen is a fringe first-round prospect. He was a stud against the run, and those three seasons with a key role at Georgia certainly don’t hurt his appeal. Allen had career-best marks in tackles (88), tackles for loss (eight), sacks (3.5) and forced fumbles (two) in 2025. PFF ranked him as the fifth-best run-defending linebacker last season. He was stellar across the board outside of his ho-hum coverage reviews. If he can show some agility and fluidity to go with that speed in Indy, then that’s a boost.

Allen should be there for the Lions at the 17th pick. But it’s hard to imagine them spending another first-rounder on a linebacker, especially one not molded to replace Anzalone’s role potentially.

Note: We had Arvell Reese in our DL/EDGE preview.

Potential Lions fits

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Jacob Rodriguez was a do-it-all playmaking star for the Red Raiders in 2025. He was an All-American linebacker who finished in the top five of Heisman voting. Rodriguez posted 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown. He also compiled 128 tackles, not bad for someone who started his career at Virginia as a quarterback in 2021. Pro Football Focus graded Rodriguez as the best linebacker in coverage last season.

He was a monster against the run, and elite in coverage, and seems worth the risk at his likely price past the first and early second round. PFF ranks Rodriguez as the 93rd overall prospect, while The Athletic has him 64th.

Trey Moore, LB, Texas

Trey Moore has some hybrid potential to his game based on his past and build. The 6-foot-3, 249-pounder was a monster disruptor at Texas-San Antonio before transferring to Texas. In 2022 and 2023, Moore notched 35.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks with nine pass breaks and three forced fumbles. He remained a key contributor across two years for the Longhorns, but the pass-rushing production fell off a cliff through some role changes. Moore will be under the microscope for the on-field testing next week, as scouts are likely looking to see where his speed fits with what position he might play at the next level between linebacker and EDGE.

Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

Deontae Lawson was a top-100 recruit who ended his time at Alabama as a team captain and multi-year stater. His 2024 was cut short by an ACL injury. But he was back in a pivotal role this past campaign. Lawson leaves school as the 10th all-time tackler in Alabama history. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder spent five years at Alabama, entering the league at 23 years old.

It’s hard to ignore Holmes’ experience drafting Alabama players, and it’s easy to imagine Lawson popping off the tape when watching the Crimson Tide. His athleticism has a chance to earn him some fans at the combine in a crowded linebacker class.

Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M

Taurean York was another standout coverage linebacker last season. PFF ranked him fourth in the nation at his position in coverage. The junior is a touch undersized at 5-foot-10, 227 pounds, but he was reliable throughout his career. At his size, it will be an uphill climb as a rookie, but if the Lions need someone to develop and add to the special teams depth, then he’s worth a look. York was a three-year starter at Texas A&M, proving to be durable and a true quarterback of the defense.

Sleepers to watch

Wesley Bissainthe, LB, Miami (Fl)

Wesley Bissainthe found ways to make plays across his four seasons on a loaded Miami defense. He leaves school with 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble. Bissainthe had a career-high 71 tackles on the team’s ride to the national title game. He’s shown some versatility with work on the defensive edges and in the slot, and that makes him stand out as a potential late-round flier with a ton of experience. The senior is listed at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and viewed as a hard hitter who reads the game well.

Wade Woodaz, LB, Clemson

Wade Woodaz’s production dipped this past season, along with seemingly everyone else at Clemson. He went from someone who had 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three interceptions, one touchdown and three forced fumbles to someone who lacked those impact plays. Woodaz had only 0.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and no takeaways in 12 games. He’s a 6-foot-4, 235-pound experienced player. Much like some of his teammates in the draft, is the 2025 version or the previous version the real one?

Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

Talk about a fascinating prospect. Harold Perkins Jr. played all over LSU’s defense, with 366 snaps in the box, 77 on the defensive line and 250 in the slot. Perkins had a brutal missed-tackle rate of 21% and allowed 29 catches on 36 targets in coverage for an equally tough 80.6% completion rate allowed. He suffered an ACL injury in 2024 and seemed slow to recover from the issue and return to form.

So, why is he on this list?

In terms of potential SAM linebacker depth? Perkins makes a lot of sense as an aggressive attacker who proved he could make impactful plays. Across 2022 and 2023 as a freshman and sophomore, Perkins had 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles. The combine is a great chance to see if that athlete and player are still there, and how to tap into it at the next level.