Feb. 24, 2026, 6:04 a.m. CT

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine week is upon us, with on-field drills and exercises slated to start on Thursday, with the kickers, linebackers and defensive line groups scheduled to take the field.

Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper and Isaiah McDuffie are the only linebackers under contract for the Green Bay Packers and Brian Gutekunst will almost assuredly add a body to that room via the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 2026 draft class possesses a talented linebacker group to pick from, and Gutekunst may use a pair of picks to bolster the depth and long-term outlook of the position group. A few to watch at the combine:

Anthony Hill Jr, Texas

The Texas linebacker is my early choice to be the “surprise” selection for the Packers with the 52nd overall pick. At 6-3, 240 pounds, Hill looks great off the bus. With his athletic background, age (21) and frame, Hill checks all the boxes. Pairing the former Longhorn with Cooper would give the Packers a dynamic linebacker duo capable of causing a lot of havoc.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Jack Kelly, BYU

At 6-1, 246 pounds, Kelly has a well-built NFL frame. Kelly may be one of the best blitzing linebackers in this draft class. The Weber State transfer finished his career with 128 pressures and 31.5 sacks. The BYU linebacker is powerfully built and does a good job of getting himself off blocks. During his two seasons with the Cougars, Kelly recorded 61 run stops. He’s a player capable of causing a lot of havoc. Aside from what he’d bring to the defensive side of the ball, he’d be a hired gun on special teams. He finished his collegiate career with 402 snaps on special teams.

Lander Barton, Utah

Barton showcased his versatility this past season by playing both ways, logging snaps on the offensive side of the ball and catching six passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. The Utah linebacker does a good job of navigating traffic against the run. He’s an assignment sound linebacker who could provide instant pop on special teams while pushing for playing time when the defense is on the field.

Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma

Heineck is going to be a core special teams player. That seems like a safe bet. The Sooner linebacker finished his time at Oklahoma with 623 special teams snaps to his name and 12 tackles. He’s a relentless ball of energy on the football field who would provide quality depth and an immediate impact on special teams. The former Ohio State lacrosse player could be one of the top testers at the linebacker position this week.

Justin Jefferson, Alabama

Jefferson is rangy and looks comfortable in coverage. The Alabama linebacker is alert and does a good job of keying on the quarterback’s eyes. It will be worth monitoring what he weighs in at this week. This summer he was listed At 6-0 and 218 pounds. That may be too light for Green Bay’s liking, but if he weighs around 225, the Packers could fall in love with his play speed. Over the course of the past three seasons, Jefferson logged 302 snaps on special teams and recorded five tackles.

Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

The Oregon linebacker plays like his hair is on fire. He’s a psycho with the sideline-to-sideline quickness to be an impact player at the next level. Boettcher has 584 special teams snaps to his name and nine tackles. A former two-sport athlete at Oregon, he was drafted by the Houston Astros, and it will be fascinating to see how he tests this week in Indianapolis. With his athleticism, motor, and special teams experience, Boettcher could be an ideal target as they look for depth at linebacker and special teams help.

Jack Golday, Cincinnati

It’s a strong possibility that Golday could be off the board by the time the Packers are on the clock with the 52nd overall pick. Golday has a limitless range and can impact the game in a variety of ways. This past season, he recorded six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections, 18 pressures and 43 run stops. Golday was No. 48 on Bruce Feldman’s Annual Freaks list. The Cincinnati linebacker could turn heads this week, and if somehow he’s still on the board, Golday could be Cooper’s long-term running mate.