5 Linebackers Patriots Are Most Likely To Take In 2026 NFL Draft

5 Linebackers Patriots Are Most Likely To Take In 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots would be wise to target linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf pretty much told us where he wanted to focus at his media availability on Monday: “… I do think it’s a good position from a depth standpoint. I think there’s a lot of players that you can justify using a pick on Day 3.”

If they’re true to that word, I’d go as far as to say these are the five likeliest options:

Anthony Hill Jr.

School: Texas
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 238 lbs
Hand: 9 5/8″
Arm: 32 3/8″
Scouting Combine: 4.51 (40), 37″ (Vertical), 10′ 5″ (Broad), 21 (Bench Press)
2025 Stats: 10 G, 69 TKL, 4.0 SACKS, 7.0 TFL, 2 INT, 3 FF

Hill isn’t going to last until Day 3, but we needed one early-round option to cover all of our bases — and this young man has the talent to potentially sneak into Day 1, let alone Day 2.

The Patriots haven’t had someone who can effectively play in the box and on the line of scrimmage in quite a while, and in the event that they truly want to add speed to the defense, this is one of the best options.

Khalil Jacobs

School: Missouri
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 228 lbs
Hand: N/A
Arm: N/A
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 13 G, 47 TKL, 3.0 SACKS, 5.0 TFL

The Patriots, like many other teams, are trying to get as close a look at this guy as they can after he wasn’t invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine or Senior Bowl.

Jacobs reportedly has taken official visits with New England, the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans.

Aiden Fisher

School: Indiana
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 232 lbs
Hand: 9 1/2″
Arm: 31 1/8″
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 15 G, 97 TKL, 4.5 SACKS, 10.5 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FF

Fisher is an old-school type of linebacker, though he does fit the new age body type and athletic profile. New England could look toward him as its eventual replacement for Robert Spillane.

Harold Perkins Jr.

School: LSU
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 223 lbs
Hand: 8 1/8″
Arm: 31 3/8″
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 12 G, 56 TKL, 4.0 SACKS, 8.0 TFL, 3 INT, 1 FF

If I can’t push agendas, what is the point of writing this series?!

Perkins has his limitations, but there is so much talent on the table that he will be hard to pass up.

FULL PLAYER PROFILE

Bryce Boettcher

School: Oregon
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 230 lbs
Hand: 9 1/4″
Arm: 31 1/4″
Scouting Combine: N/A
2025 Stats: 15 G, 136 TKL, 1.0 SACKS, 5.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF

Boettcher is similar to Fisher: old-school play style, led an extremely dominant defense, slightly undersized, can contribute in multiple phases. If you have a chance at one of these guys, go get them.

More NFL: 2026 NFL Draft Preview: Profiling Most Interesting Players In Class

5 Linebackers Patriots Are Most Likely To Take In 2026 NFL Draft

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