Harris is a tough player to evaluate heading into the 2026 season because a lingering calf injury has significantly limited his time on the field during the last two campaigns. A few years ago, he looked like a young and promising linebacker, especially in coverage, with 12 passes defended in 2022 and 2023. However, it's fair to question if the former third-round pick can get back on that trajectory after the injury.

It's no secret that Knight struggled during his rookie season. It was expected that the second-round pick might have some issues in coverage, but he was pretty disappointing against the run. The South Carolina product's impact plays were few and far between, and he was caught out of position frequently.

It feels like this is going to be the make-or-break season for Wallace. During his first two seasons, he's been a liability as a run defender and has just been average in coverage, only showing the ability to click and close against check-downs. Throw in a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery, and the clock is ticking for the 2024 third-round pick.

As a rookie three years ago, Pace gained notoriety for being an undrafted free agent who ended up starting 11 games for the Vikings. However, he's fallen off dramatically since then, with his playing time decreasing every year, getting benched around the halfway point of last season. The Cincinnati product can provide value as an off-ball blitzer, but he doesn't bring much more to the table than that as a starting linebacker.

Carter was a liability in coverage, struggling with getting his eyes in the right place to locate threats, and had major tackling issues to have a down season as a rookie. However, the Clemson product did show some promise with his instincts against the run to build off and start heading in the right direction in year two.

Rodriguez's career has gone in the wrong direction. The former "Hard Knocks" star went from exceeding expectations as a rookie by going from a sixth-round pick to a 15-game starter to starting no more than six games over the last three years. He has a chance to get back into the Lions' starting lineup—or at least have a bigger role—with Alex Anzalone out of the picture this season, but the Oklahoma State product has to show a lot in camp to win that job.

Williams has bounced back and forth between being a starter and a contributor off the bench during his three seasons with the Bills so far. Likely a big reason why he hasn't stayed at the top of the depth chart is that his instincts and awareness are still a work in progress, especially in coverage. With Matt Milano no longer in Buffalo, the time is now for the 2023 third-round pick to cement himself as a starter in the league. Otherwise, he'll likely be a career-long backup and special teamer.

Baker has made 12 starts for three different teams over the last two seasons and simply isn't a starting-caliber linebacker anymore. He does have valuable experience to be an asset as a depth piece and can be used on early downs, but teams who are looking for a more athletic defender who can help in coverage should be making other calls.

Injuries held Simon back during his rookie season last year. But the fourth-round pick became a starter in the second half of the campaign and put some decent tape out there. Right now, he's someone who takes advantage of mistakes rather than making plays by winning one-on-one matchups consistently, though.