John Harbaugh should take a close look at these two linebackers shining at the Senior Bowl for the Giants’ 2026 NFL Draft
The New York Giants and John Harbaugh need to keep an eye on these linebackers at the Senior Bowl in the 2026 NFL Draft
The New York Giants’ biggest weakness in 2025 was their porous run defense that was consistently run through. It desperately needs to be addressed this offseason.
In 2025, the Giants ranked 31st in rushing yards allowed and last in EPA per rush allowed. Their inability to stop the run was debilitating and bled into the rest of their defensive play.
One way they need to address this is by drafting a high-impact linebacker early or a high-upside linebacker late to bolster their depth. Harbaugh’s teams have always featured big-name linebackers who set the tone on every play.
This year at the Senior Bowl, there are two linebackers who should be on Harbaugh’s radar who had fantastic performances on Wednesday. Arkansas’ Xavian Sorey and Pitt’s Kyle Louis continuously made big plays and propelled themselves forward in this year’s class. Here’s what you need to know about each player.
Arkansas LB Xavian Sorey
Listed at 6’1 7/8″ and 220lbs, Sorey is a compelling mix of old school thumper and new age athlete. Sorey’s light build allows him to easily cover ground, but that doesn’t take away from his willingness to thump anyone in his path.
During team drills, Sorey was seemingly at the line of scrimmage on every play against the run. He was flying all over the field and attacking without hesitation. The play below illustrates his ability to track from the backside of the play.
Practices are only thud contact, so it’s difficult to evaluate how strong a tackler he is in this setting. However, the instincts and willingness to go without pausing are hard to come by. He’s a prospect I’m intending on watching immediately after the week of practices concludes.
Pitt LB Kyle Louis
Louis is the polar opposite of Sorey, but serves a role the Giants need to address. Listed at 5’11 3/4″ and 224 lbs, Louis is the ideal coverage linebacker you bring in for sub packages.
While he’s known as a third-down linebacker, he was quite impressive inside against the run. Similar to Sorey at practice, Louis was disturbing so many plays at the line. On this play, he immediately read the flow of the offensive line and shot the gap to make a play quickly.
His fluid movement skills allow him to stick with receivers, running backs, and tight ends in coverage. The play below illustrates a situation in which he tracked Penn State running back Nick Singleton, didn’t bite on his route, and ripped the ball out of the air.
Louis and Sorey would be the ideal players for the Giants to pick on Day 3. Both players have the tools to become eventual starters, but could at least be designated to specific roles for certain packages.
New York Giants News
The defensive Senior Bowl standouts that turned heads on Day 1 and should be on the Giants’ 2026 NFL Draft radar
These defensive 2026 NFL Draft prospects shined at Day 1 of the Senior Bowl, and the New York Giants should be paying attention.
