Browns selected Alabama LB Justin Jefferson with the No. 149 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

25 April 2026

Jefferson (6’0/223) is a rangy, twitchy WILL linebacker whose 79 tackles, 14 havoc plays and 5.5 TFLs reflect his ability to impact games in space rather than as a true box thumper. He added 3 sacks and generated 5 pressures on just 30 rushes (16.7 percent pressure rate), highlighting his burst and timing as a situational blitzer. Jefferson’s 9.23 RAS is driven by elite agility (6.81 three-cone, 97th percentil) and explosion (38.5” vertical, 95th percentile), allowing him to mirror backs and close quickly from depth. That said, his 223-pound frame shows up against size, as his 82.3 percent tackle rate and limited run-stop total (two) underscore struggles stacking and shedding in tight quarters. Jefferson projects as a sub-package WILL and core special teamer whose coverage range and pressure upside can carve out a role if he improves play strength and block deconstruction.