The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host LSU linebacker Harold Perkins for a pre-draft visit , according to a report by NFL Draft analyst Ryan Fowler.
Perkins is a 6-foot-1, 222-pound linebacker that was a three-time All-SEC selection in four years at LSU. A former edge rusher who moved to off-ball linebacker because of his size, Perkins is a strong blitzer from the position, with 17 sacks over his college career. He also excels as a playmaker, with eight career forced fumbles and five interceptions in 43 college games.
His instincts at linebacker are probably less refined than others because of making that transition later in his career. He is plenty fast, but has a tendency to get lost in coverage.
Perkins did not perform athletic testing at the 2026 NFL Combine .
Perkins is currently the No. 130 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, just ahead of the Steelers' second fourth-round selection at No. 135.
Perkins is the third linebacker the Steelers have used one of their pre-draft visits on, joining Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez and Pitt's Kyle Louis.
It's a very deep linebacker class, and that's the only reason that a player like Perkins will be available in the fifth round. Perkins is somewhat undersized at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds. Of course, Patrick Queen is 6-foot 1/4, 228 pounds.
The Steelers do not have a big need at linebacker, with Queen, Payton Wilson , Cole Holcomb , Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener all returning under contract for 2026.
But they could use some help for a special teams unit that has lost regulars Miles Killebrew, Connor Heyward and James Pierre to free agency.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers to Host Hybrid Linebacker for Pre-Draft Visit
Related Headlines
