FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kyle Louis
Kyle Louis (LB – Pittsburgh)
6-foot-0 | 225 Pounds
Background
Kyle Louis redshirted in 2022 after making four appearances, then recorded 19 tackles the following year, with two starts over nine appearances.
Louis became a full-time starter at the weakside linebacker position in 2024 and racked up a monster line of 101-15.5-7.0 with three breakups and four interceptions (one touchdown). He put together another impressive 81-8.5-3.0 line with three breakups and two interceptions in 2025.
Positives
Highly productive two-year starter with better length than many of his peers in the class. Rangy weakside linebacker who reads keys quickly and effectively, showing smooth movement skills and a solid motor in pursuit; doesn’t take many false steps. Gets up to speed quickly and has nice flexibility throughout his body. Does a good job of lining up opponents in space due to his impressive agility and body control.
Louis closes well and hits through opponents. Keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage when playing between the tackles, and uses his lateral agility well to slip around opponents. Perhaps not the most forceful tackler, but he has a wider radius and is more reliable than his thin build would suggest.
Shows very fast processing when dealing with route combinations from zone coverage. Looks fast and fluid when spot-dropping into zones, and was asked to reach some challenging landmarks that are more typically assigned to a safety. Able to shade over the slot and pattern-match against opposing receivers, which he was asked to do frequently.
Uses his anticipation/recognition skills well and looks crisp and fast when planting and driving on a spot. Has enjoyed a lot of success as a blitzer, and not only when he’s schemed a lane. Has also shown much better contact balance than anticipated when shooting gaps. Gets his hands up to contest passing lanes.
Negatives
Louis is definitely on the small/thin side for a pro linebacker, which has led to speculation that he might convert to more of a big nickel/rover type. Can be swallowed up and struggles to disengage when blockers line him up, even by stalkers in the screen game.
Functions much more effectively with big space-eaters in front of him, and he can run to the ball untouched. Hits through opponents in pursuit, but doesn’t have a ton of stopping power. Lacks experience in a traditional high safety role.
Summary
One of the most instinctive prospects in the class, Louis’ excellent anticipation, key-reading and route recognition skills complement his impressive athleticism perfectly, flying to the ball both as a sideline-to-sideline run defender and in coverage.
Looks small for an odd-front linebacker, but could fit well either as a run-and-hit will linebacker in an even front, or as a nickel defender in any sub package. Seems like he has a pretty good shot of coming off the board on Day 2, regardless of where his drafting team ultimately projects him to play.
Projection: Round 3
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