Pre-draft evaluation of Bills LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 29: Kaleb Elarms-Orr #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrates a sack during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Buffalo Bills picked TCU linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr in the fourth round at No. 126 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Believe it or not, this was one of the club's original selections, not one obtained in a trade down.
This is the fifth piece in my rookie profile series, which are providing a detailed look into my pre-draft thoughts on all the Bills' 2026 draft selections minus punter Tommy Doman Jr., whom I did not evaluate before the draft.
Be sure to check back during the week (and maybe into next week) for the other rookie profiles in this series.
PreviousRookie Profiles
Kaleb Elarms-Orr rookie profileNFL comparison: Quincy Williams
Big Board rank: No. 16 overall (selected: No. 126 overall)
Positional rank: LB2 (selected: LB10)
Round grade: 1/2
My pre-draft scouting report on Elarms-Orr:
Kaleb Elarms-Orr relevant stats at TCUKaleb Elarms-Orr is a somewhat tall, well-proportioned off-ball linebacker with a highly athletic profile built on speed and urgency. He shows excellent closing burst, quickly erasing space when tracking ball carriers or quarterbacks, yet plays with control and balance. He's fluid in space with smooth transitions, showing comfort in coverage and the range to impact plays across the field.
Against the run, Elarms-Orr plays with energy and reliable tackling form, consistently squaring up and finishing with minimal misses. His block-shedding is still developing - he flashes active, physical hands and clear effort, but needs more consistency disengaging from bigger bodies. As a blitzer and spy, he's a clear asset, with the speed to carry vertical routes, operate in Tampa 2 responsibilities, and close quickly on quarterbacks. His twitch, length, and ball skills further support his three-down profile.
Overall, Elarms-Orr projects as a modern, three-down linebacker with high upside tied to his athleticism and coverage ability. His speed, range, and tackling reliability give him a strong foundation, and improved consistency taking on blocks could elevate him into a high-impact defender.
Career missed tackle rate: 9.3%
Final season missed tackle rate: 7.1%
Career pressures / pass-rush snaps: 49 / 220 (22.2%)
Final season pressures / pass-rush snaps: 25 / 128 (19.5%)
Career PBUs: 7
Career INTs: 1
Now for the context - many, and I mean MANY off-ball linebacker prospects have a career missed tackle rate closer to 15%. Some approach 20%. Anything under 10% is spectacular, particularly for a career figure. As for pressure rate from a blitzing off-ball linebacker, when you are generating a pressure on more than 20% of your pass-rushing opportunities, you're doing something right as a prospect.
Elarms-Orr's ball-production figures don't appear outstanding but are better than they might look on the surface because he was in targeted" just 78 times in his collegiate career, per PFF.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr combine numbersHeight: 6'2" (59th percentile among LBs)
Weight: 234 (32nd)
Arm Length: 31 1/2" (27th)
10-Yard Split: 1.59 (67th)
40-Yard Dash: 4.47 (95th)
Vertical Jump: 40" (94th)
Broad Jump: 124" (84th)
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.41 (21st)
Strictly based on my pre-draft evaluations and grades, which of course are meant from a league-wide perspective and not tailored to specific teams, I thought the Elarms-Orr selection was not only the largest steal of the Bills draft class, but one of the most sizable value picks in the entire 2026 draft compared to my overall Big Board rankings. I had a late first/early second-round grade on KEO, much earlier than he was selected.
Elarms-Orr was a three checkmark" prospect for me. I adored his film. His analytics were outstanding. He tested like an elite-level athlete for the position. On film, I love how comfortable, rangy, and aware he was in coverage. That's typically the most difficult area of the game for off-ball linebackers, and while I do expect there to be some growing pains - as there is with almost every rookie - with KEO, he is further ahead than most at his position in the ever-critical coverage aspect of playing linebacker.
I will not be surprised if he's on the field, playing meaningful snaps, sooner than later. Think of him as a more polished, game-ready version of Dorian Williams (another linebacker I liked a lot as a prospect).