NFL Draft 2026: LB medical report - Jaishawn Barham, Anthony Hill, Taurean York
Three healthy and young LB options that the Lions have had formal meetings with
The NFL combine has wrapped up which means the Lions have had formal meetings with players.
Here are 3 youthful and extremely healthy LB options who could be available in round 2 or 3. All have had formal meetings at the combine with the Lions.
For the full NFL 2026 draft prospect medical analysis page, click here.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Jaishawn Barham, LB (22): few minor injuries - 1/10 concern
Anthony Hill, LB (21): fractured metacarpal - 0/10 concern
Taurean York, LB (21): totally clean - 0/10 concern
Jaishawn Barham, LB (22) - Michigan
Projected round 2-3. Formal meeting at combine with Lions.
Concern level 1/10
2025: 12/13 games. Minor injury in Game 3. Upper body injury Game 9. Opted out of bowl.
2024: 13/13 games.
2023 (Maryland): 11/13 games. Missed 1 game for unspecified injury. Skipped bowl game.
2022: 12/13 games. Missed 1 game for unspecified injury.
There are a few minor injuries to sort out with Barham, but none of them cost him any long-term time. He was banged up a couple times in his final season but was available for all games.
As a Wolverine fan and alum, I’ve watched all his games and he was a clear standout on defense with his disruptive, playmaking ability. He could serve as an explosive, pass-rusher for the Lions off the edge.
Barham finished his career with 23 TFL, 12 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 forced fumbles. He ran a solid 4.64 40-yard dash at the combine.
Anthony Hill, LB (21) - Texas
Projected round 2. #47 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19. Formal meeting at combine with Lions.
Concern level 0/10
2025: 10/13 games. Fractured 5th metacarpal and missed final 2 regular season games. Opted out of bowl.
2024: 16/16 games
2023: 14/14 games
The only concern with Hill’s fractured hand is that he’s had no game action since. There shouldn’t be any long-term issues with a straightforward metacarpal hand fracture though. Youth is a major positive on his side. Overall, Hill appears to be a very clean prospect.
He compiled a bountiful 31.5 TFL, 17 sacks, 3 INT, and 8 forced fumbles in college. His 40-yard dash at the combine was impressive at 4.51.
Taurean York, LB (21) - Texas A&M
Projected round 3. #77 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19. Formal meeting at combine with Lions.
Concern level 0/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 13/13 games
2023: 13/13 games
Not missing a game in college is a real good start. Only missing a single practice in college is even more remarkable. His young age is another positive. The lack of any reported injuries is the cherry on top. All this might make York the cleanest prospect in the draft.
There might be some concerns about his smaller size (5’11”, 226 lb at combine), but he has a very strong track record of reliability.
In college, he collected 25.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 1 forced fumble.
Interested in some mid-round safeties for the Lions?