Kaleb Elarms-Orr NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Buffalo Bills LB

Matt HolderApr 16, 2026

The Buffalo Bills selected TCU LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr with the No. 126 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Kaleb Elarms-Orr turned heads with a very strong performance at the NFL combine, finishing second among linebackers in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump. Impressive athleticism shows up on tape, too, making him an intriguing developmental prospect.

The 6'2", 234-pound backer was a three-star recruit in the 2021 high school class and originally went to Cal, where he redshirted as a true freshman after tearing his ACL before arriving at Berkeley. He became a starter in 2023 and recorded 92 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and five passes defended.

After earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors, Elarms-Orr transferred to TCU and ended up playing in 26 games with 13 starts (all in 2025) for the Horned Frogs. He accumulated 184 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, six sacks and two PDs, while earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition this past season.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images

- Elarms-Orr is a good overall athlete, who tested well at the NFL combine to earn a 9.55 relative athletic score.

- Very good speed, which helps increase his sideline-to-sideline range, carry the seam in Tampa 2 and close on ball-carriers.

- Good eye-discipline in zone coverage to locate threats coming into his area. He adjusts his path well to effectively pattern-match and/or take away options from the quarterback.

- Mirrors running backs in the backfield well.

- Consistently wraps up when tackling and doesn't miss much.

- Good speed and bend/lower body flexibility to take efficient paths to the quarterback when unblocked as a blitzer.

- Experience playing on special teams.

Areas of Improvement

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AP Photo

- Elarms-Orr significantly lacks strength to be an effective run-defender at the next level.

- Takes on blocks with little knee-bend and has skinny legs, leading to him getting pushed around when taking on blocks.

- Not physical at the point of attack and has shorter arms, making it difficult for him to stack and shed, even against tight ends.

- No knockback power when coming downhill. Offensive linemen can absorb his contact and running backs can get extra yards on his tackle attempts.

- Often gets caught in the trash as a run defender, as he's quick to vacate the backside of runs or crash downhill, taking himself out of the play.

- Short-area quickness and change of direction are subpar, making it difficult for him to stay in phase against running backs and slot receivers when playing man-coverage.