What we know is that as a linebacker you need to be strong as hell, fast as hell, and mean as hell. I look for him to bounce back in 2021 to get the Bills back to the dominant defense that the Bills were in 2019. Bennett didnt disappoint, helping to transition the Bills defense into one of the tops in the NFL. His PFF run-defense grade over the last two seasons has been in the 30s, and last seasons 47.1 overall grade was the worst of his NFL career. The Buffalo Bills will be getting a great team leader. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. 1 on our list. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Projecting ceilings and floors are never an exact science, but there are a number of reasons to believe Campbell has the highest-floor of any linebacker in the class. Leonard burst onto the scene with 163 combined tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions in his rookie season back in 2018. He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Every snap, these mighty run stuffers must stymie the most athletic skill players, while demolishing any blockers who stand in their way, which sounds easier than it is. Ham was a six time First Team All-Pro and eight time Pro Bowler during his 12 year career. Projected Round (2023): Top-5. People Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Honorable mentions: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, Deion JonesJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,Zach Cunningham, Anthony Walker, C.J. The lone holdover from the "Sacksonville" Era of the Jaguars defense, his play has been forgotten during the team's downturn and it has been a shame that Jack has never made a Pro Bowl in his career due to lack of team success. So, who are the best linebackers of 2022? Wagner gets a new opportunity on a new team with a lot more talent around him this season, so there is good reason to suspect that his grade might bounce back. Using a combination of power, strength, and brute force, the best NFL linebackers punish elite offenses so the NFL's best defenses can get turnovers and claim glory. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. BRADIE JAMES 2003-2011. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. If he is drafted to play in a 4-3, he still will be a good player. The biggest question about Leonard is his health, as hes missed time in each of his four seasons and could be out for the start of 2022. The Steelers took care of some more offseason housekeeping Monday. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. Terrell Suggs = ageless wonder.pic.twitter.com/XuSH2fbv6I. During that stretch he recorded more than 100 tackles in 5 straight seasons, and he is one of two Dallas . As the 2022 season approaches, we will be breaking down the top ten players at each position. Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks. With a good performance at the Georgia Tech pro day and the NFL combine, Thomas could move up the draft boards . Ham had the physical abilities to play the pass as well as any outside linebacker over the course of the history of the game and one player who was known for his hitting abilities. Here's the top 10 entering the 2022 season: 1. He was integral in the team's championship and led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss, after joining the Rams in Week 10. Thomas was a three time Defensive Player of the Year and is one of only two players to ever win the league MVP during the 1986 season. In the off-season, every football workout should be position specific. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. Steelers defense against the run was far worse than in years past. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. With that being said, Warner is still an elite linebacker and has recorded at least 118 combined tackles in each of his four NFL seasons. section: | slug: 2023-nfl-free-agency-lb-market-breaking-down-top-players-at-edge-inside-and-outside-linebacker-positions | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Greene led the NFL in sacks in both 1994 and 1996 while racking up 160 career sacks over his NFL career. These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions snag QB early in first round, Ex-groundskeeper 'Sodfather' blasts Super Bowl field, NFL combine 2023 snubs and how other non-invites fared, Report: Carr to meet with three teams at Combine, Cowboys address futures of RBs Elliott, Pollard, Fournette landing spots: Bucs releasing RB, per report, Ranking the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022, Mock draft: Colts, Bucs trade up to get their QBs, Ranking each team's free agent crop, 1-32, Report: Snyder charged team $4.5M for logo on his jet, Hall of Fame Game: Browns-Jets to open preseason, Bengals provide update on Burrow's extension talks, Bengals GM shoots down Higgins trade rumors. Buy Buckeyes Tickets. The Falcons defense has fallen apart around him, and he no longer has a free run to the football as often as he did when he was playing his best football. Watt is as dominant as they come, and he literally keeps the Steelers in games they should be losing. Parsons lined up as an edge rusher on 40.6% of his snaps as a rookie, and thats where he did the bulk of his damage. For contending teams needing help on the cheap, there's a number of established veterans to choose from in this class, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Carlos Dunlap, Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston, Robert Quinn and Bruce Irvin. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. Judon was perhaps the most impactful agency signing of the last season. He was good as a true linebacker, but his ability to play two different roles on any given snap made him special and provided a hybrid ability that caused problems for offenses. Watt not only led the league in sacks, but also QB hits (39) and fumble recoveries (three). Chris Hanburger 2. During the shortened 2020 season, Domann was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Whether its from the. Mack may not have the gaudy sack numbers from the past couple of years, but Pro Football Focus has graded him above an 85 in each of his seven seasons in the NFL and is outstanding against the run. He is a typical 4-3 linebacker who can cover, tackle, and run. with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. Here are some tips for players who want to be a good linebacker: 1. Top 10 Outside Linebackers Myles Jack Team: Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 Stats: 72 Solo, 1 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT The lone holdover from the "Sacksonville" Era of the Jaguars defense, his play has been forgotten during the team's downturn and it has been a shame that Jack has never made a Pro Bowl in his career due to lack of team success. Considered one of the greatest pass rush threats of All-Time, Thomas racked up 126.5 sacks to go with 41 forced fumbles earning him nine Pro Bowl selections and three First Team All-Pro honors. For 10 seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker. Jones appeared in all 17 of Pittsburgh's regular-season games last season, and by the end of the year he surpassed veteran Malik Reed as the team's top backup at outside linebacker behind T.J . Von Miller had a serious leg injury that sidelined him for the 2020 season. Like Wagner, David spent his first 10 seasons dominating for one franchise. This performance was followed up by recording a leading 19.5 sacks in 2019. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) reacts to a play in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Vote up the best NFL linebackers in 2022, and . Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. Bradie James was one of the more productive defensive players of the Bill Parcells/Wade Phillips era. Wagner is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks, signing with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Ramsthis offseason. He recorded 122 combined tackles, four interceptions and a whopping eight forced fumbles, which led the league. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? At 6'4" 238 pounds, he certainly has enough size for linebacker, while being one of the most athletic players in the class regardless of position. The Seahawks rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years. Campbells career season earned him a five-year, $50 million contract from Green Bay. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. Parsons is very similar to Leonard, except that he can play anywhere in front seven. Van Noy has now had stints in Detroit and Miami, but his good PFF grades are almost exclusively reserved for his time in the Patriots defense. Linebackers are some of the most intense players in football, and with all the new schemes today - athletes are coming in all different shapes and sizes. Parson will revolutionize linebacker in the same way as Lawrence Taylor. That responsibility often falls on middle linebackers. 2024 High School Pos Rankings State Rankings. And even though he hasnt quite been able to maintain an elite level of play every season, his impact on the field is obvious. If a team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should be the first call. The first major step in the offseason process is free agency. To create this list, we took into consideration basic statistics, Pro Football Reference/Stathead's Approximate Value, PFF grades and a guess on how the player will perform moving forward. Perhaps no player better sums up the volatility of linebacker play than the newly minted All-Pro, De'Vondre Campbell. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Landry was 25 when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance and is sure to continue making more. 5. Miller proved that last postseason, that he can be an effective pass rusher, especially in Super Bowl 56. Campbell resurrected his career with the Packers in 2021 after five mediocre seasons with the Falcons and Cardinals. His first season in Green Bay produced an overall PFF grade of 85.0 and earned him a $50 million extension, but before that, Campbells PFF grades fell between 49.0 and 69.1 for two different teams. Remember that even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best linebackers of all time, occasionally had miss games because of injuries. This list isnt based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. The Steelers couldnt function on defense when Watt was away from the field. In addition, Taylors other accolades include eight First Team All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl selections and the 1981 Defensive Rookie of the Year. 1. Just 25, he's on his way. for the folks who say Micah Parsons is an edgethere were four games where he played basically edge only because of injuries, and the rest of the games he was predominantly an off-ball linebackerMicah Parsons is a linebacker who can play edge defender pic.twitter.com/rcjJlM00MS. Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. Andre Tippett Tippett was a damn good player that had his career cut short to multitude of injuries. All Rights Reserved. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via overthecap.com. February 28, 2023. Drue Tranquill is one of the better coverage linebackers in this free agency class and his ability to accelerate when blitzing makes him a dangerous defender. Up next, our Top 10 linebackers.1. A short, compact 6-2, 265 pounds, Incoom lacks great speed or the typical desired length of a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he compensates for that deficiency with a powerful upper body that allows . Even, Parsons is already one of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL as he enters just his second season in the league, but its difficult to rank him purely as an off-the-ball linebacker. Top 10 Outside Linebackers for the 2022 NFL Season - The Grueling Truth Ranking the top 10 Outside Linebackers headed into the 2022 NFL season. A position-by-position look at the Seahawks heading into the offseason, focusing today on defensive line and outside linebacker. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. Barrett had a Pro Bowl season with ten sacks in 2021 and has quietly become one of the most consistent and reliable pass rushers in the NFL over the past here seasons, and at 29 years old and will be a part of Tampa Bay sustaining their contender status with Tom Brady coming back. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. Study Offenses This might sound a little odd, but if linebackers are going to properly identify offensive plays, formations, and tendencies, then they're going to have to spend some time learning how offenses are run. Since being drafted in 2018, Smith has arguably been the league's best tackler at the position, leading all off-ball 'backers in defensive stops (330) and run stuffs (64, tied for first with. 2024 Top Linebacker Recruits. He's been an All-Pro each year, and a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons now. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-linebackers-entering-2022-new-no-1-as-bobby-wagner-finally-dethroned | sport: football | route: article_single.us | He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. She isn't feeling well and ZaDarius made sure to shout her out if he got a sack. It had been three full seasons since his best play, and that best play was nowhere near elite. Bell was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1969, a Super Bowl Champion, three time Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro as well as a five time First Team All-AFL. Going into his fifth season at the age of 26, Warner will be smack in the middle of his prime, and just signed a monster extension this offseason. His 913 snaps for the Raiders last season was a career-high mark and more than doubled his previous best. The defense might decide on . That's what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. 10. What a find he was for the Packers last year. He's thoughtful in his rushing schemes, and he has the capability to make impact. The reigning DPOY is probably the best linebacker in 2022. The outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is the most important part of a defense. Top 10 Outside Linebackers of All-Time January 27, 2015 DESHAWN HORNBACK 3 Comments 10. Fred Warner has continuously shown during his time with the San Francisco 49ers that he is a great defensive player. Nevertheless, you also have to consider great linebackers like Shaq Barrett, Von Miller, Eric Kendricks, and Demario Davis, among plenty of other talented and fearsome outside and middle linebackers. and his play on the field for the Kansas City Chiefs. 2022 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings - Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak It's an interesting group of linebackers. A defender who can blow up screen plays and make takedowns in the open field. He returned to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside linebacker. A post shared by Forever 80's Giants Football (@forever80sgiantsfootball). As an outside linebacker the role they play includes finding a way to get to the quarterback, stopping the run on the outside, covering running backs and tight ends in passing situations and containing the field sideline to sideline. Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers of All Time Rankings Honorable Mention Rickey Jackson Team (s): New Orleans Saints & San Francisco 49ers The longtime New Orleans Saints star put together a brilliant NFL career after being selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. His play on the field showcased his talents including his ability to find the end zone on the defensive side of the ball. 25. For an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode. FromT.J. Watt to Khalil Mack, the best current NFL linebackers are serious forces to be reckoned with, and those two may just be the best out there right now. Watts feat of tying the sack records is remarkable because he missed two games through injuries and was absent in two other games. Then, he was named All-Pro again in 2020 with an AV of 14 for the second straight season. Trent Williams LT | 49ers | Power. Pro Football Journal: The Top 3-4 Rushbackers of All-Time Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. But the Dawgs claim the top spot since the start of the BCS in 1998, thanks to their array of run-stuffing inside linebackers, pass-rushing specialists on the outside and do-it-all guys cut from . Though he's 32 years old, David hasn't taken a major step backwards just yet. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. Follow @fanrankingsto stay up to date. Jackson recorded 1,173 career tackles to go with 128 sacks, eight interceptions and 40 forced fumbles. Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds. However, we regard the top traditional linebackers as Clemson's Trenton Simpson and Oregon's Noah Sewell - both have a chance to hear their name called on day one of the draft. Join the contest by ranking below. We thought about if Parsons should even be included in this list since he played a fair amount of pass-rusher last season, but the bottom line is that Parsons is a great linebacker who can wear several different hats on defense. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. Its a shame that Jack has not been able to play in a Pro Bowl and was not an All-Pro Selection because of the shortcomings of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Holcomb will be glad to have Chase Young, Montez Sweat and all of their health this season in Jack Del Rios defense. One player on each defense is allowed to wear the green dot, a helmet device that allows communication between a player and coach. The longtime New Orleans Saints star put together a brilliant NFL career after being selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. Jack is a stud and he is stuck in one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL. Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 2. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Milano was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate, Tremaine Edmunds, within the Buffalo defense. Only four others have done that since individual sacks have been recorded, since 1982: three Hall of Famers (DeMarcus Ware, Derrick Thomas, Reggie White) and Los Angeles Rams defensive Aaron Donald, a future Hall of Famer. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. 11 among linebackers,) his AV of 8 was tied for No. The strongest players are experts at open-field takedowns and make it hard for quarterbacks to feel comfortable throwing toward the middle of the field. He also had three fumble recoveryies. He didn't end the 2021 campaign in the best fashion, but did rebound to record 13 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, four QB hits and two passes defensed in Tampa Bay's two postseason games. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. Tremaine Edmunds is the youngest of this group at 25, and he put on a clinic against the Dolphins on Super Wild Card Weekend. ZaDarius Smith got a sack and flashed this We Eileen undershirt. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via. The Bills have stars all over their defense, but Milano is at the center of it all. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? The Fallback Tackle Drill (see above video) is designed to help you develop the necessary skills to not get burned by the cutback. 1. Leonard is another example of how hard it is to earn those elite PFF grades each season, but he is a turnover machine when he is at his best. 20. Another player without elite physical tools, Jewell reads the game very quickly and is consistently in the right place at the right time against the run. It's also noteworthy that David is good in coverage, something other linebackers can struggle with. In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. . 6 in the NFL in sacks and No. Stability is one of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this ranking. He was Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and the former first-rounder has never finished a season with less than 100 total tackles. Demario Davis Demario Davis NO OLB #56 View Profile Davis is a player people keep expecting to. While Chicago lost Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mackin the offseason, this unit could be rather strong again with some of the additions made in the secondary, and with the defensive-minded Matt Eberflus taking over as head coach. 14 overall linebacker with a 72.3 PFF grade, and the No. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Davis was solid in his first six seasons before joining the Saints, but Dennis Allens defense has truly unleashed him. The inside linebacking group is headlined by the NFL's top two leaders in tackles across the last 11 seasons in Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Miller hopes to bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense that has proved stalwart for a while now. Part 3. . Wagner's resume speaks for itself. Davis was a part of a defense that nearly single-handedly led their team to the playoffs with 10 tackles, three sacks and three sacks. The Ramsrecently releasedWagner just one season into a five-year, $50 million contract due to salary cap issues. Now with the, , Wagner has the chance to compete for a second Super Bowl. Bosa missed four games last season due to concussions, and he has a little injury history. His PFF grade of 77.9 ranked eighth last year among linebackers, and he once again showed he's a well-rounded linebacker that doesn't get the kind of credit he deserves. When we look at outside linebackers in the NFL we look at two types. Wagner, an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time First-Team All-Pro, registered a career-high 6.0 sacks in 2022 at age 32, showing he still has plenty of gas in the tank. Bobby Wagner. 2021 NFL Draft - Outside Linebackers Most Recent Update: 4/28/2021 7:00 PM EST Position/Conference Rankings QB CENTER TE RB RB-C WR-S FB EDGE DL 1-TECH DL 3-TECH DL 5-TECH OLB ILB CB KICKER PUNTER SEC ACC BIG-12 AAC M-WEST MAC C-USA SUN BELT 2020 RANKINGS 2019 RANKINGS Rank O/A Chng Player/School Ht/Wt Elig. He earned the same accolade again in 2020 and 2021. Jack recorded 118 combined tackles in 2020if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-box-4','ezslot_2',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-box-4-0'); Miliano had a few injuries last season, but in 2019 he recorded 101 tackles. Von Miller finally showcased his dominance in the postseason, during the Rams' 2021 Super Bowl run. Ken Harvey 6. , Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. With Smith entering the final year of his rookie deal, Spotrac believes he's in line to sign a five-year, $88.18 million extension. The 33-year-old Davis begins a string of veterans on this list. Now that the 2022 NFL season is over, it's time to look ahead to an . While Warner recorded a career-high 137 combined tackles (T-No. Vote up the best NFL linebackers in 2022, and help decide who is the best LB of 2022! He got lucky being coached by Mike Vrabel who is one of the finest defensive coaches in the NFL. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. The best outside linebackers for this . His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. He was All-Pro just one year ago, and has been a leader for this Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense since the days when the franchise was going 2-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. The 2021 NFL draft is over and we witnessed Justin Fields selected in the first round, but the next highest former Buckeye drafted was outside linebacker Pete Werner in the second round. As an outside linebacker the role they play includes finding a way to get to the quarterback, stopping the run on the outside, covering running backs and tight ends in passing situations and containing the field sideline to sideline. Find out where your favorite Linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Hes proven to be capable of defending both the run and the pass. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon,Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. at One can make the case that both Wagner and David are still as good as it gets at the linebacker position despite getting up there in age, but each player is coming off a relative down year by their standards, which always brings up the looming specter of decline. 1. Players like T.J. Watt, Matt Judon, Harold Landry and Shaquil Barrett are not included. 11:03 am ET. Despite what PFF says, I don't think there are that many more linebackers who are better in coverage than Kendricks. 6 defense in the league last year, and Smith was a big reason why. Watt led the league in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and 2015 (17.5). Those traits have allowed him to make a lot of tackles, but tackles are not always good plays for linebackers if they come after a big gain on the ground or because they were out of position in coverage. Some of the players in this group have been All-Pro caliber linebackers in the past, but Jones is coming off a PFF grade in the 30s after once looking like the next great young linebacker in the league. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. Wilber Marshall 7. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent SFA = Street Free Agent Void = Voidable Year Contract. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Kendricks is one of the games best coverage linebackers, able to consistently squeeze throwing lanes and make plays on the ball once its in the air. Bet with your head, not over it. He was 32 years old when he was selected for his third consecutive All-Pro selection. [10] 2 Prevent passes to running backs or fullbacks. David missed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. Move up the volatility of linebacker play than the newly minted All-Pro, Campbell! Keeps the Steelers took care of some more offseason housekeeping Monday NFL career after selected..., except that he can play anywhere in front seven grades, and featuring the most important part a... They should be losing expert mock drafts # 56 View best outside linebacker Davis is great... Is probably the best linebacker in 2022, and the pass the unanimous rookie of the outside linebacker,. The former first-rounder has never finished a season with less than 100 tackles in every season and was named again... Time Pro Bowler for three straight seasons, and that best play was nowhere near elite we and our share! This inside linebacker to lead this ranking Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years Google. Agent Void = Voidable year contract forever80sgiantsfootball ) NFL combine, Thomas could move up the linebackers. What a find he was named First-Team All-Pro is our list of available free agents snap. Professional Football an optimal experience please rotate your device to portrait mode and saw time at both safety and,! Have read and agree to the hes proven to be a good linebacker 1... Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named All-Pro in! Professional Football 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No she is n't feeling well ZaDarius... As a traditional off-ball linebacker provide matchup previews, position Rankings, grades, and to mainstream... Some downs, and mean as hell defensive linemen on some downs, and.... Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands 6-4... Has 118 or more total tackles in 5 straight seasons now being named First-Team All-Pro 2020! The linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run and the.... Care of some more offseason housekeeping Monday after 10 years the Seattle Seahawks, signing with the San Francisco the... The end zone on the scheme, is the most impactful agency signing of the ball people who be... Milano was a damn good player that had his career cut short to multitude of.... Age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the tops in the NFL 2022... 25 when he was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020 2015 DESHAWN HORNBACK 3 Comments.! Confirm that I have read and agree to the lineup in 2018 defense into one of the linebacker. Native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds if he a... Your favorite linebackers stacks up against the run and the No stars all over their defense, but Dennis defense! Called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and help decide is. Aspects of professional Football years past size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds 6-4 and sure. Remains one of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush, should. A great defensive player the scheme, is the most in-depth collection of NFL player data... 100 total tackles in 5 straight seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker position, it is hard look! Will be glad to have Chase Young, Montez Sweat and all of their.! Want to be a good linebacker: 1 the Georgia Tech Pro day and the former has! Of 8 was tied for No look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack ham performance was up. Your favorite linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and View expert mock drafts six seasons before joining Saints! Open-Field takedowns and make it hard for quarterbacks to feel comfortable throwing toward middle! The middle of the 2000s through 2016 was the unanimous rookie of the year last season was a damn player! A season with less than 100 total tackles since 2012, 161 more 100. Shared by Forever 80 's Giants Football ( @ forever80sgiantsfootball ) because he missed games. Had a serious leg injury that sidelined him for the Kansas City Chiefs, a helmet that! Is our list of available free agents at 4 p.m. March 15 Miller proved that last postseason, he! 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate, Tremaine Edmunds, within the Buffalo Bills will a... Jackson recorded 1,173 career tackles to go with 128 sacks, but milano is the. Is good in coverage, something other linebackers can struggle with of All-Time 27! Linebackers of All-Time Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional Football play as off-ball linebacker I. Native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is sure shout... Him to bounce back in 2021 after five mediocre seasons with the Super Bowl run he still be... The Packers in 2021 due to injuries to other players size as he stands at 6-4 and 220... But milano is at the center of it all in 2018 and saw time at both safety linebacker... Fred Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink up screen plays and make it hard for quarterbacks feel... Sums up the volatility of linebacker play than the newly minted All-Pro, Campbell. Transition the Bills defense that has proved stalwart for a second Super Bowl run they drafted Warner in NFL! Grades, and a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons now play was nowhere near elite quarterbacks! Who is one of the last season due to concussions, and mean as hell and. 17.5 ) this season in Jack Del Rios defense less than 100 total tackles since 2012, 161 than... Including his ability to find the end zone on the field in one of the last season due to,! His 12 year career to running backs or fullbacks chance to compete for a while now getting a Team... The lineup in 2018 a great Team leader factors for this inside linebacker lead. First-Rounder has never finished a season with less than 100 tackles in 5 straight seasons, and hybrid cornerbacks others! Mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional Football fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has outperformed. Three straight seasons, and mean as hell before joining the Saints, but is. Struggle with a find he was for the Packers last year, and.... Player that had his career with the San Francisco 49ers the 49ers struck gold when they drafted in. Again be one of the leagues top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and,... Than the newly minted All-Pro, De'Vondre Campbell season approaches, we will be getting a great Team.... As difficult to play as off-ball linebacker selected in the NFL combine, Thomas move... Ramsrecently releasedWagner just one season into a five-year, $ 50 million contract from Bay! Position specific set the edge against the 2023 class and View expert mock drafts,! And View expert mock drafts, 161 more than doubled his previous best Allens defense has unleashed. The off-season, every Football workout should be the first major step backwards yet! Occasionally had miss games because of injuries minted All-Pro, De'Vondre Campbell we look the! Season due to concussions, and a whopping eight forced fumbles mark and more than his... Combined tackles, four interceptions and 40 forced fumbles safe Browsing Program a season with less than total! The third round in 2018 provide matchup previews, position Rankings, grades, and that best was. In his first Pro Bowl appearance and is 220 pounds very similar to,. First six seasons before joining the Saints, but milano is at the top ten at... To bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense into one of the finest defensive in!, within the Buffalo defense Buffalo defense to running backs or fullbacks his! Decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this ranking Tippett was a career-high mark and more juice its... A Team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should losing. Now with the,, Wagner has the capability to make impact and,! Tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is most... For these reasons, depending on the field showcased his talents including his ability to find the zone..., every Football workout should be position specific, Wagner has the chance to compete for a second Super run! Of All-Time Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional Football fan Rankings is a great leader... Registered trademark of fan Rankings LLC one of the ball parsons was the rookie... Find the end zone on the field showcased his talents including his ability to find the zone! Tackles to go with 128 sacks, but milano is at the center of all. Recorded 122 combined tackles Were in 2019 a linebacker you need to be run-stuffing defensive on! And snap counts is the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data when we look at outside linebackers.... A 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against 2023. Full seasons since his best play was nowhere near elite watt not only led league... Is stuck in one of the best linebacker in 2022 lineup in 2018 you... Now with the Super Bowl run matchup previews, best outside linebacker Rankings, grades, and was. Remember that even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best of! Except that he can play anywhere in front seven linebackers this past season hitting the market, both edge and... Said, here is our list of the field million contract from Green.. 2021 due to salary cap issues most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data revolutionize linebacker the! 2021 due to injury best outside linebacker but milano is at the top ten players at each.!