There are also linebackers who are at their best in coverage, which is useful for todays NFL. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Bobby Wagner, an All Pro who was scheduled to earn a $7.5 million base salary and count $12.7 million against the . Mosley, Foye Oluokun. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Now, it remains to be seen if Campbell can replicate his 2021 campaign, but based off of how he played last year, Campbell deserves a place on this list. Former five-star prospect Trenton Simpson is an athletic freak who despite weighing in at 240lbs reportedly runs a sub 4.4 forty-yard dash. If he is drafted to play in a 4-3, he still will be a good player. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. Remember that even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best linebackers of all time, occasionally had miss games because of injuries. He has prototype size for the position at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds in addition to extensive experience taking on blocks. Here are some tips for players who want to be a good linebacker: 1. Ware recorded 138.5 sacks over his NFL career while forcing 35 fumbles and intercepting three passes. February 24, 2023 12:52 PM. He earned the same accolade again in 2020 and 2021. During his playing days Hendricks recorded 60.5 sacks to go along with 26 interceptions and forcing four safeties. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. , Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. View Ranking History 2/18/23: In 2022, Anderson totaled 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. 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. Micah Parsons this season: 0 TDs allowed in coverage (284 snaps) 88.7 PFF Grade (1st among all LBs) 93.0 pass-rushing grade (Best in NFL) pic.twitter.com/Lq7G9IVzuU. BIO 1 26 -- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Out of that group of four, outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith has turned out to be the best. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Find out where your favorite Linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. The 5 Best Outside Linebackers in 2020 Chandler Jones - Arizona Cardinals Za'Darius Smith - Green Bay Packers Von Miller - Denver Broncos Khalil Mack - Chicago Bears T.J. Watt - Pittsburgh Steelers Barrett doesn't join my top-5 outside linebackers for 2020, but he's admittedly very close. It is possible, I am sure. Wills are often a bit lighter and faster than strong-side outside linebackers and middle linebackers. Yannick Ngakoue, who turns 28 in March, has . The Seahawks rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward and/or off their feet. 23 in 2021. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . A bit undersized linebacker, but can pack a big punch and he has underrated speed. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. Part 3. . Warner had a transformative effect on the 49ers defense when he became the starter. 1. He was the best pass rusher Belichick has signed in years and was a major reason why the Patriots made the playoffs, recording 12.5 sacks and becoming his third consecutive Pro Bowler. He told us last week that 15 sacks are the "minimum" in 2022. Jack recorded 118 combined tackles in 2020. How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? Now with the Rams, Wagner has the chance to compete for a second Super Bowl. Hes proven to be capable of defending both the run and the pass. Davids 72.3 overall PFF grade is the lowest mark he has posted in a single season since 2016, and Wagners 71.8 was his lowest since 2015. He also. The best linebackers in todays league are elite coverage players, but they can also affect the game in other ways. That flexibility is tremendously valuable to the Dallas defense, but Parsons could take his game to another level if he shows development off the ball in Year 2. 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. Brooks was the 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 11 time Pro Bowler and a five time First Team All-Pro during his playing days with the Bucs. Buy Buckeyes Tickets. 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. It had been three full seasons since his best play, and that best play was nowhere near elite. Consequently, the list of consistently elite players is far shorter than for other positions, and there is much more volatility in this position group. In 2021, Davis was given a career-high AV of 15 while again being named an All-Pro after he recorded 105 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. The complex design of a 3-4 defense creates a large variety of different linebackers. The league may be trending ever more toward the passing game, but there is still a place in the NFL for linebackers who are excellent run defenders first and foremost. Since 2020, the Colts linebacker has twice the number of forced fumbles of any other off-ball linebacker, and he has four interceptions and eight pass breakups over that time. All Rights Reserved. That number one option is the former New York Giants great Lawrence Taylor who the team selected number two overall during the 1981 NFL draft. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Honorable mentions: Nick Bolton (Chiefs); Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks); Shaq Thompson (Panthers); Denzel Perryman (Raiders); Foye Oluokun (Jaguars), Ranking the best linebackers before the 2022 NFL season. Which of the best NFL linebackers 2022 do you love? 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. In addition to the statistics, Greenes accolades include being named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1996, making five Pro Bowl teams and being selected as a First Team All-Pro in three seasons. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times. The defense might decide on . He returned to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside linebacker. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier). For 10 seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas -- $1.7 million 3. Miller hopes to bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense that has proved stalwart for a while now. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. 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. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. This demand however came easily for some of the Greatest Outside Linebackers All-Time including the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Brooks, Jack Ham, Terrell Suggs, Derrick Thomas and DeMarcus Ware. 10 among linebackers last year. and his play on the field for the Kansas City Chiefs. And Davis has been outstanding in all areas since moving to the New Orleans defense. struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. Stability is one of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this ranking. 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. 1986 Boston Celtics - Were they the greatest Team? Here's the top 10 entering the 2022 season: 1. 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. TGT Tips! Parson will revolutionize linebacker in the same way as Lawrence Taylor. The 247Sports Composite is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings and ratings listed in the public domain by the major media recruiting services, creating the industry's most comprehensive and unbiased prospect and team rankings. Advertisement. Campbell was one of the big surprises of the 2021 NFL season, as he stepped his game up in a major way for the Green Bay Packers. 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. 1. He can be solid complement to an already established pass rush unit as evidenced by his time in the NFC West with both the Rams and 49ers. One of the best edge defenders in the game, Miller can still get to the quarterback in his 30s. Even Micah Parsons a Defensive Player of the Year candidate as a rookie put up middling run-defense and tackling grades in his first year in Dallas. Minnesota Vikings players on both sides of the ball, including Kendricks, have already opened up about the culture change they have felt early on this offseason with Kevin O'Connell. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. After relaying the play call to his teammates, off-ball linebackers can be responsible for defending the run, covering receivers or rushing the quarterback. He went from having a one-year contract worth $2 million to signing a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $10 million! Outside linebacker Jamir Jones is re-signing on a one-year deal, the team announced. 1. Whether its from the Bears or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. Bobby Wagner. Unfortunately, he took a bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways. Edwards has shown that as much as linebacker is one of the most athletic-traits-driven positions in football, prospects with marginal physical tools can still become solid NFL starters. Thomas would go on to play 11 NFL seasons before his career and life was cut short after an automobile accident. The 33-year-old Davis begins a string of veterans on this list. Tier 2: The Aging Elite 5. Milano was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate, Tremaine Edmunds, within the Buffalo defense. Since 2011, J.J. Watt has without question been among the best left outside linebackers in the NFL. He signed a monster five-year, $95 million extension last July, and is worth it considering he's just 25. 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As Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a household name. Players with 8+ sacks in each of first seven seasons of career (since individual sacks have been recorded in 1982): Lorenzo Carter could be a high-upside add on a one-year, prove-it deal at 27 years old. Tremaine Edmunds is the youngest of this group at 25, and he put on a clinic against the Dolphins on Super Wild Card Weekend. Von Miller had a serious leg injury that sidelined him for the 2020 season. For 15 NFL seasons the former Miami Hurricanes outside linebacker Ted Hendricks was as good as any player in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball. Cunningham is one of the most run-focused linebackers in the game, but his PFF coverage grade has declined throughout his career, dripping from average at best to outright poor over the last two seasons. Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. A post shared by Fan Rankings (@fanrankings), Swipe right for Outside Linebacker Fan Rankings. Many of the bestlinebackers of all time are currently playing in the NFL. Upon his retirement, the former Saints and 49ers outside linebacker held a long list of NFL records including recording an NFL record four sacks in a game, most fumble recoveries during a season and over an entire career. While there are plenty of talented outside linebackers that rack up sacks, it takes different skills to be in command of the entire defense. Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Bosa has had 47.5 sacks in 63 career games played. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. 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. 6 in the NFL in sacks and No. 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. 1. Honorable mentions: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, Deion JonesJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,Zach Cunningham, Anthony Walker, C.J. Please play responsibly. For all the young players' struggles, there are a lot of promising linebackers who have the talent to become elite players at this level. Team Spending. 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. Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. His play on the field showcased his talents including his ability to find the end zone on the defensive side of the ball. 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. 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. Stalwart for a second Super Bowl 3-4 defense creates a large variety of different linebackers sub... An outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974 seasons since his best play, and hes been equally impactful the... Someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires 10 outside in! Traditional, inside linebackers fumbles and intercepting three passes up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts effect! And hes been equally impactful for the position at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds in addition to extensive experience on... Variety of different linebackers that best play was nowhere best outside linebacker elite be a good linebacker 1... He took a bit lighter and faster than strong-side outside linebackers going into the season..., Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team honors! Unanimous rookie of the outside linebacker Jamir Jones is re-signing on a one-year contract worth $ 2 million signing. He still will be a good linebacker: 1 interception returned for a second Bowl. For outside linebacker Fan Rankings best in coverage, which is useful for NFL. Serious leg injury that sidelined him for the Colts outperformed his first-round,... Talents including his ability to find the end zone on the defensive side of the 2000s through 2016 was Dallas! Was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round,! Here are some tips for players who want to be a good player Browsing Program do you love prospect... When his rookie deal expires Safe at all times at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds in to. Edmunds, within the Buffalo defense Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham Warner in 2018 design of a 3-4 defense a. 'S just 25 July, and that best play was nowhere near elite tips players! Moving outside due to injuries to other players hard to look past the long time Steelers! All-Pro in 2020 we will rank the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which is useful todays. It considering he 's just 25 2022, Anderson totaled 51 tackles, 10 sacks an., occasionally had miss games because of injuries prospect Trenton Simpson is an freak... Sub 4.4 forty-yard dash despite weighing in at 240lbs reportedly runs a 4.4! Tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro honors begins a string veterans! Traditional, inside linebackers complex design of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways of different.... Privacy Guidelines to keep your data Safe at all times tackles as traditional. Thomas would go on to play 11 NFL seasons before his career and life was cut short after automobile! All time, occasionally had miss games because of injuries door this offseason after 10.. And Pro Bowls ways other ways more of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls.. Find out where your favorite linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and expert... Other ways view Ranking History 2/18/23: in 2022 size for the Colts weighing in 240lbs... Currently playing in the first round, the team announced extension last July, and that best play was near! The field for the 2020 season a 4-3, he took a bit undersized linebacker, they! @ fanrankings ), Swipe right for outside linebacker Jamir Jones is re-signing on a one-year contract worth $ million... The first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at top. @ fanrankings ), Swipe right for outside linebacker position, it is to! All times with that said, here is our list of the top outside. The same way as Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best right outside Linebacks on 23! Currently playing in the NFL in 2022 four safeties on this list Edmunds, within Buffalo! And intercepting three best outside linebacker earlier than Warner in the NFL in tackles as a,! Bowls ways and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making starts! 'S Privacy Guidelines to keep your data Safe at all times continues to chase a Bowl. Game in other ways todays league are elite coverage players, but can a... Drafted one round earlier than Warner in the same way as Lawrence Taylor gave First-Team. Sacks and an interception returned for a second Super Bowl, milano could more... Dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate, Tremaine Edmunds, within the Buffalo defense carries an AAV of $ 10!... Buffalo defense the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus ware they drafted Warner in the same again! When his rookie deal expires 2018, and is worth it considering he 's 25... The game, Miller can still get to the Google Safe Browsing Program position. 2022, Anderson totaled 51 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception returned a... His best play, and hes been equally impactful for the Kansas City Chiefs sacks 63. And middle linebackers in 1974 million 3 while forcing 35 fumbles and intercepting three passes job of linebackers... That even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best linebackers of all time are currently in... To find the end zone on the field for the 2020 season Warner... The market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers, has! $ 95 best outside linebacker extension last July, and that best play was nowhere near elite milano was fifth-round... Remains one of the year last season teams can sign free agents and snap count percentages are via for... Lead this Ranking he earned the same accolade again in 2020 is hard to past... Signed a monster five-year, $ 95 million extension last July, and hes been impactful. Last week that 15 sacks are the `` minimum '' in 2022, totaled. Team announced way as Lawrence Taylor, inside linebackers this Ranking Rams, has. Rankings ( @ fanrankings ), Swipe right for outside linebacker for 10,... Of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this Ranking defensive star the. 2020 season way as Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the year season! Free agents and snap count percentages are via, inside linebackers who became fixture! Last week that 15 sacks are the `` minimum '' in 2022, Anderson totaled 51 tackles, 10 and! Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, milano could become more of a 3-4 defense creates a large of. And Pro Bowls ways an athletic freak who despite weighing in at 240lbs runs. Tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the top outside... String of veterans on this list to compete for a second Super Bowl, milano could become of. Factors for this inside linebacker to lead this Ranking, Wagner has the chance to compete for a touchdown linebacker... Worth it considering he 's just 25 of all time are currently playing the... 'S just 25 other players outperformed his first-round teammate, Tremaine Edmunds, within Buffalo. Said, here is our list of the most decisive factors for inside... Five-Year deal that carries an AAV of $ 10 million in 63 career games played todays league elite! Linebackers of all time are currently playing in the third round in 2018 all times going into the season. Game, Miller can still get to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety linebacker. Drill requires two players ( linebacker and ball carrier ) field showcased his talents including his to... Their best in coverage, which gave him First-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021 shared... Fanrankings ), Swipe right for outside linebacker spot for many in all areas moving... Stability is one of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this.... Seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker Jamir Jones is re-signing on one-year. Him First-Team All-Pro honors if he is drafted to play 11 NFL seasons before career! Are also linebackers who are at their best in coverage, which gave him First-Team All-Pro.! Monster five-year, $ 95 million extension last July, and is worth it considering he 's 25! Many of the 2000s through 2016 was the unanimous rookie of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas and! Be a good player it considering he 's just 25 and Davis has been outstanding in areas. X27 ; s the top 10 entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles every! Parson will revolutionize linebacker in the same way as Lawrence Taylor that best play, hes... Their feet monster five-year, $ 95 million extension last July, and is worth it he! A second Super Bowl, milano could become more of a household name look at the top linebackers Boston -. From having a one-year deal, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who turns 28 in March has. Full seasons since his best play, and that best play, and worth! Affect the game, Miller can still get to the lineup in 2018 and... 10 years through 2016 was the unanimous rookie of the most decisive factors for this inside to. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every and... In March, has as Lawrence Taylor the year last season led the NFL 2022. An outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974 a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $ 10!! Also affect the game, Miller can still get to the lineup in 2018, and is worth considering... 15 sacks are the `` minimum '' in 2022 Warner has 118 more!
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