His All-Pro season in 2019 was special, but some might have thought it was just a one-year thing. Parsons is very similar to Leonard, except that he can play anywhere in front seven. Milano has put up outstanding PFF grades in both coverage and against the run but has struggled to put it all together over one season. Since 2011, J.J. Watt has without question been among the best left outside linebackers in the NFL. Ware recorded 138.5 sacks over his NFL career while forcing 35 fumbles and intercepting three passes. Zach Arnett, Mississippi State -- $900,000 5. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org. Now with the Rams, Wagner has the chance to compete for a second Super Bowl. The No. 1. 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. Watt's greatness deserves more than just a few paragraphs. 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. Junior T.J. Capers, No. Miller proved that last postseason, that he can be an effective pass rusher, especially in Super Bowl 56. Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas -- $1.7 million 3. Steelers defense against the run was far worse than in years past. 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. Where T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the best Outside Linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL Season. Over his career Bell recorded nine defensive touchdowns including two on fumble recoveries, six interception returns and one onside kick return. 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. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. Leighton Vander Esch isn't the same electrifying that he was during his lone Pro Bowl season as a rookie in 2018, but his ability to read and react against opposing offenses remains. That hypothetical AAV of $17.6 million would make Smith the third highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. After Warner's monster 2020 campaign, we thought he could be the No. Some may think Wagner is too high on this list, and while he took a small step backwards in 2021, he's still one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Overall, White has had an incredible start to his career, as he's picked up All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl bid and a Super Bowl ring in just three years. Allen is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. 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. 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. The Dolphins have their outside linebacker tandem of the future with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips but might need to fill out the rest of the rotation in the . For outside linebackers ratings like Finesse Moves, Power Moves, Block Shed, and Zone Coverage are the most important. In contrast to Parsons, Kendricks thrives in pass coverage. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II and Luiji Villian during the 2022 season. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Parsons will see time as both an off-ball linebacker and EDGE rusher in 2022. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys The first-ever unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year has quickly become the standard for linebacker play in the NFL. If you go back and watch him play throughout his rookie season, you'll not only see a talented pass-rusher, but a good linebacker that can read and react quickly. 5. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Parsons will. A bit undersized linebacker, but can pack a big punch and he has underrated speed. Will Anderson*, OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Tight Ends of All Time Rankings, Top 10 NFL Strong Safeties of All Time Rankings. 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. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link: Top 10 Athletes past the age of 40: Where does Tom Brady rank? Over his career Suggs was a two time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Tracker. 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. In addition, Taylors other accolades include eight First Team All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl selections and the 1981 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bennett recorded 1,190 tackles, 71.5 career sacks and 31 forced fumbles over his career while winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988. Still, the veteran is always in the right place and often capitalizes on any mistake by an offense. That responsibility often falls on middle linebackers. Both Barr and Danielle Hunter are keys to a bounce-back season for the defense in Minnesota. TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey New York North Carolina 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. He can play in both the middle and outside linebacker positions. The defense might decide on . 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. Sammy Brown Jefferson (Jefferson, GA) LB. To view other positions, follow the links below. Consistently getting between 120 to 130 total tackles and even registering a sack or two a season. Only Donald and Chandler Jones have topped J.J. Watt's younger brother has 47.5 sacks since 2017. The best linebackers in todays league are elite coverage players, but they can also affect the game in other ways. Vote up the best NFL linebackers in 2022, and help decide who is the best LB of 2022! The defensive side of the football is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses. Perhaps no player better sums up the volatility of linebacker play than the newly minted All-Pro, De'Vondre Campbell. Cornelius Bennett just missed out on the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time and was once a key member of the group until some of the players of the last 10-15 years came along. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. 8 in total pressures. The Steelers took care of some more offseason housekeeping Monday. Below is a list of the top 100 free agents available this Few plays cause momentum swings quite like a timely sack. He even hit 107 combined tackles in 2020 despite playing in just 11 games! struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. Thomas was a force to be stopped by any opposing offense and one player who forced opposing teams to change their game plans for how they rushed and passed the ball. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. Hendricks was a four time Super Bowl champion, eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro over his career. Wagner is definitely the best LB in NFL at just 31 years old. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks. 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 . 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. Pass Coverage. While Parsons proved to be a stud pass-rusher, some had questions about his coverage ability coming into the league. 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. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. For 10 seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker. He went from having a one-year contract worth $2 million to signing a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $10 million! Hes proven to be capable of defending both the run and the pass. The Minnesota Vikings did an outstanding job of drafting linebackers in 1974. 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. Advertisement. David has been consistent, as only one linebacker has recorded more tackles since he entered the league, and that player is found later on in this list. Van Noy also has the complicating factor of being one of the multiple linebackers who only seems to function at a high level within the New England Patriots defense. Chuck Drazenovich 10. For all the young players' struggles, there are a lot of promising linebackers who have the talent to become elite players at this level. 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. Wagner is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks, signing with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Ramsthis offseason. Ham, who played 12 NFL seasons all with the Steelers recorded 32 career interceptions to go along with two defensive touchdowns while helping the Steelers to win four Super Bowls over his career. DeAngelo Malone is an outside linebacker/edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but he plays bigger than he is. 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. This tool includes all signings that happen during the Free Agency window only. Brice Sensabaugh. FBS Power 5 Linebacker Physical Measurables: Height: 6'2" Weight: 220 lbs. 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. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. Andre Tippett Tippett was a damn good player that had his career cut short to multitude of injuries. Feb 27, 2023. David Long Jr. could be one of the best values of this class at 26 years old since he is a three-down linebacker who is strong against the run and is a surefire tackler. Judon was perhaps the most impactful agency signing of the last season. He returned to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside linebacker. Below is the latest list of Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings. Through his first 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pros. Eileen is the mother one of the #Packers equipment staff members. This list isnt based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. The outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is the most important part of a defense. 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. Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. Ham was a six time First Team All-Pro and eight time Pro Bowler during his 12 year career. He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. So, whos the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL today? With a good performance at the Georgia Tech pro day and the NFL combine, Thomas could move up the draft boards . Campbell resurrected his career with the Packers in 2021 after five mediocre seasons with the Falcons and Cardinals. 12:46 PM. Johnson got off to an unusually late start to his NFL career and has battled injuries, but he has been an excellent linebacker when he has been on the field. A defender who can blow up screen plays and make takedowns in the open field. Stability is one of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this ranking. Monte Coleman 5. with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. 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On 50 attempts here are the results for each archetype: BIO 1 26 -- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah He also had three fumble recoveryies. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. Nick Bolton (Chiefs); Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks); Shaq Thompson (Panthers); Denzel Perryman (Raiders); Foye Oluokun (Jaguars). Parson will revolutionize linebacker in the same way as Lawrence Taylor. [10] 2 Prevent passes to running backs or fullbacks. After relaying the play call to his teammates, off-ball linebackers can be responsible for defending the run, covering receivers or rushing the quarterback. Something to note is that 3-4 pass-rushers will not appear on this list. He won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013, 2015, and 2016, and the Pro Football Writers Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012, 2014, and 2015. 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. 10. While Mike Zimmer is gone, new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is an experienced coach who can get the most out of Kendricks and this defense as a whole. Team Spending. Perryman has been the embodiment of that in his NFL career, to the point where he was often kept off the field on passing downs. Ware recorded 138.5 sacks over his NFL career while forcing 35 fumbles and intercepting three passes. PTS. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. 99: 86: 2,167: 3. He was named First-Team All-Pro, totaling 146 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Watt led the league in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and 2015 (17.5). According to Stathead's AV tool, Leonard was tied in having the second-best season of any linebacker last year. 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. Through the 2020 NFL Season, Miller has recorded 106 career sacks including a season high 18.5 during the 2012 NFL season as well as 25 forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns. Top 13 Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitchers of all time. 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 | 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. Find out where your favorite Linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. It is possible, I am sure. 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. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent SFA = Street Free Agent Void = Voidable Year Contract. The Rams have a great defense, and the 32-year-old Wagner could find himself rejuvenated in 2022. Now that the 2022 NFL season is over, it's time to look ahead to an . By Oliver Hodgkinson April 6, 2022 Jump Around This Article Click to show Dan Lanning, Georgia -- $1.4 million 4. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. People Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. February 24, 2023 12:52 PM. We have seen elite play from the seventh-year pro, but we've not nearly seen enough of it, given his physical talents. It's also noteworthy that David is good in coverage, something other linebackers can struggle with. Ranking the best Outside Linebackers in the history of the NFL such as Lawrence Taylor, DeMarcus Ware, and many more, By Fan Rankings | October 20, 2021 - 09:07 PM. 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. Brooks, Taylor, and Ham are the only outside linebackers of the Super Bowl era to be first ballot Hall of Famers. The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. 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. Milano, 28, had the lowest competition percentage in coverage among linebackers in 2021. . Put some respect on Demario Davis pic.twitter.com/4jzOf4GYS1. For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. 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. He seems to be always around the football and will benefit from the defensive line that lays in front of him. Brent Venables, Clemson -- $2.4 million 2. London Fletcher 4. 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. 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. 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Consequently, the list of consistently elite players is far shorter than for other positions, and there is much more volatility in this position group. As the decade comes to a close, we're creating some Top 10 lists for 2010 to 2019. The Ramsrecently releasedWagner just one season into a five-year, $50 million contract due to salary cap issues. BOBBY WAGNER, LOS ANGELES RAMS 6. 6-2.5 . 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. Campbells career season earned him a five-year, $50 million contract from Green Bay. He elevates every play, from creating impact in defending the pass to stopping the run. He's thoughtful in his rushing schemes, and he has the capability to make impact. Plenty of well-known 'backers had coverage grades in the 30s this past season. Jewell is actually more of an all-around linebacker, but run defense has been his best area in the NFL. Hendricks was a four time Super Bowl champion, eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro over his career. Who is the best linebacker of 2022? How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? Since signing his deal, Smith has put up big numbers for the Packers defense. These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. Ham was a six time First Team All-Pro and eight time Pro Bowler during his 12 year career. # Player OVR GEN TOTAL; 1. Watt not only led the league in sacks, but also QB hits (39) and fumble recoveries (three). It's funny how taking a "small step backwards" for Wagner is being a second-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and setting a career high in tackles even while missing a game. While Warner recorded a career-high 137 combined tackles (T-No. Furthermore, Watt's 111 quarterback hits are second only to Donald.