He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Linebackers are seen as the leaders of a defense. On the other hand, we have the classic chase and run linebackers who chase down running backs, spy on mobile quarterbacks and cover tight ends and even wide receivers in the slot like Darius Leonard. He also registered a fourth-best 79.4 PFF coverage grade among linebackers despite playing a whopping 680 coverage snaps. Who is the best linebacker of 2022? 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. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. Gildon saw limited action during the Steelers' Super. No linebacker recorded more coverage snaps than Warner in all of 2021. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In addition, Suggs was a First Team All-Pro and seven time Pro Bowler who racked up 139 career sacks, seven interceptions, forced 39 fumbles and scored three defensive touchdowns. 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. Ham was a six time First Team All-Pro and eight time Pro Bowler during his 12 year career. or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. Out of that group of four, outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith has turned out to be the best. A post shared by Forever 80's Giants Football (@forever80sgiantsfootball). 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. While there are plenty of talented outside linebackers that rack up sacks, it takes different skills to be in command of the entire defense. Injuries are the only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks. Top 10 Outside Linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft: Kayvon Thibodeaux remains our top prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo lead the way as the top outside linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft, but don't sleep on Sam Williams. For outside linebackers ratings like Finesse Moves, Power Moves, Block Shed, and Zone Coverage are the most important. There is no debating who is the Top 10 Outside Linebacker All-Time. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. LAVONTE DAVID, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS David missed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. in preparation for a blitz with both outside linebackers. VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500, CO: CALL 1-800-522-4700, MI: CALL 1-800-270-7117 | Full T&C apply. 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 Jaguars replaced Jack with Oluokun, who also has outstanding physical traits. He also had three fumble recoveryies. 6 defense in the league last year, and Smith was a big reason why. Neal Olkewicz FAQs Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. It also requires two large garbage cans, and it is helpful to have a tackle bag. an off-ball linebacker and EDGE rusher in 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. 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. 8:44 am ET. Since signing his deal, Smith has put up big numbers for the Packers defense. 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. Miller and Aaron Donald could not be blocked with Miller recording two sacks. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward and/or off their feet. There are also linebackers who are at their best in coverage, which is useful for todays NFL. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. Yannick Ngakoue, who turns 28 in March, has . Chris Hanburger 2. 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. Kendricks has long been one of the consistent middle linebackers in the league, and he stepped up his game in 2021 with a career-high 143 combined tackles, five sacks and two interceptions. Over his career Suggs was a two time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Brent Venables, Clemson -- $2.4 million 2. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. 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. The overall defensive scheme of 4-3 allows the outside linebackers to focus on what they're good at, stopping the run and pass. And Davis has been outstanding in all areas since moving to the New Orleans defense. The longtime New Orleans Saints star put together a brilliant NFL career after being selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. 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. It's also noteworthy that David is good in coverage, something other linebackers can struggle with. Pete Golding, Alabama -- $1.225 million 5. Jack is now trying to reboot his career in Pittsburgh after suffering similar ill-fortune in Jacksonville. From that point forward he was plagued with injuries. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. 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. 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. Steelers defense against the run was far worse than in years past. Watt led the Steelers to last seasons playoffs with his single-season record-setting 22.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. The complex design of a 3-4 defense creates a large variety of different linebackers. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-linebackers-entering-2022-new-no-1-as-bobby-wagner-finally-dethroned | sport: football | route: article_single.us | He was integral in the team's championship and led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss, after joining the Rams in Week 10. Walker had a career year for the Browns in 2021, and his 78.2 PFF coverage grade was the highest of his career. He, perhaps critically, chose to stay in the defense that helped produce that phenomenal season, but we are all too aware of the folly of using just one season of play to determine everything we know about a player. He was First-Team All-Pro in 2019 before making Second-Team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, showing no signs of aging while leading the Saints defense. , Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. Where T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the best Outside Linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL Season. Sammy Brown Jefferson (Jefferson, GA) LB. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II and Luiji Villian during the 2022 season. The best outside linebackers for this . if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-banner-1-0'); Kevin Green often gets overlooked at the outside linebacker position despite a resume that is filled with great defensive statistics including ranking third All-Time in career sacks with 160 total. Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon. 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. Watt . Baylor linebacker Jackie Marshall (35) celebrates after dropping Air Force quarterback Haaziq Daniels (4) for a loss during the first half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA football game on Thursday . Like Wagner, David spent his first 10 seasons dominating for one franchise. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Parsons will. 17 Reasons why Jordan is greater than Lebron, 16 Reasons why Lebron is greater than Jordan, The 18 greates Coaches in College Football History, The Top 21 Offensive Linemen in NFL History, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans. Part 3. . Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, JR, Notre Dame. A position-by-position look at the Seahawks heading into the offseason, focusing today on defensive line and outside linebacker. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. 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. Watt not only led the league in sacks, but also QB hits (39) and fumble recoveries (three). In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. While Warner recorded a career-high 137 combined tackles (T-No. Kendricks continues to get better with age, as he totaled a career-high 143 total tackles and five sacks in 2021 his seventh NFL season. 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. Bet with your head, not over it. The veteran has proven that he can thrive whether in Bill Belichick's system or beyond the system with 101 tackles and three forced fumbles last season for Detroit and will be a leader for new coach Dan Campbell. This performance was followed up by recording a leading 19.5 sacks in 2019.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Leonard has made an All-Pro team each year that he has been in the league, now he will slide to the outside linebacker position with rising star Bobby Okereke manning up the middle. 2. Consequently, the list of consistently elite players is far shorter than for other positions, and there is much more volatility in this position group. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. Watt is as dominant as they come, and he literally keeps the Steelers in games they should be losing. We have seen elite play from the seventh-year pro, but we've not nearly seen enough of it, given his physical talents. Today, all four men are enshrined in the Pro Football. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. He was. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. Parsons is very similar to Leonard, except that he can play anywhere in front seven. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . 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 . Despite not getting the contract extension he wanted, Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. 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. Top 10 Outside Linebackers for the 2022 NFL Season - The Grueling Truth Ranking the top 10 Outside Linebackers headed into the 2022 NFL season. They fell short of the playoffs but dont be surprised if the Saints make it back to the playoffs in 2022 and Davis will be a significant reason why. Stability is one of the most decisive factors for this inside linebacker to lead this ranking. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. Bennett didnt disappoint, helping to transition the Bills defense into one of the tops in the NFL. 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. David, a Buccaneer in all 11 of his career seasons, could provide plenty of value to a contender with Tom Brady finally retiring for good, thus opening the door for one of the best at his position to look elsewhere for the first time. Which of the best NFL linebackers 2022 do you love? 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. His third year in he recorded 18 sacks and followed that season up with 16.5 sacks the next year. [10] 2 Prevent passes to running backs or fullbacks. The defensive side of the football is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses. 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. During his playing days Hendricks recorded 60.5 sacks to go along with 26 interceptions and forcing four safeties.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-medrectangle-4-0'); A post shared by Lets Talk NFL (@talkfootball34). 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Of our representatives will be in touch shortly and set the edge against the run far!
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