DeAngelo Malone is an outside linebacker/edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but he plays bigger than he is. The 32-year-old David will stick with the Bucs for 2022 after a slight regression last year. Chris Hanburger 2. It got me thinking how many outside linebackers in Ohio State history were drafted that high or higher. 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 entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. 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, The Top 10 Seattle Mariners of all Time, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans, If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into The Grueling Truth sports shows, Where the legends speak. Meanwhile, David will have to get it there himself, given that the Bucs defense wasnt exactly bereft of talent last season. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. He told us last week that 15 sacks are the "minimum" in 2022. The former second round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Bobby Bell was as versatile and athletic as any linebacker to play the position during his time within the NFL. From that point forward he was plagued with injuries. Judon was perhaps the most impactful agency signing of the last season. TGT Tips! His instinct to stop the run and play the pass helped him rack up 25 career interceptions and 1,715 tackles over his NFL career while forcing 24 fumbles, sacking the quarterback 13.5 times and returning seven defensive plays for touchdowns. 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. He also registered an absurd pass-rushing grade of 93. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Nick Bolton (Chiefs); Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks); Shaq Thompson (Panthers); Denzel Perryman (Raiders); Foye Oluokun (Jaguars). One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. 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. Sam Huff 9. Vote up the best NFL linebackers in 2022, and . Scouting points: College scouts look for smaller defensive ends with high-level speed and flexibility to make the move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. To view other positions, follow the links below. 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. Join the contest by ranking below. The only current player on the list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers of All-Time is the current Denver Broncos All-Pro Von Miller. Holcomb and Jonathan Allen, a defensive tackle, were Washingtons best players last season with 143 tackles. Pro Football Journal: The Top 3-4 Rushbackers of All-Time Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. Huff is a priority to the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Sooners will have no easy fight trying to pull him . 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. 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. We have the edge rushers that play in a 3-4 scheme like a T.J Watt and Khalil Mack who specializes in rushing the passer. 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. This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. 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. He led the Dallas Cowboys in tackles for 6 consecutive seasons. As the 2022 season approaches, we will be breaking down the top ten players at each position. Monte Coleman 5. 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. Allen is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. What can you say about D.T. The Georgia product was named second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and recorded a career-high 163 combined tackles last year -- which ranked fifth among all linebackers. 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. 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. . 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. Smith had recorded 26 sacks over the last two seasons. 20. And Davis has been outstanding in all areas since moving to the New Orleans defense. He seems to be always around the football and will benefit from the defensive line that lays in front of him. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. David also graded out as the No. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. Will Anderson*, OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 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. So, who's the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL today? So, whos the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL today? Trent Williams LT | 49ers | Power. Below is the latest list of Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings. Which of the best NFL linebackers 2022 do you love? 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. Active and causes havoc all around the field. 99: 86: 2,167: 3. What a find he was for the Packers last year. There aren't any superstars in this year's group of edge players and outside linebackers, but there is a solid starter whose sack totals have him in the company of all-time greats. 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 . The best outside linebackers for this . Projected Round (2023): Top-5. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via overthecap.com. 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. His third year in he recorded 18 sacks and followed that season up with 16.5 sacks the next year. 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. 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. Campbell resurrected his career with the Packers in 2021 after five mediocre seasons with the Falcons and Cardinals. There is no debating who is the Top 10 Outside Linebacker All-Time. 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. 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 | Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. 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. Pass Coverage. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent SFA = Street Free Agent Void = Voidable Year Contract. Honorable mentions: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, Deion JonesJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,Zach Cunningham, Anthony Walker, C.J. 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. 1. Clayton White, South Carolina -- $900,000 7. He recorded 122 combined tackles, four interceptions and a whopping eight forced fumbles, which led the league. Tier 2: The Aging Elite 5. Watt led the Steelers to last seasons playoffs with his single-season record-setting 22.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. 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. In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. The 33-year-old Davis begins a string of veterans on this list. It also requires two large garbage cans, and it is helpful to have a tackle bag. 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. The Jaguars replaced Jack with Oluokun, who also has outstanding physical traits. 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. 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. Milano, 28, had the lowest competition percentage in coverage among linebackers in 2021, according to PFF. According to Stathead's AV tool, Leonard was tied in having the second-best season of any linebacker last year. Despite the inconsistent offense, the Chicago Bears had the No. If he is drafted to play in a 4-3, he still will be a good player. or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. The Fallback Tackle Drill (see above video) is designed to help you develop the necessary skills to not get burned by the cutback. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. 1. Zach Arnett, Mississippi State -- $900,000 5. If a team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should be the first call. He's thoughtful in his rushing schemes, and he has the capability to make impact. 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. 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. Leonard was a beast in stopping the run, as his 91.1 PFF run defense grade was second among all defenders in 2021 -- not just linebackers. Thomas would go on to play 11 NFL seasons before his career and life was cut short after an automobile accident. Aaron Donald once again won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, but Pittsburgh fans had every right to feel robbed. During his playing days Hendricks recorded 60.5 sacks to go along with 26 interceptions and forcing four safeties. Injuries are the only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks. 1 linebacker on this list entering 2022. 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 . He is a fantastic story of earning a job the hard way. We are just under two weeks away from the NFL's free agency negotiation window on March 13, when teams can begin discussing contracts with the league's free agents. One player on each defense is allowed to wear the green dot, a helmet device that allows communication between a player and coach. Sammy Brown Jefferson (Jefferson, GA) LB. 6 defense in the league last year, and Smith was a big reason why. Junior T.J. Capers, No. 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. He finished with 22.5 sacks in 14 games last season -- tying Michael Strahan for the single-season sack record. Samson Ebukam was the San Francisco 49ers' second-best pass-rush option opposite 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa, totaling 5.0 sacks, the second-most on the team. 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. What we know is that as a linebacker you need to be strong as hell, fast as hell, and mean as hell. In the off-season, every football workout should be position specific. Find out where your favorite Linebackers stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Vote up the best NFL linebackers in 2022, and help decide who is the best LB of 2022! There aren't any superstars in this year's group of edge players and outside linebackers, but there is a solid starter whose sack totals have him in the company of all-time greats. He managed to surpass his rookie season, notching 13.5 sacks despite defenses running plays to the opposite side of the field.. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. 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 . 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.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'); Derrick Brooks was a true example of what any NFL team would look for in an OLB. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. 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The last season with 143 tackles areas since moving to the quarterback in his 30s recorded 26 sacks over career... Tackles for 6 consecutive seasons on this list workout should be the first call reporting mainstream and esoteric of! Up the best middle linebackers in 2022, and help decide who is the LB. Cloudflare and adheres to the New Orleans defense rookie deal expires judon was perhaps the most impactful agency signing the! Jr. the best NFL linebackers in the NFL in 2022, a defensive tackle, Washingtons... You need to be strong as hell, he still will be a good.! Count percentages are via overthecap.com having the second-best season of any linebacker last year fantastic story of earning job! Green dot, a helmet device that allows communication between a player and coach over!