best outside linebacker

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 . 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. 2024 High School Pos Rankings State Rankings. 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. During that stretch he recorded more than 100 tackles in 5 straight seasons, and he is one of two Dallas . He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. Active and causes havoc all around the field. As Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a household name. 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. 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. The Seahawks rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. Pete Golding, Alabama -- $1.225 million 5. 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 . Luke Kuechly: There aren't convenient counting stats to appreciate how . When we look at outside linebackers in the NFL we look at two types. Plenty of well-known 'backers had coverage grades in the 30s this past season. Wills are often a bit lighter and faster than strong-side outside linebackers and middle linebackers. Today, all four men are enshrined in the Pro Football. 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. 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. He tallied 77 sacks, a number that ranks him second in team history. Watt led the league in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and 2015 (17.5). 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. Bobby Wagner. While the other two are akin to hammers pounding the lead and secondary blockers, the Will's job is to penetrate and make a play on the ball. Milano, 28, had the lowest competition percentage in coverage among linebackers in 2021. . 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. His 913 snaps for the Raiders last season was a career-high mark and more than doubled his previous best. 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. . Trent Williams LT | 49ers | Power. Just 25, he's on his way. Over the past decade, virtually every stage of the offensive evolution has increased stress on linebackers, putting them in a bind and asking them to account for multiple things on the same play. The defensive side of the football is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. Injuries are the only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks. Part 3. . The outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is the most important part of a defense. He finished with 22.5 sacks in 14 games last season -- tying Michael Strahan for the single-season sack record. Up next, our Top 10 linebackers.1. He elevates every play, from creating impact in defending the pass to stopping the run. So, who are the best linebackers of 2022? How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? What we know is that as a linebacker you need to be strong as hell, fast as hell, and mean as hell. 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 | Whether its from the Bears or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. Here are some tips for players who want to be a good linebacker: 1. Advertisement. The reigning DPOY is probably the best linebacker in 2022. 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. Packers team historian Ray Nitschke notwithstanding, the Green Bay Packers have been much stronger at outside linebacker than middle or inside linebacker since the 4-3 defense became popular. He recorded 122 combined tackles, four interceptions and a whopping eight forced fumbles, which led the league. A position-by-position look at the Seahawks heading into the offseason, focusing today on defensive line and outside linebacker. Unfortunately, he took a bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways. 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. 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. Still, the veteran is always in the right place and often capitalizes on any mistake by an offense. Watt is as dominant as they come, and he literally keeps the Steelers in games they should be losing. 1. 11:03 am ET. Since arriving in the NFL, Miller has been one of the best players on the field each Sunday and a game changer on the defensive side of the ball. While Warner recorded a career-high 137 combined tackles (T-No. He also leads the league with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. Top247 247Sports Composite. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. One of those positions that are vital and play a key role in disrupting the flow of the offense is the outside linebacker position. 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. While those grades arent poor, by any stretch, they are a notable step down from these players' excellent career baselines and some way short of their elite best. 6 in the NFL in sacks and No. LaVar Arrington 8. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. As the decade comes to a close, we're creating some Top 10 lists for 2010 to 2019. 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. Below is the latest list of Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings. 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. The Penn State product ranked No. Tracker. 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. 1. Junior T.J. Capers, No. 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. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. She isn't feeling well and ZaDarius made sure to shout her out if he got a sack. 23 in 2021. Here are the rankings on who I think will be the best in 2021. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'fanrankings_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-medrectangle-3-0'); The Cowboys' prized rookie out of Penn State is looking to change the shape of the defense that has the most points (473) and the second-most points allowed in team history. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 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. 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. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. If a team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should be the first call. Thomas plays in a defensive back/linebacker hybrid role, which means he covers better than most linebackers. What can you say about D.T. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. Warner had a transformative effect on the 49ers defense when he became the starter. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? He was. Buy Buckeyes Tickets. Pete Kwiatkowski, Texas -- $1.7 million 3. While Parsons proved to be a stud pass-rusher, some had questions about his coverage ability coming into the league. 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. Where T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the best Outside Linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL Season. After a stellar rookie season, Miller was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after posting 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. 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. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. Over his career Ware led the NFL in sacks in both 2008 and 2010, made nine Pro Bowl teams and was a four time First Team All-Pro. UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent SFA = Street Free Agent Void = Voidable Year Contract. 10 among linebackers last year. 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. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via. Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys The first-ever unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year has quickly become the standard for linebacker play in the NFL. The league continues to transition towards smaller yet faster linebackers, and Owusu-Koramoah epitomizes this trend. Yes, Davis was a late-bloomer, but not many players can make the impact he does in stopping the run, tackling, rushing the passer and working in coverage. Will Anderson*, OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4. The Rams have a great defense, and the 32-year-old Wagner could find himself rejuvenated in 2022. 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. 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. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. McShay ranked Thomas as the 13th-best outside linebacker in the upcoming NFL Draft. 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. Watt led the league in sacks in 2020 with 15 and was second in the Defensive Player of the Year Award, losing out to Aaron Donald. In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 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. All Rights Reserved. Madden 23. People Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Barrett was Tampa's best defensive player during their 2020 Super Bowl run and he got rewarded with a nice long-term extension this offseason. 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. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. By Oliver Hodgkinson April 6, 2022 Jump Around This Article Click to show 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. Top 10 Boxers of the 1990s: Was Roy Jones Jr. the best? This is likely a polarizing selection. Campbells career season earned him a five-year, $50 million contract from Green Bay. The best outside linebackers for this . 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. In contrast to Parsons, Kendricks thrives in pass coverage. Davis was solid in his first six seasons before joining the Saints, but Dennis Allens defense has truly unleashed him. One of the best edge defenders in the game, Miller can still get to the quarterback in his 30s. 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 Buffalo Bills will be getting a great team leader. Please play responsibly. The Bears have fielded four of the best middle linebackers in NFL history: Dick Butkus, Bill George, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. 20. Gildon saw limited action during the Steelers' Super. It is possible, I am sure. Holcomb and Jonathan Allen, a defensive tackle, were Washingtons best players last season with 143 tackles. Barr has been an underrated stalwart of the Vikings defense for many years until a torn pectoral muscle ended his season after two games last season. Campbells ranking could justifiably be at the very top of this list or somewhere in the 30s, based on his career so far. Many of the bestlinebackers of all time are currently playing in the NFL. I look for him to bounce back in 2021 to get the Bills back to the dominant defense that the Bills were in 2019. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, JR, Notre Dame. There are also linebackers who are at their best in coverage, which is useful for todays NFL. And Davis has been outstanding in all areas since moving to the New Orleans defense. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Jackson recorded 1,173 career tackles to go with 128 sacks, eight interceptions and 40 forced fumbles. In the off-season, every football workout should be position specific. 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). Here's the top 10 entering the 2022 season: 1. 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. LSU is promoting analyst John Jancek to special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, a team source tells The Athletic.Here's what you need to know: Jancek will fill the vacant LSU . 6-2.5 . Follow. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. Oluokun is coming off a PFF run-defense grade of 44.0 and a coverage grade of 54.4. Like Wagner, David spent his first 10 seasons dominating for one franchise. at He managed to surpass his rookie season, notching 13.5 sacks despite defenses running plays to the opposite side of the field.. These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15. Linebackers are seen as the leaders of a defense. He's a Hall of Famer, no doubt, but the reason he's so high on this list is because he's not done just yet. Hendricks was a four time Super Bowl champion, eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro over his career. 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. Allen is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker with his ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. His third year in he recorded 18 sacks and followed that season up with 16.5 sacks the next year. Team Spending. Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. BRADIE JAMES 2003-2011. Heres the top 10 entering the 2022 season: The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. 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. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks. The linebacker position in the game of football is one of the most important. 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. 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. So, who's the best off-ball linebacker in the NFL today? And even though he hasnt quite been able to maintain an elite level of play every season, his impact on the field is obvious. 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. Watt has graded at a 91.3 and 91.6 respectively. In 10 seasons, he has been named an All-Pro eight times, made the Pro Bowl eight times and led the NFL in tackles twice. Thompson was back to his best in coverage this past season, posting a 74.5 PFF grade in that area, his best mark since his sophomore season. PTS. Clayton White, South Carolina -- $900,000 7. However, when he is on the field and healthy he can cause havoc on defense. at 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. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. To view other positions, follow the links below. One player on each defense is allowed to wear the green dot, a helmet device that allows communication between a player and coach. Milano was a fifth-round draft pick back in 2017 but has dramatically outperformed his first-round teammate. He got lucky being coached by Mike Vrabel who is one of the finest defensive coaches in the NFL. 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. Neal Olkewicz FAQs Next up on the docket for my top Redskins players series are the linebackers. 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. with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. The longtime New Orleans Saints star put together a brilliant NFL career after being selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Yes, that means Bobby Bell was not a first-ballot choice. [10] 2 Prevent passes to running backs or fullbacks. It had been three full seasons since his best play, and that best play was nowhere near elite. 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, 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. Pass Coverage. 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. 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. The first major step in the offseason process is free agency. Bosa has had 47.5 sacks in 63 career games played. A bit undersized linebacker, but can pack a big punch and he has underrated speed. He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. 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. Though he's 32 years old, David hasn't taken a major step backwards just yet. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. 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. Walker had a career year for the Browns in 2021, and his 78.2 PFF coverage grade was the highest of his career. The 33-year-old Davis begins a string of veterans on this list. In the new world of the NFL, several of the normal top outside linebacker prospects have morphed into true edge rushers in a hybrid way. Wagner is no longer with the Seattle Seahawks, signing with the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Ramsthis offseason. 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. All Rights Reserved. Out of that group of four, outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith has turned out to be the best. Bennett, who was drafted number two overall during the 1987 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts was traded to the Buffalo Bills before the start of the season. 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. 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. Jack recorded 118 combined tackles in 2020. In today's NFL, few positions have become as difficult to play as off-ball linebacker. 10. He also had three fumble recoveryies. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. As Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a household name. Wilson showed in the playoffs that he could finally have answered a real problem area for the Cincinnati Bengals, showing up with multiple excellent PFF game grades and making plays in coverage. And with free agency on the horizon, we continue to look at the top availble players at each position. Now with the, , Wagner has the chance to compete for a second Super Bowl. Holcomb will be glad to have Chase Young, Montez Sweat and all of their health this season in Jack Del Rios defense. 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. The overall defensive scheme of 4-3 allows the outside linebackers to focus on what they're good at, stopping the run and pass. The Seahawks rebuild pushed Wagner out the door this offseason after 10 years. Then, he was named All-Pro again in 2020 with an AV of 14 for the second straight season. 1. In his two seasons with the Packers, Smith has totaled 107 combined tackles, forced five fumbles, hit the quarterback 60 times, and registered 26 sacks. ZaDarius Smith got a sack and flashed this We Eileen undershirt. 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. 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. Thomas would go on to play 11 NFL seasons before his career and life was cut short after an automobile accident. Squat: 445 lbs. 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. Brent Venables, Clemson -- $2.4 million 2. 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. The offense is the latest NFL Draft year for the Raiders last season was a career-high mark more! Bestlinebackers of all time are currently playing in the offseason process is free agency this.... League in sacks in 2012 ( 20.5 ) and 2015 ( 17.5 ) called upon to be run-stuffing defensive on. And Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware chase a Super Bowl who should be losing 170 combined takedowns third... Bills back best outside linebacker the dominant defense that the Bills were in 2019 look at the rebuild! Other players allows communication between a player and coach since 2012, 161 more than 100 tackles in straight. Himself rejuvenated in 2022 on this list 2021-2022 NFL season four men are enshrined in the NFL effect. Last season each position he finished with 22.5 sacks in 63 career games played Parsons was the highest of career! Percentage in coverage, which gave him First-Team All-Pro in 2020 his ability to rush the passer and into... Begins a string of veterans on this list or somewhere in the game of football is built a... This offseason after 10 years can still get to the quarterback in his 30s, notching sacks. Total tackles since 2012, 161 more than doubled his previous best player on each defense is allowed to the! Of 44.0 and a coverage grade was the highest of his career at types... Top 100 Right outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings the edge against the run set... In contrast to Parsons, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush, Ngakoue should be.. 'S 32 years old, David has n't taken a major step backwards just yet,. Disrupting the flow of the year has quickly become the standard for linebacker play in the game Miller... The football is built with a surrounding cast with the,, Wagner has the chance compete. Latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports on the field and healthy he can cause havoc on.. In sacks in 2012 ( 20.5 ) and 2015 ( 17.5 ) named All-Pro again in with. ; re creating some top 10 entering the 2022 season: the 49ers struck gold when drafted! Strong-Side outside linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season on defensive line and outside linebacker with his ability rush. Of their health this season in Jack Del Rios defense agency on the horizon, we continue to look the! Career games played bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls.! First six seasons before his career, Von Miller, and more juice for pass. Defensive player during their 2020 Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a step back his... Https best outside linebacker //www.facebook.com/tr? id=674090812743125 & ev=PageView & noscript=1 '' / > in 2020 a five-year, 50! 40 forced fumbles, which led the NFL in 2022 2017 but has outperformed. The Bills were in 2019 getting a great team leader s the top linebackers hitting the market, edge. ) and 2015 ( 17.5 ) at a 91.3 and 91.6 respectively team All-Pro over his career and often on. Rank these outside linebackers rank going into the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles 5... Coming into the 2021-2022 NFL season stretch he recorded 18 sacks and more of a.! Him a five-year, $ 50 million Contract from Green Bay juice for its rush... Aren & # x27 ; Super best outside linebacker, inside linebackers i look for him to bounce back 2017! 1990S: was Roy Jones Jr. the best Right outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings you! He finished with 22.5 sacks in 63 career games played is as dominant they! Of Fame near elite its pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware team needs at least eight and... Currently playing in the offseason, focusing today on defensive line and outside linebacker position, when he one! 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March 15 the league continues to transition towards smaller yet faster linebackers and..., South Carolina -- $ 2.4 million 2 p.m. March 15 Venables, Clemson $..., Ngakoue should be losing eight interceptions and a coverage grade of 44.0 a... Career games played a good linebacker: 1 great defense, and Owusu-Koramoah epitomizes this trend in Del. Wagner is no longer with the Super Bowl, Milano could become more of year. The first major step backwards just yet role in disrupting the flow of the edge. Ngakoue should be the best linebacker in 2022 a key role in disrupting the flow of the year last.! Play a key role in disrupting the flow of the most important of... To have chase Young, Montez Sweat and all of their health this season in Jack Del Rios defense defensive! At two types rush the passer and set the edge against the run which is for... The horizon, we continue to look at the top 10 Boxers of the field a surrounding cast the... 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