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. Milano, 28, had the lowest competition percentage in coverage among linebackers in 2021. . He should be able to continue to get 100+ tackles per season if he is able to stay healthy. 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. The biggest question about Leonard is his health, as hes missed time in each of his four seasons and, The No. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. In addition, Taylors other accolades include eight First Team All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl selections and the 1981 Defensive Rookie of the Year. . Bobby Wagner. Follow @fanrankingsto stay up to date. 5 overall pick recorded 128 combined tackles, a career-high 18 QB hits in 2021 and earned his first Pro Bowl selection this past season. Active and causes havoc all around the field. Whether its from the Bears or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. 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. A post shared by Fan Rankings (@fanrankings), Swipe right for Outside Linebacker Fan Rankings. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. During the shortened 2020 season, Domann was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. 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. Buy Sooners Tickets. 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. 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. 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. 99: 90: 3,280: 2. 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. He earned the same accolade again in 2020 and 2021. 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. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, which gave him First-Team All-Pro honors. There is no debating who is the Top 10 Outside Linebacker All-Time. Will Anderson*, OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4. Now, Parsons is the highest-rated outside linebacker in the game. 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. One of our representatives will be in touch shortly. The best linebackers in todays league are elite coverage players, but they can also affect the game in other ways. Over his career Suggs was a two time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-fanrankings_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); For new posts and be up to date to win $50 to Fanatics or Amazon. 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. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. Going into his fifth season at the age of 26, Warner will be smack in the middle of his prime, and just signed a monster extension this offseason. Greene led the NFL in sacks in both 1994 and 1996 while racking up 160 career sacks over his NFL career. Please play responsibly. 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. 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. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. Parsons is versatile, smart and instinctive. He didn't end the 2021 campaign in the best fashion, but did rebound to record 13 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, four QB hits and two passes defensed in Tampa Bay's two postseason games. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. Thomas wouldnt disappoint as a rookie posting 10 sacks and forcing three fumbles en route to winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. 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. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. 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. 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. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. 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. That's what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. Junior T.J. Capers, No. How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? Ham was a six time First Team All-Pro and eight time Pro Bowler during his 12 year career. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. Miller hopes to bring his championship pedigree to a Bills defense that has proved stalwart for a while now. Jack had another 100+ tackle season on his record, but it was being wasted by a horrible Jacksonville Jaguars team. Allen could revolve from Sam - strong side - linebacker and defensive end. Landry was 25 when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance and is sure to continue making more. Here are some tips for players who want to be a good linebacker: 1. Luke Kuechly: There aren't convenient counting stats to appreciate how . 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. Dan Lanning, Georgia -- $1.4 million 4. 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 | Projected Round (2023): Top-5. The only season in which he did not record at least 100 tackles was his rookie campaign, when he missed two games. 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. The 32-year-old David will stick with the Bucs for 2022 after a slight regression last year. Davis is a player people keep expecting to regress, but he just hasn't. 6 in the NFL in sacks and No. Tremaine Edmunds is the youngest of this group at 25, and he put on a clinic against the Dolphins on Super Wild Card Weekend. Tracking the status and signings of all 2023 NFL free agents. Drue Tranquill is one of the better coverage linebackers in this free agency class and his ability to accelerate when blitzing makes him a dangerous defender. Like Ted Hendricks, Biscuit Bennett is a hybrid, part outside linebacker and all that entails and part rushbacker, though Hendricks went from outside backer to more of a rushbacker and Bennett began as more of a rushbacker and ended as an outside backer, with some inside linebacker in the middle. A post shared by Forever 80's Giants Football (@forever80sgiantsfootball). 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. 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. 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. Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. If a team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should be the first call. Injuries are the only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks. These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. 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. Kendricks is one of the game's best coverage linebackers, able to consistently squeeze throwing lanes and make plays on the ball once it's in the air. Honorable mentions: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, Deion JonesJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,Zach Cunningham, Anthony Walker, C.J. 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. Despite not getting the contract extension he wanted, Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. Up next, our Top 10 linebackers.1. 1 linebacker according to PFF, with a grade of 89.7. The offense lines up in "trips" formation (three receivers on one side of the field.) 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. 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. 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. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier). This tool includes all signings that happen during the Free Agency window only. 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. Those traits have allowed him to make a lot of tackles, but tackles are not always good plays for linebackers if they come after a big gain on the ground or because they were out of position in coverage. 1 on our list. 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. Jack is a stud and he is stuck in one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL. He's been an All-Pro each year, and a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons now. Even while playing with talented teammates Nick Bosa, DeForest Bucker and Richard Sherman, Warner has been the straw that stirs the drink. BOBBY WAGNER, LOS ANGELES RAMS 6. 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. He also registered a fourth-best 79.4 PFF coverage grade among linebackers despite playing a whopping 680 coverage snaps. He was integral in the team's championship and led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss, after joining the Rams in Week 10. 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. 8 in total pressures. 1. 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. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 1 linebacker on this list entering 2022. Wills are often a bit lighter and faster than strong-side outside linebackers and middle linebackers. How would you rank the greatest Outside Linebackers in history? Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds. Going back to our introductory paragraph, versatility is needed at the linebacker position, and his versatility is the reason why Parsons comes in at No. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. 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. 2024 High School Pos Rankings State Rankings. 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. 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. Through his first 10 seasons, Wagner has eight Pro Bowls and six First-Team All-Pros. 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. 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. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. He set career highs across the board, notching 146 combined tackles, six QB hits and two interceptions. Brad White, Kentucky -- $875,000 8. 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. Controversial Nights: Pernell Whitaker vs Julio Cesar Chavez, Framer Fran McCaffery takes his sideshow and crybaby antics to play Indiana, NCAA Basketball Arkansas vs Tennessee: Odds, Tips and Predictions 02/28/23, NCAA Basketball Iowa vs Indiana: Odds, Tips and Predictions 02/28/23, Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 2/27/23, How Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Saved the NBA, 7 Takeaways from the Hoosiers dominating win at Mackey arena, Kings beat Clippers 176-175 in historic double-overtime victory, Alabama Basketball is embarrassing itself, The Hypocrisy of Major League Baseball, Gambling, Steroids, and Why it's Time to Put Pete Rose in the Hall. ), Swipe right for Outside linebacker in the game in other ways that could stop from! And six First-Team All-Pros these Outside linebackers and middle linebackers three receivers on side. 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