best outside linebackerbest outside linebacker
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. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. One thing all these 2022 NFL best linebackers have in common is they're at the top of their game. While the former Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers star comes in at number six, it can be debated whether he is well worthy of a higher ranking. For contending teams needing help on the cheap, there's a number of established veterans to choose from in this class, including Jason Pierre-Paul, Carlos Dunlap, Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston, Robert Quinn and Bruce Irvin. One of the best edge defenders in the game, Miller can still get to the quarterback in his 30s. Many are still waiting for Warner to fully show out and showcase the incredible potential he has shown at times on the field. That's what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. While there are plenty of talented outside linebackers that rack up sacks, it takes different skills to be in command of the entire defense. Monte Coleman 5. Now, Parsons is the highest-rated outside linebacker in the game. Something to note is that 3-4 pass-rushers will not appear on this list. Ware recorded 138.5 sacks over his NFL career while forcing 35 fumbles and intercepting three passes. 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. What a find he was for the Packers last year. 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. Dan Lanning, Georgia -- $1.4 million 4. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. 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. 12 pick in 2021, Parsons was the unanimous rookie of the year last season. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. 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. 2022 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings - Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak It's an interesting group of linebackers. Pro Football Journal: The Top 3-4 Rushbackers of All-Time Dedicated to reporting mainstream and esoteric aspects of professional football. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. 1. Join the contest by ranking below. The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via. 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. Suggs was a key member of a Ravens defense that ranked near the top in each defensive category over the past 20 NFL seasons. 99: 90: 3,280: 2. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. Most of the time they will either be rushing the QB, trying to stop the run, or dropping back into zone coverage so we put much more weight on these attributes than others. Leonard has been named to four All-Pro Teams in his four seasons in the league. Up next, our Top 10 linebackers.1. 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. Billy Napier and his coaching staff have been in the process of offering prospects in the Class of 2024 and beyond during the dead period as they look to set their recruiting . He can play in both the middle and outside linebacker positions. 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. Then, he was named All-Pro again in 2020 with an AV of 14 for the second straight season. David missed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. What can you say about D.T. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Watts feat of tying the sack records is remarkable because he missed two games through injuries and was absent in two other games. 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. Tracker. He also leads the league with 1,383 total tackles since 2012, 161 more than second-place. Just 25, he's on his way. 10. Advertisement. Over his career Bell recorded nine defensive touchdowns including two on fumble recoveries, six interception returns and one onside kick return. Landry was 25 when he made his first Pro Bowl appearance and is sure to continue making more. Since 2011, J.J. Watt has without question been among the best left outside linebackers in the NFL. Travis Kelce TE | Chiefs | Vertical Threat. No linebacker recorded more coverage snaps than Warner in all of 2021. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Parsons will. He is a fantastic story of earning a job the hard way. 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. 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 . Fred Warner has continuously shown during his time with the San Francisco 49ers that he is a great defensive player. Linebackers are seen as the leaders of a defense. It is possible, I am sure. 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. Watt led the league in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and 2015 (17.5). Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. The 32-year-old David will stick with the Bucs for 2022 after a slight regression last year. The best outside linebackers for this . 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. Here's a look at the top linebackers hitting the market, both edge rushers and traditional, inside linebackers. He even hit 107 combined tackles in 2020 despite playing in just 11 games! 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. From that point forward he was plagued with injuries. Remember that even linebacker Lawrence Taylor, considered one of the best linebackers of all time, occasionally had miss games because of injuries. 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. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. He also. and his play on the field for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, when he is on the field and healthy he can cause havoc on defense. 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. 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. He returned to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside linebacker. 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. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. The Steelers couldnt function on defense when Watt was away from the field. 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. Unfortunately, he took a bit of a step back from his All-Pro and Pro Bowls ways. 11 among linebackers,) his AV of 8 was tied for No. Parsons was the No. In contrast to Parsons, Kendricks thrives in pass coverage. People Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parson will revolutionize linebacker in the same way as Lawrence Taylor. 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. If a team needs at least eight sacks and more juice for its pass rush, Ngakoue should be the first call. Nick Bolton (Chiefs); Jordyn Brooks (Seahawks); Shaq Thompson (Panthers); Denzel Perryman (Raiders); Foye Oluokun (Jaguars). Campbells ranking could justifiably be at the very top of this list or somewhere in the 30s, based on his career so far. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. LAVONTE DAVID, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS These athletes are called upon to be run-stuffing defensive linemen on some downs, and hybrid cornerbacks on others. BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2021 outside linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers struck gold when they drafted Warner in the third round in 2018. It had been three full seasons since his best play, and that best play was nowhere near elite. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Away from the field and healthy he can cause havoc on defense that 3-4 pass-rushers not... 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