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Linebackers are often overlooked in modern football, but defenses often crumble without them. Take a look at the Eagles and Cowboys in 2023. Without quality linebacker play, opposing offenses were able to dictate games. Competent linebackers are a necessity for contenders. These players do the dirty work, fitting gaps and covering low crossers. They’re often seen as brutes tasked with hitting anything in sight, but the mental responsibility of a linebacker is as great as almost any position in football. For that reason, many of the game’s top linebackers are already deep into their careers. In this installment of my position rankings series, I’ve listed my top ten off-ball linebackers in the NFL today.
10. Ernest Jones IV, Seattle Seahawks
Am I using this ranking as an opportunity to discuss a trade? Maybe a little. The Seahawks acquired Ernest Jones from the Titans this week in exchange for Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick. While Jones may not be the game-breaking presence that some of the other defenders on this list are, he will serve as a significant upgrade over the linebackers Seattle previously relied upon. He is reliable in coverage and showcases the athleticism to eliminate explosive plays in the outside run game.
9. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bolton is having himself a bounce-back year in Kansas City. After finishing second in the league in tackles in 2022, he struggled with injuries and poor play in 2023. This season, he seems to have found his form again, earning a defensive grade of 77.2 from PFF. Bolton is one of the key members of a Chiefs defense that has been one of the NFL’s best in recent years.
8. Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
At 34 years old, Bobby Wagner is still one of the best defenders in football. What he lacks in coverage skills, he more than makes up for in run defense. He’s posted ten seasons with over 100 tackles in his career, and he’s on pace to do it again in 2024. Wagner has lifted what should be a very bad Commanders defense.
7. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sure, Lavonte David is showing signs of regression in his thirteenth season in Tampa Bay. He no longer exhibits the athleticism that made him an elite coverage linebacker for most of his career, but he still shows a feel for the game that allows him to captain the Buccaneers defense effectively. Last season, David allowed a completion percentage of just 76%.
6. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Cleveland Browns
With his elite speed and athleticism, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the ideal tool for any defensive coordinator. He’s been effective in blitzes, producing 13 pressures and four sacks last season. If he can gain the savvy that the backers above him on this list possess, Owusu-Koramoah could find himself at the top of this list in a few years.
5. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
Demario Davis is the definition of a veteran leader. At 35 years old, he’s been one of the best linebackers in the league for the majority of his career. Though we’re starting to see the inevitable dip in production that comes at the end of a career, Davis is one of the more versatile defenders in the league, defending both the pass and the run at an elite level.
4. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
If he didn’t have the injury issues that have plagued his last two seasons, I believe Matt Milano would firmly be a top-3 linebacker in the league. In 2022, his last relatively healthy season, Milano allowed an opposing passer rating of just 73.1, which was the best in the league among linebackers with at least 300 snaps.
3. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
Yet another elite veteran linebacker, C.J. Mosley has led one of the NFL’s best defenses for years. At age 31 last season, he earned the highest PFF coverage grade among all linebackers. Mosley conducts the Jets’ defense, organizing coverage and run fits. He and Quincy Williams make up the best linebacker duo in football.
2. Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
In his first full season with the Ravens, Roquan Smith transformed the defense from a competent unit to the best in the league. His understanding of coverage schemes, his ability to move from sideline to sideline, and his consistent tackling make him one of the best defensive players in the sport. The Ravens could have paid a much heftier price for Smith, and they still would have won that trade.
1. Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
There’s no question here. Fred Warner is, and has been, the best linebacker in the NFL.His coverage skills are unlike any other. He is able to eliminate the middle of the field as a passing option for opposing quarterbacks. He’s earned an overall defensive grade of 95 or above from PFF in two of the last three seasons, showcasing his impact and versatility. Without Warner, the 49ers defense is a below-average unit. With him, they can be elite.
