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 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. 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. HONORABLE MENTION: Bob Breunig, Greg Ellis. Ken Harvey 6. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. Like Wagner, David spent his first 10 seasons dominating for one franchise. Leonard was drafted one round earlier than Warner in 2018, and hes been equally impactful for the Colts. 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. 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. This list isnt based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Outside Linebackers All-Time. Thomas recorded 132.5 career sacks over his career to go with nine interceptions and 56 forced fumbles. 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. Smith has recorded at least 101 combined tackles in each of his four NFL seasons, and his last two campaigns have been impressive. Fan Rankings is a registered trademark of Fan Rankings LLC. That's what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. He told us last week that 15 sacks are the "minimum" in 2022. He also registered a fourth-best 79.4 PFF coverage grade among linebackers despite playing a whopping 680 coverage snaps. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. Below, we will rank the NFL's top 10 linebackers entering 2022. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. in preparation for a blitz with both outside linebackers. 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. 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. The defense might decide on . 24. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. The Iowa Hawkeyes will travel tonight to play He cant call himself a professional boxer because Arkansas, which is unranked (19-10 SU and 15-13-1 Indiana Basketball Postgame Show W/Steve Risley: Indiana vs Purdue recap, Indiana Basketball W/Steve Risley: Hoosiers fall to Spartans recap plus IU/Purdue Preview, Indiana Basketball Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Michigan State preview and Illinois recap, First deposit only | 21+ & located in CO, MI, VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? 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. His All-Pro season in 2019 was special, but some might have thought it was just a one-year thing. Suggs was a key member of a Ravens defense that ranked near the top in each defensive category over the past 20 NFL seasons. Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. Walker had a career year for the Browns in 2021, and his 78.2 PFF coverage grade was the highest of his career. The Bills have stars all over their defense, but Milano is at the center of it all. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NFL player performance data. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey New York North Carolina He made the full-time switch to outside linebacker for the 2019 season, starting six games and recording 52 tackles that season. Despite what PFF says, I don't think there are that many more linebackers who are better in coverage than Kendricks. NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. The 32-year-old David will stick with the Bucs for 2022 after a slight regression last year. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. One player on each defense is allowed to wear the green dot, a helmet device that allows communication between a player and coach. Below is the latest list of Top 100 Right Outside Linebacks with their Madden 23 Ratings. Campbells ranking could justifiably be at the very top of this list or somewhere in the 30s, based on his career so far. Judon was perhaps the most impactful agency signing of the last season. Top 10 Outside Linebackers of All-Time January 27, 2015 DESHAWN HORNBACK 3 Comments 10. 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. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. He recorded 122 combined tackles, four interceptions and a whopping eight forced fumbles, which led the league. 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. Below is a list of the top 100 free agents available this Few plays cause momentum swings quite like a timely sack. Brad White, Kentucky -- $875,000 8. Over his career Suggs was a two time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Pass Coverage. As the 2022 season approaches, we will be breaking down the top ten players at each position. What can you say about D.T. Tier 2: The Aging Elite 5. 1. 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. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Former five-star prospect Trenton Simpson is an athletic freak who despite weighing in at 240lbs reportedly runs a sub 4.4 forty-yard dash. February 28, 2023. Follow @fanrankingsto stay up to date. Milano has put up outstanding PFF grades in both coverage and against the run but has struggled to put it all together over one season. 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. or someone else, Smith is sure to get paid next offseason when his rookie deal expires. When you think of the outside linebacker position, it is hard to look past the long time Pittsburgh Steelers great Jack Ham. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . Bell might be the most well-rounded outside linebackers ever, and is in the discussion for best 4-3 OLBs ever . He was named First-Team All-Pro, totaling 146 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. 1 linebacker on this list entering 2022. Since 2020, the Colts linebacker has twice the number of forced fumbles of any other off-ball linebacker, and he has four interceptions and eight pass breakups over that time. In a 3-4, the linebackers mainly must rush the passer and set the edge against the run. He had some painful penalties against Texas, but he also has made some clutch plays for the Crimson Tide. 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. As Buffalo continues to chase a Super Bowl, Milano could become more of a household name. Trent Williams LT | 49ers | Power. pic.twitter.com/wU3z3Om3JM. 15 overall and the top outside linebacker in the 2024 cycle, pledged his commitment to Louisville and Jeff Brohm on Saturday. 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. 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. I look for him to bounce back in 2021 to get the Bills back to the dominant defense that the Bills were in 2019. It had been three full seasons since his best play, and that best play was nowhere near elite. Here are some tips for players who want to be a good linebacker: 1. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. 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. A post shared by Forever 80's Giants Football (@forever80sgiantsfootball). Time will tell if he stays in Los Angeles or he will return to Denver to help Russell Wilson Receive another ring. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. 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. And Davis has been outstanding in all areas since moving to the New Orleans defense. David, a Buccaneer in all 11 of his career seasons, could provide plenty of value to a contender with Tom Brady finally retiring for good, thus opening the door for one of the best at his position to look elsewhere for the first time. Back in 2021 to get paid next offseason when his Rookie deal expires January 27, 2015 HORNBACK. The `` minimum '' in 2022 here is our list of the middle... In 2022 a household name first-rounder has never finished a season with less than total... 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