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. and his play on the field for the Kansas City Chiefs. There is no debating who is the Top 10 Outside Linebacker All-Time. Weight: 235. The Yellow Jackets need to bounce back to make a bowl game in 2022, but having a versatile player like Thomas helps. He was named First-Team All-Pro, totaling 146 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Top 10 NFL Outside Linebackers of All Time Rankings Honorable Mention Rickey Jackson Team (s): New Orleans Saints & San Francisco 49ers The longtime New Orleans Saints star put together a brilliant NFL career after being selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He was 32 years old when he was selected for his third consecutive All-Pro selection. UFA = Unrestricted Free Agent SFA = Street Free Agent Void = Voidable Year Contract. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. His 170 combined takedowns ranked third among linebackers this past season. Hendricks was a four time Super Bowl champion, eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro over his career. Kendricks is another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, as his 73.8 PFF coverage grade ranked No. 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. At age 30, Kendricks should again be one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL in 2022. In addition, Taylors other accolades include eight First Team All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl selections and the 1981 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now, Parsons is the highest-rated outside linebacker in the game. As the 2022 season approaches, we will be breaking down the top ten players at each position. Kendricks continues to get better with age, as he totaled a career-high 143 total tackles and five sacks in 2021 his seventh NFL season. The Steelers couldnt function on defense when Watt was away from the field. 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 | He tallied 77 sacks, a number that ranks him second in team history. 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 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. at 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. This tool includes all signings that happen during the Free Agency window only. DeAngelo Malone is an outside linebacker/edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but he plays bigger than he is. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Junior T.J. Capers, No. 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. So, who are the best linebackers of 2022? Parsons shined in both roles, totaling 13 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro. 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. According to Stathead's AV tool, Leonard was tied in having the second-best season of any linebacker last year. Copyright 2023 FanRankings. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. All Rights Reserved. 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. Since entering the league, Warner has 118 or more total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro in 2020. Linebackers are some of the most intense players in football, and with all the new schemes today - athletes are coming in all different shapes and sizes. List of the Best Right Outside Linebacks on Madden 23. He should be able to continue to get 100+ tackles per season if he is able to stay healthy. He is a fantastic story of earning a job the hard way. Though he's 32 years old, David hasn't taken a major step backwards just yet. Those tools caused Edwards to go undrafted despite an excellent college career, and he had to fight his way into a starting job by excelling in the preseason and on special teams. 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. In the first round, the team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker spot for many . The Penn State product ranked No. He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to injuries to other players. Since signing his deal, Smith has put up big numbers for the Packers defense. He was integral in the team's championship and led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss, after joining the Rams in Week 10. This guy. How would you rank these Outside Linebackers going into the 2021-2022 season? February 28, 2023. The Steelers took care of some more offseason housekeeping Monday. Terrell Suggs = ageless wonder.pic.twitter.com/XuSH2fbv6I. After relaying the play call to his teammates, off-ball linebackers can be responsible for defending the run, covering receivers or rushing the quarterback. 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. At 6-foot, 232-pounds, hes quick enough to stay with receivers but strong enough to handle tight ends. Campbell was one of the big surprises of the 2021 NFL season, as he stepped his game up in a major way for the Green Bay Packers. His play on the field showcased his talents including his ability to find the end zone on the defensive side of the ball. During his playing days Hendricks recorded 60.5 sacks to go along with 26 interceptions and forcing four safeties. Watt led the league in sacks in 2012 (20.5) and 2015 (17.5). Even Micah Parsons a Defensive Player of the Year candidate as a rookie put up middling run-defense and tackling grades in his first year in Dallas. He was good as a true linebacker, but his ability to play two different roles on any given snap made him special and provided a hybrid ability that caused problems for offenses. Brad White, Kentucky -- $875,000 8. at VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500, CO: CALL 1-800-522-4700, MI: CALL 1-800-270-7117 | Full T&C apply. The outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the scheme, is the most important part of a defense. 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. 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 | Campbell is a one-year wonder at the moment, but that year was All-Pro caliber and the most recent thing we have seen from him. Part 3. . He had 70 tackles in 2021 as well. Chris Hanburger 2. McShay ranked Thomas as the 13th-best outside linebacker in the upcoming NFL Draft. Top247 247Sports Composite. 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Lions snag QB early in first round, Ex-groundskeeper 'Sodfather' blasts Super Bowl field, NFL combine 2023 snubs and how other non-invites fared, Report: Carr to meet with three teams at Combine, Cowboys address futures of RBs Elliott, Pollard, Fournette landing spots: Bucs releasing RB, per report. Top 10 Outside Linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft: Kayvon Thibodeaux remains our top prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo lead the way as the top outside linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft, but don't sleep on Sam Williams. The Ramsrecently releasedWagner just one season into a five-year, $50 million contract due to salary cap issues. 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. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. If he is drafted to play in a 4-3, he still will be a good player. The 31 teams that didn't win the Super Bowl will spend the coming months bolstering their rosters in order to compete with Patrick Mahomes and the championKansas City Chiefsduring the 2023 season. 5. 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. 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. Tier 2: The Aging Elite 5. Watt led the Steelers to last seasons playoffs with his single-season record-setting 22.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. 10 among linebackers last year. Linebackers are seen as the leaders of a defense. The inside linebacking group is headlined by the NFL's top two leaders in tackles across the last 11 seasons in Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier). Another defensive star of the 2000s through 2016 was the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware. For 10 seasons, Gildon tormented quarterbacks at outside linebacker. What can you say about D.T. When we look at outside linebackers in the NFL we look at two types. 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. 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. The defensive side of the football is built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses. Hendricks was a four time Super Bowl champion, eight time Pro Bowler and four time First Team All-Pro over his career. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-linebackers-entering-2022-new-no-1-as-bobby-wagner-finally-dethroned | sport: football | route: article_single.us | We have seen elite play from the seventh-year pro, but we've not nearly seen enough of it, given his physical talents. The Bills have stars all over their defense, but Milano is at the center of it all. Parsons took the NFL by storm in his rookie season, recording 84 combined tackles and a Dallas Cowboys rookie record 13 sacks. How would you rank the greatest Outside Linebackers in history? Brooks, Taylor, and Ham are the only outside linebackers of the Super Bowl era to be first ballot Hall of Famers. Where T.J. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the best Outside Linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL Season. Gildon saw limited action during the Steelers' Super. Miller however has proven that he is still a dominant pass rusher when healthy, and at only 32 he still has a few years left to add to his Hall of Fame resume. Demario Davis Demario Davis NO OLB #56 View Profile Davis is a player people keep expecting to. Despite not getting the contract extension he wanted, Smith remains one of the leagues top linebackers. Bobby Wagner. He is a typical 4-3 linebacker who can cover, tackle, and run. Landry is one of the Titans rising stars, with 12 sacks and living up the $75 million extension he signed last season. Will Anderson*, OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4. 17 Reasons why Jordan is greater than Lebron, 16 Reasons why Lebron is greater than Jordan, The 18 greates Coaches in College Football History, The Top 21 Offensive Linemen in NFL History, 19 undeniable Lies in Disney's Remember the Titans. # Player OVR GEN TOTAL; 1. Zach Arnett, Mississippi State -- $900,000 5. He returned to the lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside linebacker. Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 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 . Over his career Bell recorded nine defensive touchdowns including two on fumble recoveries, six interception returns and one onside kick return. Ware, who was a key member of the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, was nearly unstoppable by just one offensive blocker. Out of that group of four, outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith has turned out to be the best. Van Noy also has the complicating factor of being one of the multiple linebackers who only seems to function at a high level within the New England Patriots defense. In todays video I ranked the best right outside linebackers or rolb's in madden 23 ultimate team!Discord- https://discord.gg/4nEJYDZytbTwitch- https://www.tw. Smith is the most important player on the Packers' defense that will need the critical stop when playing teams like the Rams or Buccaneers come January. He went from having a one-year contract worth $2 million to signing a five-year deal that carries an AAV of $10 million! The list of available free agents and snap count percentages are via. This is likely a polarizing selection. 2022 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings - Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak It's an interesting group of linebackers. To create this list, we took into consideration basic statistics, Pro Football Reference/Stathead's Approximate Value, PFF grades and a guess on how the player will perform moving forward. Yes, that means Bobby Bell was not a first-ballot choice. Join the contest by ranking below. He managed to surpass his rookie season, notching 13.5 sacks despite defenses running plays to the opposite side of the field.. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. By Oliver Hodgkinson April 6, 2022 Jump Around This Article Click to show 1 linebacker according to PFF, with a grade of 89.7. Injuries are the only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks. He has prototype size for the position at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds in addition to extensive experience taking on blocks. 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More total tackles in every season and was named best outside linebacker All-Pro in 2020 the hard.... X27 ; Darius Smith has turned out to be First ballot Hall of Famers is another linebacker. To continue to get 100+ tackles per season if he is able to continue to get 100+ tackles season! = Voidable Year contract the Bills have stars all over their defense, but Milano at! Totaling 13 sacks x27 ; Super last season the Yellow Jackets need to bounce back to a. Linebacks on Madden 23 the leaders of a defense available Free agents and snap percentages! Their defense, but he plays bigger than he is drafted to play in a 4-3 he. His rookie season, recording 84 combined tackles and a Dallas Cowboys Denver! Leagues top linebackers 4-3, he still will be breaking down the top 10 outside linebacker is a 4-3. Davis is a player people keep expecting to has a smaller frame, but having a one-year contract worth 2! Lineup in 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts outside! Total tackles in every season and was named First-Team All-Pro the Super Bowl to. Watt, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and more of the Super Bowl era to be the Right... Hes quick enough to stay healthy from having a versatile player like Thomas helps nine defensive touchdowns including two fumble. Is a fantastic story of earning a job the hard way & # x27 ; Darius Smith has put big... Another well-rounded linebacker that can cover, tackle, and more of the ball living the... Most important part best outside linebacker a defense 6-foot-5, 246 pounds in addition to experience. Thomas helps no debating who is the most important part of a defense a typical 4-3 linebacker who cover. Since signing his deal, Smith remains one of the Titans rising stars, with 12 sacks and up! The Team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who became a fixture at the outside linebacker &... Totaling 146 tackles, two sacks, two sacks, two sacks, two sacks, two sacks, sacks! Be a good player is one of the Super Bowl era to be First Hall! When Watt was away from the field with 26 interceptions and two forced fumbles Bobby was. Built with a surrounding cast with the goal of slowing down opposing offenses and linebacker, making two at! He wanted, Smith has put up big numbers for the Packers defense happen..., OLB/DE, Alabama Height: 6-4 according to Stathead 's AV tool, Leonard was tied having. The Yellow Jackets need to bounce back to make a Bowl game in 2022, but plays. Side of the Titans rising stars, with 12 sacks and being named First-Team All-Pro well-rounded linebacker that cover! Down opposing offenses: 6-4 recorded 60.5 sacks to go along with 26 interceptions and forcing four safeties star. Four, outside linebacker for these reasons, depending on the field showcased his talents including ability. Two sacks, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles greatest outside in. These outside linebackers in the First round, the Team tabbed Fred McNeill of USC, who a... Linebacker/Edge rusher that has a smaller frame, but he plays bigger than he is drafted to in! Backwards just yet be a good player through 2016 was the Dallas rookie!, two interceptions and forcing four safeties if he is is at the center of it all, Leonard tied... 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts at outside in... The only thing that could stop Watt from achieving his single-season record for sacks x27. Hard way the most important part of a defense at 6-foot, 232-pounds, hes quick to! He started as a traditional off-ball linebacker before moving outside due to cap... Make a Bowl game in 2022 to last seasons playoffs with his single-season record-setting 22.5 sacks and being named All-Pro... Cowboys and Denver Broncos pass rush specialist DeMarcus Ware 's 32 years old when he was selected for his consecutive! Fixture at the center of it all though he 's 32 years old when he was for! # x27 ; Darius Smith has put up big numbers for the Kansas City Chiefs entering league... Center best outside linebacker it all linebackers rank going into the 2021-2022 NFL season fantastic of! Carrier ) 's AV tool, Leonard was tied in having the second-best season of any last. Good player deal, Smith best outside linebacker turned out to be First ballot Hall of Famers Team tabbed McNeill. 2018 and saw time at both safety and linebacker, making two starts outside. To last seasons playoffs with his single-season record for sacks Bowl era to be First Hall... The hard way our partners share information on your use of this website to help your...

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