Andre Tippett. 4/26/21: Davis had a phenomenal pro-day workout that displayed incredible speed in the 40 and excellent explosion in the jumps. The first in our series of three ranking sets is going to be linebacker, the core of the IDP positions and the highest scoring. The Miami native can pick off passes, force fumbles and can make a lot of tackles. Leonard has been an absolute beast since entering the NFL. He was a sure tackler and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, which is evident by his 1,849 career tackles. Ranking the NFL's top 10 linebackers: The best hybrid playmakers on D. Seattle Seahawks. Luke Kuechly New Orleans 1981-93; San Francisco 1994-95. He played 14 games, making 128 … Seau was one of the most instinctual linebackers to ever play the game. The various roles of a linebacker have changed tremendously over the years as the game has evolved, making it one of the most difficult positions to gauge. After an LB1 2017 campaign, Mosley saw a fairly significant reduction in production last … Here’s your answer: impactful enough to be the first true freshman linebacker … Mike Singletary. Hawk, Packers; Erin Henderson, Vikings; Lance Laury, Seahawks; Matt McCoy, Buccaneers; Marvin Mitchell, Saints; Rob Ninkovich, Patriots; Ernie Sims, Lions; David Thornton, Titans; Erik Walden, Dolphins; Philip Wheeler, Colts; Will Witherspoon, Eagles, 51 – Barrett Ruud, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ruud has emerged as a do-everything middle linebacker for the Buccaneers, and he’s one of the few bright spots on the team’s defense. Cable Protector， Number of Channels 1， Cable Feed Style Lay Under， Connection Style T Shaped， Channel Height 2 1/4 in， Channel Width 2 1/4 in， Load Capacity 24，400 lb/Axle， Material Polyurethane， Style Split Top， Color … C.J. Jackson is one of the most underrated linebackers in NFL history. Matt Milanoâs abilities in pass coverage provide a value in the modern NFL that is greater than that of the old-school thumpers. He is a rising prospect, and some teams have him as their top linebacker prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft. If a number is omitted, it’s because no linebacker who has played this season wears those digits. A truly great linebacker must be able to read the offense, set the defensive scheme, play the run with cat-like instincts and defend the pass with the utmost precision. Found inside – Page 128Jersey Numbers and the Players Who Wore Them John Maxymuk ... BEST DEFENSE : 1974 , led by All Pro linebacker Ted Hendricks whom they stole for a ninth - round pick , the team allowed only 206 points . Hendricks himself blocked seven ... And here are the 25 greatest linebackers in NFL history: Pittsburgh 2002, ‘04-12, '14-17; Cincinnati 2013; New England 2017. TPPs = Turnover-Producing Plays. Those numbers were among the best in the country. Analysis: Only the second defensive lineman in this set of 10 numbers that has been dominated by linebackers. Starting this season, running backs, tight ends and receivers can wear any number from 1 to 49, in addition to numbers in the 80s. If you need an example of how poor the landscape is at linebacker, look no further than Leighton Vander Esch. The reality is that No. Just as Eddie Jackson switched from 39 to 4, Trebasan wears 6 and takes a single digit number. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward and/or off their feet. Best Linebacker To Wear No. Asiodu, Rams; Antwan Barnes, Ravens; Eric Barton, Browns; Monty Beisel, Cardinals; Rocky Boiman, Steelers; Diyral Briggs, 49ers; Isaiah Ekejiuba, Raiders; Vernon Gholston, Jets; A.J. Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills. Henderson, Vikings; Leroy Hill, Seahawks; Derrick Johnson, Chiefs; Akeem Jordan, Eagles; Kaluka Maiava, Browns; Scott McKillop, 49ers; David Nixon, Raiders; Chike Okeafor, Cardinals; Rod Wilson, Buccaneers, 57 – Bart Scott, Jets – New Jets head coach Rex Ryan brought Scott with him from Baltimore as a high-dollar free agent to be the emotional leader and scheme expert in the middle of Gang Green’s defense. After all, you’ve got to stop people if you want to win. 92 – Elvis Dumervil, Broncos – In one of the toughest calls of this whole project, we’re going with Dumervil, the NFL leader with 15 sacks, over 2008 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison of Pittsburgh. and have an engaging conversation about the sport that we all love. Found inside... it one ofmy aII-timejawrite plqxenfar a lot oj'reawmv I don 't know if I 've ever seen a more msn'ncrh'e linebacker, ... of [on a football in recent " Gary Dolphm "He '5 clear!) one of the best linebacker: I 'w ever coached against. Other notable 95s: Tully Banta-Cain, Patriots; Ali Highsmith, Cardinals, 96 – David Bowens, Browns – Bowens came with Eric Mangini from the Jets to Cleveland. His 32 career INTs lead the way for linebackers. Mark Schofield had the following to say about Seattle’s defensive leader, who beat out every other linebacker in the NFL to sit at the tippy top. Numbers 50 to 59 are worn by linebackers and centers. 1969 NFL Defensive Player of the Year It comes as no surprise that Milanoâs coverage ability is his strong suit, as the three-down linebacker was a converted safety from Boston College. Found inside – Page 148Although we like it best when we don't actually see you very often. ... At 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, Barrientes hardly had the physique of a Class 5A linebacker, although those numbers are typical for athletes the Eagles regularly turn into ... Other notable 96s: Omar Gaither, Eagles; Andy Studebaker, Chiefs, 97 – Calvin Pace, Jets – Pace missed the first four games of the season due to a performance-enhancing drug suspension, but since returning he has continued to provide pass rush off the edge with six sacks. What will the Greg Schiano era bring to Tampa Bay? His neck caused concerns for teams coming out of Boise State, and it caused him to miss nine games in 2019. He is a rising prospect, and some teams have him as their top linebacker prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft. By Josh Edwards. He might not ever materialize into what we believed he could be after the 2018 season, but Vander Esch still provides positive play when heâs on the field. Darius Leonard, 77.2 4. After a slow season in his one campaign in Washington, Taylor has six sacks this year for Miami, giving him 126.5 in his 13-year career. The linebacker was the top pick of the Browns in 1982 and the number three overall pick. Team: New York Giants. Okerekeâs instincts in coverage make him one of the top linebackers in the league. Greene was a force to be reckoned with from his outside linebacker position. Similar to Blake Martinez, Cunningham lacks the big play upside of the very top echelon of fantasy linebackers. While NFL games are often won and lost in the trenches, it’s the linebackers who are typically the biggest stars of the defense. 1. Cantin-Arku used to be a special teamer, but has flipped the switch to becoming one of Tony White’s best linebackers in just a year’s span. Lists and explains professional football's playing rules as determined by the National Football League. Still, Scott gets the nod over veteran Dhani Jones of Cincinnati and David Hawthorne, who’s having a terrific season as a fill-in starter at middle linebacker for Seattle. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Johnson was a star player at Tennessee. Carolina's defense has been strong against the pass (top 10 in yards allowed), and Jon Beason is still a nice middle linebacker. October 7th: Cornerbacks. 7 . The top 2020 NFL Draft linebacker prospects lived up to the hype Saturday night. And please have patience – this is a big job. Top 25 linebackers in the NFL for the 2021 season | 25-16, To passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content that goes beyond the field where hardcore and casual fans come. Other than the defensive players line up on the line of scrimmage, it’s important to make sure the mike linebacker is blocked on all plays. So rare, in fact, that since 1982, this feat has been accomplished 9 times by outside linebackers and three of those were the three seasons we just outlined by Marshall. The 247Sports rankings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation and input from our network of scouts. Davis had an excellent 2020 season for the Wildcats, totaling 89 tackles with one sack, one forced fumble, two passes defended and two interceptions. Chris Gregory finds draft sleepers for IDP fantasy football leagues at the linebacker (LB) position. Itâs difficult to knock a player who didnât play in 2020. Coach Keys: Shows the ability to take over a game defensively. Other notable 53s: Marcus Buggs, Bills; Derrick Burgess, Patriots; Khary Campbell, Texans; Na’il Diggs, Panthers; Moise Fokou, Eagles; Clark Haggans, Cardinals; James Holt, Chargers; Thomas Howard, Raiders; Larry Izzo, Jets; Rashad Jeanty, Bengals; Bryan Kehl, Giants; Niko Koutouvides, Buccaneers; Paris Lenon, Rams; Jameel McClain, Ravens; Tyrone McKenzie, Patriots; Steve Octavien, Cowboys; Nick Roach, Bears; Matt Roth, Browns; Mark Simoneau, Saints; Bryan Smith, Jaguars; Reggie Torbor, Dolphins; Jeff Ulbrich, 49ers; Demorrio Williams, Chiefs, 54 – Andra Davis, Broncos – This number lost its stalwart when Brian Urlacher of Chicago was knocked out for the season. Altogether, Mosley has an overall PFF grade of 73.9 since 2016, which ranks seventh-best out of 53: 1. Stats: 40yd: 4.6; Bench: 315 lbs. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, and a first-ballot selection for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Votes: 2. Who is the greatest football player of all time? Jerry Rice? Lawrence Taylor? Jim Brown? Such are the questions pondered by pro football writer Steve Silverman late at night (and during the day). 25 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History. 8. Ted S. Warren, Associated Press. Found insideFreddie came hard and fast but, at the last second, gave me a target to hit him in the numbers; and I did. It was a great blow and both of us lost our breath. Next was Rick Redman, our defensive team captain and All-American linebacker. Lanier earned the nickname "Contact" for a reason. henderson, elvis dumervil, eric alexander, eric barton, erik walden, erin henderson, ernie sims, Football Relativity, freddie keiaho, gary brackett, gary guyton, geno hayes, gerald hayes, gerald mcrath, gerris wilkerson, green bay packers, h.b. 3. Guards and tackles on the offensive line wear numbers 60 through 79, and centers are allowed to wear 50 to 59 as well. Defensive linemen are required to wear between 60 and 79 or between 90 and 99, whereas linebackers have to wear numbers between 50 and 59 or 90 to 99. You should check out Lavonte numbers.. Here are the ten best linebackers … 91 – Tamba Hali, Chiefs – Hali is emerging as a solid pass rusher in Kansas City, with 7.5 sacks thus far this season. Another member of the Chicago Bears ‘ 53-man roster has changed his jersey number. Those numbers are not eye-popping but in doing research over the years we can say that having 5 or more sacks and 4 or more picks in the same season by a linebacker is rare. He is widely regarded by his peers as one of the best all-around linebackers to ever play in the NFL. Even though Hightower is over 30, he took a year off from the physical pounding the game leaves on the body. Neither has to be as large as a lineman or fast as a back. The average college linebacker weighs about 220 pounds and has a BMI of 28.2. At the NFL level, that BMI goes up to about 31.34. College tight ends weigh around 240 pounds with a typical BMI of 29.2. Found inside – Page 91The fullback should be taught to block the linebacker high , driving through the numbers of the linebacker . This serves to shield the ball carrier from sight of the linebacker . A good fast ball carrier can cut away from the direction ... Jayon Brown, a former fifth-round draft pick, has emerged as an important player for the Titans' defense and significantly outplayed former first-round selection Rashaan Evans over the past couple of seasons. A broken collarbone sidelined him for seven contests in 2020. Smith had a breakout season in 2020 for the Bears. Most football fans might hardly recognize Brownâs name despite being one of the top linebackers in the league heading into 2021. Kevin Greene played in the league during a golden age for linebackers, so it’s easy to overlook him, but he’s one of the best linebackers the NFL has ever seen. Other notable 57s: Stanley Arnoux, Saints; Kevin Bentley, Texans; Chase Blackburn, Giants; Ricky Brown, Raiders; Victor Butler, Cowboys; Chris Chamberlain, Saints; Jon Corto, Bills; Jordon Dizon, Lions; Keyaron Fox, Steelers; Chris Gocong, Eagles; Mario Haggan, Broncos; Adam Hayward, Buccaneers; Jordan Senn, Panthers; David Veikune, Browns; Matt Wilhelm, 49ers, 58 – Karlos Dansby, Cardinals – It’s hard to imagine a better physical specimen at outside linebacker than Dansby, who is a leader on a strong Cardinals defense. ( Log Out / Found insideNumbers. A long-standing tradition in team sports is for a team to honor its greatest players by “retiring” their jersey ... 51—For Dick Butkus, the Chicago-born linebacker who played college ball at the University of Illinois before ... Lavonte David, 79.2 3. In addition to his linebacker duties, he also served as the Eagles' center on offense. He has played in six games this year, seeing most of his action on special teams. Heâs more of a downhill thumper than weâre used to seeing in the modern game. Eric Kendricks, 74.6 7. Blades, Redskins; Jasper Brinkley, Vikings; Prescott Burgess, Ravens; Bobby Carpenter, Cowboys; Brandon Chillar, Packers; Blake Costanzo, Browns; Kenwin Cummings, Jets; Zac Diles, Texans; Troy Evans, Saints; Andre Frazier, Steelers; Jonathan Goff, Giants; Nic Harris, Bills; Geno Hayes, Buccaneers; Gerald Hayes, Cardinals; Will Herring, Seahawks; Freddie Keiaho, Colts; DeAndre Levy, Lions; Stephen Nicholas, Falcons; Jeremiah Trotter, Eagles; Tracy White, Eagles; Sam Williams, Raiders, 55 – Terrell Suggs, Ravens – This is a tough call, because Suggs has just 3.5 sacks this season and has missed three games. Jack Ham might be the best coverage linebacker of all time. Outside linebackers (Will, SAM) in a 4-3 can be off-ball linebackers as well, so the inside/outside distinction doesn’t quite click. 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