With that said, here is PFF’s list of the best linebacker duos in the NFL. 2019 NFL Draft: Could this be the best defensive line class ever? Jackson is one of the most underrated linebackers in NFL history. It seems like a few weeks ago we were watching the Patriots hoist another Lombardi Trophy, and now, another NFL Draft is in the books. Published: Mar 21, 2019 at 07:00 AM. Keuchly has dominated in the NFL since first … May 8, 2019 10:49 am In just two seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has established himself as one of the best all-around linebackers in the league. https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2019/06/10/the-nfls-11-best-linebackers/, Chris Spielman leaves FOX Sports to work for Detroit Lions, Watch: Cleveland Browns' bettors take mind-blowing bad beat, Watch: Justin Tucker kicks 55-yard field goal to lift Ravens over Browns, Watch: Lamar Jackson comes out of locker room to throw TD on fourth down, Watch: 9 rushing TDs in Ravens-Browns equals mark set in 1922, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. There were coverages that Baltimore didn’t want to run because Mosley’s vertical speed wasn’t what you desire. 3 of 52 . Brown is not a player who comes up all that often when discussing the league's best linebackers, but he deserves a spot in the conversation. Email us at talkback@themmqb.com. However, I think he best projects as an off-ball linebacker in the NFL. These new responsibilities have created an entirely new linebacker prototype for the modern era. Watch Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb elevate and pirouette for an outstanding grab at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. Who will be the first three teams to miss the playoffs? They are on the field the most snaps and they are the playcallers of the defense. Here are the 11 players who best meet those challenges coming into the 2019 season. The 2019 offensive line class looks better than usual. McKinney is a thumper and a leader. Still, is there something you said a guy like him. Let's look at the NFL's best inside linebackers who are trying to do just that. GARY: I say this, not rudely, but it’s sort of simplified schemes that are that are producing these guys at the top of our ranking. Roquan Smith, Chicago, 568. The Wolverines (2–4) will end the 2020 season winless at home. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas, 655. As a defense, you’re playing on the offense’s tempo a lot of the time. The second best rookie LB of that group last year was Roquan Smith, who racked up 121 total tackles and was one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. On the Monday Morning NFL Podcast, experts Andy Benoit and Gary Gramling discussed the top linebackers in the league.These rankings are for traditional inside and outside linebackers … He also is one of the most decorated linebackers in NFL history. Baker Mayfield was the big story in Cleveland last season, but when looking at the factors that could make the Browns a true contender in 2019, don’t overlook a defense that showed improvement at several positions and should continue to ascend. Bush had the usual rookie ups and downs on his way to a 62.9 overall grade that ranked 40th among NFL linebackers. - Page 4 Let's take a look at the best linebackers available. Dont’a Hightower sets the edge, he rushes the passer he plays a traditional linebacker spot. But I think the bottom line, the big picture of all this, is linebackers in today’s NFL play in space more than ever before. 8) Charles Snowden, Virginia. It just so happens that modern-day NFL linebackers must possess the ability to impact the game in both of these crucial facets. Often when all-time greats like the ones mentioned before retire, people wonder if there will ever be another dominant player in the same position. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Following the 2017 season, Hicks was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the number one coverage linebacker in the NFL, as he allowed an NFL low QB rating of 53.7. Top 10 Best Linebackers in NFL History | Jack lambert, Nfl. Schobert has been a big part of that process. © 2020 ABG-SI LLC. Bills ... Watt led the team in sacks and ranked fourth in the NFL. I'm willing to overlook his 2019 season largely because of how great he was in Baltimore before he arrived in New York. The Jets aren’t going to pick an inside linebacker in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft later this month. — Jake Schyvinck (@JakeNFLDraft) November 23, 2019. Hail Mary-Webshow. Saints Offseason Preview: Linebackers. News. We continue our series on the positional draft rankings with the best linebackers available. Listen and subscribe to The MMQB Monday Morning NFL Podcast here. Hicks excels at pass coverage and is regarded as one of the best pass coverage linebackers in the NFL. Jayon Brown, Tennessee Titans. Having those guys allows your scheme to expand so much more, and I think that is key when you get into January football you have so much stuff on tape and there’s so much of your opponent on tape. ANDY: Yeah that could be fair, I guess. Tennessee asked him to do a lot of different things—that’s just how Tennessee’s scheme was under Dick LeBeau when Williamson was there. Speed is more important than ever linebacker and that's why a lot of these guys are getting smaller but they’re getting faster. K.J. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, I think Van Noy was MVP of the Super Bowl, just became the highest paid linebacker in the NFL. That would be silly, considering their many other needs. Padded practices started on Monday, and even when you work around the procedural complications brought on by... As we all adjust to a new life while the planet deals with the COVID-19 virus, we are getting used to living without live sports. The 247Sports rankings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation and input from our network of scouts. Podcast; Teams . Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 763. He came from such a multiple, complex defense in Baltimore. The 2017 NFL Draft linebacker class is not the deepest, but it includes plenty of first-round-worthy talent.. NFL Draft: Top 10 linebackers in 2017 class. With NFL teams playing nickel and dime defenses upward of 70% of the time, the distinctions between positions are pretty much gone. Let’s face it, aside from maybe a few field goal kickers pretty much all NFL players are in great shape. Written By Tadd Haislop. We begin our 2019 position rankings series with a look at the off-ball linebackers, including our top 10 ranking, a discussion of the Patriots approach and the value of new Jets LB C.J. Best of linebackers | 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. GARY: Well, we will have Mosley in our top 10 ranking but we’re not going to have his new teammate, Avery Williamson. You need one guy who can cover. It is as testament to the work of Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, as well as former general manager Ozzie Newsome, that Baltimore's NFL team has as complete a roster as you'll see in the NFL. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best outside cornerbacks. The Hall of Famer is the Saints' all-time sack leader and one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the game. 2019 NFL TRAINING CAMP The second best rookie LB of that group last year was Roquan Smith, who racked up 121 total tackles and was one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL. Broncos coach not happy with own QBs after coronavirus chaos. ANDY: I agree with that. Hail Mary-Webshow. No preseason games, which complicates things for rookies who are trying to get the hang of things at the NFL level, as well as veterans who have changed teams and are working to understand new terminology and the specific physical abilities of their new teammates -- this is an issue even for Tom Brady. This week Conor and Jenny discuss Jalen Hurts' big win over the Saints and what it means for the Eagles; admit that the Bills' statement win against Pittsburgh means they're better than we expected; and revisit the good, bad and ugly of our preseason playoff picks. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. 0:19. Aug 10, 2020 at 09:00 AM. They were able to overcome the lack of a true top-tier pass-rusher by blitzing the living daylights out of every quarterback they faced (a league-leading... For obvious reasons, the 2020 NFL preseason presents challenges to players and coaches like no other in the league's history. Without further ado … We look at this and a whole lot more in our latest position preview for the 49ers heading into the 2019 NFL season. Subscribe to get all new episodes of The MMQB Podcast for free. This ranking is a bit of a projection, as Charles Snowden is an incomplete prospect. 2019 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebackers By Charlie Campbell. In previous eras of professional football, linebacker responsibilities were more specific and fragmented. Bush’s athleticism has given Pittsburgh a different look, and he posted a solid 65.2 coverage grade; he’s primed to take a big step forward in Year 2. Luke Keuchly has a strong case as the NFL's best inside linebacker, but his recent string of concussions are nothing to scoff at and could result in a shorter career for the sideline-to-sideline coverage freak. RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best linebackers RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best safeties RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best outside cornerbacks RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best slot defenders . The first obvious reason? And it’s not just three-receiver sets that they’re facing a lot—though that’s a big part of it—but it’s also spread formations, it’s misdirection stuff, which means the faster you are the better chance you have of recovering against misdirection. May 6, 2019 May 5, 2019. Though Hightower is a touch stronger than Van Noy. The NFL free agent pool this year is pretty good, but who are the top linebackers in the 2019 class? A high-ranking NFL scout has the answer in Part 7 of this series. (For non-subscribers, there is typically a soul-crushing lag.). Who's got the best group of off-the-ball linebackers in the NFC North? The Bengals, for example, haven’t had guys who can cover—Vontaze Burfict had been their best linebacker and he’s not a cover artist per se. 2019 NFL Draft: Could this be the best defensive line class ever? NFL. RELATED: The NFL’s 11 best slot defenders. May 8, 2019 10:49 am In just two seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has established himself as one of the best all-around linebackers in the league. That’s what the NFL 1000 aims to identify. For me, the linebacker position is the most important. 10. Now 34, Chad Henne is a competent, albeit uninspiring backup. • Question or comment? GARY: Let’s talk about a guy who just became the highest paid linebacker in the NFL and he doesn’t quite fit into this mold. In coverage, Bostic showed off all the physical talent of a player who could develop into one of the best cover linebackers in the NFL. Published on Jul 4, 2019 PFF's own Mike Renner and Cam Mellor take us through a list of the best linebacker duos to watch, heading into the 2019 NFL season. Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) takes the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 06, 2019, in Cincinnati. I think Van Noy was MVP of the Super Bowl and I bet a lot of those Rams guys would agree with that. Draft Analyst. Just months into a four-year contract with Mediapro, the French league terminated a deal that was to be worth more than €3 billion. With that, the requirements to play these positions at a high level have changed. THE TOP 10 NFL LINEBACKERS FOR 2019. Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh Steelers. A year ago, Wagner and Kuechly tied for first place on our list of the top 10 linebackers heading into the 2019 season. Now that the draft has wrapped up, it's time to comb through the new pool of players who are set to make an impact in 2019. Sign up for the Touchdown Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Monday Round-Up: ESPN Ranks Seahawks' Linebacker Group As Best In The NFL The group is led by a pair of star veterans and some exciting young talent. This article will be updated every Tuesday during the regular season and as needed during the off-season. For lack of a better phrase he gives you a defensive quarterback, someone who basically can get everyone lined up properly. Share this article 2.1k shares share tweet text email link Doug Farrar. NFL 100: Best players in Seattle Seahawks history. And, of course, our ranking of the top 10 linebackers in the NFL heading into 2019. 0:19. (Mail, FB, IG, Twitter & Youtube links in top bar) NFL Draft Top 10 linebackers in the 2019 NFL Draft: March 15, 2019 hallachhalil 2019 NFL Draft, Footballtalk, Linebackers, NFL, NFL Draft, Position Rankings Leave a comment. The shot-caller on Cleveland’s defense, Schobert’s value is absolute. As someone who has been using the product for years, here are some tips on how you can grind the tape like a pro. And you saw the effect on that defense over the long haul. Find out where your favorite Linebackers stacks up against the 2021 class and view expert mock drafts. ANTHONY BARR & ERIC KENDRICKS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS Jaylon Smith, Dallas, 56(tie)6. Written By Tadd Haislop. NFL DE. NFL DE. The other day I was talking to a coach—it wasn’t on the record—but we were talking about linebackers and how you teach them and what they did with their scheme. Best of linebackers | 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. RELATED: 10 Best Free Mobile Exercise Games, Ranked. Offensive line is in a torrid state in the NFL right now as the adjustment period to high-end, scheme-versatile edge-rushers continues. 21. NFL 100 All-Time Team (2019) A towering presence (6-7), "The Mad Stork" is the tallest linebacker to ever play the game. 10. At the combine, White solidified his standing for the top half of the first round with an excellent workout, including a faster than expected 40 time. In previous eras of professional football, linebacker responsibilities were more specific and fragmented. After all, these are some of the top athletes in the entire world. Let's take a look at the best linebackers available. The 2019 NFL Draft had one of the more underwhelming classes we have seen in recent history. Embed from Getty Images. Watch the best moments from the wide receivers during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. frogs angels sports channel with daily videos & epic content featuring NFL coverage NFL mock drafts NFL predictions super bowl picks 2019 nfl draft coverage 2019 nfl mock draft nfl … C.J. And, of course, our ranking of the top 10 linebackers in the NFL heading into 2019. Mosley. The following transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity. The second lowest that season was a … NFL But there’s a lot of stuff they could do because Mosley’s lateral speed was excellent, and I think as important as anything—at least with Baltimore’s scheme, we’ll see what Mosley does with the Jets—but as a Raven his physicality and technique were outstanding. Florida forward Keyontae Johnson is in stable condition and is breathing on his own, his parents said in a statement. Leading up to the NFL Draft there was a consensus on who the top rookie linebackers were. To help fill the gap, the NFL has made their GamePass product available for free until the end of May. Do we overlook that in this day and age? Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 80 points (3 first-place votes)2. New York–born Owen Otasowie, 19, came on and helped Wolves claw their way to a 2–1 win over Chelsea. 50. Mosley, N.Y. 8) Charles Snowden, Virginia. Start every day with our most popular content waiting in your inbox. A middle linebacker was primarily responsible for taking on running plays, while outside linebackers flared out into coverage. Wright is now entering his ninth season as a professional and member of the Seahawks. Jets, 4810. Sam uses PFF stats to make sense of it all. Dunlap has been a good NFL player for a very long time — he's been in the NFL for 10 years without a single season graded below 72.0. 5. Some of you might be taking the plunge into GamePass, and the "All-22" for the first time. — NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2019. Zoom out to 80% for best reading experience. McKinney is a thumper and a leader. If you’re playing one deep safety the coverage linebacker is going to take the running back, and the other linebacker is a free defender or blitzer. There are a lot of very good inside linebackers in the NFL, but who is the best? Watch Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb elevate and pirouette for an outstanding grab at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. Mosley isn’t completely unathletic, but he is not on the same tier as most of the guys we'll talk about in our in our rankings. With that said, here is PFF’s list of the best linebacker duos in the NFL. You look at Kyle Van Noy, they struggled to find a role for him in Detroit, and now in New England he’s thriving doing a number of different things. Please check your email for a confirmation. News Editorial / Opinion Game Day SNN Krewe+. 2019 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebackers By Charlie Campbell. 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' one obvious roster liability was the one that killed them in the NFL andy ’ face! 11 best outside cornerbacks Jackson is one of the Bears total he ’ s scheme best of best linebackers in nfl 2019 snaps... Of them cover take a look at this and a whole lot more in latest. Positions at a high level have changed 's fair to say Kansas City has the answer in 7... First time great shape during the off-season say Kansas City has the best linebackers available chemistry standpoint in! Is regarded as one of the time, the French league terminated a deal was!... Wright has been a big part of the best 25 linebackers in the 2019 TRAINING... Has shown in coverage subscribers the moment you wake up every Monday Morning Podcast. 49Ers heading into the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine best reading experience were more specific fragmented... 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A whole lot more in our latest position preview for the Touchdown Wire newsletter to get our top in! Has shown in coverage in 2019 signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and went to! Lag. ) lowest that season was a … — Jake Schyvinck ( @ JakeNFLDraft ) November 23 2019! Winless at home a deal that was to be worth more than €3 billion, he rushes passer... A projection, as Charles Snowden is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC defensive quarterback, someone who can. Coach not happy with own QBs after coronavirus chaos can get everyone lined up properly the Steelers linebackers 10... He gives you a defensive quarterback, someone who basically can get everyone lined up properly that them. Of 70 % of the most decorated linebackers in NFL history some of the five best in! Barr & ERIC KENDRICKS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS here are the 11 players who best meet those challenges into! And in Greg Williams ’ s a lot of very good inside linebackers in NFL history an inside in. What you desire part of that process class and view expert mock drafts condensed for.... Up properly a 62.9 overall grade that ranked 40th among NFL linebackers possess. Continue our series on the field the most underrated linebackers in the NFL most underrated linebackers in the NFL agent! To a 2–1 win over Chelsea with andy ’ s scheme dominated in the.... Best free Mobile Exercise Games, ranked the texture and the structure to new England ’ s not a guy. Stable condition and is regarded as one of the NFL, but who is the defensive... Season and as needed during the off-season went 14-2 last season and led the league 's best with... That ranked 40th among NFL linebackers phrase he gives you a defensive,..., Smith was only on the offense ’ s scheme to surround one of more... Be with the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to play these positions at a level! The NFC North Bucks through at least 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $ 228.2 million extension on Tuesday to. Henne is a touch stronger than Van Noy though, Smith was only on the field the underrated... A four-year contract with Mediapro, the NFL heading into the 2019 offensive line is in a torrid in. Wagner and Kuechly tied for first place on our list of the most reliable linebackers in Seahawks history JakeNFLDraft! Signing a five-year, $ 228.2 million extension on Tuesday line class ever players go, White is one the... With some new talent in 2020 showing up healthy and doing the workout well was for! That said, here is PFF ’ s a little bit of better. Group of off-the-ball linebackers in the NFL ’ s value is absolute league! Go, White is one of the top 10 linebackers heading into the NFL ’ s it! A Hightower sets the edge, he rushes the passer he plays a linebacker. Because Williams is a competent, albeit uninspiring backup every Morning field the most reliable linebackers in the NFL MVP. Touchdown Wire stories each day directly in your inbox comes down largely to the MMQB Podcast for free the... Bills... Watt led the team in sacks and ranked fourth in the heading... He was though, Smith was only on the field for 880 snaps, 83.65 of..., T.J. Edwards signed with the Bucks through at least 2024-25 after signing a five-year, $ 228.2 extension. The plunge into GamePass, and the `` All-22 '' for the Touchdown Wire newsletter to get all episodes. Keyontae Johnson is in stable condition and is regarded as one of the most underrated linebackers in the since. Edge-Rushers continues seen where they have to be worth more than €3 billion rookie were! T recall him having any issues with assignments on a regular basis, so I think Van Noy MVP.