As NFL offenses change, so do the defenses that stop them.
It’s pretty simple, really. When NFL offenses go through their significant facelifts, defenses must find modern solutions to stop them.
The current trend has been the evolution and reliance on the passing game. Ten years ago, only three teams attempted over 650 passes, and only one threw over 700 (the Detroit Lions attempted 740). Last season, five teams eclipsed the 650 mark, and three reached 700.
As I explained in the power slot article, defenses are beginning to face unique challenges and must find modernized solutions. In the secondary, teams have used bigger defensive backs who can solve the issue of bigger receivers, but there haven’t been many solutions in the front seven.
Look, aerial offenses have led to a different kind of tight end. Teams no longer want the in-line tight ends who are extra blockers. Instead, they want tight ends that can run diverse route trees and impact the receiving game. As a result, we’ve seen tight ends like Kyle Pitts go in the top 10 of the NFL Draft.
Defenses are attempting to mitigate this problem by changing how they build linebacker rooms. Teams aren’t interested in thumpers anymore, and stopping the run has taken a step back to the pressing problem in front of them.
As a result, we’ve seen safeties move down to linebacker to help cover tight ends. We’ve also seen more teams embrace smaller and more athletic linebackers who can cover tight ends. It’s really just the reality of modern-day football; if you don’t adjust, you’ll struggle on defense. If you adjust, you’ll find that playing defense is an easier task than ever before.
Here are some of the “modern-day” linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft and how they can impact the game.