What does the future hold for the linebacker position?
As you ponder that question think about these issues. The league is using lighter personnel packages more and more, and last season that trend continued. On the 19,933 drop back passing attempts charted last season by Sports Info Solutions, defenses had five defensive backs on the field for an overwhelming majority of those plays: 59%. But they also had six defensive backs on the field for 20.9% of those snaps.
Consider still, the trends that will be making their way into the game at some point. Brent Venables is considered one of college football’s defensive wizards, and last season the Clemson Tigers implemented a defensive unit that was predominantly a 3-1-7 defense. Of course, having players like Tanner Muse and Isaiah Simmons, hybrid defenders with talent, makes such a scheme possible. But as those players – and those coaches of similar mind – make their way into the league, the future looks different on the defensive side of the football.
So again, what does the future portend for the linebacker position?
Those questions cannot be answered today, but we can look at some of the best the league has to offer at the linebacker position in today’s game.
Honorable Mentions
As with the safeties, we start with some of the players that just missed out on this list. That includes the talented and young Buffalo Bills linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds, although Edmunds is almost a lock to make this list someday. Same too for Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker Devin Bush. The Houston Texans have a talented pair of their own, in Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney. To the previous point about teams using lighter packages, one team bucked that trend: The Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll’s group had three linebackers on the field more than any other team last year, K.J. Wright was a big part of that unit. Some additional names to watch include Denver’s Alexander Johnson, who played at a very high level last season but will need to follow that up in his second year as a starter for inclusion on lists like this, New York Giant David Mayo, who showed he could handle an increased role last year, and Jamie Collins, now with the Detroit Lions.
Best Linebacker Unit
There is a reason the Seattle Seahawks used three linebackers more than any other team in the league: Their trio from 2019 was damn good. Wright, Kendricks and Bobby Wagner are a triumvirate of defensive prowess. All three are solid against the run, and do their job well when called upon to play coverage. With Kendricks currently a free agent, something that should keep this unit playing at such a high level is the presence of rookie Jordyn Brooks, Seattle’s first round selection. Another duo to watch is Milano and Edmunds in Buffalo. The Bills utilize a lot of nickle packages with those two left on the field, but they made a great pair, with Edmunds’ length and athleticism, and what Milano does in coverage. Then there is that group in Dallas, they’re pretty good too.
Now, to the Top 11.
Dont’a Hightower | Jaylon Smith | Jayon Brown | Deion Jones | Cory Littleton | Fred Warner| Darius Leonard | Lavonte David | Eric Kendricks | Demario Davis | Bobby Wagner