2. Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints
The past three seasons have seen Demario Davis come into his own as a linebacker in the NFL. During his first years in the league, starting with his time with the New York Jets and then a season in Cleveland, Davis was a solid, if unspectacular, defender. Then in 2017 he rejoined the Jets after a season with the Browns and started to flourish. That year he notched 28 quarterback pressures (with a career-high five sacks) as well as a career-high 104 tackles.
Then he moved to the NFC South, and the past two years with the Saints he has performed at an elite level. Last year saw Davis post some more career-high numbers, including his best tally of quarterback pressures (30) and a career-high with nine passes defended. In coverage Davis allowed 57 receptions on 76 targets, and passers posted an NFL passer rating of just 87.4 when targeting Davis, the best mark from the linebacker over his entire career.
But Davis is also a force against the run. He has the footwork and explosiveness to stop plays before they get going. Watch him knife into the backfield to stop this toss play from the Tennessee Titans:
Now watch what he does on this gap/power design from the Atlanta Falcons. Davis sees the down block from the left guard and recognizes the design, crashing forward to fill the hole in response. He meets the pulling guard in the hole, stones him, and scrapes off to make the tackle:
This, like the rest of his all-around game, is elite.