1. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
As hard as it is to believe, 2019 could be considered a down year for Bobby Wagner. At the heart of the Seattle Seahawks defense for the ninth-straight season, Wagner notched 117 total tackles, three sacks, 52 “stops,” an interception and five passes defended. But that was actually a step back from some of his best work as a linebacker, and it saw his overall grade at Pro Football Focus (for those believers in that sort of thing) dip from 91.7 to 76.4, his lowest mark since 2015.
But given his talent and overall body of work, it is hard to put Wagner anywhere but the top spot on this list. He is that rare type of linebacker that fits with the modern game, but you still feel that if he were dropped into the late 1970s or even the 1980s, he would fit right in with that style of football. He’s just as comfortable playing downhill against the run as he is dropping into coverage or running with receivers.
If there is an area to watch, it is the coverage part of the game. Last season saw Wagner slip in that area, as he allowed 62 receptions on 75 targets (a reception rate of 82.7%, his worst mark as a professional) and he allowed an NFL passer rating of 112.5 when targeted (again his worst mark as a pro). But we’re betting that in the season head, with some additions to the defensive side of the football such as Jordyn Brooks, Darrell Taylor and the return of Bruce Irvin, Wagner should return to his all-around elite form.