With the upcoming season quickly approaching, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up next, we have the linebackers!
THE TOP 10 NFL LINEBACKERS FOR 2019
10. C.J. Mosley, New York Jets – He’s good in space and has nice closing speed, but he was highly underutilized in the pass rush. Maybe the Jets dial his number up a bit more, but if he were to improve upon that aspect of his game, he’d probably be a top five linebacker in the league. He has that kind of potential.
9. Zach Brown, Philadelphia Eagles – Boy, who would have thought during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans that Brown would go on to become one of the best linebackers in the league? He’s an underrated blitzer and a formidable tackler – he’s also become one of the most productive linebackers in the league.
8. Jayon Brown, Tennessee Titans – Fuck it, I’ll say it. Call me a homer, but if y’all have been sleeping on just how good of a linebacker Brown has developed into, you won’t be for long. This kid made strides in 2018 and became one of the best coverage linebackers in the league. Plus, he’s an excellent tool in Dean Pees’ pass rush game. This guy’s about to show out in 2019.
7. Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys – A big strong boi in his own right, LVE was able to come in and make an impact right away for the Cowboys defense. They dropped him into coverage quite a bit last year, and Vander Esch showed out, posting one of Pro Football Focus’ best grades in the category. Alongside Jaylon Smith, this Cowboys linebacking corps is among the best in the NFL.
6. Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals – One of the premiere pass rushers in the NFL, Jones finished 2018 with 13 sacks with was good for 8th in the NFL. He also deflected four passes and forced three fumbles. At 6’5″, 255 pounds, Jones is a big ol’ boy, but hey – Arizona’s the ones listin’ him as a linebacker so *shrugs*.
5. Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Colts – Talk about an immediate impact player, that’s exactly what the Colts got out of their second round pick from a season ago. Leonard is the reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Leonard led the NFL in tackles his rookie season, but it’s his range and ability to cover sideline to sideline that stands out among the rest.
4. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers – I don’t believe there to be a more complete inside linebacker in the entire NFL. Sure, the concussions worry you a bit if you’re a Panthers fan, and the Panthers don’t really use him much in the pass rush, but Kuechly’s combination of athleticism and instincts is generational. He finished 2018 with 130 tackles, two sacks, an interception, and two forced fumbles.
3. Von Miller, Denver Broncos – Miller is a pure pass rusher. Hell, it may be fair to say that he’s a linebacker only in title. Nonetheless, he’s a nightmare for opposing offensive tackles. Entering his 9th season in the NFL, Miller has failed to post double-digit sacks just once in his career, and it happened to be the season he only played nine games in.
2. Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks – Maybe the stats don’t necessarily pop for Wagner the way they do other linebackers, but there may not be a more cerebral linebacker in the league. Wagner understands NFL offenses, positioning, angles, etc. No one has a mental feel for playing linebacker like Wagner does. He’s a damn reliable tackler too. Pro Football Focus has him graded as the best coverage linebacker in the NFL, and 2nd to only Luke Kuechly in run defense grades.
1. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears – Like Miller, Mack is less of a pure linebacker and more of a pure pass rusher. But, I don’t know that any defensive player in the league is as much a game-wrecker as Mack – maybe Aaron Donald? I’ll listen to that argument – otherwise, it ain’t even close, y’all. Since he’s listed as a linebacker on Chicago’s depth chart, I’m puttin’ him on this list. Mack finished 2018 with 12.5 sacks, but you can’t help but wonder what that number would’ve been if he didn’t miss time due to injury.
OTHER 2019 NFL TOP 10S
Offensive Lines
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Tight Ends
Wide Receivers
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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