Pratt didnt miss many tackles as a run defender, either, whiffing on just 5.9% of opportunities after three straight seasons above 10% to start his career. There's no telling what he could be with more reps at the position. After missing most of the regular season, Dre Greenlaw came back for the end of the regular season and playoffs to form the perfect linebacker tandem with Warner. Gay hasnt graded as well but possesses the characteristics to become a top linebacker. Meanwhile, TJ Watt led the league in sacks (22.5) and was the Defensive Player of the Year. Over the past three seasons, his 19.8% pass-rush win rate and 23.8% pressure rate are both the second-best marks among off-ball linebackers with at least 100 pass-rush snaps over the span. In 10 seasons, he has been named an All-Pro eight times, made the Pro Bowl eight times and led the NFL in tackles twice. It's funny how taking a "small step backwards" for Wagner is being a second-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and setting a career high in tackles even while missing a game. For all the young players' struggles, there are a lot of promising linebackers who have the talent to become elite players at this level. You are not logged in. Over the past three seasons, his 19.8% pass-rush win rate and 23.8% pressure rate are both the second-best marks among off-ball linebackers with at least 100 pass-rush snaps over the span. The transition from college football to the NFL used to be smooth for linebackers, but even elite prospects can now struggle in Year 1. Honorable mentions: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Logan Wilson, Shaq Thompson, Alexander Johnson, Deion JonesJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah,Zach Cunningham, Anthony Walker, C.J. Chenal is going to thrive in man-blitz-heavy schemes. 2021 PFF grade: 60.4 (30th of 89). Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings. There is hope that Channing Tindall, Miami's rookie linebacker out of Georgia, can find his way on the field. David has been consistent, as only one linebacker has recorded more tackles since he entered the league, and that player is found later on in this list. Edwards has shown that as much as linebacker is one of the most athletic-traits-driven positions in football, prospects with marginal physical tools can still become solid NFL starters. Edmunds also missed just 6.5% of potential tackles, the lowest rate of his career and another huge sign of continued growth from a football intelligence and play recognition standpoint. Sam Monson of PFF recently ranked the top linebackers in the NFL and organized them in tiers. Kendricks is one of the games best coverage linebackers, able to consistently squeeze throwing lanes and make plays on the ball once its in the air. Nevertheless, there were several interested teams last time he was a free agent he came very close to signing with theNew York Jetsbefore ultimately returning to Minnesota so it seems defensive coaches think they can find a way to put him in positions to succeed and utilize his athletic ability. Unfortunately for Vander Esch, he once again finds himself in the middle of the pack of a deep free-agent group at linebacker, but he should do a bit better this time around. White was a reliable presence at linebacker following the loss of 2020 first-rounderKenneth Murrayduring Weeks 4-9 and when Murray was battling injuries over Weeks 11-15. Wagner's resume speaks for itself. section: | slug: ranking-nfls-top-10-linebackers-entering-2022-new-no-1-as-bobby-wagner-finally-dethroned | sport: football | route: article_single.us | This group could rank much higher by the end of next season. Despite the inconsistent offense, the Chicago Bears had the No. Here are the top off-ball linebackers slated to hit free agency in 2022. After sitting out in 2020, C.J. The Georgia product was named second-team All-Pro in 2020 and 2021, and recorded a career-high 163 combined tackles last year -- which ranked fifth among all linebackers. Much of this unit's potential lies with third-round rookie Christian Harris, who managed 34 run stops at Alabama in 2021 (tied for 36th among 374 qualifying FBS linebackers). Still, its an interesting group because of Ernest Jones, especially after his very good Super Bowl performance as he came back from an injury-plagued season. Oluokun leads the way for a very underwhelming free-agent class at off-ball linebacker, though his timing of reaching unrestricted free agency could work out nicely in his favor. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah put together a great rookie season transitioning from more of an out-of-the-box linebacker at Notre Dame to an in-box linebacker. His 33 run stops in 2020 were a top-10 mark at the position. I laid out some of my thoughts on their situations, rambling on longer for some more than others. Campbell is a one-year wonder at the moment, but that year was All-Pro caliber and the most recent thing we have seen from him. After looking like he might be the next great linebacker earlier in his career. He was arguably the best player on the best college defense of all time but slipped into the third round of the draft with some potential medical red flags. Turn on this feature to cross off players during your draft. Mosley, Foye Oluokun. No linebacker corps gets its collective noses dirtier than the Patriots' unit. The former No. Hightower will be 32 years old in Week 1 of 2022, but there's an argument that taking the 2020 season off has his body refreshed and revitalized. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Why drafting Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons among the top-12 may not be the best decision. He is set to play next to Anthony Walker, who is a solid if unspectacular player. That's still a very good grade, but there should be concerns about his age and a potential decline going forward. Parsons lined up as an edge rusher on 40.6% of his snaps as a rookie, and thats where he did the bulk of his damage. The Seahawks selected Cody Barton out of Utah with the No. Consequently, the list of consistently elite players is far shorter than for other positions, and there is much more volatility in this position group. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a solid all-around off-ball linebacker who has three straight seasons logging at least 750 snaps, and he took a major leap in 2022 with the Denver Broncos. This is likely a polarizing selection. Alex Anzalone and Chris Board are two depth players who start for the Lions. They also signed linebacker Myles Jack and D-lineman Larry Ogunjobi. Still one of the more underrated players in the league, Demario Davis has been the heartbeat of one of the league's best defenses over the past five seasons. After Warner's monster 2020 campaign, we thought he could be the No. Perryman was signed to a two-year, $6.085 million contract before the 2021 season and promptly traded to the Las Vegas Raiders before the first week of the campaign. Subscribe to PFF+ to unlock An error occured while loading Position Grades. He has yet to post a sub-70.0 grade, with three out of his four years coming in above 78.0. Davids 88.5 coverage grade this season ranked second among off-ball linebackers, and his elite 93.0 mark over the past four seasons is the top mark at the position. Hes a high-upside player now playing with a future Hall of Famer. Like the Chiefs, the Bengals also went into last season with a lot of unknowns surrounding the linebacker position but found a really good pair in, A position of weakness for the Eagles in 2021 might turn into a position of strength in 2022 with the additions of rookie, The Ravens are still looking for that breakout year from. He has not graded above 70.0 since. 88 selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. He's been an All-Pro each year, and a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons now. Dean's range at the linebacker position is unparalleled in this draft class. Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs the ball against Green Bay Packers inside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Maybe the most volatile position in football, linebackers have seen their worth in the NFL fluctuate over the years. That's because he's both a speedy 240 pounds and one of the best tacklers in the class, having missed only seven times on 138 career attempts. David missed five games in 2021 due to injury, but he still had a solid season, recording 97 combined tackles. One of the five highest-graded linebackers last season in his first year with Carolina, Luvu is another Demario Davis trajectory candidate. He had a career year, helping turn around the Eagles' defense with the second-best grade among off-ball linebackers (84.4). He signed a monster five-year, $95 million extension last July, and is worth it considering he's just 25. Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker are solid players, though, and the team will hope that rookie Troy Andersen can make an early impact. Vander Esch quietly played some good football in 2022 after signing a one-year flier to return to the Cowboys following a free agency period that didnt pan out as hed hoped. Vander Esch has had an up and down first four years in the NFL, but the talent that made him a first-round pick in 2018 still flashes on occasion and will certainly draw attention. His elite run-stopping ability was on display against the Packers in the divisional round, too. Linebacker Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions LB ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 17 Nakobe Dean POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 90.4 ILB All Scouts Average Overall Rank 20.8 All Scouts Average Position Rank 2 Height Feet 6-0 Elandon Roberts and Jerome Baker are average linebackers who have just one 70.0-plus season grade among their 10 combined years in the NFL. Rounding out the top-tier of linebackers. David Long, meanwhile, was playing at a solid level before an injury forced him to miss most of the second half of the 2021 season. Jack is now trying to reboot his career in Pittsburgh after suffering similar ill-fortune in Jacksonville. 1. The folks over at PFF are going through the process of creating rankings and tiers for every position ahead of the 2022 NFL season. Devin Bush has not lived up to his draft status as a first-round pick, and 2022 might be his last chance to prove himself at the NFL level. Warner had a transformative effect on the 49ers defense when he became the starter. Johnson finds himself in one of the most unique contract situations in NFL history. 11 among linebackers,) his AV of 8 was tied for No. Click here for PFF's full list of top 100 free agents. Getting outside the . The Packers long searching for a reliable off-ball linebacker brought Campbell aboard on a one-year, $2 million contract, and his 86.7 overall grade was second among linebackers through Week 8 while his 90.7 run-defense grade ranked first, leading to a Pro Bowl nod. Rounding out the top-tier of linebackers, Lavonte David is likely another surprise player based on where he tends to go in drafts, but dont let the age fool you. Tae Crowder and Micah McFadden will look to compete for the spot opposite Martinez. PFF analyzes every player and every play of every game in the 2022 NFL season. Hes aggressive, has a quick trigger and finds the ball carrier. PFF themselves had the Cowboys 2021 secondary in the top 10. The Titans ask a lot of their off-ball linebackers, and Long can do it all.